Tis the season

 Counting the days till Christmas was (is) always a joy! Growing up we had a variety of advent calendars, cotton balls on Santa's beard or chocolate pieces in windows of a home. I wanted to create something this year that I could adjust each year but start a tradition. Having started my quest over a month ago, I fell in love with these red burlap bags from Michael's only a week prior. With a little tlc of felt numbering they were ready to be filled! This year, holiday graham crackers, a small coloring book, three reindeer ornaments to hang on the tree, frosted star cookies, and, of course, StickyGram's filled them up! I can not wait for Jackson to start the countdown tonight. 

Homemade advent calendar

Jackson loves books, and now he is even saying the word! Last year he was gifted several wonderful Christmas books. Wanting to incorporate the Elf on a Shelf story for December 1st and the other holiday tales, I wrapped each up and labeled them with a date in December. He has the perfect amount of books for each weekend leading up to Christmas, with two more mixed in. On the dates we will spark his interest in the holiday story by unwrapping a book to read before bed (or maybe nap). I am already excited at the thought of being able to do this for more and more nights each year.  

Ever since I was a little kid my family has gone and cut down a Christmas Tree, almost always the weekend of Thanksgiving. This year was no different, and then entirely different all at the same time. Jackson ooohh'd and aaahh'd at the trees with such purity. When he saw us measuring the bottom of the tree he insisted on helping. 

Jackson measuring our tree to make sure it would fit

Jackson was fascinated with my husband, then my father for his own, sawing the tree down. He enjoyed the fresh air walking around the farm but because mom had him bundled up so well each time he fell over he was like a rolly polly, awkward and stuck, needing help to get back up. With our little helper in tow we found a perfect tree for our home.