Sometimes, when the holidays sneak up on you and a flu bug makes its rounds and slows down the crafting, you have to change the plan.  Sometimes, when you are busy working and home schooling and convalescing on the couch, you realize your plan to finally make that second advent calendar (gifted by a dear friend, waiting for over a year now for some attention) might not be completed in time for this holiday season.  And then you are glad that you have that one special advent calendar, made by another sewing angel friend, the one the kids love and the only one they are expecting anyway!

But wait, it seems there has been some rearranging in the garage and a very heavy antique fridge is blocking the Christmas totes (I am sure you have all had the same problem, right?).  So you distract your generous children with a wee Christmas gift bag (that you stuff with the gifts that your sewing angel sent to get you started, as she does each year).  After the first day of December you decide it is easier to just make the second calendar then move the fridge (hubby has a bad back right now so you can’t ask him….and you are so excited that you finally found the gorgeous, lost kit).

So you begin – there is still hope!  But by Day 3, you are not even close.  Still you persevere, you find a moment and you sew the pockets (look how clever this kit is!).  And then you realize you are ready for bed (already, didn’t the kids just go to sleep?).  You feel that over-achiever-not-good-enough-mama-guilt coming on….and then you chase it away with a “good enough!”.  In an instant, the problem is solved (for now, anyway) and the “extra” calendar is ready to go!

Ta da!

I will pin it up as is and finish it soon (I hope…though the softie inserts might wait for another year, why rush!!?).  Right now there are pockets and numbers and surprises – that is all we need.  And soon we will have to move that fridge and get out the decorations….and then there will be two advent calendars! Maybe I will keep filling this one and they can take on filling the second one?  I think they might just like that, don’t you? And instead of adding more to this busy mama’s to-do list (I was originally thinking they could each have their own, instead of sharing and alternating days as they have done happily for years), perhaps they can take on half the work (and a bunch of fun)…

…I wonder what they will fill their advent with?  Will it be as I do…a sprinkling of vintage ornaments, inspirational seasonal activity ideas and the odd treats? Or perhaps they will write down favourite memories or moments they observe over the holidays?  Jokes? Drawings? I can hardly wait to see what they choose….but while I wait, I will take comfort in knowing that this advent calendar is “good enough!”

Here’s hoping for many more “good enough” moments in the coming busy weeks!

P.S. Speaking of “good enough”, I just realized I took the photos for this post with tomorrow’s surprise in the wrong pocket!  Now this tired mama could re-shoot the photos, but that would be making life more difficult than it needs to be.  I am thinking these photos are “good enough” and I am just grateful I noticed my error before little fingers go searching in pocket number 4 tomorrow.  And now, to bed!  Sweet dreams my friends!