Tires

 Last night we were going to decorate the Christmas tree but we decided it would be more fun to buy new tires. Okay, fun may be a bit of a stretch because purchasing tires is never an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately Scott left work yesterday afternoon and discovered a huge tack protruding out of the side of his front tire. Decorating the tree would have been more fun but buying and installing two tires was far more necessary. 

Hopefully we will get the tree decorated tonight or at the very least by tomorrow night. This evening after work we are heading to set up for a local craft fair. Robby and I will be spending the weekend at the Holidays in Leesburg craft fair selling FlexyFriends and assorted ornaments. We have no idea what to expect so this is a new adventure for both of us.  

This Christmas season is definitely unique. Instead of spending my weekends baking cookies and decorating I am going to be sitting in a mall or at a craft show assisting Robby with his little pop-up store. Next year Robby will be leaving for college so I'm trying to look at my busy weekends as an opportunity to spend a lot of time with him. I'm going to be stuck there anyway so I might as well look at the positive!

Rainbows

Our tree is upright but it remains undecorated because I was just too tired last night. I'm hoping that tonight I'll be able to cover it with my twinkly lights. I love the colorful glow that lights up my living room throughout the holiday season. It is hard to feel sad when you are immersed in a rainbow!

It may not be looking like Christmas but it certainly is feeling like it. The chill in the air came from out of nowhere, leaving frost and light snow fluttering down. There is no doubt that winter is here and, if the meteorologists are correct, it is going to be a fun one. After nearly a decade without a significant snowstorm we are all hankering for some sled worthy snow.

Today I plan on spreading Christmas through my house. We only have a month before the big day. I'm way behind!

Tree

As anticipated yesterday was busy and chaotic. After nearly a week of vacation, the boys found it difficult to harness the motivation to return to the grind. I can't say I blame them. I find concentrating throughout the month of December to be difficult. I suppose I resemble a puppy looking at a squirrel when I see twinkly Christmas lights.

After school I had the boys help put up our Christmas tree. Unlike every other year, we did not cut it down ourselves. Last year the experience was beyond miserable because of the endless complaining and bickering.  By the time the tree was felled and dragged to the baler I swore I would never cut down a Christmas tree again. I meant it!

While I told them that I ordered a Christmas tree online, I don't think that they believed me until FedEx drop up with a 9' box.  I've never done a mail order live cut Christmas tree but I am a fan of the experience. The shape, color, fullness and aroma are all amazing. I am a little disappointed in the height (or lack of it) because I am accustomed to 12' trees. By comparison, 7' feels tiny. 

Today the tree will be lit and decorated. It is beginning to feel (and smell) a lot like Christmas!

Pop-Up Shop

Thanksgiving flew by in a moment. I had an amazing holiday week at my Mom's house. I thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out and helping her get ready for the Thanksgiving party. We were busy and it was chaotic, but it certainly wouldn't feel like the holidays if everything were calm and quiet. 

For the first time since Covid my Mom hosted the entire family. It was wonderful to see all of my cousins again. I hate that it has been so long! Timmy was particularly enthralled by meeting his cousin who is also 9. (They had met previously but it was too long ago for memories to have been formed.) The pair sat around their own little table for dinner and happily chatted about McDonalds and french fries. He was delighted to have a "secret cousin" who is his age and who also shares his love for all things potato. 

After Thanksgiving our attention turned to FlexyFriends. Scott and I spent Black Friday at the Francis Scott Key Mall selling FlexyFriends at our little pop-up shop. On Saturday Scott retrieved the kids from my Mom and returned to Virginia to get them settled while I stayed at the shop. On Sunday I worked the shop by myself. It was a little difficult packing everything up by myself but I got it done!

Today everybody returns to their normal schedule. After a week of fun and family adventures, it is going to be hard to get back into the routine. Have a great week!

 I love these kids!  Thanksgiving week has been a fun so far. We've played games, laughed late into the night and went to paint pottery.

Thanksgiving Ready

 I thoroughly enjoyed my last weekend off. The next four weeks we are floating a packed calendar, with FlexyFriend pop-up sales events scheduled throughout the area. For the past few years I have avoided malls during the holidays, but this year I will be parked in the center of one for most of the holiday season. Talk about a change!

Our first Flexy shop is scheduled for this coming weekend. We are exceedingly excited about selling at the Francis Scott Key Mall throughout Black Friday weekend. I hope that this event kick starts our holiday shopping (and selling) season.  I am a little weary about navigating the crowds but I am also looking forward to fully embracing the holiday chaos and hustle. 

But before we go into sales mode we get to enjoy Thanksgiving. Today I am packing up the boys and heading to PA. I'm looking forward to hanging out with my Mom and sister for the next few days. I know that Timmy and Robby are looking forward to seeing their cousins. The next few days will be loud, busy and hectic. In other words, it is going to be wonderful!

This truly is the most wonderful time of year.

Tree Struggles

 Happy Friday!  

Even though we didn't do anything out of the norm, this week has felt wonky and off. Thanksgiving vacation is definitely at the forefront of all of our minds and the excitement is building with each passing day. Timmy is ecstatic to go to his Nana's and to hang out with his cousins next week and Robby is looking forward to several late-night rousing rounds of Cards Against Humanity. I'm counting down the days until our Thanksgiving "Fun"cation begins!

Unlike other years, I'm not taking the Cousins overnight this year. Instead I have several day adventures partially planned and I will be able to tailor our itinerary when I know their work schedules. No matter what we do, I know that we will have fun.

Unfortunately, our funcation is still a few days away. I need to get through work today and Monday before the fun really begins. This weekend I am going to prep for Christmas because our tree is begin delivered the following Monday. This is the first year that we are not picking out our own tree in a field, but sometimes traditions need to change or end. Last year the boys (Scott included) all complained relentlessly throughout the tree farm experience and I swore I would never do it again.

Cutting down a Christmas tree has been my childhood tradition that I brought to my own little family. When they were really little both boys loved going to chop down the tree. As they have grown the dirt, sap, needle stabs and muscle exertion have outweighed the joys. Last year their bickering reached fevered pitch when they were struggling to bring the ginormous tree up the hill to the processing barn. By the time the tree reached the barn, I was nearly in tears and everybody was miserable. 

Getting into the car I declared that we would never do it again. That doesn't mean that I don't want a beautiful freshly cut Christmas tree. I discovered the best of both worlds. A Christmas tree farm in Massachusetts that delivers throughout the country. Straight from the farm to my door- I think this is going to be the perfect compromise!