Day 24: Re-enact the Nativity

Millie gave up the part of Mary so that she could wear the angel's hat and a green dress. Because all good angels wear green.

Merry Christmas!

Day 23: sibling presents

And we went with easy. Dollar store. Release the hounds. See what they choose for the other.

Ellis seemed to hover around Winnie the Pooh and foam pebbles. But we ran into the Ariel straw/spoon, Ellis cried out, "belle" and Millie's gift was found.

Millie decided on Winnie the Pooh mini discs. What Ellis will do with them? Only 1.5 more days to find out.

Day 22: Snow Day!

Not planned, not part of the gifts I wrapped a few weeks ago. But in honor of the pile 'o' snow that dumped on us today - we got a snow day from the advent of adventing.

And we deserve it. Snow days in Utah don't exist. We get snow. But a true snow day is one in which school is canceled. And that just doesn't happen here.

So I declared today a snow day in all respects. No cooking. No adventing. No dressing. P.J.s for all. with blankets on top.

But alas, that did not last long. As the dumping continued - I had to dig us out. And then Clin had to dig us out. And then I dug us out one last time.

Completely handmade plowing. Who says I can't rock the handmade trade?

Day 21: Caroling

Very quick caroling. As in ...we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

But we do it because it seems that no one else carols much anymore. Someone has to. Right?

and we do it in memory of the Harris and Roberts clans, who came every year in Oregon. And are probably out there, somewhere, harmonizing right now.

And in honor of Clin's Mother. who carols in her sleep. And dreams of grandchildren and great-grandchildren singing Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat in the eternal round.

and in rememberance of the most embarrassing caroling moment. When none of us could decide what to sing, the door opened, and my father busted out a rousing version of kum-by-ya. For which we were all forced to join in. and vowed never again. never again.

Day 20: Watch a Christmas Movie

I knew we'd make this one work back into the advent plan. This time we sat together and enjoyed A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa.

It was gooood. 4 new songs. Oh how amazing it would have been had there been 8. But all the best characters were back. Together. Joyous. And fun.

Did you miss it? You can catch it, for free, through 12/31 here.

Day 19: Cope Family Christmas

We got together to say hey to Clin's Mom's side. Cousins, aunts, uncles, soup, bread, jello & green salad, lemon & cheesecake. Talent type show full of strange songs, stranger MC, skits, costumes and more songs.

Ellis attached a chapstick to her upper lip the entire night. Millie attached herself to the other 3 year old in the room.

The girls performed stinkbug (up dog in yoga speak), I did the infamous neck trick, Clin's Mom (aka Granny Lany) tricked Grandpa and myself into joining her in a rousing round of Christmas is Coming. Grandpa stole the show on that one. I forgot the words.

Sonny and Cher made an appearance instead of the S Man. And it was just as thrilling. If not more.

Day 18: Preschool Christmas Concert followed by neighborhood lights

I got the bell. I even purchased fabric red ribbon (my second fabric ribbon purchase. Ever.) to keep the bell around Millie's neck. I decked the Millie-moo in red skirt, white tights, white shirt, and a fancy pantsy new grey sweater. All accessorized with said bell.

I had heard a rumor that the S man was gonna show. Millie was practicing her new catalog of Christmas songs: Jingle Bells (including the verse - not just the chorus), Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Santa (sung to the tune of Bingo), We Wish you a Merry Christmas.

Roads were snowy, traffic was bad, and I was very concerned that we weren't going to make it on time. I've never been to a preschool concert before. How would Millie get to the stage if we didn't get there until it started?

Millie was in the back seat complaining of back pains. I just chalked it up to fatigue and kept worrying about tardiness.

A block away from the school, I heard vomit. A whole lot of vomit.

Since Clin was at rehearsal, and missed our festive evening, I would like to re-enact the drive home. Enjoy.

Here I am concerned that we will not make it to the school on time. We were pretty much already late, but I was hoping everyone else was too.

Notice the action shots. Sounds of vomit. And more vomit. And then some more. A quick u-turn and we were headed home.

As I looked back, Millie was like a small bubbling fountain. She was completely still and her face and mouth didn't move but the water just kept bubbling to the top.

In an attempt to get home quickly I turned into an unfamiliar neighborhood and got lost.

Windows were rolled down and I couldn't stop talking: how are you feeling? are you too cold? are you too hot? should I roll the windows up? don't move. we're almost home (we weren't). does your stomach hurt?

And Ellis couldn't stop the talk either: Millie (while pointing). Millie. Mil-lie. Lights. Lights. Millie, lights.

So apparently it is a genetic thing. We both turn to unneccessary commentary in uncomfortable and smelly situations. At least we fulfilled our neighborhood light requirement.

And this is me waiting to turn left behind 30+ vehicles on the way home. The round trip? 1 hour 20 minutes.

And I still don't know if the S Man was a show.

Day 17: Hot Chocolate

After a happy romp in the snow.

18 monther really has no boots. So we throw on the boots for a 3 yr old. Mmm, they fall off. Constantly. And she doesn't want to sit in the snow. Or jump in the snow. Or lay in the snow. She prefers to sit in her toy car which is really a summer toy and can't move much in the snow.

Day 16: help the girls make gifts for each other

It was a good idea 16 days ago. I was inspired by this. But today I was inspired by grading.

And since the girls can't read, when they open the advent gift I can misread as needed. (HALLELUJAH!)

So today we did what my Visiting Teachers (thank you) left for us.

We read a short story about a boy who was in charge of holding the star for the nativity. And then we put a large sparkly star as high up on our tree as possible. Nice addition. Nice, new tradition.

Day 14: Wrap Presents

Day 13: Make Sugar Cookies

Not from scratch.

Cut them out with Mom. Eat some dough.

Frost and decorate with Dad.

Better than scratch.

Day 12: Ward Christmas Party

This year it was just the girls. The three of us. And if it weren't for the saints sitting at my table, I don't think that I would have made it home with all three. They helped wrangle Ellis, and helped hold Millie. Passed around the girls, and went and got us seconds.

Ellis just wanted to wander and by the time I turned back, Millie was gone. I lost Millie at least twice. And both times? She was behind the curtains, on the stage.

The big hit at the party this year? Chicken nuggets. For the kids. And Millie had seconds of everything.

The miss? Santa. Missing. Gone. Not a problem for me. But how is it that my 3 yr old still remembers seeing Santa and the candy cane he gave her (and I later threw away) last year.

We hung around. Millie ate. And I waited. And people cleared out. And I got the clue. Didn't mention the S word. And so far? Neither has Millie.

photo via romap

Day: 11 - Board Games



A bit 'o' princess match here and some felt farming there.

Day 10: Paint Toenails!

Okay - you're thinking, how is this festive? How does this add to our Christmas cheer?

This being only the second time that I have ever painted Millie's toenails, we both consider it cause for excitement.

And if I was really dedicated, Millie would have been painting mine. But I have virgin toenails. Yeah - never been painted. (okay, maybe once but I've put it out of my mind.) And I wasn't about to scar them for life.

Millie chose light pink. And when it was applied, she complained because it was too light.

Millie: Mom. You're not my best friend anymore.

So I emphasized the fact that it sparkles in the light. And I kept talking about the sparkle. Blind your eyes sparkle. And then all was well.

And to those of you disappointed because day 5 of the month was never fully completed? I'm rockin' the addresses now and you should see an envelope in the near future. And if you don't? Then I don't have your address. Or I don't know you. Or I pretend that you don't know me.
(Offended? Let me know.)

Day 9: Write a letter to Santa.

And mail - but I think I'll just keep the closed envelope hidden. And make this a tradition so that when she is older she will have one for each year. You know, to enable her to view the lifetime spectrum of greed.

Day 8: Breakfast for Dinner!

We're talkin' Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes (minus the Ricotta, because I opened my container of it and it was foul), Super Scrambled Eggs, Homemade Hashbrowns, and a bowl of fruit.

On the 7th day of Christmas my daughter gave to me:

4 poopie panties
3 hours (or what felt like that) on the toilet
2 parents loosing patience
1 screaming daughter
0 toilets to flush

I digress.

Today's activity: A Christmas movie. But the strain of not pooping brought about 2 very tired girls who slept the afternoon. By the time dinner ended it was bedtime again.

My vision of delight, watching Meet Me in St. Louis (my Christmas movie of choice), was not to be.

So a quick 5 minute movie clip, about the Nativity, and then the family returned to the bathroom.

Christmas cheer!

Day 6: Lights at Thanksgiving Point. Drive through. Christmas style.

Millie: (shielding her eyes) There are too many lights.

Ellis: (waving out the window) Hi.

We had such great momentum. When did it end? I'd say somewhere between yesterday and the toilet. Today's advent was intended to include Clin, since he was to be home tonight.

Day 5: Address and mail Christmas cards. I included this as motivation. Even if we haven't written our cards yet, I thought that we could at least address the envelopes and then we would have to get the cards together so as not to waste the stamps. That should work. Right?

Clin decided a date would be a better celebration of the 5th. I didn't challenge that request.

We ate pizza. Real pizza. As in really good, real pizza. If you are in Orem/Provo area - go there. Now.

And then we attempted to see a movie, but missed the beginning of what we wanted to see - so we headed to Toys 'R' Us, purchased the last gift for the kids, and came home.

Stellar celebration. Much more joyous than addressing envelopes. So if you do not get a card this year, you can blame it on Clin. Blame it on pizza. No, blame it on December 5th.

Snowflakes. Today we made snowflakes. Paper snowflakes have this mistique about them. Beautiful, playful, light fun. Everyone can make a snowflake.

What we discovered today is that paper does not differ much from the real thing. Fun to look at from inside, but the the second you have to interact with the stuff it becomes cold, wet, and you're ready to run back in.

It all started when Millie ran away from the advent gift to the bathroom. No problem, we can open it after toilet time. 40 minutes later, it's time to start dinner, and we aren't any closer to starting our snowflake project.

Our Intermission:

• Millie screamed
• Ellis screamed
• Hide panties and toilet paper - this is a new technique. If there are no panties to poop in then she wipes the poop out with toilet paper instead of pushing. And if she can't find either?
• More screaming
• Intermittent attempts at finding out how to make paper snowflakes in between. (Yeah, I had to look it up. So what. I haven't really needed to use my snowflake making skills in the past, oh, ever.)
• I relented and gave Millie two squares of toilet paper to blow her nose. She didn't use the squares on her nose. There was poop every.where.

By the time we got to the snowflakes I was not in the mood for crafting. Okay, I'm not ever in the mood for crafting. Whatever. And then I forgot how to fold the paper and had to look it up, again, on the internet. My scissors weren't sharp enough to make things pretty. Ellis was feeding on markers, paper, and glitter was everywhere.

Let's just say that paper snowflakes? Not making the advent list for 09.