One perk (and minor annoyance) to being a stay-at-home mama, is that I rarely pay attention to the date. Did you know that Christmas is in five days? I didn’t, until yesterday that is. I honestly thought I had another week of preparation. Whoopsie doodles.
Last night, when I should have been doing one of 5,000 things on my to-do list, or perhaps more practical, sleeping, I stitched up this little piece while watching Home Alone. I needed to do it. I had to remind myself that I am truly enough, just as I am, right now, in this moment. Our home, even in its current disheveled state, is enough. The contents of our fridge and pantry, are enough. It is unrealistic to think that I have time to make all of the handmade gift ideas that I have swimming around in my head, create a plethora of lovely handmade holiday items for our home, and also have time to partake in the numerous holiday festivities that we want to attend. It’s just not possible. And you know something? That’s okay. I might still have 5,000 things left to do, but now it’s about prioritizing those and letting go of the unnecessary, so that I might truly enjoy what’s left of this holiday season. Because that’s what it’s all about.
I wish you all health and happiness this holiday season, from my family, to yours.
And if you’re feeling bogged down or stressed out, please realize, that you are enough.
I made 
The pattern worked up even faster the second time around, which was great considering I was working under a tight deadline. In addition to needing these jams, I made them specifically for the 
the evening before, and when we woke up from his nap the next day, we put him in his new pajamas (clearly still half-asleep), and off we went to ride the Polar Express.
Each child was given a golden ticket,
and a conductor came by to punch it.
The chefs made us hot chocolate and cookies (we brought our own gluten-free), we sang Christmas carols, and then stopped at the North Pole to let Santa and his elves aboard.
Santa stopped and chatted with each and every child. It was truly magical. When we pulled up to the train station on the way back, it was snowing! And kept snowing for the majority of the ride home.
Ack!*
After seeing Vanessa’s darling little 
To Do: 
onto recycled plastic lids and allow your child to paint their hands with a sponge brush.
I even got in on the turkey action and allowed my son to paint my hands and press them onto the paper, which he loved. You could allow the paint to dry and draw faces on top, add feathers or glitter or pinecones and leaves, or keep it simple and abstract.
Oh you guys, his Pickles the Fire Cat costume, in action, was even better than I 
We went trick-or-treating in my parent’s neighborhood and Pickles was thrilled out of his gourd.
Hope you had a wonderful celebration!
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