Day 7: Letter to Santa

Day 6: Write a letter to a soldier

Our elves officially have names!

White = candy cane

Red = frosty

Green = berry berry

I told myself I would go with whatever names A chose, whenever she decided to name them. She only recently has started naming and normally comes up with nonsense words that I'm unable to pronounce to her liking. However, I can live with these!

Today's activity was to write a letter to a soldier. I'm not sure that I would have come up with this one on my own but I love the idea of us sending cards or letters to deployed military. I wasn't really sure how to go about sending a letter or what to include but fortunately google was more than happy to help. I found a great website that compiled organizations, needs, websites, tips, etc. I realized that I really would have liked to send something to someone who served/knew/was affiliated with my cousin, Brandon but my uncle and aunt indicated that most of those individuals were back stateside by now. It's hard to believe so much time has passed. Anyhow, I thought I would pass on the website and idea in case others wanted to send a letter or a card!

Day 5: Call from Santa

Today we had soccer (still a hot mess), doughnuts, a craft fair, and a wonderful get together at a friend's house. She definitely said hi to several new people.

We also let A watch her call from Santa. I really need to video her reaction--she seems so skeptical while also ecstatically curious. 

https://www.portablenorthpole.com/en/player-recipient/56639b1773e01-56639b1773eaf

Day 4: Sugar Plum Fairy

Today we started out our day by going to OSU to pick up poinsettias for A's school. My research lab came to the house for an end of semester party. And then Chad and I took A to the Stillwater Performing Arts performance of the Nutcracker. This was an aspirational goal. 

As we were driving over, I tried to give A some context and told her the Nutcracker was a ballet. She said "But I don't like buns, mommy!!" I haven't mentioned on here before but A has an obsessive hatred for buns and braids. If she sees anyone with a bun or a braid, she asks why they are wearing it. If she knows you, she will pester you to remove it. Any dolls or shirts that have buns or braids on them get the same treatment. Once we got there, Chad asked "Do you want to be a ballerina?" She gave him a funny, exasperated sigh and said "No, I don't like buns! I told you."

Although we arrived as close to show time as possible, A found it hard to wait. I am so not looking forward to her learning "I'm bored." She already has the face and attitude.

We made it to intermission with only two bathroom breaks before calling it a night. I definitely think we will try again next year. It also had the welcome side effect of Chad wanting to go to a real ballet sometime. I never would have expected that so I think we should capitalize on it! :)

Day 3: Parade!

Today our kindness task was to share with a friend and our fun Christmas activity was going to the parade downtown! I think A is starting to "get" the tasks. When we got ready to open her advent candy tonight, she said "today at school I hugged Nathan." So maybe she is being kind for bribes...it's starting somewhere...?

It turns out that my phone does a terrible job with photos at night. So I have lots of blurry and/or overexposed photos...

This was our first time intentionally attending the parade. Twice before I have happened to be downtown when it was going on but I hadn't really seen it. Many people were talking about how surreal it was to be at a parade in Stillwater and that there was a bit of anxiety in the air. I think part of my desire to go tonight was fueled by wanting to support and be a part of the community that doesn't let bad events cause us to change our routines or our life. 

We were fortunate that we ran into our friend and her adorable children.

The parade was a bit underwhelming but overall it was sweet. Chad and I were glad we went and A said she thought it was fun. Ultimately that is all that matters.

A loved seeing the motorcycles especially. :)

 

And, of course, Santa. 

Day 2: Pretend a little longer?

This morning Chad said "those elves are silly! Look what they did" and A said "no daddy, I think mommy did that." Tonight we were talking about the elves and she said "mommy, they are just pretend."

She is so my daughter. As the story goes, I stopped believing in Santa when I was only 2 months older than A. Fortunately, I have always had ample Christmas spirit and love the holidays, despite my early and accurate skepticism.

Today's task was to say thank you to her gymnastics teacher for doing such a good job. She says she did that and she was excited for advent candy and finding the "2" pocket on the tree.

Tonight after gymnastics, we read Christmas books and sang six Christmas carols. It was a very easy and fun night!

Day 1: And we're off!

We fit in lots of stuff today.

Kindness elves. Today's task was to "say something nice to a friend." Sweet A told me she liked my shirt. So I think that counts. 

Advent calendar

And the OSU fanfare of lights. 

I also dropped off the gift for the child we picked on the angel tree. We named her "Daisy" and A had so much fun picking out toys and play-doh for her.