Ahh…Christmas Break 2012/2013…the break that never ended. I don’t know how it is in your neck of the woods but here, my kids don’t go back until Monday (edited to add that it has taken me four days to write this). This really is too long. We are all on each other’s nerves. One thing I can say is that this break has been eye-opening. I have learned a little bit more about a few things as the break went on:
Napping with the big kids home is a no go. I think Gia napped twice in 14 days.
Two weeks can sometimes feel like two months.
Holiday decorations while exciting to put up are a major pain in the @ss taking down. Every year, I know this and every year, I forget as I put them up.
Having a teen in the house makes it almost impossible to have a social life myself. Especially when after leaving him and his friends once, I came back to the house in shambles, all of the food gone, the movie Step Brothers running on a constant reel and really bad music blaring.
Having a teen with a girlfriend definitely kills the social life because there is no way I am leaving this house while they are here.
I love no homework, no studying (though Nico should have brought his books home to study for finals but that would be unheard of over here), no projects, no lunches.
I do not like being a chauffeur. God bless you people who drive people around for a living. On second thought, if I was getting paid, maybe I wouldn’t hate it so much.
Isabella is the greatest help in the world to me. I will miss her terribly when she is back in school.
Being on vacation with my sister and her family is a little slice of Heaven. We are unbelievably lucky that our kids get along as well as they do and that spending time together gets better and better every time.
It sucks to have basketball tournaments over holidays. It sucks even worse when you boycott them and your child’s team takes first place.
Blogging and reading blogs is near impossible when the kids are home. Near.Impossible.
I suck at tough love when dimples and smiles and kisses and hugs are involved.
I rock at it when it involves brooding teens, emotional or goofy tweens (but it is still the hardest thing to do).
Someone out there likes what I write and even wants my opinion.
The only time the ball of stress stuck in my stomach is gone is when all of my kids are with me.
Leo believes in me.
When I was teaching, I loved my students as if they were my own. I feel the same way about my kids’ friends. I don’t know if that is right but I don’t know any other way to be.
Having Gia preserves some of the old Christmas magic. She was fun this season and the only gift she doesn’t really appreciate is the most expensive one (Innotab). That would be Murhpy’s Law striking again.
Shopping with Leo at Target is one of my favorite things to do. Shopping with Leo anywhere else is not.
I didn’t learn this but was reminded of it: I HATE COLD WEATHER. I know I live in Chicago. What do I expect? But it was my ancestors’ idea, not mine to settle here and I am too attached to my family and friends to move somewhere warm.
I didn’t realize that I am a person that craves routine but I am. And I can’t wait to get back to one.
What about you? Are your kids back? When do they go back and are you ready or do you wish it was longer?
I am a stay at home mom, married to my college sweetheart, Leo. We have four kids, Nico, Tommy, Isabella and Gia. We have a son, Rocco that is an angel in Heaven.
My children also go back tomorrow. I am counting the minutes. While not getting up to an alarm has been nice, I am MORE than ready for our routine to return to normal. Loved reading this post…count me as one of the people who seeks your opinion. P.S. this would be a longer comment, but typing on the Ipad sucks…and yes, I know it is a total 1st world problem!
- Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..Friday Feasts: How Pinterest Inspired Us To Change Our Lives
This post literally made me laugh out loud. The 1st world problem…I almost spit out my Propel. I love that you want my opinion. I’m messaging you right now.
I’ve always felt a great invention would be Christmas ornaments that dissolve, beginning Dec. 1.
Want to invest?
I wish every day was a snow day with my kids. Their holiday break ending was probably good for their health. They might have ripped each other apart with another day or two of vacation.
Eli@coachdaddy recently posted..5 For Friday: Go Ask Daddy About NFL Matchups, Mascot-Gender Checks and the Perks of Hotel Living
Mine went back to school the day after New Years. I know lucky me. However, I have been in my house until today for the last 12 days. Leaving the house was an adventure. We found out my van needs a new battery. So guess who can’t leave even if she wanted to. Sighs..
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I know I am not supposed to laugh out loud at this because a dead battery is NOT funny but I did giggle a little because that happens to me all the time. I don’t want to leave for a few days but have to or just don’t end up leaving but then the minute I WANT to, I can’t. Someone is sick or the garage breaks or my car won’t start. I can totally relate.
I can relate to a bunch of those AnnMarie! And I am NOT looking forward to the tween and teen ages and all those fun things you get to enjoy while raising a little precious one to boot! I need routine too…and yet love to let it go at times as long as I know it’s coming back SOON! My kids were going stir crazy the last few days of break too… it was sooooo nice to have the house all to myself when they left. I didn’t turn on the tv or talk to anyone. I just worked on blog stuff and drank coffee all day! That would be the last day of quiet for a while… my mom and sister come in tomorrow for a week. Letting go of the routine once again! Whew!
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That day sounds like a little slice of heaven, Chris! Letting go of routine because loved ones are visiting is the best time to do it! Have fun!
My 3 year old only has preschool 3 times a week, and he spent half his holidays with his grandparents, so win for everyone!
You’re a trooper, my friend. A.. Trooper.
Yay routine!
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Yes, but didn’t you also have your appendix out? Or was that before break? Normally, I’d say something like, “Nah, not a trooper…just doing what has to be done” but you know what? I am a trooper! I survived this long, odd break with the crazies so I’ll take it (just this once though).
I need the routine, too. Mine went back last Thursday- but in 2 weeks, they have a 5 day break. SIGH.
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ACK! Seriously?! Only two weeks of routine and breaks? I’ll send wine.
Mine went back last Thursday and I was ready for it. I love them but I need my space.
Amber recently posted..When Tom Goes…There’s Chaos
I’m right there with you on that one!
Yep, we have the damn never ending Christmas break that just ended today. Whew. It was A LOT of togetherness.
Lucy is my Target shopping buddy. EVEREYONE should have one child that is fun at Target. I’m so glad you do! (Bobby hates shopping everywhere but Game Stop….blech)
I am a total routine girl. I am so loving getting back to it today!! –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..Top 10 Ways We Will NOT Be Changing In 2013
I can’t stand Game Stop and as a bonus, ours smells like the people working there are having a little too much fun in the back room. It’s gross. Gia fought me tooth and nail on getting back to our routine.
I hate cold weather too and I live in MA. I am counting down the days until it gets warm again, unfortunately that is not until like May (if I am lucky) so I have a lot of days to count down.
Oh No! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry about the basketball tournament. That would totally be something that would happen to me. I would put my foot down on a sporting event and then the team would go on to get the big win!
Moms can never get a break.
I hope life is getting back to normal for you!
As an added bonus, I went to one of his games after the tournament feeling like a bad mom for missing it and he had a total meltdown because they were losing. So glad I made that one.
Oh I so crave routine! I get it, I really do. We’re just getting back into one here!!
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Why does it feel like it takes forever to get it back?