Yesterday was ridiculously fun. We went up to Cleveland for the Holiday CircleFest and visited The Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Botanical Garden. We saw ice sculptures and Santa ice skating. We saw horses plodding around Wade Park pulling carriages full of people. Everything was decorated for the season with garland and twinkly lights and gingerbread houses and Christmas trees. Then we headed over to Trader Joe’s to stock up on some holiday goodies (CANDY CANE JOE JOES). On the way home, we drove around looking at Christmas lights before watching Elf while drinking hot chocolate.
It wasn’t perfect (we argued, it was freezing cold, Gabe fell asleep right as we arrived), but it was so nice. So fun. So family.
I mentioned that I made a little list of things I want to do this month as we get ready for Christmas. Advent is a time for preparation and anticipation and what makes for more anticipation than three weeks of doing Christmassy things? Last year, we were getting ready to go to Puerto Rico and then were there, but this year is more about the homey, cozy stuff. (Though, I won’t lie, I am quite wistful for last year. Not only the warmth, but it was just such an amazing adventure as a family. It makes me a wee bit teary to look back at the pictures because I am a sap. Anyway!)
Our Christmas prep bucket list*
Get holiday drinks at Starbucks✓ (But, multiple times!)
Go on a drive to see Christmas lights✓ (Again, we want to do this more than once.)
Make real eggnog
Make paper snowflakes✓ (Flop. Not as fun as I expected)
Paint ornaments (specifically – this one)
Drink hot chocolate and watch Elf✓
Go see Santa at Graf Grower’s
Thread popcorn for tree garland✓
Watch The Polar Express✓
Go on the Polar Express (just Gabe)
Wrap gifts
Write Santa a letter
Bake and decorate sugar cookies, using Grandma’s recipe
Bake and decorate gingerbread cookies
Bake something else ✓ (Sweet potato pie)
Make a gingerbread house (bought a kit at Trader Joes)
Go to Glow at Botanical Garden
Make a countdown paper chain
Get Gabe candy canes since he’s obsessed with them. (Maybe do a candy cane hunt?)
Get Christmas books from the library
Read a Christmas book every night (if he wants to)
* We might not do everything. It all depends on His Royal Highness Sir Threenager
Ha, His Royal Highness Sir Threenager is funny because we have a teeny dictator of our own. Who keeps insisting that the tree needs to be redecorated, over and over.
Love these ideas, and will be stealing a few… do you have any that are starting to become clear traditions with your family?
I tried to make that ornament with Topher last year and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be! He didn’t like me painting his hand because it tickled, then I think it took 5 or 6 balls before we actually got anything that even LOOKED like a handprint. We gave them out as gifts anyway, though :) Good luck :)
Awesome list! I made a winter bucket list also with many of the same items on it. :)
I keep seeing the Candy Cane Joe Joes at Trader Joe’s and I want to buy them because I keep hearing how good they are, but I’m afraid if I buy them, I’ll love them and become addicted!
I’m glad you had such a fun day and that you have so many fun things planned :) I am being a total bum this year because I can barely muster the energy to do things beyond deal with the kindergartners all day.
Sir Threenager might be my new favorite toddler description ever, ha.
& love your list! December is just such a fun time of year!
This sounds like a great list! And …”It all depends on His Royal Highness Sir Threenager” hahahahahahahahaahhaha