Advent Day 8

Attend Family of Christ Preschool's Christmas Party

We have participated in this Advent activity for the past three years now and the kids look forward to it as much as I do.  When we arrived, we quickly got in the shopping line where the kids go by themselves into a huge room filled with presents to shop for one another.  I have so much joy watching them thoughtfully find gifts for each other.  Can't wait till Christmas to see what everyone bought.  After shopping, the kids spent their night dressing up, doing crafts, as well as decorating and eating Christmas cookies.  A fun night that did not disappoint.

Advent Day 7

Celebrate Dad's Birthday (A Day Early)

Due to Dad's (Nate's) work schedule and other plans we have tomorrow, we won't be able to celebrate his birthday on his official day; so our Advent activity today was to have a surprise birthday celebration for him.  The kids thought it was so fun to keep a secret from him when they saw him throughout the day.  Once he asked them at dinner what their Advent activity was they shouted, "Surprise, to celebrate your birthday today."  They then gave him his brownie cake with ice cream (his favorite), their homemade cards and a new tie. 

Happy Birthday, Dad (Nate)!  
We love you and loved celebrating you today.

Advent Day 6

Attend Family of Christ's "Journey to Bethlehem"

Our Advent activity today is something I have wanted to take part in for a few years now.  Unfortunately was told it was more appropriate for school age kids rather than younger ones.  I understand there is a lot of sitting, but all six of us LOVED it.  "Journey to Bethlehem" is about an hour program where we journeyed through the Christmas story as if we were right along with Mary and Joseph.  The kids were captivated with every new room they walked into; for instance, the soldiers trying to kill their Dad when he didn't pay enough to Caesar, the marketplace where they bought things to help the people of Bethlehem, the angels singing and startling the shepherds, to seeing the newborn baby Jesus wrapped in Mary's arms.  I know we will be participating in this activity again if they offer it because it just became my favorite Christmas event.

Advent Day 5

Attend "Morning in Bethlehem" at Constance Free Church

This morning we did another Advent favorite, we attended Constance Free Church's "Morning in Bethlehem".  While there we did fun crafts, petted the animals in the stable, as well as decorated and ate birthday cupcakes for Jesus' birthday.

Advent Day 4

Visit Macy's 8th Floor Display, "Santaland"

Elyse just happened to have school off today, so the kids and I took advantage of our free morning by attending Minneapolis' Macy's 8th floor Christmas display, "Santaland".  I was so excited to do this activity because the last time we saw it was when Elyse was two thanks to expected babies and/or nap schedules.  Therefore, the boys had never experienced it.  Needless to say they really enjoyed it, and we hope to make it an annual Advent activity from now on.

Advent Day 3

Christmas Gigglers

This Advent activity is so simple and easy, but is by far one of the top requests from the kids every year.

Advent Day 2

Watch "Frosty the Snowman" in Our Pajamas