Advent Calendar... & Where Did The Week Go???...

Golly where did the last week go???? I can't tell you how many times I tried to blog... but between last minute freelance design work, shopping, crafting with Rainee and getting ready for the class craft.... I haven't had a moment extra to blog...

Here is my promised Daily Activity Advent Calendar in one of my Ivory EverydayFrame... I love how it looks in the frame... and it works so great with pulling out each days surprise. For the page protector, I used a regular one and sewed all my squares for each day... then made a little pocket for the day so I could put a little note inside each day. I have to say, I love love love it... and Rainee... she's getting real kick out of what we do each day... it's been a blast! I've enjoyed watching her excitement at the 'surprise' for the day.

I printed out something for all 25 days... plus a few extras... just in case of ill weather... or the days circumstances change. Having those extras has really worked out well... because it rained this last weekend and we weren't able to do what I had planned.

I've had such a blast with it, I've already decided to do more calendars to count down fun things like... counting down to... Valentine's day...  Easter...  the start of school... and of course Rainee's birthday!!! Sooooooo I once again need to say.... thank you thank you thank you Deana... for such an inspiring idea!!! I love it!!! And so does Rainee!!!

Here's my list with some of the things we'll be doing or have done...

• Visiting Santa and taking pictures with him
  Making a Christmas Tree Pizza and Ice Cream Snowman
• Making hot chocolate and reading the Christmas Story
• Putting out the Christmas Decorations... and sharing favorite Christmas stories
• Making S'mores by the fireplace
• Christmas Charades
• An Indoor Picnic
• Going Ice skating
• Newport Beach Boat Parade
• Driving around to see the neighborhood Christmas lights
• Popping pop corn for a night of Holiday movies
• A Snow Day in the Mountains - sledding, snowball fights and a snowman
• Our annual Carriage Ride
• Baking Christmas cookies... with frosting the works
• Holiday cookies... for the neighbors and friends
• Going shopping for our annual New Christmas Ornament
• Making our Gingerbread House
• Baking Christmas Pies
• Hitting all the stores that have free crafts (Michael's, Joann's, Bass Pro, Home Depot and Lowes)
• Christmas Crafts I've put together for Rainee (this one will happen on multiple days!!)
• Taking a trip to the Christmas Tree farm - - to play and enjoy a cup of hot apple cider
• Making hot apple cider and reading the Night before Christmas
• Going shopping for daddy's gift and having lunch together
• Having friends over for a Mini Christmas Party
• Putting light up on the house and all over Rainee's room
• Family Game Night with lots of special Holiday Treats
• Going to the Rescue Center to give toys for the needy
• Wrapping presents and enjoying a holiday treat
• Making Rainee's teachers gift
• Going to Disneyland for the Holiday Spectacular
• Put out cookies and milk for Santa and having a few ourselves
• Open presents and play play play with all the fun new toys!

That's my list so far... it's been sooooooo fun... I keep coming up with more things to do... and what's so great is having the extras on  hand when a day doesn't go the way it's suppose to. I hope this gives you some inspirations... and some fun ideas to do during the holiday. If you have any other 'to do' ideas, I'd love to know what they are. Until next time I blog... hopefully tomorrow... have a really wonderful day!