This year we have a whole new outlook on it....simplify, do what we can, and most importantly guide the kids towards the real meaning behind Christmas! With that in mind only 3 of the 4 kids do the daily ornaments, Alexis just listens to the bible verses.
I love this time each day to just sit with the kids and talk about what they think everything means! Derrick has really taken to it and asks more and more questions each day. One thing I have learned is that we need a Children's Bible, the regular one just isn't cutting it. I get lots of blank stares until I reword everything into "kid speak."
Day 2 - Kingdom
Day 3 - Zechariah
Day 4 - Gabriel
Day 5 - Mary
Day 6 - Mary & Elizabeth
Day 7 - Song
Day 8 - Sun
Day 9 - Joseph
Day 10 - Dreams
Day 11 - Name of Jesus
We are sailing smoothly through the truth in tinsel ornament activities. We do often have to do a couple in a day, but we don't sweat it. The kids color the ornaments while I read the stories. It seems to work out really well. I am so happy I decided to just do the ornaments. It's a great addition to advent but isn't too overwhelming with the more extensive activities. It is "just right" for our family at this specific stage. I often get asked by one kid or another, "we doing our ornaments mommy?" Then they go over to the tree and ask, "mommy which one is this again." It's a nice way to have repetition in understanding the Christmas Story!