Man oh man am I grateful I enjoyed that glorious family Saturday of sunshine, shopping and soccer.
At the time, it felt like we had nothin’ but endless holiday break time stretching before us, with oodles of hours to get everything done in time for the big day.
Welp.
All that flipped on a dime yesterday when I started looking at my to-do list, my mountainous laundry pile, and the complicated packing logistics of traveling with young kiddos who are still believers at Christmas.
Yesterday, we had a decent mix of still-enjoyable church and errands and food, but also, more responsibilities creeping in.
And then today, it was full-on, marathon errand running, laundry churning and Getting. Stuff. Done.
Moreover, the long list of logistical items continued well into our night, with the hubby assembling some toys, me wrapping, wrapping, wrapping, and then staring with wide eyes at ALL of the things we need to fit in our one car when we travel, and…it just ain’t happening.
These storage bins are packed to the gills and aren’t even the sum total of all we need to bring. Not by a landslide.
Beyond all these, there are two giant suitcases, three sleeping rolls, three kiddos’ backpacks, a food bag, and there are still more presents not pictured! Not to mention, the grandparents and aunt/uncle gifts that the kiddos will receive on Christmas and then need to bring back home!
Already, the hubby and I have kicked our presents for one another to the wayside, as they’re lower priority. And there are a few other odds and ends we can leave behind. And thank freaking heavens I had the foresight to bring the gifts for the hubby’s side of the family at Thanksgiving to save space.
And can you believe this is with the adults in my family drawing names and just gifting to one person, plus a very reigned-in, limited number of gifts the hubby, Sant and I gift to our children???
I mean…talk about complicated.
It would be one thing if two of mine weren’t still believers, but thanks to the magic remaining alive and well (for perhaps this final year?? Maybe one year more???) I can’t exactly look at them and be like: look kids, the stuff just won’t fit in the car. Ha.
Santa and his sleigh are magical. And logistics never seem to be a problem for him. Lucky guy.
Knowing this was likely to be a major issue, I began planting the seeds of logistical doubt out loud to the kiddos a few days ago. And I’ve been actively talking to our beloved Scout Elf, Leaf, in front of them, asking for some advice.
Bottom line: Leaf is leaving the kiddos a note tomorrow morning to tell them they’re lucky duck kiddos and will be having a mini Christmas morning this Wednesday, at home, before we depart, as it’s just not possible to get everything in the car and back to our casa on the flip side.
This will be the first year for our crew to pull off something like this, so…we’ll see how it all goes, ha
But necessity is, indeed, the mother of invention. And we absolutely need to invent some more space in our vehicle!
So…there you have it. Just like everyone else out there, the stress and complications of the holiday have crept in.
But also: there’s JOY beneath it all, and we’ll absolutely figure it all out.
Plus—and this is a major, final point—we are BEYOND BLESSED to have the problem of too many loved ones to give and receive presents, and the ability to tackle it all.
Privileged problems, right here, I tell ya. Privileged, indeed.
Happy Monday, peeps!
Over and out.
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