Holiday Break School Finish Line

Okay, peeps.

We did it! We made it through the final day of school before the holiday break, and, MAN, did it feel like a hard-earned victory!

I’m an official room rep for Little Man’s classroom, this year, and it made allllllll the work worth it to have him happily yell, “Mama!” and give me a giant bear hug when he walked into the decorated classroom. Especially since it’s often a coin toss as to whether he’ll want to acknowledge me in public, ha.

No joke, this was my seventh, consecutive year to throw a classroom holiday party for one of my three kiddos and I was dragging a bit, getting into the spirit, for many reasons…

First, because I’ve been sick. :(

Second, because it’s been a lotta years putting forth this kind of effort at the busiest time of year, af the tail end of a ton of responsibilities and events.

And third…because most of my already family arrived the day before, and it was hard to ditch this adorable little niece o’ mine to deal with my school duties!

She and I enjoyed such happy crafting time in the morning before I had to gather up my gear and head to school. She even helped me build a few prototypes for the craft project we tackled during Little Man’s class party. :)

My dude was in high-flying, HAPPY form at school, and I was grateful to be there to witness and facilitate the fun—exhaustion, be damned.

But if there was ever a cliche sign of the season, and all the parties, events, hosting and planning that’s been going on…it’s the current state of my car’s trunk:



I legitimately plan to leave it all there for a solid week before I deal with it, ha.

SO ready to launch this next phase of the holiday when we close ranks and hunker down as a family. It’s the BEST.

More mañana, peeps!

Over and out. 

Chica’s Mariah Choir-iah Bravery!

Okay, peeps.

Here’s my glorious eldest—who, as of this week, is only half-an-inch shorter than me, but in heels (like this pic) has me beat!!! Gahhhhhhhhh! I cannot.

Not only is she slaying it as a VP on the middle school choir council, and as the President-Elect for next year, but, last night, she had her Winter Concert and sang a special duet with a friend—and totally rocked it, which was not an easy feat, since they sang All I Want For Christmas Is You!

If this all sounds uber-annoyingly bragadocious, that’s because it IS!! I’m a proud Mama Bear and Chica has worked her backside off for a fine arts pursuit she loves!

This year, there’s a new choir director at the school, and she’s fabulous—and that’s saying a lot, since we also liked the prior director!



I’m so grateful that my girl has something she loves and enjoys in this way, and I’m SO STINKING PROUD of her for powering through nerves that would level me!

It’s a joy to watch her little songbird ways come out in daily life and in school life, and I hope choral participation brings her joy for many years to come!

Okay…orchestra concert is tonight. Gahh!! All. These. Holiday. Things.

More mañana, peeps.

Over and out. 

Drum Line Church Service!

Goodness, peeps.

Since collapsing in bed on Friday night, following our raucous party, I’ve been up and down and every where in between, mood-wise (and body-wise). 

I’ve been relieved, elated, chill, exhausted, exhilarated, content, stressed, rushed, and then…all those things over again—but with a side dose of not feeling the best, though I think it’s just general depletion.

Thank goodness, we had a delightfully normal and relaxed Saturday. Lots of family time and laundry time and a few errands, but also, some couch time. All the things I needed among the mood and boys swings.

Then, yesterday, God knew exactly how to fill my cup and brings things back to the entire reason for the season with my absolutel favorite church service of the entire year:

The drum line service!

Yep, that’s right. The high school drum line, in church. Our Lutheran church, no less.

In fact, this particular service is more of a concert with incredible music and lighting and—gasp!—fog machines and it’s all so moving and beautifully performed that I get emotional every year.



My kiddos were delighted the entire time, and I really felt so uplifted and centered and invigorated. It was a true blessing.





After the service, Chicklet had a fun gingerbread-decorating get-together at a friend’s house, but the rest of us (plus Coda!) went for a delicious brunch out, and I felt so filled in all the ways.



It’s amazing how depleted we all get over the holidays. We have so much on our plates, and so many “extra” commitments and to-do’s. It’s so critical to find tiny pockets of peace or rest.

Unfortunately, we had to hit the crowd running today with a really busy Monday and the rest of the week is go-go-go. I’m still walking that line of joyful/exhausted, but the hubby and I are going to try to steal some time together tomorrow, if we can.

Wishing you all a joyful week, and enough mental fortitude to remember the reason for the season!

Over and out. 

P.S. Coda Saturday morning snuggles, filling my cup. :)