Back to Basics with Christmas

Right now is the season to do all the things for the holidays.
But, I first have to say.. that last year I made it my goal for this year to be Back to Basics for the holidays.  You can find the whole blog here .  Last year I feel like I sort of forgot why I enjoyed this season so much.  When Thanksgiving hit, I reminded myself what I wanted to do during the month of December and how I wanted to experience things and traditions! I stepped out of my comfort zone at times.. and I also made myself get outside the house.. BUT.. what a WONDERFUL month full of memories and experiences!! I did LOTS of Christmas activities, but I also did a ton of other things too. There were choir Christmas Concerts, Kickstart Kids Belt Ceremony, Cub Club, Basketball game, Beginner Band Concert, Christmas on Crandall (where my ukulele group played too), Ballet Folklorico group performed at the Nimitz Dance Showcase and so much more!
First- I actually had ALL 140 ornaments made by December 1st! (this was my 18th year of creating ornaments- and so I have made about 2000 ornaments over the past 18 years)

140 ornaments- I hand painted designs on
wooden round discs found here

One of my #40by40 was to learn how to crochet-
  made 24 coffee coozies- you can find the pattern here

The month of festivities started out an awesome Girl Scout meeting full of stations where they made an ornament (that did not include yarn!), photo booth card making, and wreath making.

The week of December 7th-15th got just a little bit crazier! It was a week full of seeing LOTS of people, but also REALLY long days! But, I loved every minute of it!

Troop 1810 at the Parade

Started the week off as the photographer for Breakfast with Santa at Elliott then hung out with a ton of cool people at the Irving Holiday Parade.  On Sunday I celebrated the holiday season by attending the Christmas Celebration at Oakview Baptist Church.

Beginning on the 9th of December we celebrated Christmas on Crandall for two weeks at school. You can find all the fun things we did here. This year for Ugly Sweater I created a book snowman shirt.  I already know what I am doing for next year. The next Saturday was spent caroling and cookies with Troop 1810.  I even got to attend a Carols and Candlelight service at First Baptist Irving and see one of my girls sing a solo with the choir!

This last week was spent looking at Christmas lights! Guys- we drive by houses and always comment how pretty they are, and I always say I want to look at Christmas lights.  We never get it done though because we get comfy in the house and then don't wan to leave the house.  This week I made the effort and LOVED walking around the Irving area with hubby.

I spent this weekend with my parents and soaking up some major family time! I am pretty partial to my parents.. I mean.. my dad is Texas Santa and Mrs. Claus!  They stopped by school and I got to show them around where I work. I then whisked my mom away to see The Christmas Belles at the Theater of North Texas and watch my best friend perform.  On Saturday we headed out to the Fort Worth Stockyards where my job is the "elf" picture taker.  My parents walk around in full costume up and down the Stockyards handing out candy cane and reminding people of the magic of the season.  

Today I was scrolling social media and was SUPER excited to see that Visit Irving Tx had posted a Scavenger Hunt!! I was first finder- so I won a brunch for 2 at Four Seasons, 2 tickets to any show at Toyota Music Pavilion, $25 gift card, and 2 tickets to the Cotton Bowl with parking pass!!

So, as you know I am learning to crochet. I have to share one of my fails (we all have those.. right?) I know people think that crocheting is relaxing.. but my poor brain that moves so fast had a hard time keeping up with all the counts! I am not giving up though.. I have some other patterns I want to try!

 Although I have done a ton of things this month that have made my heart super happy does not mean that we are not all facing our own trials.  Some days it is hard not to be Grinchy (although there were a few times that I was "feisty") I choose smiling and reminding others that they are important even when sometimes I feel as if my own life is falling apart.  It is all about perspective and getting out of my comfort zone.  I was reminded all month how lucky I am to surround myself with amazing people.  I am so happy that although I stayed busy I continually reminded myself when I did things I was doing it to experience different things of the season. I think the last few years I had got so caught up in gift giving.. that I forgot that the magic of Christmas is the joy of family, friends and love. This month has cost very little- only the amount of time that I have given myself and others. 

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from our little family to yours!

I am SUPER excited about an event that is coming up in January!! Todd Nesloney is putting on an event called Celebrate Your Story- and I am talking Bringing the Sunshine! It is a super affordable 2 days of PD and I can't wait to share my ideas!!

  Next blog- an update on my #40by40.. I have less than a month until I hit that 40 mark!!