Countdown to Christmas begins!

Last year I saw ideas on Pinterest that involve giving your kids memories instead of little treats each day in December and I really, really liked it. So this year I got around to making a cute little calendar and behind each day I have a simple activity for us to do together.

Dec 1: Write a letter to Santa
This was great fun. Logan sounded out all of his letters, but kept changing his mind about what he wanted to ask Santa for. Jessie asked how to spell "Cinderella." She was astonished by how many letters are in that name, but she got through it. Noah really got into drawing on his paper and didn't want anybody to help him. Porter was deliberate and straightforward and made himself available to help the other kids pretty darn quick.
Dec 2: Watch Polar Express and drink hot chocolate
Dec 3: Make cookies and bring a plate to a neighbor

We made cookies today. Did you know that it actually takes considerably longer for 5 people to make cookies than it does 1 person? That's what makes it fun and Christmas-y, right? Right. Here are some things that make it take longer:

1. A 4 year-old, for instance, might not realize she needs to crack the egg OVER the bowl. I forgot to remind her of that and as I was passing each of the other kids their eggs I noticed an egg plop down onto the counter and then dribble onto the floor. So that needed to be cleaned up and Jessie needed another egg.

2. As I was cleaning it up I felt, I think for the first time, an egg crack on my head. I may have screamed a little. This time it was Porter's egg. He claims he cracked it over the bowl and it somehow exploded. No idea, but I sure needed to clean myself up a bit before we could move forward.

3. And then we laughed and laughed and laughed. This took up even more time.

4. Noah's pants came off. I didn't let this slow us down much, but I still can't find them anywhere.

5. The special chocolate chips I purchased (they were red and green) somehow got opened. Porter and Logan said they needed to sample them to make sure they tasted good enough to share with the neighbors. Porter said this very straight-faced and I sorta believe that's really why he ate a few.

6. Learning skills, like leveling off a cup of flour take quite a bit of time. It's good for them. And for me.

They were so excited they literally watched the first batch bake. I bake cookies at least once a month or so, but they were all so excited about this batch I think because they all participated. Makes me realize I need to  take the time to bake with ALL of them more often.

So yes, we made the cookies, but they didn't get shared with neighbors yet. For sure tomorrow. And maybe tomorrow I'll find my kitchen sink. And put the cabinet doors back on. Tonight I will be too busy washing that egg out of my hair.