Light, Literally, at the Zoo

We like to go look at pretty lights to kick off the holiday season. If we are at my parents' house we go to a really cool drive-through exhibit.  In Madison, we like Zoolights to best, so we bundled up and headed out Friday night.  

The zoo is normally not ever open at night, so things were... dark.  And most of my pictures are terrible.

 Things improved after my dad bought everyone the light-up necklaces they coveted.

 But only slightly.

 I did get a few winners

The weather was a balmy 45-degrees.  No one spilled their hot chocolate.  WE SAW SANTA.  Holidays 2018 are off to the perfect light start.

Light

You all know by now that I am a YUGE Gretchen Rubin fan. Like, I would tell you to buy me her new book for my birthday, but it comes out in March, so will have read it 6 times by May.   On the most recent episode of Happier, she talked about having a motto for the holiday season that could serve as a theme.  I have been thinking about this with at least part of my brain all day, and I think my motto will be be LIGHT.  I considered comfort and joy, joy, deck the halls, and merry, but I really like light for a couple of reasons.

First, it's a nod to the ukkah side of Chrismukkah, and that side always gets neglected because the Chrism side is so flashy.

Second, it has tons of meanings.  Like, literal LIGHT-- such an important thing in this dark, cold month.  But also light like happy and whimsical, which is something I need to be reminded to be, especially because I get caught up on making everything perfect, which, of course, can get in the way of having any fun.  I read a great column in Family Circle this month, and the author said what she remembered most about her mom during the holidays was how light she was-- happier, more relaxed, less serious-- and what a great way to be remembered.  Also, um, light.  Like STOP EATING AND DRINKING ALL OF THE THINGS MY GOD TAKE IT EASY YOU OLE SOAK.  So, I mean, there's that, too.

There you have it.

Holiday 2018 will be a time of light.

Like this:

Thanksgiving: 2 Years Makes a Tradition

We got things off to a super hygienic start:

 Cooper supervised the turkey's bath.

 He also helped make rolls

 As you can see, the kitchen got increasingly more trashed as the day went on.  The day I am referencing, by the way?  TUESDAY. The day I cooked all of the things.  ALL OF THEEEEEEEEM.

 Also?  We totally moved the room around, and I LIKE it.

 I bought all this cute stuff from Target for the kiddie table, but then I decided to just put it on the walls.  Dorothy loves to color the walls.

 Gorge turkey,

 Quick dog walk

 Apps!

 General clowning around:

 Dessert  ALEADY?

 MY TRIFLE!  LOOKED JUST LIKE THE PICTURE!  And you guys!  IT WAS SO GOOD.  I know if it very fall, and this is (FINALLY OMG I LOVE IT SO MUCH!) the holiday season, but dudes, you guys, you HAVE to MAKE IT.

Smell you next year, Thanksgiving!

WE ATE SO MUCH FOOD

And look at my pretty table!!

I have more to say but it is shaping up to be a WEEK, so I will update you soon, my friends.  (Like, tomorrow, because this post a day resolution is basically the only one I have kept.)

What We're Eating This Week 48/52

I plan to milk these leftovers until we all almost die of food poisoning.  (Kidding.  But only a little).

We will FOR SURE have Pioneer Woman turkey tetrazzini. I will also make her cinnamon rolls to eat with eggs and the rest of the ham.

And of course sandwiches galore.  I bought all of the cheeses, our favorite breads, leaf lettuce, and wasabi sauce, so we could be ready to start sandwiching on Friday.

And also!  Thyme-y turkey frame soup

By the end of the week, I imagine we will finally be ready to leave Thanksgiving behind and eat pasta.  I think a nice simple sausage and peppers would be perfect.

Can you even?

I cannot even believe how big my tiny little kids are.  Harry is a SEVENTH GRADER.  And you know what?  His 7th grade year is halfway over.  He plays basketball for his middle school team, and he is in a Shakespeare play, and I swear to you it was just the other day that I was making these adorable little first birthday favors.

And Jack?

Is 10  T-E-N.  Almost 11.  WHEEEEEEEEN?

You guys would not even believe him on the diving board.

Cooper, thankfully, still has a little bit of baby in his fat hands and doughy feet and adorable mispronunciations.  But.  he can pull any book off the shelf and read it.  He is almost never up for a random cuddle anymore.  And also he has 6-pack abs and his Flinstone feet stink.

Dorothy had her 5-year well-child check (shut up-- I am running a little behind), which is the last check up that our HMO gives kids a book (a book that Cooper opened up and read to her while I chatted with the doc) (they are on the same check up schedule and have been for years because we always called them "the babies" which they are not anymore).  But she doesn't need an old picture book because she? Is already writing in her diary.

What is even happening??  When did they all grow up??

IT'S OFFICIALLY CHRISMUKKAH SEASON

Heck, while you are reading this, we are probably Griswolding ourselves a tree.

But!  Last week! While Harry had a hockey game, I took the 3 little kids (and, really that's a passé label because NONE OF THEM IS LITTLE) to an adorable tree lighting at a local outdoor mall.  On our way to find a bathroom (always-- we always need to find a bathroom) we ran into Santa, who was being led to the tree lighting by his handlers.  Dorothy was waving with her entire body and quivering with happiness and excitement, and he said he'd see her in a minute, and her entire season was made.

We stopped at 7-Eleven for $.99 hot chocllate on the way-- this is a total PROTIP, by the way, and the mall had little cups of popcorn.  Jack said, "Hot chocolate and popcorn?  And a candy cane?  These are all of my favorites!" (May always be so delightfully easy to please)

 They took a couple official event photos, too

 I LOVE this backdrop.  Planning  date night just for the Insta pics

 Dorothy could play with these magnet snowmen for days.  We are headed back for sure.

 Santa asked for help ringing bells to light the tree.  Everyone likes to have help ringing the bell they are wearing around their neck.  (Cooper was the only person who didn't lose his bell between getting it and 30 minutes later when it was time to ring it).

 Success!

 Group pic with Santa-- so sweet!

A children's choir sang carols.  The air was crisp and clear.  We went to a to store just to look and no one lost their shit.  It was magical.  Happy golden days, indeed.