Advent Fun

It’s been so wonderful to feel good and do all the fun advent traditions this year. I barely got to do anything last year due to pregnancy. I think I’ll always have a new outlook during Advent thanks to that experience. We’ve been reading Christmasy books and watching Christmasy movies, and everyone realized they shouldn’t have fought me on the Christmasy movies because they turn out to be pretty great. 

We enjoyed the school Christmas program this year. Both big boys were in it, and Logan had a speaking part!

I helped each boy make or buy a small gift for each brother and Daddy. They did really well with it and enjoyed the process. I was impressed by their thoughtfulness when choosing gifts. 

Levi and Daddy have had a lot of QT while I did project after project preparing for all the Christmas fun. 

I made a cozy little Christmas nook for the boys. Christmas books, advent manger scene calendar, and a cool piece of art depicting Christmas Day. They weren’t into it, but Elias did give it a shot. 

I got new side tables from my parents. My dad even built them for me one afternoon while I sat down and drank some coffee. It was the first time I had sat down all day, so I was grateful. 

It’s such a luxury to put my coffee down in a (more or less) safe spot! Plus, Grandma Irene’s ceramic tree looks gorgeous on it. 

Elias has made dozens of Christmas cookies for us. :)

The last morning of school before Christmas break brought a beautiful candle lit Mass for the kiddos. They did this last year and it still wowed everyone again this year. 

We stopped by Elias’ preschool for Christmasy cookies and activities on the last day before break. His teacher even made he (and I) dairy free cookies! What a treat!

He worked very hard on making this decoration. It’s now hanging in the dining room at home. 

I made a slew of dairy free cookies this year because 1) I can actually eat one or two now 2) don’t have dessert options at most parties and 3) really enjoyed the simple fact that I could make cookies this year and not feel sick!

Levi fits perfectly into the famous St. Nick hat that Grandma Kathleen made for Augustine.

And what Advent would be complete without Christmasy jammies! He LOVES to make gingerbread cookies with Grandma Susan, so he was over the moon about these jams.