Chrismukkah recap

 In my mind, Christmas decorations turn into clutter the second Christmas is over, but this year? I felt very bothered by all the junk (and the HUGE living room tree that ruined the traffic flow of the entire room) BEFORE the holiday.

So, this was us at 7:30 yesterday morning

By the time Dorothy and I got home from shopping (a marathon event that made me miss my mom, whom we called on the way home since her Hanukkah gift funded some of our excursion, and my Bomma), BOTH trees were on the curb, and Ben even took the lights down outside.

I got right to work on Christmas beds and only made it to TWO  (which means I have FIVE beds to change today, which is a lot even for me).

We started our shopping marathon at the mall, where I found new earring backs for the gorgeous earrings I got for Christmas (one of the backs fell off I think when I tried on a new hat I got (that is lined with satin so I can wear it to run and not ruin my hair), and I am SO LUCKY that I did not lose the earring). Next, Dorothy swapped out some Aerie leggings for sweats (and I got a really adorable skirt/sweatshirt combo set and MIGHT GO BACK TODAY for a weekend lounge set). We also hit up Ulta, where I only came away with my favorite under eye patches and dry shampoo.

Next, we went to the fun outdoor mall with fancier stores that is less fun in the winter. Dorothy didn't even wear a coat, and when I pointed that out, she said, IT'S OK. I WILL GET A HOT CHOCOLATE.

Dorothy had a bra top to return to Lulu , but we could not do it because it didn't have a tag, even though I had the order on my app AND the packing list from the box-- apparently they have a problem with people wearing and returning, but OMFG you guys. I don't even think it came with a tag. She liked the bra-- it is just a little long in the straps (and it has one thousand straps in the back), so I texted the amazing costume wizard from her dance studio who is going to try to fix it for us, which is awesome. But! We stood in THIS LINE OMG to do the return and then when we couldn't Dorothy decided NOT to buy the shirt she was standing in line with. Don't worry-- I still got leggings, which is the really important thing.

We trolled Anthro and Free People because they had a 50% off sale price clearance even happening and then we went to Sephora where we both bought tons of stuff. Notably, I got a dark pink eyeliner which might be terrible, but I am excited to try, and Dorothy continued to love Tower, which is a brand I never would have glanced at without a tween in my life. Also, the Rare Beauty lip stain that I did not buy in favor of the classic Benetint is STILL on my hand after using makeup remover at the store AND taking a shower, so I think I made a bad choice.

After Sephora, Dorothy decided she actually did want her long sleeved t-shirt from Lulu, and I regretted not buying a giant scrunchie, sooooo we got BACK IN THE FREAKING LINE MY GOD.

The tl;dr s that neither if us has any holiday money left, and we had a blast AND picked up smoothie stuff from Whole Foods because I GOT A NEW BLENDER!!!!!

We had a delightful cozy day on the 25th-- opening gifts, admiring gifts, attending Minnie's ukulele concert.

I started the day with a festive pre-dawn run

And admired the quiet

The elves brought matching PJ pants and fun shirts

So much opening!

New running glasses!

Annabel smelling Dorothy's new perfume

Only left the house for dog walks!

Coop is an expert bracelet maker

Ukulele concert-- we got tickets, even

SHE TOOK MY SPOT

We spent the days leading up to Christmas with Ben's parents and had a lovely, lowkey time.

Jack baked the perfect chocolate chip cookies with his grandma

Minnie (who tested positive for strep on 12/22-- but negative for all the viruses) made her own batch of Santa cookies with her own bagged frosting (I always only make my own frosting, but the store bought colors are way more vibrant).

Dorothy made the eyeball cookie

We had eve of the eve dinner at our favorite Thai place

And! The kids saw Mall Santa. (Jack saw his 18th mall santa, in fact, so he is officially off the hook for Santa pics, and I wonder how many more years we can keep up the tradition).

We had hot chocolate and viewed the Capitol Christmas tree on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is also when Toofy and Snowflake (our elves) dropped off our jammies and went back to the North Pole (phew-- definitely did a bad elf job this season)

Some Christmas Eve gifts, too (poor sick little Minnie-- she did not spread it to anyone and she feels much better now)

Phew! What a long wrap up. Gold star if you made it this far, and I hope you also had a delightful holiday.

Books I can't wait to read next year: FIRST QUARTER

Hi friends-- I did all the googling, so you can just sit back and put these books on hold at your library-- probably right now for the January books and maybe some of the others. THERE IS A JUDY BLUME BIO YOU GUYS.

I wanted to lay out all of the books I can't wait to read in 2026, but this post was getting WAY TOO LONG because there are so many good books coming into the world! INCLUDING NICOLE'S!

Sooooo you can expect a second quarter, third quarter, and fourth quarter post, too, eventually.

January:

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins: She is an auto-buy for me-- I've already pre-ordered and can't wait to send the kids back to school and read read read.

Woman Down by Colleen Hoover: JUDGE AWAY you high brow readers, you.

A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James: HER BOOKS ARE VERY SCARY, and I love that.

All the Little Houses by May Cobb: Fans of The Hunting Wives  rejoice!

Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy: Loved her memoir; will try this one.

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden: YOU KNOW I LOVE HER. SO much that I will see a movie with Sydney Sweeney in it. Also the Kindle version of this is $4.99 to pre-order...

Is This a Cry for Help by Emily Austen: I like but do not love her other books, but this looks good.

February:

This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman: Also having a pre-order sale...

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn: A departure from her usual, but I adore her books on Audible, so I am all in.

Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams: Another thriller author I always read.

Kin by Tayari Jones: This looks gooooooood

The Girls Before by Katie Alice Marshall: Another thriller writer I will usually always read.

Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake: She started a new series and I missed it, so this is a bonus book to read AND one to catch up on.

More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen: This sounds terrific.

March:

Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer: OMGGGGGGGGGGG.

You With the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate: I love celebrity memoirs.

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney: I have loved her other books, so this one is on my list.

Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson: If you haven't read Joshilyn Jackson, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Served Him Right by Lisa Unger: She always writes good, entertaining thrillers.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez: Love her

Sisters in Yellow by Mieko Kawakami: Already buzzy and I like her other books.

yay for winter break!!

 I love having everyone home with meeeeeee! And not a moment too soon! We definitely limped to the finish line (see: orchestra concert that almost was forgotten)

Nutrition has definitely taken a turn for the worse, as evidenced by Minnie's final breakfast and lunch of the school (calendar) year on Friday:

She's jumping up and down for break here, and I AGREE

Elf flavored?? REALLY??

You guys! I love Dance Moms: A New Era, and I could not help but think how HILARIOUS it would be if I wore something like this to a comp. DOROTHY WOULD DIE.

I am LOVING SHU's book, and I am so excited to have some time to think about how I am managing my tasks (NOT AIRTIGHT YOU GUYS) and wow did it come out at the perfect time-- I am for sure riding the new year energy wave. Can't wait to make 2026 my most well planned year yet.

The old oven has been holding steady (I don't even want to say that for fear of jinxing her), and I was able to make myself in gingerbread (wearing Domenica's top, above)

I saw this kid carry the class hamster out the door of the elementary school on Friday afternoon, and it was the most classic little kid at school thing EVER, and I loved it.

Also made a few brownies as long as the oven was hot.

Dorothy, enjoying a healthy snack. We have a new house rule: no phones at all any day ever unless you get dressed first. I think this will make school mornings smoother when break is over (THEY COULD NOT BE LESS SMOOTH RIGHT NOW), and wehave time to ease into the habit over the next 2 weeks.

Cooper won Shoots and Ladders AND Candy Land. He was jazzed.

We have a family Yankee Swap (like The Office) every Christmas Eve. This year the theme is cozy, and I took these 3 to the mall to shop. I am pretty sure they all bought stuffies.

The best post-run treat

The Elf brought Minnie some window clings, and school may have gifted her with strep or flu. I'm caling the pediatrician first thing this morning.

Last! Night! of! Hanukkah! We had our traditional sibling gift exchange.

Dorothy drew Minnie (Monster High dolls)

Harry drew Dorothy (Sol de Janeiro spray and body wash)

Minnie drew Coper (slippers and a water bottle)

Cooper drew Jack (water. bottle and Kwik Trip gift card)

Jack drew Harry (slippers).

Tomorrow we bake Santa cookies and go to Zoo Lights to see the big man himself, plus Dorothy has dance for a few hours. Then we celebrate with family for a few days. Then Dorothy has trio practice and Ben and I go out for my dad's birthday and then it's vacay! 2025 is going out with a bang!