i've been offline all week ...
i was head down, nose to the grindstone ...
nothing but focus on making that final push with the christmas gifting ...
up first thing each morning with a list of to-do's in my hand ...
to-do's in crowded places like shopping malls and big box stores ...
to-do's in crowded places like shopping malls and big box stores ...
then awake until late-night revising my list so i could do it all over again ...
i seem to have one giant stressful week like this every december ...
where it's time to put the game face on and get. it. done. ...
it's as intense and draining as college finals back in the day ...
but thankfully it pays off ...
this was the scene on friday morning ...
the day I was ready to ship out our gifts ...
it's a big deal ...
it represents the most challenging aspect of our gifting ...
at last, their gifts are chosen and wrapped, carefully boxed and labeled ...
then shipped off to 6 different destinations ...
this is the day i switch gears from christmas stress to christmas relief!
cue long exhale ...
the day I was ready to ship out our gifts ...
it's a big deal ...
it represents the most challenging aspect of our gifting ...
at last, their gifts are chosen and wrapped, carefully boxed and labeled ...
then shipped off to 6 different destinations ...
this is the day i switch gears from christmas stress to christmas relief!
cue long exhale ...
friday morning was my deadline ...
because it was winter concert day at school ...
christmas cards, shipping, teacher gifts, and winter concert ...
they all go hand in hand each year ...
in that same giant week of stress ...
cue long exhale ...
i arrived at school ready to enjoy the winter concert ...
so many huge things freshly crossed of that dreaded list that had plagued me all week long ...
cue long exhale ...
i sat back to enjoy the sweet sound of young children singing and giggling ...
and the sight of their proud families gathered ...
and their adorable younger siblings cheering from the audience ...
not being quite as young,
my ladybugs came on a little later in the concert ...
and as of noon friday when the final winter concert song was sung, we were officially on vacation ...
cue long exhale ...
they all go hand in hand each year ...
in that same giant week of stress ...
cue long exhale ...
i arrived at school ready to enjoy the winter concert ...
so many huge things freshly crossed of that dreaded list that had plagued me all week long ...
cue long exhale ...
i sat back to enjoy the sweet sound of young children singing and giggling ...
and the sight of their proud families gathered ...
and their adorable younger siblings cheering from the audience ...
not being quite as young,
my ladybugs came on a little later in the concert ...
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| 5th grade, finding their places on the top riser - look how tall some of these kids are! |
 |
| 7th and 8th grades in this shot, 6th grade just barely starting to fill the bottom riser |
and as of noon friday when the final winter concert song was sung, we were officially on vacation ...
cue long exhale ...
off we went to enjoy our favorite pizza restaurant for lunch ...
and the reality set in ...
the shopping and run-around is behind me ...
it's time to sit back and enjoy christmas ...
from now on just the fun stuff lies ahead ...
lazy mornings ...
hot breakfasts ...
wrapping the gifts that will go under our own tree ...
baking ...
delivering goodies to local friends and neighbors ...
lazy homework-free nights ...
and soaking in all of the JOY this season has to offer ...
cue one final looooong exhale ...
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| image from here |
8 comments:
I hear you Sloan. Unfortunately a few gifts are still being bought over here. Each girl gets a turn to buy something for their siblings and dad. We've started holidays too. Looking forward to exhaling soon. Beautiful pictures. Loved the close up of the little one with her purse. Felt like I was there.
Dana
I am ready for that long exhale too!! but with 7 people and 2 dogs on their way to our house in 4days, something tells me it might have to wait!!:) I do have a big note to myself to stick in my Halloween box for next year that says "Be done shopping by December 10th!!" Think that might work???:)
What a beautiful setting for a holiday concert, love all that silver!
Your girls are so gorgeous. Your oldest looks like a super model in that shot. Love those outfits.
So wish we could get together for breakfast at Panera. Maybe that would help me exhale!!:)
have a happy day sloan!
Yay for you Sloan! What a good feeling it must be! Unfortunately I'm not there yet...maybe by Wednesday! I have my families boxes sitting in my diningroom (almost) ready to mail today. It's a job in itself trying to find the right boxes for everything to fit just right so nothing gets damaged in the process!
I can hear the exhale all the way over hear. . .probably because I feel the same way. We only have a smattering of evening activities this week and the cards and packages are mailed off. But still lots and lots of wrapping to do!
Kinda, sorta wish the kids were done with school. . .but kinda, sorta glad I have a few more days to get some things done!
Oh how I understand this! Friday night was my "sigh-of-relief time." After all the school parties and shopping...I was beat! Now I get to enjoy every minute. Hope you will, too! Merry Christmas!
Sloan, great job on getting everything bought, wrapped and mailed! You are da woman!! Hope you have blessed holiday season!! hugs, cathy
I am so glad you are exhaling! What a good feeling, huh?! The holidays are so fun, once the rush is over with. :) Love the pictures of your ladybugs! They are such beautiful girls. Enjoy the rest of your week!
You all get out so early! We still go until tomorrow. I'm totally impressed w/your ability to power it all out like that.
Loving these photos. Did you use your new lens, by chance? Your girls are just beautiful. And that little wubsy in the green dress TOTALLY reminds me of my LB. That is exactly something she'd be carrying and shoving pretzels into her mouth the entire concert too. ;)
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