How do you keep track...

Lots of people have been saying that Christmas has kind of snuck up on them this year...I guess with it being on a Sunday people are a little thrown off, that and no snow to make it feel real.  Around here, though, if you don't see it coming then you obviously aren't paying attention to one of the five advent calendars scattered throughout. 

This one hangs in the kitchen.  My Aunt Alice made it for my family when I wasn't even a sparkle in my mothers eye.  I have some of the original ornaments in a little box that hangs on my tree.  They are very, shall we say, loved?  I have many fond memories of keeping this calendar up to date and counting ahead to see if my day would land on the star...the little baby Jesus stays in that little pocket until Christmas.  I still have the original one in there, though he is now one armed; I just can't see another way to end the calendar!

 My mom made this one for me.  Each of my siblings has one like this or similar.  It's a favorite because she made the whole thing from the cutting out (unless my dad did that part...I'll have to find out!) to the painting of each sweet ornament.  This one hangs at the bottom of the stairs.

 I bought this cute little day counter from a friend's kid selling stuff for school.  I didn't really want to buy anything but have a really hard time saying no so this is what I ended up with.  Pretty cute, actually!  Going to the bathroom?  That's where this guy hangs out.

 I found this one at Peach Days!  I had to hold it while riding my bike but we made it.  I like the spiritual aspect to this one.  I found a nativity idea on Pinterest that we'll try next year where you read a little story and put out  a nativity piece each night for 12 days.   This one is on the landing as you go up the stairs...a pretty popular place so you can't miss it.

 I found this awesome one at none other than Costco, in like October of the year I bought it.  It was the first one we had as a family.  I have to admit to it being hard for me to turn the hanging of the ornaments over to my kids because I love it so much.  However, with 5 we each get a turn.  This one is in plain sight from the couch.

So, as you can see we have been watching the days go by pretty faithfully and are waiting ever so patiently for the big day to come.  Even with all these reminders, Katie Anne's little way of counting sleeps is her only link to reality.  Tonight...4 sleeps.  Which is where I am headed, now that this post is done and John's treat to take to work is finally out of the oven.  Night, all!