took some time to celebrate

Every blogger has typed the old, "I wasn't going to do a post about xyz but then ... " and I'm just as guilty because I really wasn't going to do Christmas recap post but then I realized I had so many grainy quality cellular snaps from Simon's time off that I just couldn't not share some with my peoples. And it was either this or a heartfelt post about haircare products (tomorrow! I promise).

Hold on to your blinkers ...

technically right after Simon got off work Saturday morning. the weather was weirdly glorious so we grabbed our giddy children and set out to see the world ... three blocks to and from our house.

My grandma is thee gift giver extraordinaire. And I almost gave in and let her wear the getup this morning to buy diapers for the boys but ultimately mean mom got her way.

I really can't believe he'll be 1 next week but then I see photos like this and I start looking around for kindergarten waiting lists because he almost looks literate.

There are twelve different types of cars/trucks/tractors in Sebastian's crib right now and I know I should insist on a blank sleeping canvas but the extra hour of playtime tacked onto the beginning of his nap is just too good.

Theo be like, "wtf?! when do I get the obligatory but accidental homebrewed toddler bowl cut?!"

The day was great, the day was good, and we discovered that the kids will abide by a lengthy 10 minute timeout (as opposed to the spineless age appropriate 2 & 3 minute timeouts) if the punishment so fits the extra loud fighting crime. The kids were thrilled with their gifts and Simon and I discovered on Christmas eve that our hiding places for each other's gifts was one in the same: the minivan trunk SO ... surprises foiled? Maybe. But still .... there's no "present" in "Christmas" so ... moot point. I say. 

Simon read Jim Gaffigan's genius all day and then handed it off to me last night at which point I stayed up past midnight (and I turn pumpkiny around 9:30 so ... that Jim ... he funny and right on the lettuce) reading and reading and reading.

And now it's back to the old grind with Simon at work (or as Sebastian says over the course of 4 head nodds, "dah-dee wooking?" .... yes.) and me and the kids still at home and wondering how the mornings simultaneously drag and fly through so many messes and compromises and first + second + third breakfasts and resolves to fold laundry today and then resolves to fold laundry tomorrow and ...... you know. The gamut. 

But we have a great little staycation to look back on and a great appreciation for the holidays that Simon does have off because it hasn't always been that way and it won't always be this way. We are soooo in for it next year - and no one tell Julia the truth when Christmas is weirdly rescheduled under our roof for December 27th or something because I have a death glare and I'm not afraid to use it. On you. 

Anyway, crystal clear smiles and cheer for all.

stolen from the gram because it's a free world 

wide web.