K and L and our Christmas tree. Yes it's very small, but it's a live tree we can plant!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

For our Christmas tree this year, Rob and I chose to get a live tree.
After reading "The Night Tree" by Eve Bunting, K has been talking about finding our own tree to decorate for the animals. (The brownie troop she is in read the same book, and made decorations for a tree in a forest near where they meet!)
What better way to start that tradition, than by planting our own Christmas tree to decorate?! I am not sure where we will plant this tree when the holiday season is over. Likely we will keep it in a pot somewhere until the ground is ready for planing, I am crossing my fingers that it lives. : )

The coloured glass in our windows are heads and tails from when we were learning about glass and visited the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory. ( http://www.kindleseed.com/archives/2006_04_02_kindleseed_journalarchive.html )

K meets Governor Mitch Daniels.
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

L's preschool co-op class took a trip to the State House on Thursday morning. We hung ornaments on the State Tree, (it was *very* sweet) and took a tour. Meeting our State Governor wasn't part of the tour, but we happened to notice him along the way, and I encouraged K to go and wish him a Merry Christmas, and so she did!
Sometimes K can be very shy in front of group settings, but really, one on one, she is not shy at all. It was fun for K to see him there, he chatted with L as well- you can tell he has kids, he was kind of goofy with them both! : )

What a sweet morning it was! We celebrated St Lucia day today! I laid everything out for Kahli the evening before, but she still needed help in the morning, lighting the candle. She came in to ourbedroom carrying saffron buns and coffee, and saying "St Lucia invites you to breakfast!" So sweet! Next year I am going to put a camera on the nightstand so I can take early morning photos.

Last year, and now following with this year, I am feeling peaceful and very happy with our decision to spread the holiday celebration out a little more. We have been celebrating Advent, St Nicholas day on the 6th and St Lucia day on the 13th. It's making the whole month of December feel full of beauty and fun.

Lucias with no candles!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Today we had a preperation afternoon for tommorow, which is St. Lucias day.
St Lucia's day is a traditional Swedish holiday of the Christmas season. The eldest girl in the family wakes up and dresses as St Lucia wearing candles in the wreath in her hair (our girls may get to *carry* candles!) and bringing buns and coffee to their parents and sibs in bed.
We celebrated this last year, and the girls really wanted to do it again this year.
Who am I to say no to a celebration that involves breakfast in bed?!

Advent wreath!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Here's our Advent wreath for this Chirstmas. We anticipate Christmas day itself with a whole four weeks of preparation and celebration during the season of Advent. We have a wreath and candles and we sing a song and light the candles at each meal. Our family also does chocolate Advent calendars, where each day K and L gets a small treat to start their day with!