The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For me Christmas usually involves a ridiculous amount of planning and obsession regarding food, presents, decorating, etc.  But this year with the new job happening right after Thanksgiving, I found myself in the same situation as the typical male population- last minute shopping the week before Christmas and no meal planning whatsoever.  Normally I would have stressed myself into a bleeding ulcer in a situation like this, but my job is now occupying the part of my pea brain that would otherwise have caused me a stroke.  It was oddly relaxing this year to not have the time or energy to devote to the holidays like I have the past couple of years.  I found myself only getting the kids exactly what I planned to get them instead of buying a ridiculous amount of toys they don't want or need because I found a good deal or wanted to make things even or whatever asshole excuse I had in the past.  And because I didn't have time to plan an elaborate meal, we ended up having chili on Christmas Eve and breakfast casseroles Christmas morning. And I didn't have to cook either one.  The hubs loves proving that his chili is the world's best, and my sister took over breakfast duty, so I could help play Santa. The most amazing thing I noticed this year is that if I just chill the hell out for a minute, the hubs is more than willing to step up to the plate and help out.  He wrapped presents, went shopping, put things together, decorated, etc.  Not that he doesn't ordinarily do this stuff, but I usually don't give him the chance to do anything, and then I unload on him when my stress hits threat level midnight.  It was a very peaceful Christmas especially by our standards, and I really enjoyed it.  And now that it's over, I'm looking forward to our adults only trip to Tampa to watch my Gamecocks play in the Outback bowl.  Go Cocks!

Dinner with the Griswolds

"Making" cookies for Santa

By the time Grandma's presents were added, the room was filled.  

QC'ing the cookies

Putting cookies and milk out for Santa and water for the Reindeer

Final look at the gifts before bedtime

Excited to go to bed for once.

Santa was super nice this year.

Bike gang

Checking to see if the milk and cookies were gone.  Santa left a note, but it was really hard for him to sign his name in glitter, so you couldn't really tell it was from him.

What every 10yo needs- Family Guy merch.

So over the camera.

Never shies away from the camera