Advent 2016! Week 1

Day 1- Henry was super excited and in a really good mood when he found out it was time to set up our tree! As one of Henry's favorite activities, Henry wanted to help in every aspect of putting up the tree, from unboxing, to assembling, to putting the star on first! Going through old ornaments was lots of fun, especially the shrinky-dink ones we made last year, one for all the people we love. Henry pointed out all the people we needed to add to update our ornaments. Something to do in future advents.

This year, our advent book is "The Adverbs of Advent" which goes through the advent season with verses and adverbs to capture different themes. The excerpts are short but full of great insight. The first day's adverb is "Once" as a start of the story of man and God.

Day 2 -  Reindeer droppings. Henry wasn't sure what it was but after reading the poem/story, having a good laugh, and taking a cautious bite, he couldn't stop eating the reindeer droppings (chocolate coated doughnut holes). Day 2's adverb is "Sadly" as Adam and Eve decided to turn away from God and sin.

Day 3 - Service Project January brainstorm with Mama, Potluck dinner at Nick's. Henry danced! This advent, we're looking to do service projects throughout the year and spending an advent day to brainstorm some ideas and pick one to do for each month. Day 3's adverb is "Patiently" as people had waited patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled.

In the evening, we headed to Nick's Dance Studio for the final potluck celebration. The studio is closing after so many years. It was a bittersweet moment catching up with old friends and doing a few line dances and choreographed couple dances. Henry even jumped on the dance floor and gave it his best shot at line dancing! Afterward, we went stopped by Wendy's for a late night snack (frosty dairy dessert) because that's what Jack and I used to do after spending a night at Nick's! Henry gladly took part in that tradition one last time!

Day 4 - Service Project Feb brainstorm with Dada. Day 4's adverb is "Unexpectedly" as Zechariah had unexpectedly been told by Gabriel about the miraculous birth of a child for him. God also works unexpectedly in our lives in ways we can't imagine.

Day 5 - Service Project March brainstorm with Mama. Day 5's adverb is "Quietly" as Zechariah had to wait quietly as a result of his unbelief while we ourselves can meditate quietly and free from distraction on God's greatness.

Day 6 - Hot chocolate day with candy cane Henry earned from class and mini marshmallow and shaved chocolate. Sitting around the kitchen table nursing our hot chocolate mugs was sublime. Day 6's adverb is "Happily" as the birth of Zechariah's son John brought so much happiness. In the same way, we should share the joy and happiness we feel with others around us.

Day 7 - Breakfast for dinner (tater tots casserole, ham and cheese sliders, cinnamon buns and Aunty Marilyn's birthday) and Movie (Christmas is Here Again), more hot chocolate! Dinner was flipped upside down and breakfast was delicious. We all got to share Auntie Marilyn's birthday edible arrangement. Yum! Day 7's adverb is "Truly" and John the Baptist pointed to the true messiah, Jesus Christ.