Christmas 2022

We had a really nice Christmas with our little family. It was a bitterly, dangerously cold holiday weekend with windchills in the -30s. So we were cooped up for the weekend. We were all very happy to have somewhere to go on Christmas Eve! Paul and I went to mass at 4pm and Phil stayed back with Will - he’s so hard to contain that I knew we’d get more out of mass if he stayed back with daddy! After mass, we picked up daddy and Will and headed to Phil’s cousins for their annual Christmas Eve celebration. My MIL was supposed to come to our house on Saturday and spend the weekend with us but she had a bad cold and wasn’t feeling well enough to be out and about. :( Terrible timing to feel awful! 

We go to this gathering every year and have the best time! Phil’s mom is a widow with no living siblings so we are all she has - hence the reason we stay home at Christmas. But the children of Phil’s uncle (who also has passed - all of Phil's dad’s siblings have passed away sadly) always include us in their Christmas Eve celebration. Phil is quite a bit younger than his cousins - all the cousin’s kids are in college or older!! So our young kids are quite a novelty and get a TON of attention as a result - and lots of presents, too. I love the way this party is set up - the hosts have a bunch of snacky things and food in crockpots so people can just graze. And then they have a huge cookie decorating area, which we didn’t partake in this year since we were keeping an eye on the boys. We stayed until 8:15 which is pretty late for Will, but all the toys and attention kept them from getting tired!

The couple that hosts are going to be epic grandparents when their kids hit that stage of life. They are so completely obsessed with our kids. And we have an extra special bond with them as they are Will's Godparents. 

Will was up around 6:15 on Christmas Day and Paul slept until 6:45! Not bad all in all. The boys enjoyed donuts for breakfast. 

Then it was time to dig into their Santa presents. 

The Lego set was Paul’s favorite gift! 

That was the extent of presents since they got their nugget play couch from us in early December. Usually they would have 10+ gifts from my MIL to open. I was a little worried the gifts might seem sparse to Paul but he was thrilled! Lesson learned - kids, at least at this age, don’t have high expectations to meet. 

Putting one of the lego sets together later that day. I am loving the lego stage!!!

Phil made his signature dish for lunch - Spanish Tortilla which is a dish he ate a lot of when studying abroad in Spain. We had our big meal at dinner time - ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and asparagus (And yes, that means we have ham and potatoes for both meals!). The boys would only eat the ham, go figure. 

 

But us adults enjoyed a delicious meal. Few things make me feel more like an adult than making gravy! Ha! And yes, I enjoyed a generous amount of gravy since we only eat it a couple of times a year! 

We had the 26th off so had one more day at home together. My MIL was feeling better so Phil and Paul went out to see her and I stayed home with Will. The highlight of the day was taking him to Target. We walked down every aisle of the toy department and he had so much fun making dinosaur noises and pointing out trucks and balls and such!

Today Phil and I are both back in the office and the kids are back in daycare. We had a wonderful family weekend but I was admittedly very happy to return to a quiet workplace today! 

How was your weekend?

Christmas 2021

Another holiday is in the books! I love Christmas, but am also kind of glad when it's behind us? Phil feels the same way. If you've read my blog for awhile, you've probably picked up on the fact that we are minimalists/prefer simplicity and Christmas is kind of the antithesis of our lifestyle with all of the excess!! But it was a great holiday all in all. So here is a bullet-point summary of the highs and lows of our holiday.

- I'll start with a low. We had yet another covid scare! I've had a cold since Thanksgiving but it keeps morphing into different viruses, so when I detected yet another change in the virus early last week, I took an at-home rapid antigen test on Wednesday. And it was just slightly positive (a line displays if it's positive and mine was very very faint). So I got a saliva PCR test at a state-run place where appointments aren't necessary. It didn't take long but the wait for my results was awful. I had my test at 11am on Wednesday and got results around 8pm on Thursday. That probably doesn't seem long to some, but we are used to getting results in 12-14 hours from the clinic location where we typically go. But it's hard to get appointments for in-clinic PCR tests so that's why I went to the testing center. So this was my 2nd false positive. I wish the at-home tests were more reliable, but I use them to determine if we need a PCR. I've tested Will twice in the last 2 months and both times his tests were negative, so I know they can be effective. By the time my results came back, I was feeling better so it's just another cold virus. 

- On Christmas Eve morning, we FaceTimed with my parents so they could see the boys open the gifts from them. I LOVE my parents' approach to gift-giving. The boys each got 2 presents (and all gifts were from a list of suggestions I gave the grandparents) plus money for their 529 plans. Phil and I get socks and money as well. Paul was excited to have a new puzzle to work on. He loves the planets/space so this was a hit! We worked on it while Will napped that morning.

- Around lunchtime, Phil and Paul went to get his mom. It was a beautiful, mild winter day so I took Will for a very long walk and stopped at Starbucks for a holiday drink (a peppermint mocha with 1 pump of peppermint and 2 pumps of chocolate - I like peppermint when it's just a hint of pepperment!). 

Happy to be outdoors in the fresh air!

- That evening, we went to Phil's cousin's house. Since my test was negative and I was feeling much better, I felt comfortable going. Everyone was vaccinated/boosted except our 2 kids but Phil's family was comfortable being around our kids. 

All dressed up for a fun night with family!

- Santa made an appearance at the gathering! Paul was too shy/terrified to get close, but Will was pretty interested in him!

- Since our kids are the only young kids at this gathering with Phil's cousins (the next oldest "kid" is 20!), the boys got totally spoiled! I think they got 6 gifts between the 2 of them? 

This ball gift Will received was a hit with both boys.

- On Christmas Day, we had the boys gradually open their presents. My MIL went pretty crazy with the gifts... Paul had 13 presents to open and Will probably had 6? So Paul gradually opened them starting on Christmas Eve and finished opening them on the 26th. He still has 2 gifts to open from his Godparents and the cousin gift exchange. So the crazy number of gifts just affirms our decision to not buy much for our boys. We got Paul a refurbished iPad mini and a PJ Masks-themed car and mask/cape set. Both boys got books from Santa. 

- It is good to have new toys to play with, like this little paint set that Paul got from my MIL. But ay yi yi, it's time for a toy purge to happen to make room for all the new stuff he received!

So all in all, it was a nice holiday. Both boys got money for their 529 plans and we appreciate the gifts she got the boys. But it's just A LOT. Phil's mom said she will rein in her purchases next year. I don't think she realized how much she had bought until she saw the stack of 13 gifts for Paul... so hopefully next year things will be a little less crazy in the gift department! I am trying to pack away some of the toys received to pull out later this winter. 

How was your Christmas? Do you struggle with the excess of the season like we do?

A Holiday Survey

Whew, I am doing my best to channel some Christmas spirit as we approach Christmas. Which is somehow just days away!! Do you remember when you were a child, how long it took for Christmas to arrive? We always had presents under the tree in the weeks leading up to Christmas so I think looking at those presents added to the anticipation and that anticipation made it feel like it took forever for Christmas Eve to arrive (we opened presents on Christmas Eve). 

Now as an adult with children of my own, Christmas comes incredibly fast! But ready or not, it's coming this weekend. Holiday traditions and likes/dislikes are so interesting so I thought I would answer this holiday survey!

Egg nog or hot chocolate?

I'd choose hot chocolate although it's something I very rarely drink. Egg nog is disgusting IMO! I am not a dairy person, though, like I only have milk on cereal. I would never drink a glass of milk. Bleh.

Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?

As children, ours were wrapped and we usually wrap the boys' gifts, although I did not wrap the train table Paul got 2 Christmases ago from Santa!

Colored lights on tree/house or white?

We have white lights on our tree. We do not have lights on our house. I've debated taking this on at some point, but this is not the season of life to do that!

Do you hang mistletoe?

Nope.

When do you put your decorations up?

We used to put them up the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but the last 2 years I've put our tree up in mid-November because I needed the cheery glow of a tree to brighten our house/offset the doom and gloom of the never-ending pandemic. This year I put our tree up on November 20th.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

As a child, I loved my mom's stuffing on Christmas Day (we had turkey and the fixing for Christmas Day when I was growing up). On Christmas Eve, we'd usually have an assortment of seafood and my favorite dish was grilled shrimp. We're still working on establishing our traditional Christmas meals and I don't really feel strongly about anything I make. Eeks. We usually make ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted asparagus on Christmas Day. I did try to establish a tradition of making homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning several years ago but it was sooo much work, especially since they were GF which is tricky with something that needs to rise and be kind of puffy/airy. No one seemed to like them all that much, so that fell by the wayside. 

Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Our Christmas Eve was really special. We would usually go to the afternoon mass on Christmas Eve, have our Christmas Eve meal afterwards, open presents and then have Christmas cookies and homemade ice cream for dessert. It was just my immediate family. 

What is on your Christmas wishlist?

A full night of sleep? Ha! Phil and I don't exchange gifts, I don't exchange with my siblings, and we asked my parents to stop getting us gifts so they could just focus on buying for their many grandkids,  but we still get socks and cash. They have 10 grandkids now so still have plenty of gifts to buy! My MIL still buys us gifts, though, so I asked for a sweatshirt to replace the sweatshirt I've worn nearly daily during the pandemic! I'm sure she'll include a few other things as well. 

Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?

In my family of origin - yes. All of our gifts including our Santa gifts were opened on Christmas Eve. My parents had a sneaky way of having the Santa gifts show up while we were opening gifts - I never caught onto it at the time and really thought Santa had dropped off our gifts on the doorstep or deck without any of us noticing. Now in my little family, we tend to spend Christmas Eve with some of Phil's family so we open gifts on Christmas Day.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

It's pre-lit with white lights. Most of the ornaments are ones I bought on clearance the day after Christmas in 2003 - my first Christmas living on my own in an apartment. I still love those ornaments! I've added to the collection over the years with ornaments from travel, hand/foot prints of our kids, ornaments they've made at school, Paris-themed ornaments I've received (I have an obsession with Paris/all things French), etc.

Pablo's footprint from his first Christmas - made at daycare

I ordered this first Christmas ornament for Will from an Etsy shop last December.

Perfect summary of 2020, right?

Hand prints of the boys' first Christmas. Pablo's is on the left, Will's is on the right. Will was less than a month old and Paul was almost 10 months old, but their hands look about the same size!

This year, I put up the more fragile ornaments and then Paul handled the rest!

Snow? Love it or dread it?

Well, Christmas isn't Christmas without a covering of snow. So I love it during the month of December!

Real tree or fake tree?

Fake and would never get a real one - too much of a hassle!

Do you remember your favorite gift?

I actually don't... I remember the abundance of gifts under the tree and opening gifts, but nothing in particular stands out. I know I appreciated what my parents gave us. But more of my memories are from the traditions around advent/Christmas. So I am hoping that we can under-emphasize gifts for our kids? I know there is a place for gifts, I just don't want it to be the sole focus of Christmas. This is probably very unrealistic to some extent, but hopefully we can maintain a lower key Christmas with fewer gifts even as our kids get older. Time will tell.

What is the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Spending time with family.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

As a kid, it was kiss cookie, gingerbread men or sugar cookies. I've made GF sugar cookies which turn out great, but the dough is so fragile so you can't roll it out/use cookie cutters. So they aren't as fun? I know I could make kiss cookies GF but it doesn't feel worth the hassle. But my mom makes peanut brittle and heath candy every year and makes sure to send us some, so that is probably my favorite dessert these days. My MIL also makes some of Phil's favorites and shares with us so Phil and Paul still get some Christmas cookies to enjoy.

What is your favorite tradition?

Growing up, we would light candles on our advent wreath, say prayers, and sing Christmas songs together. We didn't do that every night, especially as us kids got older, but at least weekly we would do that as a family. 

This is another thing I'm still working on establishing for my little family. Pre-covid I would say my favorite tradition was hosting my college friends and their kids for a cookie decorating night. I've had to cancel that the last 2 years since my kids aren't vaxxed yet. Fingers crossed I can bring back this tradition next year!

What tops your tree?

A sparkly Eiffel Tower! My college friend gifted it to me years ago.

Our Eiffel Tower tree-topper. Looks a little crooked but oh well!

Do you prefer giving or receiving?

Giving, although you can tell from other answers that I am just not a gift person!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Silent Night

Candy canes, yuck or yum?

Yuck! I'm not a peppermint person.

Favorite Christmas movie?

Home Alone is my favorite kids movie. I also love The Holiday!

What do you leave for Santa?

We have yet to do this since our kids weren't old enough to notice/care. But this year we will probably leave out cookies and milk.

Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

We didn't do much in my family of origin since Christmas Eve was the big night. I'm still working on this for my little family. I'd like to make some sort of Christmas morning meal, like an egg bake, but haven't established a tradition yet - and I know Paul won't eat it egg bakes because he no longer will eat eggs so I feel less motivated to come up with something for this year! I feel like traditions tend to get established as your kids get older and we are really in the weeds of young kid life so I'm taking pressure off myself to figure traditions out for now!

Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

On-line 1000%. Even pre-covid I loathed going to the mall! That said, I did buy the books they will get from Santa in person at a local children's book store which was SO FUN to do!

Christmas letter or Christmas card?

Christmas Card. I enjoy reading others' letters, although we get very few letters. I know Phil would not be on board with a Christmas letter as he is about as private of a person as you can get! 

Your turn! Pick a few to answer or do this on your blog!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

It may only be mid-November, but it's looking like Christmas in our house. This is extremely early for us to decorate. I'm typically "give Thanksgiving its due before decorating." But this year is different. Plus, we are having a baby the week after Thanksgiving, so who knows how I will be feeling Thanksgiving weekend. When we got our first snowfall in October, Pablo said "It's Christmastime!" No idea how he already has that association between snow and Christmas, but he had a point. It does feel like Christmastime. I've even seen outside decorations - and I'm not mad about it. Is there anything more cheery than holiday lights on these dark nights? We will still have a special Thanksgiving, although it will be different with just the 3 of us. I bought some November/Thanksgiving books so we are making sure the holiday doesn't get lost in the shuffle!

Since I didn't have flares in my hands this weekend, it seemed like the perfect time to decorate. I assembled the tree during nap and decorated the top 2/3s with our breakable ornaments and then let Pablo decorate the bottom 1/3 when he woke up. He only ended up hanging a couple of ornaments but he pointed out where we should put things. 

My MIL Joan sent us these adorable felted kitty ornaments. I didn't have a lot of kid-friendly ornaments, so this helped us build out that collection.  

We also put up this little felt tree that Joan gave us last year. Pablo did not really understand what to do with this last year, but he loves it this year. He's already re-decorated it multiple times. It's something I never would have thought to buy since I'm not a shopper... but I am glad my MIL thought to buy this for him as I think he'll love it for years to come. Plus it's nice for him to have his own little tree.

If I'm feeling good next weekend, my plan is to get our outdoor planters and maybe do our window boxes. It wasn't possible this past weekend as I had flares in my hip and ankle that made walking difficult so I had no interest in going to a large greenery. But hopefully next weekend is better - fingers and toes crossed. Worst case scenario, I will buy the planters and materials and have my mom decorate when they come to watch Paul. She did 100% of the decorating last year as they were here for Thanksgiving so it won't be much of a change from last year! ;) 

It's amazing what the glow of a tree can do for a person's mood so I am definitely glad we switched things up and decorated early. Between Covid stress (our numbers and positivity rate are terrible here), grief from the loss of Phil's brother, and just a general feeling of this year being off, I need that warm glow of the tree! 

If you celebrate Christmas, when do you plan to decorate? 

Christmas Highlights

Christmas has come and gone. Am I the only one who is a little bit glad to have the holiday behind us? I do really love Christmas, but the excess (calories, gifts, wrapping paper, etc) gets to be a lot for me as I tend toward the minimalist side. Don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful holiday, but it's kind of nice to get back to normal life again!

Here are some Christmas highlights from the last several days!

Friday:  Phil went to his Christmas party and I had a quiet night at home with Paul as I wasn't feeling well. I was in bed early.

Playing with the felt tree from Nana Joan

Saturday: Paul was up at 5 (yawn!). We had our last swimming lesson of the term. No one else came so Paul had a one-on-one lesson, which wore him out! The weather was mild that day so we went for a family walk. Paul loves seeing the ducks at the creek by our house.

Sunday: Phil went out to his mom's for a good chunk of the day to help with some things around her house. Paul and I had a quiet day at home. The weather was mild again so we went for a long walk.

He loves lining up his little people. No idea what I was watching on tv while he was playing!

Monday: Daycare was closed Monday/Tuesday so I had the days off. Paul was up at 5 again. Yaaawn. We went for an extra long walk to the library and played there for awhile. Nana Joan came in the late afternoon to spend a couple of days with us for Christmas. We ordered pizza for dinner which Paul was excited about as he loves pizza!

Talking on his "hello" while playing with toys. He's learned to multi-task!

Walking along the creek!

The little people are by far his favorite toy these days.

Tuesday:  Phil worked from home since the market was closed mid-day. I worked on some meal prep, including making the GF cinnamon rolls for Christmas Day. I had never made rolls before so I had to call my mom 3 times for advice/reassurance. They were not pretty but GF dough is extremely difficult to work with as it's not stretchy like glutenous dough is! On Christmas Eve, we went to mass with Phil's cousin and his family and then over to their house. We had to get to church 30 min early. Paul did not make it through much of mass as he said "all done" about 5 minutes after mass started. I can't blame him - it's a long time to sit still. We had a really wonderful time with Phil's extended family. Paul got tons of attentions and way too many presents! We stayed until 8:45 so Paul went to bed about 2 hours later than usual. We paid for it a bit the next day but we figure it's ok to go off schedule once in awhile.

Wednesday: Paul "slept in" until 7. I was up at 6, go figure. We got him a train table and some trains off Facebook market place and 4 books for his stocking. He doesn't quite understand how to use the train tracks yet but he'll figure it out eventually. He loved his books! We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast - they looked better once they were baked and frosted and tasted delicious. This was my firs time hosting a holiday and it went pretty well. Everything was pretty much ready at the same time and I made gravy for the first time. Paul napped while we ate (he had an early lunch) and opened presents and then he opened presents when he woke up. Everyone left around 4 so we had the evening to declutter and tidy up. By the end of the night, I felt how Oscar looked in the last picture.

Paul is back at daycare today and I'm back at work - and not mad about it. It was nice to be home with Paul for 5 full days, but I was ready to return to work and normalcy today!

If you celebrate Christmas, how was your holiday?