christmas adventures.

Every year about this time (well usually it is closer to November 30. But remember my planning-ahead-goals with my "be still" theme?--i'm totally making baby steps!) So anyway, every year about this time, I plan our Christmas Adventure Calendar. Oh that is such a lame name. I know. I have been trying for the last five minutes to think of a new name for it, but I've got nothin. And in real life that is what we call it, so I suppose we will just continue on with it until inspiration hits.

Now before you start mocking my zealous list-making and calendaring (this is primarily directed to my boy cousins who mock me endlessly for this blog), a word in my defense. . . I have found that without a little planning ahead, the holidays pass by in a rush and when they are all over, I am sad because we didn't make the time to just sit by the fire and sing Christmas carols or get bundled up to go to the Christmas parade and look at the little Christmas village displays or act out the nativity.

So a few years ago I came up with this idea. First I make a master list of 1. all the fun things we want to do during the holidays (like read Polar Express snuggled by the fire and drink hot cocoa) 2. all the things we need to do during the holidays (like send out Christmas cards, buy our tree, etc) and 3. all the activities that are already scheduled (like ballet recitals, neighborhood parties, etc.)

As I look at my December calendar and my list, I assign each day in December one of our "little adventures." Then each adventure is written on a little piece of paper and stuck into our advent calendar in the corresponding day. I'm flexible and inevitably end up doing a little rearranging throughout the month. And sometimes if I don't feel like following through with the preplanned activity, I replace the activity-for-the-day with a little treat.

Each night before bed, the kids take turns pulling out the next days adventure. The kids absolutely love this little family tradition! And soon, I'll share some of the very exciting adventures I'm planning. Just kidding. About the very exciting part.

:: image from olive & cocoa ::