Aldi made my day a few weeks back when I discovered these classic chocolate advent calendars for .99 a piece. I am a sucker for all things from the Christmases of my childhood – advent calendars, bubble lights, and finial tree toppers. I purchased each child their own advent calendar and Ella’s been eagerly anticipating hers for weeks.
We pulled out the chocolate calendars and two others – one that shares a different scripture each day and another that simply counts down the days – out this morning. The kids enjoyed getting their chocolate treat and we plan to read the scripture at family time tonight. Moving the little ball on the third calendar reminded me of fond childhood memories taking turns with my sisters to move a bear, collect a candy, and add an ornament to advent calendars as we counted down to the big day.
December means stopping to enjoy and celebrate along the way to Christmas. First, we’ll participate in another May family tradition when Sinter Klaas arrives on December 6th to kick off the holidays by leaving a small gift in the kid’s shoes. This dutch tradition is from my father’s childhood. Ella and Ezra will be getting ornaments to add to their yearly collection.
Next, Ezra will turn 2 on December 9th and Ella has big plans for us to make the birthday boy a car-shaped cake. It’s very sweet – she tells me something new about it daily. I swore I’d never inflict a December birthday on any of my kids, but nature had its own ideas. We’re excited to celebrate our little boy and make his car dreams come true!
I am also counting down the days until my mom arrives to spend the holidays with us. We have plans to make holiday treats and simply enjoy being together. Mom being here is the best Christmas gift ever.
As I anticipate Christmas day, I wanted to record the reasons why I celebrate Christmas and what Christ’s birth means to me. Some I will record here. Since I don’t blog every day, some will go in my journal.
December 1st: I celebrate Christmas because I know that Christ is literally my Savior. His great sacrifice makes it possible to repent of my sins, covenant to forsake them, and choose to follow His commandments so that I can return to live with my Father and Heaven again. For this, my gratitude is boundless. Because of this, I have hope and purpose.
December is my favorite month! My birthday is the 8th, most of my family knows how crazy it drives me to combine my birthday and Christmas!
Happy December 1st Mindy!