SPIDERMAN ADVENT

     We don't do the Santa thing.  Not because we have any crazy harsh "conviction" about it but just because we want the focus to remain on Jesus' birth.  For Christmas our kiddo's get 3 gifts (one from us and one from each of their 2 siblings +stockings) just like Jesus and we talk about how He has the best birthday. We tell them He desires to have our worship and obedience for His gifts but loves giving, so loves that we give each other gifts on His birthday. "So then who is that big red guy with the flying cows."  Troy asked last year.  Well, His name is Santa and He is a super fun Christmas character.  He is a fun make believe guy to celebrate another man named Chris Kringle.  Chris loved Jesus and gave gifts to people around this time of year.
      We all know that Christmas is a pagan holiday that the church chose to celebrate Jesus on instead. Just like Martin Luther used many bar toons for his hymns.  All that aside we focus on Jesus but I also love the wonder and fun I experience believing in Santa as a child so last year I started Wa Wa Advent. I did 25 days of the new stuffy sneaking out of Bear's bed and setting up fun things for the kids and holding part of our Christmas story. The bit of story is printed on a sticker so we add to the story a little each day and the kids tell the story with me each morning.

They had a blast! I did too until about day 17.  It was just over whelming to be that fun and by the end I had set this SPECTACULAR standard that I was feeling obligated to follow through with.  This is my own spin on elf on the shelf.  This year we used our little Advent door thing that my Parents sent us years ago up till day 20!  Which would be today!  This year Spider man is going to give us the rest of our Christmas story!

December 20th

     It is rolled up there in his hand.  I wanted to enjoy the come to life toy advent thing and not feel like it was one more thing to do and be sick of it by Christmas.  I also knew it was going to be possible that I would have a lot of canvas orders to fill, I did.  Now its time to be fun whimsical Christmas focused Mom.  I love my job! 

December 21st

     Troy wasn't home this morning so Bear and Abi agreed to leave Spidy until he got home from Granny's. Once we got Spidy down I placed him in the window sill that you can see there behind Bear. Just so I knew were he was for the next morning. Bear went and got every Batman he owns and piled them up. I asked what he was doing and he said, "I want Spider Man to make my Batman's come to life too." 

     This morning my alarm didn't go off because some one must have messed with it. It was 6:15 when the first kid went to the bathroom waking me up! AHHHH! I rushed out to the kitchen. I had to be seeky to get things done and not be seen by the wave of bathroom going that happens from 6 on. I guess that window is the magic spot because The Batman's are being made pancakes! Little mini green ones! 

December 23rd

     Today Mike Puppy was placed with Spiderman to hopefully catch the magic! He did! Spidy and Mike are making Christmas Cards! 

December 23rd

BEAR IS 4

 It was a good day. I didn't have the money to do any kind of a theme and that was wonderful in its own way. I didn't try to accomplish anything Pintrest and as a result ended up still wowing my kiddo and spending $3 on decorations! Theme Green, his favorite color. I didn't get a picture but there were some streamers and balloons. He was so blessed when he woke up to the house decorated. Paul got to be home just long enough to watch Bear open up his gift from Abi and Troy. LEGO's they worked together to build a bug type space ship. Bear was so gracious sharing his first set of new lego's.

 We did the usual sprinkles on everything we eat all day long and sang happy birthday with every meal. I just love blowing out candles so I do that for my kids multiple times day :).

Went to Big Boys and used out last free meal coupons! 

       We had his "party" at Granny and Grand Dad's. We all had pj's on! Aunt Shell Shell made cake and cup cakes to order. This is the master on the Nijago Lego movies and toys. After Bear told me what kind of cake he wanted and I told Shell he said, "don't worry Mom, I told God what I was thinking and He will tell Aunt Shell Shell." I wasn't worried she is amazing at cakes!

 Papa called while Bear was building lego's with Dad. That is always such a blessing. 

     Bear was blessed with so many fun lego's but the gift that stole the show was the "fart gun." From Mamo and Papa! Yes I said fart gun! It is a gun that farts and strays banana sent. We got to Skye with Mamo and Uncle Lukie as he opened their gifts.

     All of this was fun and wonderful but the greatest gift was that Bear invited the Holy Spirit to live in him today. We were getting shoes on before leaving and we got into discussion about the Holy Spirit and Satin living in our hearts. He said that he keep forgetting to ask the Holy Spirit into his heart and would I help him pray and ask Him in. Yes, Bear I would love to. It was a good day.

Birthday Garland

     For Our Troy's 5th birthday we made a new to us decoration. There was some left over wrapping paper that matched the theme of the party. We cut the characters out. Using the sewing machine Troy and Bear handed me one character at a time and I sewed them into a garland. Just sew straight through them. I ended up taping a few to the curtain since thin paper doesn't lay well but it was a hit!

Wa Wa Advent Day 25

Back to were we started. 

Wa Wa Advent Day 24

     Paul ran a shift last night so they got in bed with me to get some good snuggles! 

Wa Wa Advent Day 23

Oh yeah baby! Just look! This is a good one. I nearly fell off the chair trying to do this so Paul stepped in and saved the day!

Wa Wa Advent Day 22

     Wow! Nothing will wake you up like remembering you are 22 days into a new tradition and you forgot to snag the stuffed animal's out of your kids beds! Thank goodness one of the kids wet their beds! I usually go in and get the animals at night before bed. I forgot last night and I have been sleeping in since the sickness hit. Sleeping in till 4:45! All is well. While Paul changed wet clothes I snagged animals and put them in my shirt. Wa Wa and Velcro want to go to Troy's doctor's apt. so they are all strapped in and ready!
Troy had to go to the doctor and Wa Wa and Velcro didn't want to be left behind!

Wa Wa Advent Day 21

FIRST SNOW! There is nothing more fun that waking up to a little blanket of white on everything! We got a little snow this morning! Its been kind of fun not really having a plan with what I am going to do each morning. Usually I just integrate Wa Wa and Velcro with what is already going on during our days. This morning Wa Wa and Velcro went out to play in the show wearing the scarves Uncle Lukie made us! The "lost" the sticker in the wind so we hand to bundle up and go find it. I of course had it in my pocket and put it in the snow when they weren't looking! Abigail was less than impressed with going out in the cold wind and snow at 7 am before the sun even came up! She was a trooper!

I love this purple suit!

my hair froze!

Wa Wa Advent Day 20

Poor sickies! 

Wa Wa and Velcro got sick with the rest of us! They got all snuggled in and had cough drops! There was also little presents for the boys in the blanket!