We are reentering the world after a wonderful two weeks of Christmas vacation. We fully leaned into the 12 days of Christmas and a nice slow start to 2026, and I think this may be our new rhythm for all future Christmases.
The weekend before Christmas, the kids and I made cookies for the neighbors. Evan has become the sugar cookie king:
Issa did the sprinkles, and I did the packaging:
They were a great delivery team:
On the 23rd, we went to Nana's to make cookies there. This trio made short work of it:
Christmas Eve was the return to Nana's for pajamas, mashed potato bar, and gift exchange:
Christmas morning was just the four of us:
The older the kids get the smaller their gifts get! It's also a much later start. I had time to set the table and make gingerbread scones before they were even stirring:
Santa Paws came, and Buddy has not let this bone out of his sight since:
Bella was a big fan of her new stick, too:
Evan got a really cool tool set:
And Issa got her very own gel nail set:
We spent Christmas day trying to new recipes and enjoying a mocktail bar. I think the nut loaf was the unexpected hit of the holiday!
Right after Christmas, Evan came down with the crud. We initially thought he just strained his voice at a wrestling match, but he started coughing and then slept for almost two days straight. All of us got a little stuffy and run down, so we spend the time between Christmas and today just being cozy. There were hot cocoa bars, movies, crafts, and did a ton of reading. I finished books 31 and 32 of 2025 and book one of 2026!
Book 31 was a recommendation from a colleague:
The story follows three characters whose stories intertwine about halfway through the text, and one of those characters is an octopus. It took a while to get to know the characters, but once their stories started to merge I was hooked!
Book 32 has been on TBR pile for a while:
I love Jen Hatmaker, and this is a really powerful memoir.
Book 1 was our next book club read:
I was very grateful for my one Russian literature class in undergrad for this one. It's been a while since I've been in Russian folklore, but I am so glad for the time back in that world. This is the first book in a series, and I think I will end here. I'm glad I read it, but I'm not attached enough to the characters to continue on, and this book ends with everything tied up in a nice little bow.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the time with my people in our cozy home. I'm planning to make more time and space for this--just being.
