It is the first of the month which means that it is the Power Hive Up Day. It is also the first day of December which means that it is time for advent calendars.
Since we don't really careabout the actual religious stuff and I am agnostic at best, Christmas is a time for family, food and presents. The last two years we have had book calendars for Smallsteps where she gets a pocket book each day, but this year my wife decided to make one herself, which you can see below.
It is literally screwed directly into the wall as these walls (and wallpaper) will eventually be replaced, once we have the money to renovate this part of the house. This is hanging in our bedroom, which will be the dining room later.
Smallsteps woke up early this morning (she didn't know about this) and joined us in bed. After some cuddles, we turned on the lights and she saw it for the first time. She has awesome expressions when she is excited.
There is a mix of things inside, with a couple of soft toys, stickers and a set of lego to finish, interspersed with food that she can eat (and will stay OK in ziplock bags) like some lactose-free, gluten-free, taste-free cookies and some fruit smoothies. Food she eats already.
Like for many, it has been a challenge through the entirety of this year and I think she has handled conditions surprisingly well, including living in the dust and brokenness of the ongoing renovation. This calendar is a bit of a thank you to her for being far more mature than her years indicate and learning how to cope in ways that I think most kids don't.
Considering it was only yesterday that I taught her how to button up her pyjamas and she was able to manoeuvre her fingers to do it, she is doing pretty well with all the other things.
She got an apple smoothie today as a gift, which she had as part of her breakfast, but I have no idea what she will get tomorrow, as I will be heading off to Helsinki by train in a few minutes, my first trip out of the city this year - which feels strange.
Oh and before I go, remember PHUD and power up a little HIVE today. Any more than 10 and you will get a badge for it from 
Taraz