A Week Is Simply Not Enough Time

I still have so much to do to be ready for Christmas I have decided the best plan is to avoid thinking about it.  If I start to think about it I get overwhelmed and wonder if it wouldn’t be better to just wait until next Christmas to celebrate….I need another year to get everything done!

Last weekend I took a little break and hung out with my 18 year old daughter Hope.  She and I did some shopping then went to Sea World to experience Christmas Shamu style.  We had nice long walks through the Candy Cane forest and watched shows where the sea lions save Christmas.  It was magical.  Odd, but magical.

The best part was spending one-on-one time with my sweet girl.  We had long, deep talks about growing up and becoming a woman.  She shared her heart with me and it warms me to the core.  I don’t need anything else for Christmas.  I am content.

OK, maybe a little piece of jewelry or a new camera lens….but nothing else.  Oh, and chocolate.

Hope and I spent the night in the city and went early Sunday morning to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

All of the kids have been dying to see it, so we decided to preview it.  My review is that while I am a fan of the book and I thought the movie was amazing, it is extremely violent.  I spent most of the last half with my eyes closed.  No way will any of my kids under 13 see it.  Too violent, too graphic.  But I did think it was a good movie for the lovers of Tolkien and fantasy.

After the movie we had to rush to a few grocery stores then head home.  We were having a Christmas party at our house at 6:00!!!  I had been texting instructions to the kids at home all weekend.  “Be sure to sweep off the front porch,” and, “Wash all of the pint sized mason jars you can find!”

I had about an hour after I got home to get the food ready and change my clothes.  And make the layered dip….I just loved this idea I found on Pinterest!

It was a Mexican fiesta and a really fun evening rich with friends and laughter and a very stubborn pinata.

Monday we finished up the last of the shop orders.  No more stockings this year.  We made about 100 of them over the past month.  It will be a fun memory for the kids and I.  We really enjoy doing it together. If you’ve ordered from us please know that we feel privileged to be a part of your holiday.

Now I’m left with more Christmas shopping to do, all of the gift wrapping and baking.  Tons of baking.  We always take cookies around to our favorite shop owners, neighbors and friends, but it’s not looking like it’s going to happen this year.  I hope I’m not losing my superpowers for getting things done.  I’m going to need that after the New Year.  I’ve got plans.

So, what do you have left on your Christmas to-do list?