Our Advent Calendar

Hello, December!!  I am more excited than ever for the holidays this year, not only because it’s our first as a family of four, but also because Waverly just seems to “get it” more than ever.  She is definitely at that stage where she wants to know everything about every little thing, always asking questions & just so curious in general.  My husband starting reading her Christmas books at night about a week ago (since he is the current designated storyteller, while I feed Avalon), and that, paired with the holiday decor around the house has her all sorts of excited.

We did an advent calendar last year for the first time, basically different activities planned out for each day during the month of December (you can see that post here).  Waverly loved it, especially the activities that involved sweets!, & I loved it because it kept us on some sort of a schedule and helped pack in all the fun festiveness we wanted to do.  I set up our garland this past weekend and am in the process of putting the slips in with each activity, some of the things we already had planned & others are just random.  I tried to look at our calendar to make shorter activities on days I was working, #(part-time)workingmomlife.  I am going into this with low expectations that we will actually do everything, since life is a little more chaotic these days. but here is what we are planning to get into over the next few weeks! 🙂

Similar Garland
1 – Play with felt Christmas tree.
2 – North pole breakfast with our elf.
3 – Color holiday pictures (with Christmas tape & stickers!).
4 – Put ornaments on our tree.
5 – Watch Alabama play, maybe not holiday related, but ROLL TIDE!
6 –  Christmas party with friends Ella & Kayo.
7 – Drink hot chocolate (and chocolate milk!).
8 – Go shopping for a toy to donate to others.
9 – Make chocolate-covered pretzels with holiday sprinkles.
10 – Make an ornament with Avalon’s little toes.
11 – Pick up dinner & drive around to look at holiday lights in our jams.
12 – Go ice skating!
13 – Make gingerbread houses with cousins.
14 – Watch a holiday movie.
15 – Go pick out a new Christmas book for our collection.
16 – Make homemade red and green playdough.
17 – Christmastown!!!
18 – Take treats to friends at dance class.
19 – Stay the night with Glamma & Papa G, while mommy and daddy go shopping for gifts.
20 – Bake Christmas cookies.
21 – Go pick out a present for teachers and friends in class.
22 – Christmas party at school.
23 – Annual shopping trip with Glamma & Aunt Lex for last-minute gifts.
24 – Christmas Eve!  Open one gift today.

Not listed, Waverly’s first “coffee” in a red cup over the weekend, and Avalon Elle just happy to be along for the ride in the solly.  So excited for the most wonderful time of the year with these two girlies!!

My Shirt

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?!  Hope you are having a great week so far!
XO

Comments

  1. December 2, 2015 / 12:40 pm

    Love this! We are huge advent/Christmas Countdown people! We are doing the 25 days of Christmas books, have an activity planned for each day, a small treat in the advent calendar, and even the Lego advent. I have a feeling we may lose steam come December 10th 😉

  2. December 2, 2015 / 1:23 pm

    What a fun and festive Advent calendar. I loved using our calendars when I was growing up, it was a great way to get excited for the big day and remember the reason for the season.

  3. December 2, 2015 / 1:30 pm

    What a fun take on the advent calendar! I used to love them as a kid…I always had the sticker ones that would make a picture at the end. This is an adorable way to add some holiday decor, and also have that advent fun 🙂

  4. December 2, 2015 / 1:36 pm

    OK, that Advent Calendar is ADORABLE! I've been on the hunt for a cute one to buy or make and I may need to copy you! And I love all of your activities! Such a great way to make sure you get all the fun things packed in this busy season! 🙂

  5. December 2, 2015 / 3:03 pm

    Love, love love this!! I wanted to do an advent this year, but dropped the ball. I was so focused on planning out our Elf shenanigans. I love the activities you have planned and can't wait to follow along in your festivities. And those pictures are adorable. You gals are the sweetest and the cutest.

  6. December 2, 2015 / 5:22 pm

    Great list! We have some of these activities down, too! Cash loves his hot cocoa in a red cup!

  7. December 2, 2015 / 7:22 pm

    Advent calendars are my favorite. Yours is adorable. I have a very similar to do list with my little Alexander!

  8. December 2, 2015 / 7:37 pm

    Avalon….what a cutie she is becoming!!! LOVE your list of activities! We put ours up, too, and I am so excited for Cam to be so excited to do everything. 🙂 This is the best age for holidays!

  9. December 2, 2015 / 10:33 pm

    It will be such fun now that Waverly gets it a little more. This is the most darling idea for an advent calendar. Not only is is cute but I love all the ideas for each day too!

  10. December 2, 2015 / 11:24 pm

    That advent garland is about the cutest thing I've ever seen!
    Your list is such a great one! We may have to borrow a few of these in our own countdown to Christmas.

  11. December 3, 2015 / 2:03 am

    Your advent calendar activities sound like so much fun! I want to participate too! hahaha

  12. December 3, 2015 / 2:42 am

    These all sound like so much fun!! Peyton is a red cup coffee lover, too 😉

  13. December 3, 2015 / 4:28 am

    Love your Advent calendar; it's so cute and I love the activities you have planned! You are a brave mama for planning all of those things out. I feel like it's so much tricker to get things done with a little nugget in tow, though I wouldn't trade it for anything! And also, Avalon is too sweet! 🙂

  14. December 3, 2015 / 7:20 pm

    I love this calendar idea!! So cute and colorful! We're doing a very similar list and I'm crossing my fingers that we can pull off at least half of what's on there. Some days are more ambitious than others and I'm just glad that my kids can't read yet, so if I have to repeat "Color a Christmas picture" six times, they won't ever know! 🙂

  15. December 4, 2015 / 6:38 am

    Sounds like you guys are going to be having a lot of fun this month! I want to do a Christmas craft (or two) with Mason this month but being a working mom, i find it hard to fit in to the schedule! I have to work this weekend but I'm determined to make it happen… even if it is December 24th 🙂

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Our Advent Calendar

I can’t even believe we are almost one week into my favorite month of the year!!  I have been looking forward to this holiday season for so long, now that Waverly is older I knew she would be all about some festive activities & experiencing all of the magic of Christmas.  Last year, I was inspired by Jessica from Little Baby Garvin’s advent calender, I ordered this one for our playroom on clearance at the end of the season & put it on our chalkboard wall last weekend before December officially started.

I had so much fun planning different activities for us each day, many of them we already had planned so I combined those with other fun traditions I thought Waverly would enjoy.  I wrote them on little pieces of paper & put them in each stocking, each day we pull out the activity for the afternoon & so far, Waverly has loved it.  Also, a schedule totally is my love language, I thrive on plans & lists, I definitely plan to do this each year!!

1 – Set up & play with our felt Christmas tree.

2 – Go pick out a new Christmas book for 2014.
3 – Make (& eat!) Christmas snack mix … Of course, this was Waverly’s favorite so far, red & green sprinkles still cover our kitchen floor but it was worth it.

4 – Shop to pick out Bogger a new Christmas play toy.
5 – Pick out stocking stuffers for daddy!  Listen to holiday music while we eat dinner.
6 – Go see Santa … it could go one of two ways, fingers crossed. 😉
7 – Pick out a Christmas tree!
8 – Go check on baby brother or sister & bring Christmas treats to our doctor.
9 – Paint a holiday picture for the grandparents.
10 – Go SEE baby brother or sister in our ultrasound – first time for Waverly Maye. 🙂  Stop to see holiday lights & eat dinner on the way home.
11 – Go to the tree farm & find out if it is a baby brother or sister!
12 – Kids Christmas Party at My Gym.
13 – Festive dinner with family to share what is in my mommy’s belly!
14 – Go to Christmas party with friends Ella & Kayo.
15 – Drink hot chocolate & watch a holiday movie.
16 – Go pick out a toy for a little boy or girl, take to the Goodwill.
17 – My Gym class with friends, bring treats to my teachers!
18 – Bake & decorate Christmas cookies.
19 – Christmastown!  Our favorite tradition, hoping it is warm enough to go!
20 – Play with Glamma while mommy & daddy go for last-minute holiday shopping and stocking stuffers.
21 – Christmas Pancakes & bacon for breakfast.
22 – Go see Christmas lights at the beach.
23 – Annual Target trip for last-minute gifts with Glamma & Aunt Lex.
24 – Merry Christmas Eve!!  Open one gift today. 🙂

Not included on the list, supervising daddy putting up our Christmas lights last weekend.  Waverly had so much fun with this, although she kept telling him he was “silly” & “crazy” for being on the roof!!

Are there are any activities that I missed?!  What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?!
Happy holiday weekend, XO!

Comments

  1. December 5, 2014 / 12:37 pm

    Great list! You will definitely have a fun december! Especially with all the baby stuff in there too! And how cute is she supervising in her overalls!

  2. December 5, 2014 / 12:41 pm

    I absolutely love your advent calendar! I want to try it next year. I made one with cups set up in the shape of a christmas tree last year with little animals and chocolates inside for the boys. (Emily was too little to be involved) It was really fun. This year I made it easy and am using a lego type of advent calender. Emily keeps losing the pieces, Luke is not too impressed and Cole just wants to open the whole thing lol. I really like your idea with the activities better! Have a great day! Oh and Waverly's bag is adorable!

  3. December 5, 2014 / 2:02 pm

    Cutest advent calendar! I totally slacked and didn't make one for us this year. December is just so crazy with Mia's birthday and Christmas that I can't function enough to commit to these daily activities, ha! I know, I'm crazy! But I looooove your ideas! This holiday is SO stinking fun with our kids!

  4. December 5, 2014 / 2:19 pm

    Oh my stars! I ADORE how your advent calendar is something to do/a memor to make togetehr in lieu of a little trinket or gift. Ahhh! Totally keeping this idea in my back pocket! THANK YOU! 🙂
    xx

  5. December 5, 2014 / 2:37 pm

    Wow, you have so many fun things ahead of you! Can't wait to hear about the gender! Only 3 more days for me!

  6. December 5, 2014 / 3:04 pm

    Love all the activities. Can't wait until my mini is big enough to do some of these things 😉
    Chelsea @ thewilliamsjourney1.blogspot.com

  7. December 5, 2014 / 3:53 pm

    Love your list! I had every intention of being well planned with ours and I find myself scrambling to add an activity once my daughter gets to bed!!

  8. December 5, 2014 / 4:35 pm

    I love this list!! I stole a few things from Jessica last year and will definitely be implementing them next year…when we have a home. 🙂 Thanks for the ideas!! ox

  9. Anonymous
    December 5, 2014 / 6:14 pm

    I love all the new baby stuff added in to the advent!! Can't wait until you find out Ashley 🙂

  10. December 5, 2014 / 10:10 pm

    I love your list of activities! We aren't doing advent activities this year because our schedule's so crazy, but I'll be stealing some of these for next year.

    • December 8, 2014 / 1:02 pm

      Schedule's do get crazy this time of year!! But it is so much fun!! 🙂 Hope you guys had a great weekend!

  11. December 5, 2014 / 10:25 pm

    great list!! we have something similar for our advent calendar. this year I finally made "permanent" activity cards and I am so excited about them!! You have some great ideas so I might have to add a few.

  12. Anonymous
    December 6, 2014 / 2:46 am

    She's going to have so much fun with a sib! Even tho she has tons of fun already!

  13. December 6, 2014 / 3:15 am

    Love these activities, so cute!! Impressive list, sweet girl!

  14. December 6, 2014 / 4:01 am

    I really need to be better about after holiday clearances. I fail. Love the advent! Great activities, esp all the baby sibling ones – so fun. Way to bring treats to your Dr! That gets you on Santa's nice list for sure.

  15. December 7, 2014 / 6:02 am

    LOVE your advent calendar and all your fun Christmas activities! Can't wait to find out if it is a baby sister or brother and to see pictures of all the fun you're having. Happy weekend!

  16. December 7, 2014 / 5:00 pm

    I love this calendar- what a fun idea! I will need to be prepared next year!! Thanks for sharing and your girl ks just the cutest!

  17. December 7, 2014 / 9:09 pm

    Love love love it! I can't help but to be honest and say that it makes me so sad because we aren't even moved in yet (TOMORROW) so we haven't been able to enjoy this Christmas season yet like we would like to. I just want to be settled so we can start doing fun Christmas activities too! Ugh the stress! Hope you guys are having a wonderful weekend though! xoxo

  18. December 8, 2014 / 4:31 am

    Great list! We are going to "Zoolights" at our local zoo, and seeing the gingerbread houses at some of the fancy hotels downtown. We also love Christmas lights tours in our jammies. Love this season!

  19. December 9, 2014 / 5:50 am

    What a cute advent calendar! We do advent too and are adding lots of crafts this year since Miss Hannah is 3! Liv seems to like them just as much! We are making ornaments, snow globes, and a handprint-tree canvas. Plus all the usual festivities like visiting Santa, making gingerbread houses and baking cookies 😉

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