bubbanoble: Christmas Count Down

I love that our little family has some little traditions that we do each Christmas in the lead up to Jesus' birthday. Things that point us to the real meaning of Christmas, things that are part of the excitement of Jesus, things that build the Christmas joy. This year was no different. Even though we didn't set up the Christmas tree (because of going to Hervey Bay this year) we still got out some decorations, our Christmas countdown books and our Christmas nativity advent.

When shopping before December Alexander was gifted a bag of lollies and stickers when we left Kmart. Lucky boy.

In the lead up to Christmas Mum came around to help me make Christmas countdown book bags. I had wanted to do this after last year realizing that we were using a whole lots of paper that was just going into recycling. This way I'm not wasting paper. I'm so grateful for Mum helping with the design and making them. It was so nice to spend the time with her making them too. They were very clever. I was so happy that I had made them all before December.

Our first one

Fits like a glove

All the book covers

Some of the books we will open - some about Jesus, some about Santa, some about Christmas themes

Eliza also had her Christmas dress and dressed like an Angel.

December 1 saw the start of our traditions again. Alexander was very excited to open the first Christmas countdown book.

Love Daniel and Eliza's faces in this photo

The kids decided that we all needed to wear our Santa hats when we read the Christmas book.

My gorgeous 3 kiddies in their Christmas hats

Alexander was also the first to do the nativity countdown.

And all 3 kids were excited to find out what their Christmas tree advent calendar would be.

Eliza was excited to open her book too.

And Daniel even got to read a few of the books too.

Eliza used her creative craft skills and made her own little version of the nativity.

The kids each enjoyed putting in their nativity piece.

Alexander and I made some Christmas wrapping paper by doing potato stamping.

Eliza painted one of my favourite pictures that she has made at preschool. It is of our family with a Christmas tree. I love it!

On the 7th December we had our street Christmas party in the afternoon. It was a lovely time hanging out with people in our street, chatting with the neighbours and seeing the kids have a wonderful time playing together. There was lots of tasty food, many chats, a chance to meet new neighbours, bike riding, chalk drawing, swinging, etc. It was just a great time. James brought down his bbq and we even had some dinner there which was nice not having to rush off. We headed back inside around 7:30pm which is a great indication of it being a great time!

The kids loved to stop at the Christmas lights on the way to school at the end of our street. On the way to school and on the way back. Lots of excitement.

I love that James has helped me continue a tradition that our family did. Growing up we would always get a Darrel Lea Christmas Pudding after Christmas in the sales. It is a nought filled pudding and is so sweet, but so delicious! Last year James found out about it and ordered some online after Christmas to surprise me. This year he bought some when he saw them at Dymocks for me so I could enjoy them in the lead up to Christmas. Love it!

Another tradition that I do is gingerbread house making night. As the kids are getting older some of the Mums' Group mums are making the houses with the kids. We have changed the night to be a catch up night with cheese, wine, biscuits, fruit and dessert and those who want to make the houses can. It was a lovely night catching up. It was a lovely time being creative.