December 4- Learn a new Christmas song

Some how we have been so busy this week which has forced us to do our advent activities in the evening.  Normally this isn't too much of a problem, but this evening it was.

After we returned from dance class and running an errand we came home for a quick dinner and then selected the star for today out of our Christmas box.  Our scripture passage today was from John 2:13-17.  In this passage Christ casts out the money changers and animal dealers from the temple.  Christ sought to purify the temple, as He was pure.

Our activity today was to learn a new Christmas song.  Off and on today I have had our song, The Shepherds' Carol, playing on the computer and this evening we sat down together to work on learning it.  The problem was that we were all tired and thus easily distracted by anything and everything.  I started to get frustrated with their lack of focus (silly I know, they are 2 and 4) so I decided to call it a night and we sat down together to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol.  I decided that the relationship is worth much more than the activity.  We will continue to work on the song over the next couple of weeks, but for tonight, this is the best that they could do.

December 2nd- Donating Toys

This evening we finally got around to our advent calendar.  The girls picked out the star envelope for the day and we went downstairs to open it.  Having a little piece of chocolate in there is nice because it means that the girls sit quietly while Tyson reads the scripture for the day. 

Today's passage was from Luke 7:36-50.  In this passage Christ is at a home for supper when a woman comes in and washes his feet.  It is said that if he knew the type of woman that she was he would not allow it.  Christ chastises them for saying so and tells the woman that her sins are forgiven.  Today's lesson was that Christ was forgiving.

For our activity today we went through the toys in the playroom and I had the girls each select a few to donate.  I was wondering how this would go.  My girls are a bit possessive of their toys and I would like to teach them charity.  At first Lily said that she didn't want to give away her toys.  When I explained that some children are not so lucky and don't have toys to play with Lily's demeanor changed.   Charlotte followed along with her sister and before long there was a small pile of toys ready to give away. 

I had them bag up the toys and we put them in the car to drop off at the DI tomorrow while we are out.  I'm thankful that they chose to give.

Gideon is still a little small to participate in these activities, but we love having him with us.

December 1st- Decorating the Tree

December has come again and in this house that means that it is time for our advent activities to begin.  This Year, rather than having a chain I decided to create something a bit more permanent and came up with the Christmas Box.  In this little chest there are 24 star-shaped envelopes that hold a couple of little treats for the kids as well as a scripture for the day and an advent activity as we get ready for Christmas.

 For our scriptures we are reading each day about the attributes of Christ.  Today we read from Luke 8:41-56.  In this passage Jesus raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead.  We learn from this that Christ was compassionate.

 Every December 1st our activity is to set up and decorate the Christmas tree.  The girls were so excited and hounded us about it all day long!

 Charlotte preferred to localize her efforts and Gideon watched.  I'm sure that he is wondering what on earth is going on.  Tyson laid him under the tree looking up at the lights and he was in awe!

 Lily was very focused on her work and for some reason felt the need to wear her daddy's tie with her dress.

 It is fun when the kids decorate the tree, you never know what you will end up with.  I might leave Charlotte's section alone, for a day or two, then I might have to balance out the tree before I lose my mind. 

I'm excited for tomorrow's activity.  I'm very curious to see how the girls will respond when I tell them what we will be doing.