Preparation

 Advent has started!  It's my favorite time of year.  We have 3 Advent calendars this year.  Our homemade calendar with daily messages, the chocolate version and the newest addition, the Lego Advent calendar, with little things to build each day.  We're also doing a daily Advent devotional and we have a new sweet book for Lucy with a daily Advent story. Our hope is to keep us all focused on what this month is all about.   This is the time of year I'm most thankful that the kids don't watch television, I think it makes it easier to avoid some of the sad consumerism focus.  We're also working hard to remember the awesome message that "Christmas is NOT your birthday!".  Thanks Sally!!

  On Saturday we cleaned up the front yard and in the late afternoon we surprised the kids by taking them to get a tree at Ted Drewes.  Of course followed by custard and I think a new tradition, pizza.  In that order.

This year, Emma and Eleanor, all on their own, chose really cute ornaments with the same theme, "sisters".   Lucy's of course has animals.  I think this may be the last year of matching Christmas pajamas.  Emma is at the last size Carter's makes in pajamas.  WAAAAA!

Emma's ornament reads "we put the "us" in fabulous".

Eleanor's ornament reads "life with you is a hoot, sister.

I always love our Christmas tree, and every year I say the same thing....this is our best tree yet.  But really, this is our best tree.  Finally, right smack dab in front of the living room window.   We thought about a fake tree this year.  Thank goodness we came to our senses.