12 Dates of Christmas | 2017

12 DATES

1. Christmas Party

2. Write Santa Claus

3. Christmas Baking Day

4. Host the North Pole Party

5. Jordyn's Christmas Dance Recital

6. Take Jordyn to the Nutcracker Ballet

7. Snowflake Express w/ Gram & Papa

8. Brunch w/ Santa at Center Grove Orchard

9. Go to the Polar Express at the iMax theater

10. Watch a Christmas Movie in front of the Fire

11. Drive through Jolly Holiday Lights w/ Popcorn & Cocoa

12. Holiday Party

12 Dates of Christmas

Without delving into too many details, we - like many- were feeling stretched in so many ways this holiday season.  I knew I didn't have it in me to do a full Advent Calendar of Christmas activities like previous years {2013, 2014, 2015}, so I decided to do 12 Dates of Christmas this year instead.  And it's been so refreshing to pull back and really soak up the reason for the season!  It's just too easy to get wrapped up in all of life's hustle and bustle.  We've had to adjust the schedule twice already - we unfortunately weren't able to make it to our favorite family friendly holiday party {& fundraiser} this year due to sickness or Hick's Place {which was going to be a first for us!} due to weather but we've cuddled up and watched more Christmas movies than ever before, so that's a major win in my book! :). Here's our 12 Dates of Christmas...

Ice Skating

Polar Express

Adopt a Family

Take a Sleigh Ride

Breakfast with Santa

Cut Down a Christmas Tree

Bake Cookies with Grandma

Listen to a new Christmas CD

Watch a Christmas Movie by the Fire

Mail Christmas Cards & a Letter to Santa

Jolly Holiday Lights with Popcorn and Cocoa

Also, we've been reading tons of Christmas books again this year, but I decided not to wrap them all and have the kids open one each night.  Multiple reasons--I didn't really have/make time to wrap them all, it seemed wasteful and and like I was pushing 'gifts' on the kids which isn't what Christmas is really about, and this allows us to read all of the books all month long.  Here are a few on our favorites if you're still looking to add to your collection...

Tons of other holiday stuff going on in Des Monies right now...

Brunch with Santa | Pajamas & Stories with Santa | Santa & Reindeer at the Zoo | Santa Calls | Pony Express at Jester Park

Jordyn + Cullyn 50|52

Kids | Making S'Mores

 Cullyn | Writing a Letter to Santa {he's very good at & proud of his C's}

Jordyn | Making a Gingerbread House before Cullyn woke up

Breakfast with Santa | 2015

Two weeks ago, the weekend Adam was hunting, my mother in law and I took the kids to Center Grove Orchard for 'Breakfast with Santa'  It's actually breakfast, a 'sleigh' ride, crafts, & visit on Santa's lap.  I always love how this event isn't crowded like Santa at the Zoo and other local events.  We didn't have perfect snowy weather like we did the first year, but this is always one of my favorite events.