This holiday season has been about 3,000% more magical because of Miles. He's so into Christmas, Santa, the Polar Express, and anything holiday-related. His interest and curiosity about everything is one of my favorite parts of him being two. (Yes, tantrums have ramped up, but gosh – I think this is my favorite age yet!) I will say, I think we may have jumped the gun by a year or two with the advent calendar. It's hard to see that there are more gifts in the waiting pockets, but only be allowed to liberate one per day.
Anyway, everything else has been magical. Last night Katy and Allan came over to exchange gifts (we are so lucky, for-crying-out-loud!) and then after Miles went to sleep his new babysitter came over to watch the monitor, and the grown-ups went out for a late dinner. I've been listening to these songs at work. I have just one more homemade gift to finish, and then I'll be done with my shopping/making for the year! Nearly everything is wrapped, too. And we're taking Miles to a family-friendly show of The Nutcracker this afternoon – I think he'll like it. He picked out a ball decorated with ballerinas when we visited Yankee Candle last weekend (see? we're doing all the holiday things!) and we've been talking about what strong, amazing athletes dancers are.
Kristie's birthday is 10 days before Christmas, so I've also been trying to gather extra-special gifts for her. We're going to celebrate this weekend with this breakfast (I make it for her birthday every year), a trip to the trampoline park, and then brunch. She and I are also always happy to visit Thornes on our birthdays for all the discounts, so we'll probably stop there too. On Dec. 21, winter solstice, we'll have her birthday dinner with my family. I'm hoping to also weave in some solstice practices (this list has good ideas – I've already put the ingredients for wassail on our shopping list) to help make that a meaningful evening.
Friends, are you feeling caught up on holiday to-do's? What are you enjoying most about life right now?
Links for your Friday
Santa got my Christmas list! Impeachment articles have been approved by the panel and sent for a House vote (NYT)
Amazon's predictions for the 100 most popular holiday toys [affiliate link]
This is a mouse deer and I love it
The Baltimore Museum of Art is buying only from female-identified artists next year
Knitting Mr. Rogers's Smithsonian cardigan
A heartwarming profile of Chrissy Tiegen and John Legend
Pinterest and The Knot are going to stop promoting weddings that romanticize former slave plantations
I wonder how this cinnamon donut cake would taste with gluten-free flour...
I'm satisfied with the holiday crafting I've done this year, but next year I want to make dried orange and apple garlands to hang on the tree
A 44,000-year-old cave painting
A beautiful, beautiful DIY paper flower menorah
