Advent Calendar(s)

This year we decided to start a new tradition.  We really want to teach the kids that Christmas is about a lot more than just receiving.  But at the same time we know that they are still little.  So we did two advent calendars.  The first 12 days we did 12 acts of kindness.  Then the last 12 days we have an advent calendar that Wayne and I made with fun little toys and trinkets.

Here is the list that we came up with.  Some of the things changed.  As we saw needs change.  For instance Wayne's office adopted two families so we added that to the list.

Here are pictures of some of the things we did.

We left chocolate and a card for our mailman.

He even mailed us a thank you.

We took hot chocolate to the bell ringers.  Zoe had some too.

The kids picked out toys to donate to toys for tots.

We bought 4 meals for the food pantry.

The kids sorted their toys and books to find items that they are willing to give to those in need.

We made banana bread for the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Fire Departments. 

The kids got to have tours of both stations.

We made cards to hand deliver at one of the senior living communities (we haven't delivered them yet since we are waiting until everyone in our house is healthy)

And on the 12th the kids were able to start their advent calendar.  They each have a board with 12 tins. We filled them with little toys.