Merry Christmas!!! For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

It’s Christmas…day and week for us. We’ve got 4 days in a row of celebrations/family time, starting today. So I am going to be crazy busy. I hope I can get everything done and still enjoy the parties.

Last week we were able to spend lots of time together as a family. It’s been so nice to have Justin home. The kids have loved having Daddy around to play with. We celebrated Christmas on Friday. Rebecca is having a blast with her new toys and doll. Abram is enjoying his little Noah’s Ark. And he’s really taking off in terms of sitting/crawling/standing. It seems like overnight he is starting to crawl normally (not just army crawl). And he gets grumpy if he’s not standing or propped up on something. If he is on his tummy it’s not long before he’s sitting up. And if something taller is near by he’s trying to pull himself up. He is also developing his verbal skills. He kind of makes horse and lion sounds. His horse sound is like a silly laugh. And he loves to growl at us.

The kitchen was definitely a busy place last week as I was trying to do as much prep work as possible. I think I got everything done that I could.

This week is all about family and Christmas parties. Until everyone is gone…then we get to relax 🙂  Today is church. Then we are headed to my parents’ house for our extended family party. Monday I have to pick up milk in the morning. Then we have a brunch with some of my extended family that lives in town (grandparents, cousins, etc.). After the party it’s back home for naps…then my in-laws will be here. They’ll be staying a couple days. Tuesday  morning is our Christmas brunch/party with Justin’s family. Our house guests leave on Wednesday. I think we might go out for dinner on Wednesday evening…give me a break after 4 days of Christmas baking and cooking. We might go shopping later in the week. Saturday we are going to a hockey game. It’ll be the first time for both kids. Rebecca is very excited.

I won’t list all of the things I need to get done in the kitchen this week. But there is a lot. And I have to squeeze it in between parties, travel and milk pick up. So my plans will be fairly detailed this week. I don’t want to forget anything.

I’m doing pretty well overall. I’ve been making sure that I eat lots of healing, nourishing foods lately. That really helps. I just need to be better about staying away from all of the goodies around the house 😛  I know my anxiety/stress levels over the next few days will take a toll on my gut. But I’m trying to do what I can to keep it under control. Hopefully I can still enjoy all of the parties and be sane by the end of the week.

Here’s what’s on the menu.
———————-
S (prep salad and dressing, prep lunch, church, Christmas party)
  L – light/quick – chicken salad sandwich, chips, strawberry shake (Justin), chicken salad, veggies (me)
  D – party (I’m bringing salad w/ cranberries, walnuts, parm cheese, cucumbers and croutons; poppy seed dressing and homemade honey mustard dressing)

M (prep dinner, prep veggies and dip, milk pick up, make yogurt, make kefir, Christmas party, guests, prep casseroles, make dip, thaw/drain spinach, make cheeseball, make jubilee cups, make fruit salad)
  Brunch – party (I’m bringing veggies w/ dip and grain free breakfast bars)
  D – pea soup w/ carrots and ham, pumpernickel bread, pesto rolls, applesauce

T (prep brunch – bake casseroles, slice veggies, bake scones, bake pies, Christmas party, guests)
  Brunch – party: egg and sausage casserole, french toast casserole, carrots and cucumbers w/ ranch dip, maple pecan scones, fruit salad, baked spinach, crackers w/ cheese ball, Christmas cookies, sugared nuts, chocolate covered pretzels, mini apple pies, egg nog, chocolate mint cookies, fudge, cherry jubilee cups, candy
  D – meatloaf, baked potatoes w/ butter and sour cream, beans


W (guests, skim cream, make yogurt, make sour cream, make ice cream, make butter)
  B – leftovers
  L – leftovers
  D – out to eat

Th (shopping?)
  D – TBD w/ spaghetti squash (lasagna?, casserole?, spaghetti?)

F ()
  D – fish sticks or salmon

S (NYE, hockey game)
  D – at the game