Looking Back on a Simple December

Back in November, when I was being good about posting, I talked about having a simple December. Things did not go quite as planned.

Things started later than usual, and we didn't get a tree right away. On top of that, we went on a not-so-nice day, so there wasn't much carefree frolicking. Once again, our elf decorated, and the boys explored in the morning. Peanut was a huge fan of the photo ornaments, and Munchkin just acted wise in his "old age".

We did go to visit Santa, and the excitement when Peanut saw him was infectious. Munchkin, at that age, was not really a fan, and was a little upset in the picture. Peanut couldn't wait to get to him and was trying so hard to say Santa (even if it sounded more like Dada).

We did spend one night driving around looking at lights, although he didn't find as many decorated houses as in years past.

As for the rest of the list, it didn't really happen. Cookie baking and fondue got canceled due to a fever. I never got around to getting the gingerbread house, and Christmas Eve was just a night like any other. We did have fun trying to get pictures for our Christmas cards, which we sent out just in time.

Overall, while December wasn't exactly what I planned, it worked out perfectly. Christmas was a happy and not-too-crazy day that the boys loved, and the time leading up to it was exactly what we all needed.

The Elf Strikes Again

In 2013, we had our elf decorate our tree as a surprise for the boys. As Christmas approached this past year, Munchkin kept talking about how the elf was going to decorate our new house. He did not disappoint.

We did try to keep it simple, using most of the decorations in the one part of the house. And when the boys woke up in the morning, we allowed them to explore the tree. While most of our ornaments come from a set that we got at Costco a few years ago, Munchkin loved finding the few that Hubby and I had on our first tree together. Peanut's favorite ornaments were the photo ones, especially the one of the two of them together from the year before.

It was a simple goal with some of the best results.

Into The Winter

Although the season doesn't officially start until December 21, December always seemed more winter than autumn to me. Now that November is ending, I'm looking forward to the winter ahead. So just as I did back in September, here are some things that plan to do this winter in addition to the holiday activities I talked about on Friday.

Build a snowman - Usually we just take advantage of the wonderful snowmen that have been around us, but this year, with our back yard, I'm hoping that we'll get in a few good ones.

Drink hot chocolate by the fire - Munchkin was a fan of hot chocolate last year, and Peanut's love of chocolate milk makes me think that he will be too.

Go sledding - We've not done this before, now to just find a small hill.

Make snow angels - Something that we have done before, but this year Peanut can participate.

Have a snowball fight - I'm not sure why I've never thought of this before, but it should be a lot of fun.

Go to the children's museum - We are big fans, especially when the weather gets terrible.

Go to the natural history museum - This is something that I've been meaning to do for a long time, and I think that the boys would really love it.

Family movie afternoon - I fear that we'll be stuck inside a lot this winter.

What kind of winter activities do you do?

Getting Ready for December

The end of the month is upon us. The turkey is carved and Santa arrived during the parade. It is time to start looking towards Christmas, and how to celebrate the lead up. I already talked about Advent, and I don't want to go crazy since I still want a relatively simple holiday, but there are some traditions that I am looking forward to doing.

Get a Christmas Tree - Ever since Munchkin could walk, he loved to run around the tree lot as we picked out a tree. There is something about being surrounded by all those trees and picking out the perfect one which is a great way to start the anticipation of the holidays.

Decorating - Last year, our elf decorated one night and the boys loved it. I'm thinking that while they are little, I will let the elf take care of the decorations.

Visiting Santa - There is a mall not too far from us which has a great Santa. We've gone every year and I'm looking forward to continuing that tradition.

Decorating a Gingerbread House - So far only Munchkin has done this, but maybe Peanut can help this year.

Baking Christmas Cookies - We started this tradition last year, taking advantage of my in-laws new and open kitchen. And while this year, our kitchen is big enough for this, we'll probably go to my in-laws once again. Also, I anticipate another helper, or maybe two.

Look at Christmas Lights - There are a couple of neighborhoods not that far from us which have some amazingly decorated houses. We skipped this last year since the weather never worked out for us, but I'm hoping that we'll have better luck this year.

Holiday Fondue Party - This is also something that we've been doing for a while, and it is only getting more fun as our friends have babies.

Christmas Eve - I'm not sure yet exactly what, but I want to start a new tradition this year. My family was never big on Christmas Eve, we celebrated more on Christmas and Boxing Day, so when Hubby and I started dating, we always spent Christmas Eve with his family. That tradition continued until very recently when my in-laws decided not to make the trip down. Since Christmas is such a busy day for us, we really can't get up to them and expect to get home at a reasonable time, so the past few years we've been on our own. This year, I want to figure out something to make the night for us, like a special dinner or maybe having hot chocolate by the tree. I have a little time to figure it out.

Along with maybe a few art projects, I think that this sounds like a perfect December for us. How do you plan on spending December?

Getting Ready for Advent

It's getting to be that time of the year again, Thanksgiving is approaching much faster than I am comfortable with, and the Christmas season right behind it. Like last year, while I don't officially start the "holiday season" until Thanksgiving is over, I do need to start preparing now.

The boys are still very young, although Munchkin is old enough to know and remember Christmas and has already started talking about it. I am once again going with a simple holiday season, focusing more on our time together and happy memories. I don't want us to be so busy that we don't enjoy ourselves.

For advent calenders, I plan on finding the chocolate calendar again as that was a huge hit last year, as well as the Santa beard calendar. While I would love to do a huge activity based calendar, I think that the boys are really too young to get much out of it.

Last year, I talked about wanting to do a book based calendar, and I still love the idea. I am hoping to get books from the library and having a new story every night as part of our bedtime routine.

I want to make (or get) an advent wreath, which is something that Munchkin and I did at church last year and loved. I am also going to use the Truth in the Tinsel again, although probably on a modified schedule.

As December gets closer, I will talk more about our holiday traditions, both old and new.