Christmas 2020 Recap

Whew, we made it to the end of 2020. While I’m not so sure all the drama and stress will be left behind, I do have so much to remember and be thankful for. Christmas went extremely well at our house, we had a happy relaxing day and all got something we really liked.

In the morning Jeff ran out to check his stocking. I kept it extremely simple (this was our first year doing stockings), a pair of Smartwool socks each (found secondhand at Mother & Child!), bath crayons to share and a kinder egg chocolate. He ran into my room and said “Mom! There’s socks in my stocking!!!” Simone and I joined him in the living room where they happily ate their chocolate for an early breakfast. It was so sweet to see such simple things bring them joy.

They each received a baby doll from the grandparents. Simone received a mini sling for her dolls and a cradle as well. Jeff received a hotwheels race track he’s been wanting and a wooden barn with some wooden animals in it to share. Erick received some new hockey gear and a roku for our tv. We got our tv in 2013 when we were first married so the apps have mostly stopped working due to not being compatible with the “old” tv. We’ve refused to buy a new one when this one is still functional, so we’ve basically only had access to Netflix for the last few years. A friend of mine recently asked why we didn’t just try to use an Amazon firestick….and I realized we could do that, hahaha. So I got a roku since we use those tvs up north in our condo and are comfortable with them, also also because I’m totally spooked by amazon listening to us in our home and refuse alexa, lol. Anyway, we are in heaven over here having access to Disney +, hulu and showtime, we’re back in TV watching business!

I received a sweet bracelet from Jeffy that he bought from the TJ Maxx jewelry counter back in August with my sister. He’s had it wrapped and hidden in one of Erick’s drawers since the summer, so sweet! As a big present from Erick, he renovated our (only) bathroom, which was a real gift because we have been working on this big old house and condos up North over the last 3 years, but haven’t taken the time to do much inside our own apartment. I LOVE it. It’s exciting what a little paint and wainscoting can do! I’ll update later with a post of the completed bathroom.

We had a nice dinner and gift exchange at my parents house. I made a delicious salad from Half Baked Harvests Super Simple Book. I’m really loving her recipes and how she seems to make elevated comfort food easy to do. I

We Made A Compost Bucket

I even had Jeffy help me, which he loved because he got to use the drill on his own for the first time. I helped him with each hole he drilled, but he was able to hold it independently. I’m also glad that I had him help because I think it was important for him to go through the process of building it with me to learn about composting. The whole premise behind composting is creating less waste (which I’m into) and creating a soil/fertilizer for your own garden or yard (a bonus!).

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How To Make a Fairy Garden With Boston Children’s Museum

We filmed a quick 3 minute video detailing how we normally build our fairy gardens, in cooperation with Boston Children’s Museum. I feel so thankful and honored to work with them! Once you get your kid(s) started, they'll know how to do it on their own, allowing them to be creative and self entertained in the yard. The best part about it is that it brings you together for simple, enjoyable moments with your kids.

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I Lied To My Child About Covid19

So far yes, I’ve lied about the existence of the coronavirus to my child and I'm proud of it. I believe it is my job as a parent to ensure my child's safety and wellbeing. By staying home and practicing social distancing I am keeping him safe. By avoiding telling him the ins and outs of the virus, as well as my own anxieties surrounding it, I am protecting his mental wellbeing. I want my son to look back on this time of life and no nothing different. He was home. He was safe. He was loved. And we were happy.

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5 Great Toys For ONE Year Olds

My college roommate and I had baby girls about a month apart. She texted me today asking for indoor ideas for one year olds. At this point we’ve been at home for about a month, and it doesn’t look like Covid19 is going anywhere, fast. So we chatted about our girls’ interests and some of the best activities for them and I thought it might be wise to jot them down here so I don’t forget!

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