Countdown to Christmas

This year Hadley is very into Christmas, so we got her an advent calendar to help countdown the days! Everyday when we get home from school she is so excited to run over to her calendar and move the little Christmas tree to the next day and see what is in the pocket. There is always a little piece of paper with a special activity to help celebrate the season, and sometimes there is also a piece of chocolate! Most of the things are very simple and don't cost anything like driving around and looking at Christmas lights or dancing to Christmas music at home, but on a few of the days we have done something a little extra special!

Day 6: Hadley got to decorate her very own PINK Disney Princess tree and put it in her bedroom!! It was a huge hit!! She now goes to sleep with it on EVERY night!

Hadley decorating her tree!

Hadley with her tree in her room!

Day 8: For those of you who don't know, Alyson is Hadley's best friend, and last Saturday Alyson's mom was nice enough to invite us to her company's holiday celebration for kids! It was so neat, and the girls had such a blast!! The celebration was held in an old casino that her company bought and uses for corporate events! Such a fun venue...every company should have a casino!! Thanks for inviting us, Kristi!

Alyson and Hadley on the drive there!

We even braved the ice storm!

This is the closest Hadley has ever been to Santa! Hadley telling Santa that she wants a "slide for her doll house!" The girls eating cookies on bean bags! Hadley's balloon hat! Snowball game!

Day 9: Every year my mom's church has a special dinner they call "Christmas Joy!" A wonderful meal is served and then there are performances from various members of the church, including a lot of Christmas music. Hadley really enjoyed getting all dressed up to go to Christmas Joy this year! She loves Christmas music!

Somehow I actually got a picture of the girls before we left!And another!Hadley singing Jingle Bells up on the stage!Hadley up on stage with Gam's choir...such a big help!

Stay tuned for more "Countdown to Christmas" celebrations...the fun isn't over yet!! We have something VERY, VERY special planned for Hadley and Alyson this weekend! I can't wait to see their faces!!