2016 Advent Calendar December 17-24

Dec. 17 Cards for Emergency Workers

E really enjoyed choosing 3 cards. One each for the firefighters, police and paramedics. Funnily enough, he chose the one that sent "warm wishes for the holiday season" to the firefighters :P

Dec. 18 Toy Purge 

So proud of E! He did a great job with the Toy Purge. I went through must of his toys the previous evening and pulled out a bunch that he doesn't play with a lot and that I didn't feel we needed to keep for T. Some tips if you want to try this at your house:

• Count Blessings
• Lucky to have loving friends and family, house/food, toys
• Look Toward Christmas
• Who is going to give them presents / who are you giving presents to
• Shift to Empathy
• That's a lot of toys for one boy, some kids don't have many toys and won't be getting many at Christmas. Our phrase when talking about this through Thanksgiving to now has been "When we have a lot, we share a lot"
• Give Them Control Over Their Belongings
• While I directed his giving he had ultimate decision over which to give.
• When he initially said he didn't want to, I just started at the top of this list again and reminded him about our blessings, what's happening at Christmas and how to share. He was then happy to make choices and I respected them.
• Praise Their Decisions and Generosity

Keeping 9 (groups of) small items

Giving 15 (groups of) items (many nicer toys)

(Update on Toy Purge April 20, 2017)

Dec. 19 Movie Night

Had a successful / tear-free feature movie - Penguins of Madagascar. Recommend it for sensitive kids. We all got dressed in our pajamas so we could hop in bed right after it was over. E liked having popcorn during our movie too.

Dec. 20 Cookie Exchange Treats

Andrew had a cookie exchange at work and he made out really well. I've been indulging. So E enjoyed a special treat baked by someone else :)

Dec. 21 Window Cling

Dec. 22 Work Kids' Party

Dec. 23 Letter FROM Santa

E was happy to receive a letter back from Santa :) Came just in time!

Dec. 24 Live Nativity and The Night Before Christmas

We went straight from Christmas at Granni and Papa's to a Christmas Eve service in Whitby (after a quick pit stop to drop Banner off at Gramma and Grumpa's). The live nativity was a big hit, even with a tired, over-excited kid.

Gramma recited The Night Before Christmas mostly from memory - count me impressed! Then we left out a rice krispie treat, a carrot, and a glass of milk.

Click below for more advent ideas
2016 ADVENT CALENDAR DECEMBER 1-8
2016 ADVENT CALENDAR DECEMBER 9-16