Buy nothing group helper:

I don’t have a photo of this, but I have to gush about my local Buy Nothing Group. I locked my car with the keys sitting in the middle console. Amazon prime couldn’t deliver a lockout kit for a few days, so I took to the internet asking if someone could help out. I didn’t expect anything, but within a few moments, a man came trucking down the road to pop that door right open. SO grateful for good neighbors – some of whom I haven’t even met yet!

One of my very best friends graduated with her bachelor’s degree!!

Originally, I had planned to attend the ceremony in person, but pregnancy carsickness kept me from making the drive. Amazingly, we could still watch online and cheer and scream all from the couch at home.

Congrats babe I am SO PROUD of you!!

Set up Christmas on the first day of Christmas.

And donated quite a bit!

Maybe one day we’ll have Christmas throw pillows or even have darling ceramic villages displayed on a fireplace mantle. But for now, with lots of very little people in our very little house, the simple basics are perfect. ❤️

Arrow had a party with one of our favorite friends.

Archer and Arrow had their Christmas piano recitals:

So grateful for their teacher who is giving them the gift of music.

Cat tax:

Back in MY day, it used to snow in the winter. Glorious foggy mornings are a fine substitute I suppose.

Glad we got some snow though.

Arrow delights in making little treats for her brothers. It’s so cute. Her latest creation: “Christmas Cakes”.

She also loves to introduce new games to her friends. UNO no mercy has been a hit.

Lopped off a couple more of these bad boys.

No cancer here! Just moles who aspire to be.

Tried to change the sheets. Junior committed to the bit that if he could not see me he could not hear me and thus not leave his cozy spot.

It worked, tbh. It’s been weeks and I still haven’t made the bed.

Mice were loved (and Arrow tried a new hairstyle!)

Taylor’s final Christmas choir performance. So handsome.

Wrapping up teacher gifts. This felt extra special because it was our first time we could afford to splurge a little on those amazing teachers & mentors.

And man do those folks deserve pampering!

Taylor and I went fabric shopping for our baby’s quilt. I’m impressed with the whimsy patterns Taylor picked out!

Now we’ll see if I can make something that moderately resembles a blanket…

December was surprisingly wonderful. At the start, I had felt disappointed and left out from being stuck at home. Such a bummer to not be there watching the kids experience the Christmas magic or catch up with family I only ever get to visit with on Christmas!

Fortunately, December turned out to be a good month! Yes, it was lonesome at home. And yes, I was pretty frustrated that alternative arrangements to include me were constantly ignored. But overall, it really was a nice holiday. We were forced to simplify and prioritize our time. We recognized how much holiday clutter is disguised as “must-have” experiences. (Totally forgot to take the kids to see Santa lol. But the kids didn’t seem to care, either!) Because I was home-bound for the holidays, we spent a lot of time playing card games with the kids and making gifts for neighbors – something we’ve always wanted to do but never quite had the time to fit it in. Now we did! And what a lovely experience it was. ❤

And that’s a wrap for December 2024!