It all started with a simple direction:
Our children's advent calendar proposed that we create an Advent Box, something I'd never thought about, but sounded like a great idea. You just make a little box and then place your spare change in it. Anna and I decided to create one during Abe's nap time and it gave me a chance to explain that we could take this money and give it to the Salvation Army bell ringers.
What's a bell ringer? Why are they outside? Why? Why?
As is so often the case these days, a simple craft started out smoothly, then dissolved into frustration and tears a few times, then somehow corrected itself and ended peacefully. Anna had some specific creative direction for the project and I always love watching her ideas take shape.
First, we had to decorate the INSIDE. It needed to be painted and it needed to be pretty. In fact, I began to wonder if she even realized that it would be buried in change by the time we finished this little adventure.
No matter. Red paint and glue were needed. So red paint and glue were provided.
Next, stickers. Lots of stickers. They were placed strategically all over the box (what's that? it looks like the bottom of a milk container? I don't know what you mean.)
My humble idea to write or glue the words "Advent Box" on the side were met with complete rejection. Are you kidding me? What was I thinking???
Now, I try not to second guess anyone's spiritual journey or path, but when she declared that we must write the word KOALA on the side of the box, I did wonder to myself, where did I go wrong?
But even that idea was then squashed. There would be no words, no letters at all. Just the stickers, just the paints.
And, it was beautiful. Anna rummaged through my wallet and Mike's that night and we have been eyeing several potential bell ringers during our errands who may or may not be the recipient of our pocket change.
Good job, sweetheart. It is perfect.
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