Tomorrow is December 1st. Are you ready? I’ve been busy finishing up my advent boxes and arranging supplies for my first December daily album. In addition, I’m preparing for my Ben’s 10th birthday tomorrow and an early Hanukah weekend with Jeff’s side of the family. Our December is always filled to the brim.

With all that hustle it is easy to become frazzled. So I’m listening to Christmas music, drinking an iced tea, baking mocha cupcakes for my 52 cupcake series, and just working my way down my to do list. What needs to get done, will. And if it doesn’t, there is always another Christmas and Hanukah 12 months from now.

If you haven’t had the time to put together an advent for the season, there is still time. I bought 25 plain kraft colored paper mache boxes at Michael’s craft store, filled them with shredded paper, inserted a daily activity, and covered with ribbon. The project took me about 2 hours from start to finish and that was with no plan in mind.

If you have paper arts in your blood, then I’m certain you have more than enough supplies are hand to get this project started. Remember- your kids will not remember if the ribbon or supplies are not in season. They WILL remember the fun activities and time with their parents. This goes for any holiday, birthday, or month for that matter. And this is in bold so that it will sink in with me as well.

Some of the activities we will do this month include sending care packages to a select few soldiers, visiting the Nursing Home next door, caroling, making a family CD of holiday music, baking holiday cookies, taking a friend ice skating, watching old Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate, making gingerbread houses, surprising friends with special treats, and going to the Zoolight spectacular at our local zoo. The activities are all about the memories, reflecting on how blessed we are, and spending time with family and friends.

I also pulled my character keys out of a small basket and put holiday ribbon and hung them near the advent boxes. If anyone is interested, I’ll write about them. The kids have really enjoyed being rewarded and recognized for the positive things they do.

That’s all for now. The mocha cupcakes smell divine, so be expecting those soon.

Take a deep breath and enjoy this time of the year.

Life is good.- Jenny