The children went to a birthday party this afternoon which meant that they got to open up the boxes earlier than usual. My oldest waits patiently as take photos of her, just as I did last year when they first started this tradition with the train. Maybe next year she'll give her little sister the honor of opening up the boxes. Or maybe we'll just have to find something else for the little ones to do.

It's amazing how such a simple act of getting to open up the box of the Advent train can put a smile on a little child's face. Well, that and getting to eat whatever is inside. It also puts a smile on my face as I watch my children eagerly waiting with that longing look on their face.