After Eight dinner mints

In the advent calender that I made for Aloka, I alternate After Eight mints with a hard candy bonbon. Today is the 11th, so she opened the corresponding little envelope. She pulled out the little mint and the activity of the day (Decorate your tree!) and she said "Mama, what are these chocolates called?"

"After Eight's" sweetie, I reply.

She get's that furrowed brow confused look and says "After 10 you mean?"

She's cleverer than I am, it took me a second to realize what she was saying!
Today's the 11th, right!

Advent calenders and sleepovers

Oh how did a month slip by me? I have so much to post and only one hand (nursing sleeping baby) and not a lot of time. I swear this will pick up again soon!

I've been so busy working on my site www.bumblebeetoys.com amd it's the Christmas season, so it's been crazy. I'm also the class rep for Aloka's class and I'm juggling so much right now.

I have lots, but can't type too much right now...so...pictures are worth a thousand words, right?

The first batch of pics is summer reminiscing. We have hoards and gobs of huckleberries growing on our land, and I still haven't posted those pics:



We picked many many pounds all in all and I made lots of jam, and still have tons in our freezer!

Aloka had her first sleepover last night and she had SO much fun! The two girls get along great (her friend Avie). The mess they made was astounding.

Yes, Aloka painted her face. That's her "cheetah" look.

And lastly, I made an advent Calender for Aloka this year. I found an envelope template online and collected all my papers that i've got laying around. I filled each one with an After Eight mint chocolate wafer and a hard candy, alternating. Then I put a little activity or craft in each one.
So far, it's been a huge hit!

Laying them out and putting the activities in each one. They are written on coloured foil origami paper.

I was given these adorable clothespins, with little felt trees, by Aloka's Kindergarten teacher, Debbie Sunflower!

Aloka loves it!