Deck the halls...

We're gearing up for the holiday season around here. I love the whole month of December. Seeing all the stores get stocked with Christmas goodies. Watching the lights and decorations go up around town and in neighborhoods. And then, of course, getting our own decorations out. I like the planning, and list-making, and shopping, though not particularly the wrapping part. I like Christmas music on the radio and at church and really being reminded of why we celebrate Christmas and what it means for Christians.

So...Hooray! December has arrived.

We have A LOT planned this month. Items in red are activities with Carver-- I'm aiming for one a day. We'll see if that happens.

 

We've been decorating the house. Daniel just got the last of the lights up outside so now our decorating is complete. It's tricky when you move to a new house. In our old house I knew exactly where every decoration was placed-- this year I have had a little trouble figuring it all out. We had to sacrifice a few things that didn't fit back to the attic, and we'll really need to add some additional decorations in the next couple of years. But, overall, it's not too bad.

I've made two Christmas crafts for Carver to play with (these he couldn't really help with).

First, I made a Christmas tree out of felt and then made ornaments out of felt for Carver to decorate the tree with. He loves it! (Credit goes to Pinterest, not me).

Then I downloaded this free printable of a nativity scene. Laminated and cut out the figures and hot-glued magnets onto the backs so that Carver could play with it on the fridge and we could really start working on teaching him the Christmas story.

For the second year, Carver and I also stuffed a box for Operation Christmas Child. My plan is to do a box each year with the boys (probably 2 boxes starting next year), and stuff a box for a boy of each child's age. So, this year we did a box for a 2-4 year old boy.

Carver totally doesn't understand what we are doing with the boxes yet, but I hope  he "gets it" by next year and starts to learn about giving, and supporting ministries-- even as a child.



The day after Thanksgiving we went over to the campground to meet up with Daniel's parents and go on a sleigh ride. Carver loved it! It was a great "first activity" for the holidays.

Last weekend we watched the Cleveland Christmas parade for the second year in a row. We ate dinner first at Creekside Deli and then walked across the street to watch the parade. Unfortunately, Carver was SUPER exhausted and had a hard time waiting for the parade to start. Once it started, he did settle down some and seem to enjoy it, but as soon as we got to the car he was asleep before we left the parking lot.

It's a fun but extraordinarily busy time of year. I feel a little overwhelmed. Which is crazy, I know. Hoping not to get too wrapped up in crossing things off of my to-do list and instead can relax and just enjoy family time. Making memories, fellowshipping with family and friends, teaching Carver about Christmas and really starting some fun traditions.

This is my favorite time of year.