They Looked Up and Saw Guest Stars, Shining in the East Beyond Them Far

So, you viewers may have noticed something about over these last 12 days - something that has been sneaking into photos (aside from the jealous teapot).

Let's analyze some key photos over the last 12 days.

Yes it is true - there is yet ANOTHER advent calendar in my house.  A traditional chocolate one for my wife!

As a special treat now that we are halfway, let's take a little peek into the OTHER side of advent calendars - the traditional confectionary side!

Lo and behold!  The guest star takes posession of her calendar!

Hmmm - what day to open??

Ooo - a little chocolate goodie lurks inside!

No building required - just unwrapping!

Then, when the wrapper is removed, it is doubled as a gift to the kitty!

"Is... is this for me?"

"SO FUN!!!"

KINGDOMS Day 11 - The Best Christmas Ever - Bar None

All along the watchtower, the guards prepared for door number 11!

A jail cell!  Even prisoners get to celebrate Christmas!

The jail pieces are ready to be built.

Ta-da! Who wants to go to jail first?

What's that Jack Skeleton?  You do?  And you've already put on the shackles? Okay then!

In you go!

Hurray for peace in the kingdom!

CITY Day 11 - Down Through the Chimney...

Here comes day 11 on the Polar Express train!

 Ah! A nice cozy fireplace!  Going to cooozy on up next to that!

Looks like it is up to dad to put the fireplace together.

 Ah, now father can enjoy a nice cozy seat by the fire!

Father in his chair, while the dog eats his sausage, and the kids play their new instruments!

KINGDOMS Day 10 - Christmas Bone-us

 On the hill in the distance lies a tower, and inside that tower lies day 10's treasure,

Why, it's what I always wanted for Christmas - a skeleton minifig!

Admittedly, I am pleasantly surprised that the set includes a classic 'wiggly-armed' skeleton, as opposed to the more recent fixed arm skeletons that I have seen in LEGO Castle sets.  Something about the comical nature of those wiggly arms just makes me smile!

Here is the skeleton, all put together... Let's name him Jack! Now, what kind of mischief can those wiggly arms of Jack's get him in to?

Jack wants the treasure!  Look at those wiggly arms, letting him get dragged about by the Enchantress.

Or maybe Jack just found himself on the wrong end of the Epic Flailer's battlement...

Ouch!

Finally, Jack settles down for a rest in the throne, keeping it warm until the King arrives.  Then again, he's a skeleton, so he's probably not keeping anything warm! Let's leave him there for now.

Here we are, now 10 days into the Kingdoms calendar.

CITY Day 10 - Father Christmas is here already!?

Going to the corner to find day 10, high in the sky!  Could it be that Father Christmas has arrived 2 weeks early??

Oh - sneaky post title!  It is a LEGO minifig father.  Complete with beard and briefcase!

Oooh, an extra set of hair for father!  That'll go right into the leftovers pile.

And there's dad, arrived home for Christmas, presumably from some kind of business trip.

The LEGO Christmas family is coming together!

KINGDOMS Day 9 - A Treasured Memory

Day 9 - opening one half of the front gate - what will it reveal?

Treasure!!  A chest filled with gems!

Oooh - look at the LEGO gems sparkle!

The chest is full of riches - the Enchantress on the right though looks on jealously!

 She grabs the treasure -

And drags it away! (also check out the lace-up back of the Enchantress' gown!)

I wonder what vile plans the foul witch has!?

CITY Day 9 - Bricks on a Plane

What's that boy playing the drums with two swords instead of drumsticks?  You want to see what's behind door number 9?  Maybe save that poor guy on the door who is skating and about to slip and fall?

Well, well, well - it's a toy airplane!

The pieces!

The plane, LEGO boss, THE PLANE!

So many fun toys - and now we are beyond 1/3 of the way to the end...