'Tis the Season...

....To make an Advent calendar!  I just made this the other day using a linen covered pinboard tile I've had forever, some scrapbook paper and a few Sharpies.  Why, you ask?  And why now?

One of my major concerns about having another baby is that it's going to limit the time I have with Joshua.  Which, I know...it will.  And he'll just have to get used to it, and we'll all have some adjusting to do...but it still makes my heart just a little bit sad.  Especially because this year he's two, and I think he'll actually have somewhat of an idea of what Christmas is about - so seeing him wake up on Christmas morning this year will be all sorts of fun that it just wasn't before because he was too young. 

That being said, I want to try to make this first Christmas season he will remember (hopefully!) a magical one.  I want it to be about more than presents under the tree and Santa Claus (though we will definitely have those too!).  I want him to have something fun and special to look forward to each day.  Which I know will be no easy feat since I will also have a newborn to take care of.  But still, I want to make this a special time for Joshua too. 

I had to make the calendar now because Lord knows I won't have time to think about such projects when baby boy makes his arrival.  So here it is, the middle of September, and I've already got Christmas on the brain. 

There's just some small thing to do or make or talk about hidden beneath each number.  For example, on the 7th it says pick out and decorate Christmas tree.  One of the nights is a family slumber party in the living room with the Christmas tree all lit up!  Another night is simply watching a Christmas movie, and another is having a candlelit family dinner.  Nothing huge, just something to make each day special.  Of course, there are also days to read about Christ's birth and sing Christmas songs - we don't want to forget the reason for the season!  And some of the days simply say something like go Christmas shopping or wrap presents...because I'm definitely going to need some motivation to do those things once my second son arrives!!

 

I hope my boy (and someday both boys) will have fun with this and make this Christmas season a very special one!