Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Holiday Reality Check


I had intentions of making this holiday season magical and meaningful for my kids.  I wrote out our holiday bucket list and packed our weekends with all the things I just knew my kids would love.  Well, let me just recap that list for you so far.  We piled in with my in-laws and drove two hours to the Polar Express.  I don't think the other adults were that excited to begin with but Leavitt was pretty pumped so I joined him in his enthusiasm... until his little brother hit a wall and lost his shit on the train.  At one point while trying to keep him from his great escape he managed to unbutton most of my shirt leaving me looking like a half dressed fool with unruly children.  We left there for Cabela's to try to salvage the day when Leavitt lost his mind and cried in the parking lot for 20 minutes, and proceeded to cry as my husband drove us home.  Luckily I had brought Preston his new Plush Activity Octopus to play with in the car.  He spent most of the trip using the different features on the tentacles to make different noises, each one made him giggle a little.  He chewed on the textured teething rings, and the soft fabric was perfect for snuggling on the go.  If you are going to be traveling with a little one this holiday season I suggest snagging one because we adore ours and it will entertain them.  You can snag one here and a little birdie told me it's on sale right now!


The next weekend we were off to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to see Gardens aglow.  I left Preston with his grandparents and was going to take Leavitt with his cousins, my mom, and my friend Meghan.  We didn't even make it a mile from my house when we were in a minor car accident.  By the time we made it home and the tow truck had my sister's (brand new) mini van, none of us were in the mood to attempt the trip.


Last weekend I went to Portland shopping with some gal pals.  All of us needed to get a few things, but mostly needed a break from the Christmas stress.  We had planned to go to the Magic of Christmas show and blew that off for some extra time shopping.  Another dreamy plan sidelined for getting more checked off the to-do list.  We had the best time, and if you follow along on Instagram stories you know that meant I got to do a cheap spa treatment in bed!

We have been talking a lot about the meaning of the season.  How Jesus was born, and what a gift that is to us all.  How kindness is the gift we give others, and that when we forget to be kind we can ask for forgiveness - the gift believers receive because Jesus was born.  We went to a live nativity where we saw an outdoor play of the night Jesus was born.  What do you know Leavitt would refuse to wear his snowsuit, so I let him stand there knowing he would freeze.  Two scenes in he wants to go get his snowsuit on causing us to miss half of the show.


Through all of the madness of the season, the extra expenses, and stress I want them to feel that message more than anything else.  As much as I am looking forward to hearing the shrieks of excitement when Leavitt sees his box of new fishing clothes, hearing him tell me about the manger and why we celebrate is the only thing I want this year...unless my husband is reading this then I want a day at the spa!

Now for those of you hoping to get your hands on one of those Plush Activity Octopus toys I have teamed up with Nuby to give one lucky reader one!  Head over to my Instagram @bringingupleavitt to enter!  I am going to close the giveaway Saturday December 23rd! Good luck!