The good news is my 3-year-old grandson and I did not get to even half of the possible activities I had planned for his week-long stay. Activities include toys and play things. The first couple days it was almost overwhelming for him I think. He'd play with one thing and then go to the next, and so on. His favorites he went back to often.
We don't have too many toys, to clarify, but all were new to him overall since he had not been here since early June. And our great neighbors had given us some toys that their sons had outgrown. A tricycle was included, plus a battery-powered "Monster Truck" with sounds, both big hits.
The craft/art/science activities were few because of time and his enjoying the toys. Also, since I take care of our 6-month-old grandson who lives in town, our schedule of activities had to include bottles and naps.
We lucked out on the weather: mild and sunny for the week. He enjoyed the used tricycle, and played in the leaves with our Tonka dump truck and loader.
I led an Advent Wreath making time during Sunday School last Sunday, and will do another next Sunday, Nov. 25. After much researching on the Internet and on Pinterest I came up with my own idea because we had a budget. I used red plastic plates for the base, artificial pine garland (Walmart - $2 for 9 ft.)---used 2 ft. for each wreath), bows (1/2 price at Hobby Lobby---$1 a roll which I think is 30 ft.), little glittery red balls (Hobby Lobby vase filler---big bag 1/2 price for $2), white school glue AND hot glue that only the high school helpers worked with (they glued the wreaths to the plastic plates first then the kids began decorating). Oh, and party votive candles (Hobby Lobby 12 for $5.99--safer for children and in my price range). I let the kids use as many little glittery balls as desired and ribbon. I am happy with the results. I will add a couple photos here. Also copied an information sheet about Advent I wrote back in the 1970's before computer word processors, etc.!! Yes, I'm "old"!
The first Sunday in Advent is December 2, the second Dec. 9, the third Dec. 16, and the fourth is Dec. 23. Some put a larger candle in the middle of the Advent wreath for the Christ candle, to light on Christmas Day. Each Sunday in Advent you light the candle or candles (Dec. 16 is the third Sun. so you light 3 candles).
When I was a girl, we lit the candles every evening and read Advent devotions and had a prayer. We did this with our own family. I admit, as the daughters got older and in more activities this didn't happen as frequently. We did try to at least light candles and have devotions on Sundays.
