So, Christmas is fast upon us and I really wanted to do a little advent project.  I know this is early - before Thanksgiving and all - but I was hoping there would be enough time for any of you to be able to prepare so you can do something like this with your little ones if you wish.  I realize that not all of you celebrate Christmas/this season as the birth of Jesus, but regardless I hope you will at least be inspired by some prettiness and fun ideas for activities to do with the kids.  Lesley and I worked together and she will be featuring fun kid-friendly (gluten-free!) recipes on her blog, and I'll have craft ideas here. Last year, I decided it would be fun to celebrate advent in the traditional sense, where you read verses about the birth of Christ every day the month before Christmas, and you light a new candle in a wreath each week.  However, it got to be a bit cumbersome with a newly-minted squirmy two year old, and while it was a great thought, the verses were lengthy and it was challenging to all sit down for supper together every night and make time for it.  This year, I wanted to find a simpler (i.e. achievable), more impactful way to convey to Vivi the reason we celebrate Christmas by choosing one verse on which to focus.  She really though the candles were special last year (who doesn't think candles make dining more festive!) so I wanted to keep that idea and make a pretty, simple, modern advent centerpiece.I found a cheese board at Target, and painted the triangles on top with acrylic paint, and put a little gold rub n' buff along the edges as well.  The pretty mercury glass hurricanes are from Target as well.  You can certainly make your own version of this; you just need five candles.  The verse we are using is Isaiah 9:6, and each week before Christmas, we'll be focusing on one of the four names given to Jesus with a fun little craft to prompt a some discussion and hopefully make it memorable.  I have that poster above available in my Society6 shop if you want one similar (in evergreen, winter blue, and pink) but it would also be fun to make your own or just write it on a chalkboard.  More details coming throughout this week!  Be sure to check out Lesley's blog for coordinating recipes for some baking fun!On a completely unrelated note, we had Vivi's birthday party this past weekend.  It was so much fun.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and we had such a wonderful time celebrating!   My sweet friend Lindsay Coletta did all the flowers and I can hardly handle how beautiful they are.  I have them displayed all over the house, and I think I might cry when they wilt.  Can't wait to share photos!