Three Kids and a Dog: Xmas 2025

What a whirlwind Xmas 2025 turned out to be. With just 3 weeks to enjoy the Xmas season and shop, it was hard this year to squeeze everything in and really enjoy it. I like a good 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Xmas. It gives you ample time to shop and a whole other weekend for parties and fun.

Merry Xmas Eve

Still, we managed to get all of our shopping done, presents wrapped and attend several holiday parties before December 24th. Plus, we got to enjoy having Austen home for almost all of December, and he won't leave to go back to school until January 18th or 19th. (We may be ready to see him go by then!)

This season, we didn't walk any light shows and had no plans for holiday plays. Hailey asked where the elves were and I told her they didn't follow us to our new home. We knew she no longer believed and was trying to get us to admit that there is no Santa Claus so I told her the truth from a very wise "post" I saw and kept saved. The truth is that we are all Santa Claus. It's the act of giving without expecting anything in return. We all are Santa Claus all year long when we give to charities or when we exhibit a small act of kindness or are a big help to others - all without getting anything out of it. That's believing. That we can all make a difference by doing things and expecting nothing in return. It's the message I want to leave my kids about this season of giving.

Anyway, Xmas Eve this year was a quiet one since our family celebrations were both on Xmas Day. So we enjoyed a leisurely brunch at our favorite restaurant, Buttermilk. We finished up some last minute food prep for items we were bringing to Xmas Day events and then we got ready to go to church. Came home and had a bunch of appetizers/dinner and watched Home Alone. (The night before we played a variety of games and watched movies).

Xmas morning, we were up early to open our presents and then head to my brother's house for the opening of our extended family presents at 11am. We were there almost four hours before heading to the city to enjoy some time with Tom's family. We left about 9:30pm and were home by 10pmish.

So fun to catch up with family including all the older nieces and nephews. Now on to New Year's!