The Magic of Christmas

This is certainly a fun time of the year. This Christmas season is really the first season that one of our children seems to remember the previous Christmans and, consequently, has some expectations. Specifically, this child is Sam. He is 5 now and his memory is getting better. It probably also helps that we are doing Christmas in our home for the second straight year, so it looks and feels much like last year (Christmas 2009 was spent in Pocatello and we were staying in a hotel room). We are having fun with it and are trying to generate as much excitement and wonder as possible. The primary catalyst has been the advent calendar.

We were given an advent calendar by my sister-in-law a few years back. We tried it out last year but were not super dilligent and it really wasn't catching on, so we didn't get through the full 25 days. Total 180 this year. Each day the kids get up and pull out that days advent token and note. The note contains the description of the holiday-related activity that they get to do that day. It has been fun to see the light go on in Sam's mind. If we are not awake when he gets up, he will bring the note to us in bed to have us read it. So far this is what the first notes for the first 8 days have said:

• Day 1 - "It's the first day of December, as you might know. So, tonight we'll start it off with a fun show. We'll make popcorn and have lots of fun, but first we must get all of our work done."


• Day 2 - "Santa is busy and needs all your wishes. Get your list to him, but don't ask for fishes! Put it in an envelope and mail it out, so be on your best behavior and better not pout."


• Day 3 - "It's Saturday, and time to pick out our tree. Let's pick out a big one and then you will see. Decorating with goldfish and legos will be all kinds of wrong. Let's put on the ornaments...it won't take long!"


• Day 4 - "Today we'll go to church and we'll learn a lot. Hopefully, you won't have to sit on a pot. Then we'll help decorate another tree. Papa and DeeDee's house is where it will be."


• Day 5 - "The trees are decorated and look so very cool. We did it ourselves without even a tool! Time to get your very own ornament today. Does that sound good, what do you say? You get to pick whatever you think. Hopefully, ou don't choose anything pink."


• Day 6 - "We'll have some fun and do some crafts. It'll be lost of fun and we'll have some laughs. We'll be holly, jolly and merry. You make some Christmas trees, and I'll make a fairy.


• Day 7 - "We've got some presents under the tree, but daddy needs one as you can see. Let's pick out some good ones and wrap them tight. I need all your help to get it just right.


• Day 8 - "When it gets dark, and it's bedtime for the sun, we'll put on a movie and it'll be fun. Get on your pajamas and turn out the light. Sit very quietly and better not bite."

Amanda is bearing the brunt of this as I had to travel this past week and will travel agagin next week. Day one we popped popcorn, fried up some french fries and watched "A Muppets Christmas Carol". It was a huge hit. Picking out the Christmas tree was fun. We had debated the idea of going to a tree farm, hiking around until found the tree, cuting it down, lugging it back, yadda yadda; but, more efficient minds prevailed and we swung the minivan by a tree-kiosk in the parking lot of the former Alberstons and had it back to the house in 45 minutes. Isaac napped while Sam and Charlie helped us decorate. A few ornaments didn't survive the boys' enthusiasm, but the majority made it on the tree. I am excited about some of the other things coming up.