// Post-Holiday Reflections

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad the holiday hustle and bustle was over, but at the same time, I'm sad to see it go. I feel like I have so much Christmas spirit in November, but as it inches closer and closer to the actual holiday, I get exhausted by the thought. There's so much to do, so many families to see, so much food to eat. Even though I'm totally zonked by the end of it, I really enjoyed it this year. We were able to see so many people in such a short span of time, and it's always lovely to see those faces. Toby had an absolute blast, too. And the cherry on top? We were leaving my parents' house yesterday when two of my very best friends in the world, Elle and Bryan, were driving by to see Bryan's dad (who lives 3 doors down from my parents). If we had been even 5 seconds later walking out the door, we wouldn't have been able to see them. (They're our friends who moved to NC earlier this year - we went to visit them in September!) Even 10 minutes to hug and chat in the driveway was perfect! That totally made my day!

There has been a lot of napping going on in our house lately. The cold winter weather just makes me into a hermit and I hide under all of the covers. I don't like to wish days/months/seasons away, but I'll be glad when Spring finally hits! I'm just not a cold weather gal. My parents left for their annual holiday vacation on Christmas afternoon. They're roadtripping down to New Orleans and then the southern Texas coast for the next week or two. In the meantime we're responsible for their two dogs, too. Phew! Lots of driving back and forth, back and forth. But judging by the photos they keep posting on Facebook, they seem to be having a good time! (I'm eagerly awaiting our summer vacation! C'mon!)

That 'Mom' necklace up there is what Toby made me for Christmas... I bawled like a baby when I opened it. Silly, I know. But I was just a basket case of emotions. It's so sweet! And my sweet husband surprised me with a hand-hammered, rose gold wedding band... the exact same one we lost on the farm on our wedding day. Finally my ring set is complete! I feel so spoiled by these two fellas... I'm a lucky lady!

Toby is still out of school until January 8, so we've got a long week and a half ahead of us haha. Things have been quiet around the blog lately, but I figure everyone is just as busy/tired/in need of a break as I am. I have a couple of things left to post before the new year, but I'm really excited for the new year. How about you? What have you been up to for the holidays?! Anyone else trying to chart out their new years resolutions or intentions?

It's crazy to think that the end of 2013 is finally here. I'll still be writing '2013' well into June I'm sure... it's inevitable! haha

// Holiday Traditions

Ever since Toby came to live with us permanently, I've had a newfound appreciation for holiday traditions. I know it's not as simple as saying "Well, we're going to do this ever year!" but I guess it makes sense to start somewhere and think with intention, right?

We started off December with Toby's Alternative Advent Calendar and it's crazy that we're almost finished already! It was a lot of fun to put together and we've been able to spend so much quality time as a family this month. Of course if we do make this a yearly thing, we'll probably change things around a little bit next year. For example, be more mindful of our schedule so we don't over do it, and maybe take it easy on the time-intensive activities so late in the season (Gingerbread house, I'm looking at you!) But overall, I loved Toby's excitement for his calendar and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Pajamas are a huge Christmas tradition trend and this year is the first year we're planning on participating. I love me a good pair of pjs and so does Toby, so hopefully it'll work out well! For those of you who do the pajama tradition, how do you do it? Do you each get the same (or similar) pajamas? Or does everyone get something different? This year everyone got something different, but I'm excited to wear them Christmas Eve!

Every year we add a "family" type ornament to our tree to commemorate the year. Sometimes we buy it, sometimes we make it. Mike and I started this our first year together. This year we decided to expand on that a little bit and each person in the family gets to pick their special ornament to add to the tree. I love seeing Christmas trees that have a lot of personality, and I think ornaments are the perfect thing to be passed from generation to generation. I'm not sure that the next generation in our family is going to want a lot of glittered donut ornaments, but ya never know! Haha Truth be told, we try to buy ornaments that reflect things that have happened over the year. For instance, this year Mike bought a little pipe ornament because he's been hand whittling pipes for himself and friends. I love that. It's fun to look back and remember those little events as time passes.

This next tradition has nothing to do with Toby or Mike, but it's one that I've had since (before?) college... every Christmas Eve I love to watch Love Actually. I don't know why that is my go-to Christmas movie (especially when there are so many other great holiday rom-coms!), but it is. I love that Netflix always adds it back for the Winter. We'll be going, going and going come Christmas Eve this year, but I fully intend to make it happen! Even if it means I watch it on my phone on the way to a family get together! haha

Despite being almost 26 years old, I always spend Christmas Eve night at my mom's house, and I've woken up there on Christmas morning every morning except once (and that was a pretty miserable day so obvz I blame it on not being at home!). Apparently she's spent the last 363 days worrying that I'll never wake up there on Christmas morning again, but I'm happy we're going to stay with my parents this year. I think it's nice to wake up surrounded by people you love, and why would we want to miss out on that?! Plus, my mom makes a mean breakfast! I've already put in my request for chocolate gravy and biscuits! (Any other Southerners out there love chocolate gravy in the morning?!)

Sometimes I think the best traditions are the ones that we don't think about... the ones that sort of fall into place and just become assumed. Of course now that we have a family I'm trying to not over do it by saying "Oh this will be a tradition! And this, too!" because that seems to take a little bit of the magic out of it, right? But seriously, it's hard to not want to just "MAKE ALL THE TRADITIONS!" 

How about you? Any traditions for the holidays as you grew up? Or anything that you do with your significant others/family/kids/friends/alone? I love hearing how others celebrate the season!

// 18 Easy Halloween Snacks For Kids + Parties

If you're a parent of a young'n, chances are likely that a Halloween party is in your very near future. I've been brainstorming what I wanted to whip up for Toby's Pre-K party next Thursday, but feeling a little uninspired. What's a mom to do in that situation? Pinterest. Sometimes Pinterest overwhelms me, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it. I spent part of last night scouring the site for some inspiration and I picked 18 of my favorite kid friendly ideas!

I tried keeping it peanut-free since peanut allergies are so common. There are a few dairy-free options, too, as well as ideas that lean a bit healthier than others. I'm still not totally sure what I'll be doing for Toby's party, but I'm hoping it's: quick, simple, can be made the night before, and is easy to distribute. 4 year olds are pretty messy by nature... so those rice krispie snacks are looking good... But boy oh boy they're sticky!

Here are the 18 ideas I liked (clockwise):

ONE:  frankenstein rice krispie treats // tootsie pop spiders // spiderweb pretzels // candy corn marshmallows // tombstone pudding cups // TWO: ghost poop goodie bags // candy corn rice krispie treats // "boonanas" // mummy pretzel bites // spider bites // THREE: pumpkin cupcakes // frankenstein cones // ghostly oreo pudding cups // vampire apples // frankenstein marshmallow pops // FOUR: peanut butter eyeballs // mummy pops // jack skellington cupcakes

Any other fab ideas you want to toss into the ring? This girl is all ears! Happy Tuesday!