So long, Christmas! Thank you for the Blessings!

So I should have confessed that as soon as Christmas is over I go a little nutty. Like get it out of my house, crazy. It's December 29th and that tree that I loved - it's outta here. So long tree, thanks for everything.  Before I rush it all into the attic too quickly though, let's recap the highlights.

Christmas is all about Little B & Nugget. They loved every moment and they are sad to see it go.
"Jingle Bells" and "Santa Is Coming To Town" are still being sung around our home and Cameron still requests "Silent Night" at bed time until he remembers that Christmas is over.

It wasn't perfect (hence the temper tantrum shown below), but it was magical - and that's the point.

There was creative reindeer food made on Christmas Eve, made with love and laughter of course. What reindeer wants glitter and oats. Our reindeer like carrots and cheerios best.

There was cookie decorating and helping Santa eat them, but making sure that at least two were left.

There were Christmas stories, and sort of explaining what we could about Baby Jesus.  Although, it's worth noting that the Baby Jesus from our "little friendly" nativity scene decided to take a break from us and hide in the couch for a few days.

Santa surprises and Christmas morning faces are the best.  The truest form of expression. The purest form of joy.

Santa & Mrs. Claus have clashing opinions when it comes to the presentation around the tree. every. year.

Christmas Eve pajamas, prayers & The Night Before Christmas remind me of Christmas' past and bring a glimmer to my eye.

Our holiday is no made-for-tv-movie with white picket fences and perfectly coiffed, right out of the bed hair, but we enjoy the bits that make it whole.  The pieces that make it our own.

We are blessed to enjoy these moments together and moments with family.  Oh how I hope that future Christmas' maintain this kind of magic for as long as possible.

Here's to your own kind of holiday magic!

Confessions of a Tired Mama, Episode 3: Holiday Version

I confess: no, I know that everyone is a complainer. Even if you think you're not, we all have our own ways of complaining. It's just a matter of how you do it. This also coincides with the southern phrase, "well, bless your heart". Or giving someone a compliment and then saying "but... ________".  There are ways to "hide" your complaints or your digs, but they are still negative. It doesn't matter how you spin them.

I confess that sometimes when things get emotional we find ways to cope that may not be like everyone else's. There is no right or wrong way.

I confess that I'm super proud of Cameron these days, see that name?!

I confess that I get OCD about Christmas shopping. Once I start I need to be done, quickly.

I confess that I love, Love, LOVE how my boys wrap around my neck when they hug me. like really hug me. It's hard when it usually comes at drop off and I need to get to work, but I soak it up and remain about 5 minutes late. #sorrynotsorry 

I confess that when Cameron really cries, like really cries... he still cries like me. Poor guy. 

I confess that Tim went a little nutty with the outside decorations this year, and continues to talk about how we'll add to it next year. Three things: I don't want to see our electric bill. I thought we agreed that we didn't need inflatable yard art.  I love this man.

I confess that Cameron has gone a little over a week without a pull up or an accident and that Payton is sleeping without a pacifier - BOOM! PARENTING WIN! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! Where's my award?

I confess that I'd like to base our Santa visit on the best looking Santa. (sounds rude, doesn't it?) However, I'm not on the ball enough to follow through with that plan. Plus, when you get gems like this, it really doesn't matter how authentic Santa looks.

I confess that I'm planning a Christmas party with myself:  baking, cocktails, holiday movie, wrapping & string, lights & music -- it's going to be awesome. Tim can come, too (although I know he'd rather not).

I confess that I love how loud my children are. I know it's not always appropriate but it shows how excited they are for every little thing: the waffle they are about to eat, the Mickey Mouse decoration our neighbor has up, the yellow school bus that we pass on the street.  We don't raise "mouse-y children".

Thanksgiving: Truck Stops, Fast Food Playgrounds and Cabin Fever

It's the first second week of December.

How the he** did that happen?

Happy Christmas Season y'all!  Oops, let's recap on Thanksgiving first, shall we?

We again made the trek to Arkansas this year to spend time with family and play in the leaves.

We had two glorious days of running around outside in the big trees. We fished, sat around the fire pit telling stories and we reconnected with family that we see one or two times a year.  It was glorious. 

THEN -- the rain started and didn't stop. We all got cabin fever and started eating/drinking a lot of junk.  The semi-decent 9 hour trek there was met with a hellacious 11 hour trip back and a video of screaming children reminding me: a) we're not making the same trip next year and b) think twice before talk of more children.

Even though the actual travel time over the holidays wasn't the happiest way to spend our time, I do have a top 10 list of my favorite memories from our adventure.

10.  Cameron & Payton's first time bowling: nick names, buckets of beer and bowling shoes.

9.  Buying a case of champagne with my sister-in-law and being carded  by the sweetest older woman. We asked her if she knew what we were making and she answered, "you're dealing with family and making memories". Boy, did she know.

8.  Going around the table at Thanksgiving dinner saying what we were each thankful for. Everyone participated, even the littles. My Father-in-law, got a little teary-eyed and had us all gushing.

7.  A little bit of car sickness which had us scrambling to a truck stop to clean up at 10PM. Cameron loved the truck stop...ew.

6.   I brought a puzzle and let's just say that when I brought it out I was teased a bit. By that evening though, family members had come together and become addicted. 

5.  Going for a run by the lake, just Tim and I and laughing about our family dynamics.  The fall colors, crisp air and a random dog we named Chuck running along side us helped our pace I think.

4.  My sister-in-law led Tim and I in a bootcamp in front of the house.  Oh the jokes that this brought on for the rest of the trip!

3.  Watching cousins love each other. Cameron thinks his older cousin hung the moon. It helps that she is one beautiful little girl. If I suggested something it was "eh", but if big cousin suggested it -- you better believe it was the best idea he had ever heard.

2.  Family Dart Tournaments & kicking my Brother-in-law's booty in pool.

1.  Dance parties.

I'm so thankful we got home safe & sound, INCREDIBLY proud of Cameron that he didn't have any accidents on our long car ride, and wondering how we can have the moments again next year, without the trek.

Hope you all had a terrific Turkey Day!