Hi friends! Happy Friday before Christmas! I’m popping in before potentially signing off most of next week! I hope everyone has wonderful holiday!
Christmas Magic List
So I shared this on IG, but I thought I’d share here too! Last year was our first real “Christmas with kids.” Before that the kids were too young to know what was going on and so it didn’t really matter what we did/didn’t do etc. But last year, was the first year where I felt a little overwhelmed and disappointed when I forgot some things. In January of last year, I decided to make a list of all the things that needed to get done during the holiday season, down to the littlest details. This year, around mid- November, Mr. Hungry and I sat down and divided up the list. At first, he didn’t really get it. On my stories on Instagram I used the example of wrapping presents. He said “I don’t get it, we always wrap presents together on Christmas Eve.” But, who makes sure there is wrapping paper and tape? There are a lot of little steps between the big ones that bring together the Christmas magic. So after talking it through, we divided up the list down to the littlest detail. And I’ve got to say, I haven’t felt that stressed at all. I’ve had so much fun this year. Mr. Hungry took care of stockings and a bunch of other things including, yes, being in charge of ordering tape ha ha. And even stuff we did together, he was in charge of ensuring we actually talked about it or made the decision, which took a lot of mental load off me. It also helped him to understand that mini tasks that go behind the big ones (like planning, shopping, and cooking a meal.) It’s a game changer. Marital communication for the win!
I thought I’d share this in case you feel like you need to take some of the Christmas “magic” load off yourself, but don’t know where to start. It’s really helped me especially since I was really really sick for a solid two weeks during prime time (last week of November and first week of December.) If we hadn’t done this earlier on in the month, I’d be panicking right about now. Here is our list (names changed or removed.)
| KJ Gifts |
| KK Gifts |
| KJ Teachers Gift |
| Babysitter Gift |
| VA Gift |
| gifts |
| gifts |
| gifts |
| Kelli Gift |
| Paul Gift |
| Stocking Stuffers For Everyone |
| Nephew Gift |
| Niece Gift |
| BF XMAS Menu Plan |
| BF XMAS Shop |
| BF XMAS Cook |
| Lunch/Dinner XMAS Menu Plan |
| Lunch/Dinner XMAS Shop |
| Lunch/Dinner XMAS Cook |
| XMAS Eve Plan |
| XMAS Eve Shop |
| XMAS Eve Cook |
| Plan to See Santa Photo |
| Buy Christmas Cookie Ingredients |
| Make Christmas Cookies |
| Put Up XMAS Lights |
| Advent Calendar Purchase |
| Book Polar Express For Next Year |
| Buy Wrapping Paper |
| Buy Tape |
| Put Christmas Tree Up |
| Decorate Christmas Tree |
| XMAS Pajamas |
| Write Letters To Santa |
| Design Christmas Cards |
| Mail Christmas Cards |
| Make Gingerbread House |
| Decorate House |
| Have Kids Clear Out Toys/Give Away Before Christmas |
| Organize Outfits for Christmas Card Photos |
| Organize Family Photos |
| St Nick Gold Coins |
Skip Hop Activity Center
We’ve had a lot of activity centers over the years for the babies, but this one has far by my favorite. I bought the Skip Hop Activity Center used off a friend so I could have an extra one (one for upstairs and one for downstairs), but it would be well worth it new!
Preschool Lunches
Preschool is out for winter break, but here are a couple recent lunches. We bought a Costco salami pack, so that’s been in all of the lunches.
Fitness
This week has kind of stunk for workouts. Something hurt, like my hip or my ankle many days. Then the kids had some sort of stomach bug. I hate these weeks where I just can’t seem to get a workout in and on the other days can’t workout because something hurts. But, it makes me so much more grateful for the workouts I do get in! I’m on the last week of the Expecting and Empowered Post Partum Guide and Return to Running program. I’m going to check out the second program they have, but I also have some fitness goals for January like get my pull ups and push ups steady and back in my life. I also want to sign up for some 5k’s, maybe even a 10K toward the end of next year. I’ve been progressing much slower this go around since I know I don’t have to “build up fitness before getting pregnant again.” Overall, I’m pretty happy with where I am and think I’ll be feeling my normal self by the summer.
Friday Flashbacks
Eggnog Donuts with Eggnog Glaze
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