The Advent Calendar Saga of 2012

Here is Cole checking out his advent calendar in Texas: 

And Annabelle (a.k.a. Apple) testing a drawer from hers in Utah: 

And, lastly, Liam and Juliette anticipating some chocolate from theirs in Washington:

And yes, I stole all of these pictures from my girls' blogs . . . sooo glad they posted them.  I'm just wishing I  had a picture of Bella having some advent calendar fun too (hint, hint).  Plus, I'll have to get a future picture of Henry (a.k.a. Nik) when he's old enough to enjoy some of the advent festivities.  I'm pretty sure Christmas will be one of his favorite seasons, especially since he was born on the 6th of December (a.k.a. St. Nikolaus Tag).  His arrival certainly makes St. Nikolaus Tag even more special for our family.

So on with the saga:  I was so proud of myself in October when I finally decided what to get the girls and their families for Christmas -- wooden advent calendars which they could enjoy for many Christmases to come.  I went online and did a thorough advent calendar search . . . I found palaces and houses and trees and angels and rectangular boxes with little wooden drawers.  I finally decided on something I had found on Etsy and placed my order.  But very quickly and to my dismay,  I noticed that the beautiful calendars I had chosen were made of cardboard, not wood.  So I requested a cancellation.  I had no idea that a simple (or so I thought) cancellation would turn into a two month battle. But I'm happy to report that I finally got my money back a few days ago (a little persistence and a lawyer husband were all power for the course). 

In the meantime . . . I found some rather unsightly wooden house calendars while shopping downtown.  They were pink and blue, and yes, ugly!  But I had this vision to repaint and remake them.  The above pictures show off their new paint and Martha Stewart "Winter Wonderland" decopaged drawers.  I was so excited to send them off in mid-November; and I'm actually wishing I had made an extra one for me (which I could eventually give to Lissie and her family).  But alas, I don't seem to be that forward thinking.  I do, however, have plenty of leftover MS Winter Wonderland paper to put one together someday. 

So for the past 9 days I have been envisioning my sweet little grands enjoying some daily countdown excitement packed into little wooden drawers. Happy Christmas Little Ones!