Snow really fell for the first time this winter about two weeks ago. It came as a surprise, as did the fact that we didn’t have any snow boots for Jude to wear (insert an impromptu Target shopping trip here). After layering up with warm clothes and stuffing ourselves into winter outer wear, Josh and I took Jude outside to try out his new sled. To say Jude loves his sled (or as he calls it, his “plane,”) might just be the understatement of the year. Josh pulled him on it, I pulled him on it, our friends Martha and Shav pulled him on it… there was no satisfying the kid. Now, whenever we go outside, he asks to take his plane and I have to tell him that we can only play with the plane when it snows. At that point, he asks me for snow and I have to try to explain to him that Mama doesn’t own a horrible white wig or cloudy contact lenses and is therefore unable to work the weather. *sigh* Thanks, Grandma Rose.

Our daily Advent celebrations have been hit or miss since I last posted. We’ve baked a bunch of cookies; read Christmas stories; watched Christmas-themed movies; picked out, put up, and decorated our Christmas tree; lit the candles in our Advent wreath, and have gone to Charmer’s for a sweet treat and a hot drink. Last night we went to Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo and today we’re planning to go caroling. I have some pictures to post from past events, but don’t have the energy to upload them at the mo’. You’ll just have to check back if you want to see those.

Last week, Josh’s maternal grandfather passed away. Grandpa Miatke was always kind and sweet to me and to Jude. I’m sad that Jude won’t really ever get to know him. The silver lining in the dark rain cloud of sadness was that Josh, Jude, and I were able to spend some time with Josh’s side of the family after grandpa’s viewing and funeral. We’ll get to see everyone again when we travel to see them on the 26th of December. Jude is really looking forward to seeing all of his aunts and uncles again!

In less fun news, I somehow hurt my back. Again. Actually, I hurt my neck. Then the pain shifted to my lower back. On Friday, new pain showed up in my upper back. This morning I completed my first yoga practice in weeks. It was a gentle back bend sequence, and it went really well… right up until the end when I got dorked in the forehead by a toy hulk car. Ouch.

As it stands now, the majority of our Christmas presents are bought, but some homemade items still need a bit of work. Most things are wrapped, but nothing has been mailed. The house is a wreck, but I’m hoping to get that under control over the next two days. I’m looking forward to having a few days off with Josh and am really looking forward to seeing Jude’s face on Christmas morning.

Here’s a list of the activities we’re planning for this wonderful season of Advent. I’m a few short at the moment, so I’ll update this list as I think of more fun things to do!

Light Advent Candle 11/29 — Done!
Make paper snowflakes and decorate windows 11/30 — Done!
Make pumpkin cranberry bread for COS college freshmen 12/1 — Done!
Read lots of Christmas-themed books 12/2
Bake cookies 12/3
Movie Night-Claymation Movie(s) 12/4
Get/Decorate Christmas Tree 12/5
Celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day/Light Advent Candle 12/6
Make Christmas cards for family and friends 12/7
12/8
Make Styrofoam snowmen 12/9
Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo 12/10
Movie Night-How the Grinch Stole Christmas 12/11
Make cinnamon rolls 12/12
Light Advent Candle 12/13
Go to Charmers for a sweet treat and a hot drink 12/14
12/15
12/16
COS Christmas Pageant 12/17
Movie Night-Charlie Brown Christmas 12/18
Go downtown and look at all the window displays 12/19
Light Advent Candle 12/20
12/21
Ride the CTA Holiday Train 12/22
Wrap presents 12/23
Unwrap “Christmas Eve gifts” 12/24

***Christmas celebration w/friends (not sure of a date, yet).

Here are some pictures of the finished Advent calendar, our Advent wreath, and the activities we’ve completed! (Sorry for the poor photo quality. I’m having a tough time with our fancy camera. I think it’s time to admit that I just don’t have a knack for photography.)

Our completed Advent calendar:

First Day of Advent:

Second Day of Advent:

Third Day of Advent:

I’m going to try to post a picture from each of our daily Advent activities. If you have any suggestions for fun thing we can do on our “empty” days, feel free to leave a comment on this post!