All The Merry

What a fabulous Christmas week we've had! 

We had a low-key Christmas Eve. With our 4th Sunday of Advent Mass in the morning and a fancy prime rib meal for dinner. 

Christmas morning we headed to Mass to celebrate Jesus. We opened our stockings before. 

Once we got home we put our baked oatmeal, hashbrown cassy and cinnamon rolls in the oven while we opened presents. 

In true SNL style... I got a robe. 

Somehow I managed to guess nearly all of my gifts this year and Husband was SO glad I didn't guess one. But I guess I actually did since I got him the same thing!! 

It was a very Merry Christmas celebration. Now we are getting ready to celebrate 2024! Crazy! But there's so much more to say about our break! 

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas Friends! 

This is the front of our Christmas card 2023. The back was a basic life update that is basically the cliff notes version of the blog! 

All The Things This Week

Sunday night we went to see A Christmas Story the musical at the dinner theatre. It was a very fun family time and I am glad we planned for it. 

Plus it checks a Christmas classic off the list and I don't have to watch it. For some reason, the expectation of watching ALL the movies every year seems stressful to me this year. That maybe doesn't make much sense and I don't understand it. But I think it's mostly to do with the want to spend time with my people doing things that bring me joy, and I will be honest, a lot of the "must watch Christmas movies" don't bring me a ton of joy. 

I was reminded this year that traditions can skip years and that's okay. So I will just keep saying that to myself. 

This week went by in a flash. 

The highlight of my Monday was getting my adult Happy Meal. I LOVED McNugget buddies when I was a child so the throwback toys are seriously up my alley. 

I was the legitimate first person to get one at my McDonald's for Monday lunch at about 11:00. (I was excited, and I thought I showed restraint for not being there at 10:30 when lunch starts.) If anyone finds themselves with a Brrrick or Darla McNugget Buddy they don't want send them my way! Those are the two I think are SO cute. 

So for some reason, our Olaf Christmas inflatable stopped working. We'd only had it for two weeks! I was annoyed but didn't really worry too much. 

On Wednesday though, C was having a day. We've all had those. But everything was wrong. And he was weepy and nothing was going to fix any of it. Except one of the things making him sad was that we didn't have an inflatable anymore. 

Well, that was a solvable problem. 

So we went to Home Depot and got a new one. He's much bigger. And even though the time at Home Depot was still a little morose and weepy, eventually C found his joy again. 

That's a screenshot from when he was talking to my parents and showing them. :) 

Wednesday was also our big Advent event at church. None of the pictures I took turned out very well but trust me, it was cozy and it went well! 

I was proud of the work that went into the night and it was a lot. 

Yesterday was the kid's Christmas program. You guys, it was a Christmas miracle of a sweet spot that will never be repeated... we only had one program to attend. 

We did not need to go to the 5-8 choir and band concert because C isn't doing band. (I am SO glad!) 

We did not need to go to the K-2 Christmas program because we've aged out. 

We do not need to go to the 6-8 Nativity next week. (Don't get me wrong, I will go. I just don't have to because my kid is in it.) 

One night only. One year only. It was almost a date for Husband and me and I enjoyed it immensely! 

But before that, let me explain how smart September me was. Because I scheduled M a haircut for right after school yesterday so that someone else could do her hair! 

She needed a fresh cut anyway, but then to get the styling done... hallelujah! 

Kids before the program. (Yep same Christmasy outfits from Sunday's dinner theatre experience. Get excited to see them in our Christmas Mass picture too.) 

The back of her hair while we waited. 

Because yes, okay. I did actually use my keys to get into the building early for a good seat. I never have ever taken the front row on the floor. I just prefer the front row of the balcony. We were far from the only parents with keys to the building doing that. In fact, C said before the doors officially opened "Behold... all the families with keys!" 

I don't know if it was the fact I didn't have to tell one of my kids to calm down or sit down or pay attention but I really enjoyed the whole program. 

M was an absolute ham but in a really good way. She was just incredibly animated compared to her peers.  

I got 2 texts DURING her segment of the program about it. I got multiple people stopping me in the hallway after. The texts continued to come in during the evening. 

And in the song that she got to play the xylophone she bopped to the beat. It was very cute. 

C got up on stage and immediately put his hands in "jam and bread" mode like from Sound of Music. Then when the songs started turns out they were supposed to do that. 

C was lovely and took it very seriously. He sang loud and proud with good articulation and somehow we could hear him over everyone. In a good way. 

In other C news, he got a callback for the school musical. That's on Monday. 

It was ever so nice of them to put my two kids about as next to each other as they could get for two kids in different grades during the finale. 

And that is a little bit of what we have been up to this week. Looking forward to the weekend for sure!

Gingerbread 2023

Family traditions are important. Gingerbread Weekend is always one we enjoy and hold sacred. 

Way back in 2012 when I said "I have always wanted to make a gingerbread house." and I meant "Let's go to Target and buy a kit." I couldn't have dreamed that we'd still be making them annually from scratch. 

Yet here we are. And I honestly think this is my favorite house we've ever made. Our inspo was a fairy-tale English Cottage set in a tranquil country garden. Snuggle up by an old stone fireplace and enjoy a cup of cocoa. An enchanting oasis of tranquility in a quiet English hamlet just forty minutes from exciting London. 

In other words, the perfect home for a doodle prodigy. 

Just for transparency, I bought the wrong kind of shredded wheat so I didn't get to make the trees I wanted to. And I also had to let go of my plan for a garden wall. Doesn't stop me from loving the house. 

Way back when we started, I couldn't imagine there'd come a time when I had nothing to do with the kid houses. But that's where we are now! I did nothing to help C except hold his roof at one point while it dried. 

M still required a little bit of help because she's not great at a piping bag just yet. But it's coming. I can see it. 

Here are some process pics for proof that we actually created them. 

Since I use my blog as my annual check-in of "what to remember for next year" here is my list: 

• Buy paintbrushes. (They came in handy!)
• You don't need to buy cake boards. 
• Mini Airheads were popular. 
• Go scan the cereal aisle a bit when you think roof. 
• Use the paddle attachment for the icing. 

We've come a long way in 12 years. I wonder where next year will take us? 

Cookies, Cakes and Contrails

The other day, we went to Crumble Cookies. There were many great flavors to try. My mom had tipped us off to it so we opted to get 4 cookies. I also splurged and got the official cookie cutter because I love a gimmick! 

We each got a fourth of the kinds of cookies. Which was a fun taste test adventure. 

I did not like the Lemon Poppyseed Cookie. I want my cookies to taste like a cookie, not a muffin. I didn't even take more than a bite. The Chocolate Crumb Cake cookie was just only okay. The Chocolate Raspberry Truffle and Caramel Shortbread cookie were delicious and I wish I had gotten more of them! But, it was a fun family activity. 

Yesterday was the Feast of St. Ambrose. That's where Husband and I went to college so it's a fun feast day for us to celebrate. 

We got this honeycomb cake pan a few years ago, for the feast day. I mentioned at our staff meeting yesterday that I was going to make a honey cake to celebrate the day. So our Deacon mentioned it to C during his class visit and C had NO clue what he was talking about. 

I made the cake and now know why C has no recollection of it... because he and M each took exactly one bite and ran away. It's an adult cake and not too sweet, even with a glaze. And honey. And brown sugar. I promise this isn't burnt, it's just where the honey soaked all the way down. 

Well, the adults liked it anyhow. Living liturgically even if the kids don't care. I also wore my Ambrose Sweatpants. So covering all my bases. 

This morning on our drive to school M was remarking about the sky. We are having a two-day reprive of winter with beautiful sunny days and temps about 50 degrees. (I love it. I am here for it.) The sky was blue, the sun was shining... gray and cold no more! Hallelujah! 

M couldn't get over all the contrails and how perfect they were. 

I was focusing on driving and couldn't really take them in, but once we made it to school I looked up and you know... they really are cool. And that one smaller one was being made while we stood there. I am not a chemtrail conspiracy girl... just someone appreciating when her kid notices the small things. 

And because December is just littered with great feasts and holy days, I am leaving you with this: 

It brings me hope when my heart despairs. I do not begin to understand God's plan, and sometimes it all just seems so broken and unfair. But the promise is true and nothing is impossible for God. (Doesn't mean it's all going to magically work out the way we think/want/decide. But nothing is impossible.) 

Have a good weekend! 

St. Nicholas Day and an Ode to Pajamas

St. Nicholas's feast day is here and don't worry! He delivered!

M hilariously set out her Crocs because "My school shoes are stinky and I don't want a note telling me that he can't put stuff in stinky shoes." 

There's a book for each kid, chocolate coins. Each kid also got their Christmas pajamas, which I am noticing the glare on the plastic doesn't let them show up very much but trust me. They're there. 

Last Christmas I got M some pajamas that I happened to find online. Honestly, she had on her Christmas list "Frozen Pajamas" so that was the main motivation. I ended up on the Little Sleepies site and they had cute ones. (They no longer have Frozen ones though just FYI.) 

Anyway, M LOVED these pajamas. They're bamboo so they're very light. She is a hot sleeper so she really appreciated it. So when Easter rolled around I got her a short-sleeved/shorts pair. And I created a monster because they're the only pajamas she likes. So we started shopping sales and now pretty much all her pajamas are Little Sleepies. 

I admit, that the kids and I are firmly "pajamas can only be worn one night" people. There are many schools of thought. You do you. That's just how we roll. (And why M has so many pairs, because summer camp where I couldn't wash them frequently.)

Now Black Friday rolled around and they released a new cute design with little pasta shapes. Here's the thing: M actually doesn't like pasta. I know. I don't get it either. My mom, raised in a Sicilian household cannot with that. But it's true. Husband even came home and handmade ravioli last night for dinner and she begrudgingly ate them and lamented the entire time. 

So I bought myself a pair. Because it was a really good sale, the best I've seen, and these are fairly expensive pajamas. 

They came and oh gosh do I see what the hype is about. They're GREAT! I love them. I wasn't hot or cold at any point. And they're so comfortable. The Saint Nicholas Day pair is C's first shot at these pajamas so we'll see how he likes them. He is not a hot sleeper but does tend to load up with 17 blankets and pillows and then overheat so I have a good feeling about them. 

And now I am going to keep watching sales for more for me! 

This is a very long post about pajamas as it turns out. And it's not even an affiliate link, just something that we love. 

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas friends! 

December Is Here!

Hello friends! It has been a while. 

Since I last recapped Thanksgiving, my family went to see Wish. I know it got terrible reviews from critics.

To that I would say they aren't Disney people. We loved every single second. All the Easter eggs and references through the credits... we loved it. And C was DELIGHTED to get the star popcorn bucket! 

It also snowed for the first time of the season. I am officially a snow grinch because I absolutely hate it. It has since melted but I was a grumpy grump about it. 

We worked our tail off with C getting ready for the show which was this past weekend. He really really worked hard and oh gosh did it pay off. 

Here are my two and my bonus kid as I dropped them off for opening night. 

Annie Jr. is a good show for us. It's the one show that I directed professionally, with a bunch of kids. And Husband acted in it professionally during his summer stock summer. So we know this one backwards and forwards. 

M was the cutest little orphan. And I loved watching her personality shine!

And C was a fantastic Rooster. He put in so much effort learning "Easy Street" and really singing it out while dancing. It was his first big singing/dancing role, in the past, he's been the supporting nonsinging character. I am not going to lie, there were even tears during the rehearsal process. But gosh he was so so good at it. I know we are biased, but many people saw him and said that. Even people we didn't know.

Both M and C's teachers came to the show and they both even commented on how (good) surprising it was to see him on stage. He is so different in real life than he is on stage, it's fairly startling actually. He was SO good that it kinda blows you away. 

We are so very proud. And he even commented about how he could feel like his hard work paid off. Which isn't that the best lesson we could give him anyway? 

My brother-in-law and family decided to come see the kid's show and then on Saturday we took them to the museum. We had a good time. 

We wrapped up the final show yesterday afternoon, in the cast of 52, 9 were from our school. I just love this little group of kiddos and I am so glad they had this opportunity. 

That's where we've been and what we've been up to.