Looking Back on a Simple December

Back in November, when I was being good about posting, I talked about having a simple December. Things did not go quite as planned.

Things started later than usual, and we didn't get a tree right away. On top of that, we went on a not-so-nice day, so there wasn't much carefree frolicking. Once again, our elf decorated, and the boys explored in the morning. Peanut was a huge fan of the photo ornaments, and Munchkin just acted wise in his "old age".

We did go to visit Santa, and the excitement when Peanut saw him was infectious. Munchkin, at that age, was not really a fan, and was a little upset in the picture. Peanut couldn't wait to get to him and was trying so hard to say Santa (even if it sounded more like Dada).

We did spend one night driving around looking at lights, although he didn't find as many decorated houses as in years past.

As for the rest of the list, it didn't really happen. Cookie baking and fondue got canceled due to a fever. I never got around to getting the gingerbread house, and Christmas Eve was just a night like any other. We did have fun trying to get pictures for our Christmas cards, which we sent out just in time.

Overall, while December wasn't exactly what I planned, it worked out perfectly. Christmas was a happy and not-too-crazy day that the boys loved, and the time leading up to it was exactly what we all needed.

The Elf Strikes Again

In 2013, we had our elf decorate our tree as a surprise for the boys. As Christmas approached this past year, Munchkin kept talking about how the elf was going to decorate our new house. He did not disappoint.

We did try to keep it simple, using most of the decorations in the one part of the house. And when the boys woke up in the morning, we allowed them to explore the tree. While most of our ornaments come from a set that we got at Costco a few years ago, Munchkin loved finding the few that Hubby and I had on our first tree together. Peanut's favorite ornaments were the photo ones, especially the one of the two of them together from the year before.

It was a simple goal with some of the best results.

Library Time: Toddler Challenge

With Munchkin in school in the mornings, Peanut and I have a little time to kill. On Monday, we headed to the library. While we went to get books for Advent, I thought it would be a good time to let Peanut play. He had a blast exploring, before finding the train table. He definitely had a lot of fun, and was very interested in the books that we brought home. Now that the weather is getting iffy, I have a feeling that we'll be spending more mornings at the library.

One Rookie Mom Toddler Challenge done!

Getting Ready for December

The end of the month is upon us. The turkey is carved and Santa arrived during the parade. It is time to start looking towards Christmas, and how to celebrate the lead up. I already talked about Advent, and I don't want to go crazy since I still want a relatively simple holiday, but there are some traditions that I am looking forward to doing.

Get a Christmas Tree - Ever since Munchkin could walk, he loved to run around the tree lot as we picked out a tree. There is something about being surrounded by all those trees and picking out the perfect one which is a great way to start the anticipation of the holidays.

Decorating - Last year, our elf decorated one night and the boys loved it. I'm thinking that while they are little, I will let the elf take care of the decorations.

Visiting Santa - There is a mall not too far from us which has a great Santa. We've gone every year and I'm looking forward to continuing that tradition.

Decorating a Gingerbread House - So far only Munchkin has done this, but maybe Peanut can help this year.

Baking Christmas Cookies - We started this tradition last year, taking advantage of my in-laws new and open kitchen. And while this year, our kitchen is big enough for this, we'll probably go to my in-laws once again. Also, I anticipate another helper, or maybe two.

Look at Christmas Lights - There are a couple of neighborhoods not that far from us which have some amazingly decorated houses. We skipped this last year since the weather never worked out for us, but I'm hoping that we'll have better luck this year.

Holiday Fondue Party - This is also something that we've been doing for a while, and it is only getting more fun as our friends have babies.

Christmas Eve - I'm not sure yet exactly what, but I want to start a new tradition this year. My family was never big on Christmas Eve, we celebrated more on Christmas and Boxing Day, so when Hubby and I started dating, we always spent Christmas Eve with his family. That tradition continued until very recently when my in-laws decided not to make the trip down. Since Christmas is such a busy day for us, we really can't get up to them and expect to get home at a reasonable time, so the past few years we've been on our own. This year, I want to figure out something to make the night for us, like a special dinner or maybe having hot chocolate by the tree. I have a little time to figure it out.

Along with maybe a few art projects, I think that this sounds like a perfect December for us. How do you plan on spending December?

Sweet Thanks

Thanksgiving is my mother's holiday. As Munchkin said the other day, it isn't dinner, it's a feast. She makes two full dinners, a turkey dinner and a ham dinner, with all the sides that you expect from both and then some more. For the past few years, I've assisted with dessert. Before Munchkin was mobile, I would make multiple pies from scratch. With two very active children, I have not been able to do that. This year, I had a helper.

I still did not make the number of pies that I used to, we stuck to one pumpkin pie and two corn breads. But Munchkin was thrilled to be helping, he's been talking about making the pie for weeks. In fact, he got very upset last week when we bought a pie to have for dessert, because he was going to make one.

The corn bread is new this year, not something that my mother has ever served before. We'll see if it is something that we'll make again. Although I do like the idea of starting this as a new tradition for us.

And as fall is quickly coming to an end (as evidenced by the snow we had), I was glad to do two more items from our fall list as well as one of my simple goals.

Getting Ready for Advent

It's getting to be that time of the year again, Thanksgiving is approaching much faster than I am comfortable with, and the Christmas season right behind it. Like last year, while I don't officially start the "holiday season" until Thanksgiving is over, I do need to start preparing now.

The boys are still very young, although Munchkin is old enough to know and remember Christmas and has already started talking about it. I am once again going with a simple holiday season, focusing more on our time together and happy memories. I don't want us to be so busy that we don't enjoy ourselves.

For advent calenders, I plan on finding the chocolate calendar again as that was a huge hit last year, as well as the Santa beard calendar. While I would love to do a huge activity based calendar, I think that the boys are really too young to get much out of it.

Last year, I talked about wanting to do a book based calendar, and I still love the idea. I am hoping to get books from the library and having a new story every night as part of our bedtime routine.

I want to make (or get) an advent wreath, which is something that Munchkin and I did at church last year and loved. I am also going to use the Truth in the Tinsel again, although probably on a modified schedule.

As December gets closer, I will talk more about our holiday traditions, both old and new.

Going to the Zoo: Toddler Challenge

Activity 37 of the Rookie Moms Activities is going to the zoo. We are lucky enough to live relatively close to the Bronx Zoo, and we've actually had a membership for the past couple of years. We love going to the zoo and since there was no school today, we figured that it would be a good time to go. The weather was perfect, although it was very crowded, and not the usual quiet afternoon that we usually experience mid-week.

Peanut is a huge fan of the zoo, and in the past couple of trips has started to actually notice the animals. He especially loves the petting zoo (the full children's zoo has been closed this past year for renovations although I am sure that he would love that as well). Today there was no petting zoo as it is closed for the season, but Peanut was happy enough seeing the animals that were out, and were very active in the warm fall weather. He was thrilled with the deer, giraffes, zebras and flamingos. I wasn't able to get pictures today, as I was by myself and still not feeling 100%. (Photos from our trip to Boo at the Zoo at the end of October.)

This is probably one of the last trips for us before the end of the year, and I am so glad that we were able to make it today.

Wordless Wednesday: Toddler Slides

The Rookie Mom Challenge Part Two: Before They're Two

Last year, Peanut and I took the Rookie Mom Challenge, and while we came no where near completing all fifty-two challenges, we did enjoy our time together. The Rookie Moms have recently posted a list of activities for before they turn two. Peanut and I have a little less than four months until that happens, and we are going to try to complete as many as possible.

Some things we have already done, such as sitting in boxes, but there are quite a few that I am looking forward to trying.

Let the fun begin.

An Autumn Update

I've been quiet on the posting, but things have been pretty busy around here. We've been working on our fall bucket list, and while there are definitely things that we missed (I'm looking at you, decorating pumpkins), we've made some great progress.

I've already talked about picking our pumpkins, which also allowed the boys to play on the tractor. We attended a local costume parade, and the plethora of fall birthdays in Munchkin's class means that there is no shortage of costume parties.

Boo at the Zoo is happily becoming an annual tradition for us, and it allowed the boys to spend time in a hey maze, and Peanut to feed some animals (with an assist from Munchkin, who has decided that he doesn't like the animals tickling his hands).

And finally, Peter Pan and Captain Hook took some time out from trick or treating tonight to play in a very large pile of leaves.

I am really enjoying this season.

In a Sea of Orange

In the past week, we've gone pumpkin picking twice. First, while visiting my husband's grandmother, and second a little closer to home. Peanut was thrilled with both trips, and Munchkin is very much looking forward to when we carve and decorate. We are slowly, but surely, working out way through our fall list.

Linking up with Mama Kat

5.) Show us your pumpkin patch.

Into The Fall

I just found the Back to Blogging Challenge by The SITS Girls, but I loved the Day 1 challenge. I am a list maker. In the past few years I've become very digital, but I had a physical planner up to the point that it no longer fit into my diaper bag (those are stories for another time). So with this new season and fresh start, here is some of what we plan to do this autumn, in no particular order.

Pumpkin picking at the farm - This isn't something that I did growing up, but we've been doing it every year since Munchkin was born. I love it, Munchkin loves it, and now that Peanut is a little older, I'm sure that he'll love it too.

Hey rides and mazes - I think that the boys will get a kick out of this.

Carving and decorating pumpkins - We haven't really decorated pumpkins before, but now that we have a bit more room, this could be a wonderful activity for the boys.

Playing on a tractor - The farm that we usually go to pick pumpkins has tractors set up for people to play on.

Feeding animals at the petting zoo or farm - I think that Peanut would love the animals now that he is old enough to actually participate.

Boo at the Zoo - We've been doing this for a couple of years now, and it really is a fun family weekend activity.

Costume parades and parties - Our fall is filling up quickly with these Halloween-type activities

Trick or treating - Munchkin went for the first time last year, and he is definitely looking forward to going again this year.

Playing in the leaves - Both boys seem to love playing with leaves.

Baking pies - I am not a fan of cooking, but I love to bake. This is a fun season to bake in.

Family movie night - Planning on taking full advantage of our Netflix account.

Family game night - I'm almost embarrassed that we haven't done this before, but I am looking forward to getting to play with the entire family.

Making Thanksgiving desserts - Thanksgiving is my mother's holiday, and she always makes a feast. I try to bring a variety of desserts, and maybe Munchkin can "help" me with the baking this year.

What are you and your family planning on doing this fall?

Preschoolers in the Mist

Tuesday was the start of fall. A new season. A fresh start. And while things around here might no longer feel like summer, the leaves have not yet started to change, and we aren't overrun by pumpkins. Yet.

But fall is a great season to be outside. The air is a little cooler, but not so cold that everyone is bundled up to the point of not being able to move. So in fall, we spend more time outside. Eventually, we'll make it to the pumpkins, the orchards, and the yellow, orange and red trees for miles. But on Tuesday, we headed to the zoo.

And if this is what the boys think of when they think of the beginning of fall, I will not be upset.

Linking up with Mama Kat

1.) The first day of Fall is September 23rd, take a photo and share what the first day of Fall looks like in your next of the woods.

Time to Smash

This day went as quickly as it came. And while I don't know what the future may bring, as of right now Peanut is my last baby, and this was the last first cake. It was not the prettiest cake, the buttercream made from scratch, the cake from a box, but it was all his. At first he wasn't sure, but it didn't take long for him to dive in. While our family and friends enjoyed their cupcakes, Peanut went face first into his cake.

Of all the ways to spend our birthday, this small party with the focus on this cake "ceremony" was perfect.

And while technically this is the last of the Rookie Mom Challenges, I might still go back and try a few of the many that I missed.

Remembering the Sun

This past March, we tried to get away from the snow and cold by visiting family in Florida. It was our first trip, as fate had conspired against us in the past, and it was a wonderful time. While I failed at getting pictures of Peanut's first trip on a plane (camera was in the overhead compartment the entire flight), I did not miss his first trip into the waves.

He is completely different from his brother, who still doesn't want to go in. But Munchkin did enjoy the pool, there was a lot of water play by everyone.

We tried to make the trip as relaxing as possible, with our most exciting adventure being a trip to the zoo where we fed the giraffes.

For the most part, we just let them play and be outside, since the weather at home definitely had been preventing that.

The best part of the trip for me was definitely the quiet time that we got to spend with each other.

We flew home to frigid temperatures, but that week of sun recharged us when I didn't even realize that we needed it.

Baby on a plane... flying home

Linking up with Mama Kat
1.) Let’s reminisce about the last trip you took…pictures please!

Birthday Eve

It's the night before Peanut's first birthday and party. I have a million and one things to do to get ready, because I didn't learn anything at all from the last time, but I can't help to stop and look back. One year ago I had no idea how much life would change in the morning, I was planning how to spend my own birthday. This year has gone by so fast, I cannot believe that this night is back again. My baby has grown so much, and is so much less a baby as he is now firmly into toddlerhood. Just over a week ago he started to walk, and tomorrow he'll have cake. And just like last year when things didn't go as I planned, tomorrow is already going off-script. But it is our day, and I am so very looking forward to it.

Making More Than Cookies

As I was going through my life list, I came across a few that I can already cross off. One was making cookies for Santa.

I love baking and was really looking forward to when Munchkin (and eventually Peanut) was old enough to bake cookies for Santa with me. While last year he possibly would have been able to assist, I was too sick to do anything. This year, the two of us made cookies.

We started a new tradition, and headed up to my in-laws' much nicer kitchen. We didn't make everything that I had originally planned, I decided to keep it simple and not push him beyond what he found to be fun. And he did have fun, he loved dumping in the ingredients, mixing with both a spoon and the hand mixer and getting to roll the dough into balls. After they were done cooking, he loved sharing the cookies with the entire family, and we had to hold some back so that there would be some for Santa.

I cannot wait to do this again next year, with another helper.

Deep Freeze

We've been in a deep freeze here. Winter has not been kind, although not as bad as three years ago. That winter, we had so much snow, that it was February before Munchkin got a chance to get out in it and he was not a fan. Peanut has already tested out the snow, and he had no problems.

The boys had fun posing with our neighbor's snowman.

Then they convinced Daddy to make one for them.

Munchkin was excited to make footprints in the field near school.

All this happened in December, and I am sure the rest of winter will be more of the same. While it has snowed a lot since then it has been too cold to stay outside and play. I have also been slacking on the photos, something else that I need to work on now. In other news, Munchkin has gotten over his dislike of the snow, and made his first snow angel the other day.

What is winter like where you live?

Linking up with Mama Kat
5.) Show us what winter looks like in your neck of the woods!

A Simple Christmas

I had big grand dreams about how I would celebrate the holidays this year. I was trying to figure out the best way to display an activity Advent calendar, what activities to do and so many other plans. First, I decided that I was going to have Munchkin make a mailbox which I was planning on buying at Michael's. Then I couldn't find a mailbox, so I just got supplies to make the cards anyway to deal with our space issue.

Then I read Lora Lynn Fanning's letter to mamas of littles and I dropped almost all my plans. I still am doing activities with the boys, but it is much more informal. Neither boy can read yet, so the elaborate activity calendar was really just for me, and I don't need it. Munchkin is going to remember that he decorated a gingerbread house, not that he found out because I read him a perfectly coordinated card.

So I have a chocolate calendar for Munchkin (which he has been enjoying so far), the Santa's beard calendar and some crafts, stickers and coloring sheets to keep Munchkin occupied for the month. I got the Truth in the Tinsel with the printable ornaments to bring a bit of the religious aspect into the season, which I learned about from The Art of Simple's Advent plan (with a discount code).

But the most important thing to me this year is just being here with the boys. I don't want to be so busy that none of us enjoy this time of year, which really is amazing. And so I want to let them enjoy the season, and I want to enjoy them.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Our tree is up, and our "elf" decorated it last night. Peanut woke up first this morning, which was perfect for me, as I got to spend a few minutes letting him take in the tree before his brother got up. He was so happy and so excited. The pure joy on his face as he saw the lights and the ornaments for the first time. I wish that I was able to capture them on camera, but as I was holding him I wasn't able to. I hope that it is a look that I never forget, and a look that comes back each year. All he wanted to do was grab everything, which is why we have a small tabletop tree this year.

Munchkin was so excited to see what Jingle McJingles' Christmas magic had done. Our tree had been up for a week, bare as we waited for it to open. This morning Munchkin's face showed such amazement as he explored the tree, looking at all the different ornaments, many that he has seen before but none that he seemed to remember.

Mornings like these are one of the things that I absolutely love about Christmas, the innocence of childhood, the pure belief in magic and miracles. It was smiles and hugs, happiness and joy. It was perfect in its simplicity, and everything that I could wish for.