Advent

 Slowly the traditions of the Christmas season unfold as the days tick by in this particularly balmy December. The house elf built a cabin outside his door this year to leave little notes and such for the kids. He has been busy working around the house fixing toys and other things that needed a little love...

FarMor and FarFar sent a huge package of advent gifts that hang on the calendar FarMor made for Soren when he was a boy. Each package is eagerly shaken, squished and gazed at in hopes of knowing what the contents might be and wondering when it is time to open such package (this has tied well into our homeschooling numbers and time lessons, but hits a little hard on the sleep schedule).

 The tablescape changes and changes again as we add a lighted advent candle each Sunday and the kids decorate around Santa. The amaryllis made it to the center of the table, another reminder to slowly watch the season unfold and not wish the days away until Christmas.

Kasper and I enjoy our two "home days" together baking and bringing him back to center after a few days at school.

I once knew a Mama who baked dozens of varieties of cookies that sat in tins on her back table to eat and share as gifts. This year, we are doing one batch each Advent Sunday while Soren is at work. It is nice to add a little rhythm to those Sundays and although we have not shared any cookies yet, we certainly are eating our fair share!

And AnaSofia surprised me with a little advent calendar of my own. She recycled a hot dog container (insert giggle here) and filled it with little slips of paper. I can shake out one slip each day and the meaning is revealed to me by the maker (most often it is a hug which is all I asked for Christmas this year).

These little reminders to slow down and enjoy each day are much needed by this Mama who makes her list of handmades a little late, a little ambitious and adds in crafts that must be done before the official Christmas crafting starts (more on that in another post, I need to get at it right now!). Happy Advent!