This Years Advent Calendar

As the kids get a little bit older I have gotten more into making traditions as a family during the holidays.  We have a few that we have done in the past but this year I really wanted to put more into my favorite holiday! Thanks to pinterest, yes I am a wee bit obsessed, I found the idea to do a book a day for the advent calendar.  Typically there should be 24 books for us to read but since we are going away this year I decided this would be our advent til we leave vs til Christmas (my own lil twist).  So I wrapped 17 books and put them under the tree.  Each day we will open a book to read until there are no more left.  When this happened then we will be on our way to Chicago spending time with family.

I thought about numbering each one to dictate which book to open but I kinda liked the idea that they can pick.  The only bonus about numbering them is that they would see how many days were left vs having to count the books (although that does keep them busy counting and helps with their numbers too....just trying to kill a few birds with one stone). 

Day 1:

So excited

The anticipation of "what book is it"

This book is very sweet! If you don't have it get it and read it to your kids. 

Day 2:

Abby was so excited that the book today was Olivia! She saw who it was before Colby had the wrapping off.  This is really fun!

Day 3:

This might be my all time favorite book for the kids especially the younger ones.  It goes through all the fun things to do at Christmas then explains that all these things are nice but the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. 

 

Day 4:

Today we had a special treat while opening our book.  My Grandmommy, kids great Grandmommy, was here so we let her pick the book.  She picked The Night Before Christmas and she said "I used to read that when my kids were little".  As I was reading she was reciting some of the book.  What a great memory having her participate in our new tradition!!