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Today I am thankful that NaBloPoMo is DONE and I DID IT and I will NEVER DO IT AGAIN. I am both proud of myself for posting every single day (MORE THAN ONCE if I had sponsored content, because I felt like that was cheating) and annoyed at myself for posting every single day (because I am not that interesting). I think I ended up annoying people more than anything – my comments dropped significantly, which for me defeats the whole purpose of blogging. Not because I need constant reassurance that I’m awesome (although that sure is nice TOO) but because hearing YOUR stories and thoughts and advice is a huge part of why I bother to write my thoughts here on the interwebs instead of in my journal. So, dear friends, if I promise to write less crap, will you come back now? Pretty please?

Things I WILL be blogging about in December: cookies, Caroline’s first birthday party, how much I hate cleaning my house, knitting, my fight with myself over possibly weaning the baby, Little Evan’s inability to control his own strength, house plants, tattoos, traveling with kids and Christmas decorations. I will also be taking more naps, eating too much and dedicating a LOT of time and energy to finding the perfect bubble bath.

Today I am thankful my blog can go back to being whatever I want without feeling like a quitter.

Today I am thankful for photographs (even the ones that live in my computer instead of on my walls) so I can remember weekends like this one.

And YOU can be either a) thankful for something to look at on the internet besides funny misspelled kitten pictures b) thankful for the “x” in the upper right hand corner so you can skip a zillion pictures from our weekend and go look at funny misspelled kitten pictures instead. Here, let me help you.

Zombie Baby hunts for trees AND brains

Helping Daddy cut down the tree

How am I supposed to eat leaves off that tree if it doesn't have any?

A gaggle of gingers

Evan tried to ride the tree and ended up dragged across the field instead.

Family Photo avec un two and a half year old

Ridin' dirty

We accidentally went to the local holiday parade because it was at the end of our street.

Giving the traffic cop the side-eye

Parade dog

He liked the fire trucks

The parade was at least 50% emergency vehicles

Self portrait in my husband's glasses

I'd say she liked the parade

So cute

Best seat on the street

Colored lights & a lifetime of ornaments on the tree

Helpers

Twinkly

Failed (mostly) photo shoot

The magic of Christmas

Sharing his holiday spirit with you

Oh man, I am SO HAPPY to be home vegging on my couch and staring into a long, boring afternoon of regularity. No more traveling, no more driving, no more pack-n-play, no more guest bed, no more unbaby-proofed houses, no more stuffing my face with pie, no more long afternoons with no naps, no more rushing around to get thing unpacked and Christmas decorations up. I love spending time with our families but everything about traveling with kids is stressful. It’s hard to be “on” as a mother constantly – sometimes I just need to lock myself in a bathroom and scream, but in a house full of people there’s always someone knocking on the door to make sure you’re OK. I have trouble explaining yet, I’m fine, I’m just GOING TOTALLY CRAZY for a moment. It will pass.

Instead of letting Nick Jr do all my parenting today, I managed to get the kids out the door to Stroller Strides and the playground for a few hours. We’re having that week of insanely mild temperatures where all the New Englanders run around in shorts and tank tops and say “This is crazy! I can’t believe how warm it is!”. I think this happens every November – I definitely remember wearing flip-flops to my OB appointments at this time last year – but it still feels SPECIAL. I’m determined to take advantage of it as much as we can before I have to deal with winter coats and hats and mittens and blankets and running out to start the car at 7 am so it defrosts before we leave the house. And the snow. There’s going to be so much snow.

I’m already sad about Christmas being over, which is CRAZY because it is NOT AT ALL OVER. It’s not even December. Why am I letting myself get depressed about taking down decorations while I am putting them up? It just feels like the month is so full of things that I can’t possibly enjoy all of them enough. And I WANT to enjoy them, especially because Caroline’s birthday is coming up in 3 weeks and I’m trying to throw together a tiny party for her. Of course, by “tiny” I mean I’ve already started decorating, made a lace garland and I’ve bookmarked seven different kinds of cake to try making. I SWEAR it’s going to be low key though, if only because I won’t have time to clean up before we have to get back in the car and travel AGAIN for the holidays.

So excuse me while I go take a nap. Today I am thankful for easy, quiet, boring afternoons like this one.

Today I am thankful for fire trucks, marching bands and clowns on stilts because they make my kid THIS HAPPY.

To Ohio, to Columbus, Thanksgiving, to Connecticut, CHRISTMAAAAAAAAAS.

Sunday:

DIY in car entertainment center. It worked like a CHAMP.

Rest stops are EXCITING

We were at the in-laws for less than 2 hours before the kids got to open their Christmas presents.

Monday:

This is the ONLY TIME she slept all week.

How many braids can I fit on my head? (Answer: four, this time)

Learning the fine art of eating peanuts at a roadhouse.

Tuesday:

This was the first picture I took all day.

This is the only other picture I took. TUESDAY WAS NOT GOOD.

Wednesday:

Obviously Wednesday was MUCH better.

I should stop calling her a weirdo, but not until she stops doing stuff like this.

C-bus. That's what the cool kids call Columbus. If there were any cool kids in Columbus.

Thursday:

The cousins LOVED the iPad, almost as much as they loved Little Evan.

Turkey shaped turkey and cheese ball is cheesy. Bahahaha I'm hilarious.

She wasn't as excited about the vintage dress as I was.

Friday:

Towing a plane with your car seems like a really, really stupid idea. Planes don't sit in traffic.

She's ashamed to be seen wearing the same jammies twice in one week.

Back to our regularly scheduled TV zoning out.

Saturday:

My GIANT HAUL from Joann's. Spent about $90, saved $112, and I won't need any craft supplies for months.

Went out to hunt and kill our own Christmas tree like good Americans.

Walked three houses down the street to watch the parade. One of the best parts of living in town.

Future eyelash model

Naked tree. Don't worry, it's fully dressed now.

Whew! That was exhausting. Tonight I am putting some of those craft supplies to use and finishing up my list of shopping to do tomorrow while E is still home to watch the kids. There will also be napping. I need to make up for some of that sleep I missed while Caroline was trying to kill me in Ohio. Or maybe I’ll get started on my Christmas baking. SO MUCH BAKING TO DO!

Did you take any camera phone photos this week? Link up with one or lots using the linky below and grab the code (so it shows on your blog too!) over at Amy’s . It’s really fun!