Calendars

My kids like calendars.  They have long tuned into them in a way they haven't tuned in to, say, clocks.

We've had this Melissa and Doug wooden magnetic calendar since before the kids could say "calendar".  I think it was one of those purchases made in the early thrall of having toddlers and wanting to create a "learning rich environment" :-)

It has moved with us from Massachusetts to California to New Jersey.  It now hangs in the kitchen and the kids change it every month, on their own.  It comes with many holiday markers.  We have also made our own to signal more personal special occasions.

The kids have enjoyed having their own calendars over the years.  Last year they got an Ugly Doll calendar and they already have their 2010 Ugly Doll calendar at the ready.  The Ugly Doll world, for those of you not in the know, is funny.  Snarky funny.  This calendars provide laughs every month.

At some point in the last year, the kids have gotten into the habit of X-ing off the days using this calendar.  It is a daily morning ritual which involves hanging out at the calendar and giggling over the snarky-eccentric little comments embedded onto the pages.

Advent calendars are their own special breed of special :-)  Mummu (Cap's mom) has been sending the kids advent calendars since they were born.  These calendars help mark the time, the anticipation that is so much a part of the month of December (and for us, in this instance, Christmas).

We've had the Playmobil advent calendar, and Gem was hoping for the Lego one this year.  But, when the mountain of your current passion doesn't come to you, you go to it.  I present to you, Sag's handmade advent calendar with some favorite faces you may recognize.