Here is how we spent the rest of our Christmas break:
On Friday after Christmas, we went to the zoo. The baby primates were adorable. Then we saw a female gorilla poop into her hand (twice), smell it, and carry it off somewhere.
Not babies, but yawning titi monkeys are still cute
(until they pee on themselves)
Sorry for being gross, but I just had to tell you how it is.
Saturday was Nicky’s birthday, and it was weird to not really celebrate it. I have always tried to have Christmas put away before his birthday. This year it didn’t really matter, but I still had Christmas put away except for a few odds and ends.
We had our friends over to play games that night. Daisy went on a date, and Zoe and Eva went with friends to see Zootopia 2.
On Sunday we went to my dad’s house. My sister came to visit for a few days from California. We got to see some week-old baby goats.
On Monday we got to talk to Nicky. I took Zoe on a kid date. She wanted to go to Scheel’s and Leatherby’s. That night we went to Texas Roadhouse and ran into my aunt and uncle.
On Tuesday I took Eva on her kid date. She wanted to
Go to Panda Express and Swig and on a shopping spree at Dollar Tree (I let her spend $10).
Daisy went to a sleepover with her cousin on Monday night, and when she came home on Tuesday and found out that we’d gone to Texas Roadhouse without her, she was livid. She didn’t talk to any of us for hours! Scotty and I took Daisy and Zoe to the temple Tuesday night to do baptisms, and she pouted the whole time.
Hopefully no one is keeping track of how much we’ve gone out to eat. Because there’s more… (and I didn’t even tell you about us going to The Habit for dinner after the temple because I’m starting to get embarrassed).
Wednesday was New Year’s Eve. I had a telehealth appointment with my sleep doctor at 7 am. No matter what I say, there is no convincing her that I don’t have sleep apnea. Scotty worked for a few hours in the morning and then we went to Arby’s to redeem some free kids meal coupons (we used the week to cash in all our promos that were expiring on December 31). Then we went to a cabin for the day with some of our neighbors. The kids played in the (very small amount of) snow, and we played some games, including a few intense rounds of Don’t Break the Ice and Sorry.
We got home around 7:00 that night. We snacked, played more games, and watched some shows. We all passed out long before midnight.
Thursday was New Year’s Day and my birthday. I got up early and went to Walmart and Hobby Lobby to check out the Christmas clearance. I got a bunch of gift wrap supplies, which is what I was hoping for.
On my way home, Scotty called and said to hurry up because I had some visitors. When I got home, my friend Christie was there, and she presented me with… drumroll please… A GIFT BASKET!!!
I couldn’t believe it! She got every single item on my list! Even cash! And crock pots! I laughed so much! And felt so guilty. And loved. But also guilty.
We spent a good chunk of the day cleaning the house. Then some of our friends came over, and we had Thai food and watched the finale of Stranger Things. Then we played a few games for good measure.
On Friday, my friend Julie brought me another birthday present inspired by my gift basket list. I love it so much!
That night we went to dinner with my in-laws for my birthday at the Old Spaghetti Factory and then played some games at our house.
We didn’t have any plans on Saturday so we called in a spontaneous game night with friends. They came over, and we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. The kids did an art project competition. I made random bags of junk for them to be creative with and then had Daisy and her friend be the judges and give everyone an award.
Saturday was my night! I won or tied every game we played (Agricola, Ark Nova, Everdell, and Bohnanza).
On Sunday we lounged about all morning in celebration of our new church time (11:30 - previously 9:00). Scotty smoked some beef jerky. We went to church. Then we went to Scotty’s dad’s birthday party. We played BINGO and ate charcuterie.
At this point, you might be thinking yay! This post is finally over because it’s time for Britt’s kids to go back to school. Oh no, friends. My kids didn’t go back to school until January 7th!!!
By the time Monday rolled around, I felt like I was losing it. I had no patience left and no ability to entertain kids. I worked a five hour shift, and then we talked to Nicky on the phone. I put out the Valentine’s decorations hoping it would give a little spark to my day. It didn’t. Dance classes started up again. Baby steps back to real life.
I worked again on Tuesday, then came home and crashed.
My friend Michelle stopped by with another gift basket inspired birthday present.
I had a bit of an emotional breakdown on Tuesday and just needed to cry (hence my need for Dove chocolates). Even though I love the holidays, and I’m so grateful for the wonderful experiences I’ve had over the past 10-12 weeks, it’s also a lot. It’s chaotic, gluttonous, and spendy. It’s a long time to be out of a good routine. The holidays also make me have to face unhealed wounds and disaccord among extended family. After all of it, I just needed to have a good release of tears, and then I can wipe myself off the floor and start a fresh new year. I have to go with Lunar New Year, though, because I’m never ready to start fresh January 1st. That gives me about 40 more days to prepare.
1 comment:
January 7th?!? We were Tuesday and it was a bridge too far. If I had to have done Monday and Tuesday still with kids I think my head would have exploded
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