Sunday, January 4, 2015

Lazin' Into The New Year

So far, I am really enjoying 2015. It has been my most relaxing year to date. Granted, we are only four days in, but I am really feeling 2015. Maybe it will be my year of calm. 

I can dream.

It helps that New Year's was on a Thursday. That way the kids don't go back to school just for Friday so school resumes on Monday the 5th. That is a whole lot of nice downtime. 

And after our little shindig we had at our house on New Year's Eve I definitely needed a little recovery time. Oh, it was nothing wild. Just our typical appetizers, board games, cards, juice in wine glasses for the kids, cocktails for the adults. Except our little party seems to get bigger and bigger every year. And more fun. 
When the evening began I didn't think I'd make it until midnight. At 8:00 I was already tired and so was everyone else. Perhaps we'd stuffed ourselves with too much food. I did go a little overboard again. But, then we started a game of Catchphrase and everyone got their second wind. We all made it to midnight and beyond. I was stuffed with cocktails and far too many decadent appetizers and it was way past my bedtime. The next day was definitely a recovery day.

The kids were pretty exhausted the next day too. Apparently, not too exhausted to go outside and play football. I don't know how they did it. I stayed inside and read for a good portion of the day. And in the afternoon everyone lay down for a little while to try and make up for our sleep deficit. It was a good way to begin a new year.
The next day was much of the same. Although I did go for a nice (but cold) run so I actually did accomplish something. But other than that run, not so much.

Usually I would be running around like a crazy person, dismantling the Christmas trees and decorations and getting everything stored away for another year. Then I would begin the cleaning process and putting the house back in order, all the while scolding and rescolding the kids about putting their toys away. But, so far, I haven't done any of that. Zip. Zero. Zilch. I have done nothing but read, relax, let the kids play and run around the house like little banshees, and fix meals. I'm telling you, it has been pretty freeing. The house looks a bit messy and I just let it. Weird. But nice.

I don't know what has gotten into me. 

Today the kids finally got some snow that they've been hoping and praying for. There still wasn't enough to go sledding or make a snowman but there was enough to go outside and roll around in it for a while. 
I was surprised at how long the kids stayed outside. It was cold. And windy. By the time they came in Ben's cheeks had scary read circles on them with white in the middle. It looked really painful but he didn't complain and soon he was back to normal. 

When everyone was back inside warming up Grace decided it was time to use her most favorite Christmas gift. The only thing Grace had asked Santa for this Christmas was an Easy Bake Oven. I never did understand the appeal of those things but Grace really, really wanted one. And she got one. Today she finally got to put it to use and made chocolate chip cookies with her new oven.
She was so stinking excited she could barely stand still. Her brothers were curious too and came over to watch. I think they just wanted to be sure they got to taste the cookies.
Waiting for the oven to heat up and then bake the cookies was difficult. It takes a while. Patience is needed. But Gracie was too excited to care. She basically danced the whole time.
Grace was so proud of her cookies. They actually tasted pretty good. Better than I had expected.
Todd put in an order for 10,000 more for next deer season so she'd better get started now. I'm sure she won't mind.

Tonight is my last night of sloth. Tomorrow school begins again. And with it basketball, boy scout meetings, choir practices, dance classes, and all that other good stuff. Plus, I will have to take down the Christmas decorations eventually. But I'm not stressing. I'm chillin'. It's all good. It'll get done sometime. For now, I'm just enjoying the moment.


(seriously, WHAT has gotten into me?)

10 comments:

christopher said...

Good for you. Relaxation is a wonderful thing.

I got tired of watching the needles drop from my tree a few mornings ago and just stripped everything off and dragged it out to the curb...all in about an hour.

Another year indeed.

Angie said...

If you can keep that relaxed attitude all through 2015 you will be doing great my friend. I wish I could find some calmness in my life! It seems things are always crazy hectic here. Sometimes I think I need to look harder for inner peace and quit sweating the small stuff!

Grace looks adorable with her oven. I always loved those things when I was a kid. I guess it makes little girls feel all grown up.

Thank you for the sweet comment on my post about my Grandma. As hard as it is, I know it's all part of a bigger plan.

Love and Prayers to you and yours for a blessed 2015!

Bijoux said...

The picture of her dancing with the two brothers behind her cracked me up! So cute! I loved my Easy Bake oven. I remember making a 'pizza' in it one time! I can't believe how modern hers looks compared to the one my girls had, not THAT long ago!

Tabor said...

Outdoors football is a great way to rid yourself of NYEve calories! I just love that chef's hat. She reminds me of my granddaughter.

Hilary said...

Your kids are just so cute. Grace looks adorable in her chef's hat and wow.. they sure uppped the style of those Easy Bake ovens!

Mom24 said...

Hmm, is your life really so much more blissful than mine or does it just always feel that way when you're reading about someone else's? Either way, sounds wonderful.

That cookie sheet/tray could never fit in our Easy Bake. Wow! Ours is T-I-N-Y.

Riahli said...

Absolutely blissful! :)

Kat said...

Mom24- Nope. It is NOT always blissful. Go back and read some of my posts. Migraine inducing.
BUT, the past week was kind of blissful because I just let go. I tried to ignore the fighting and whining and only tune in when absolutely necessary. It was lovely.

Today it is back to the real world. Ugh. ;)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Oh, my. That photo waiting for the cookies to come out is just too cute. Glad you had some rest time as it will be needed as you head back into the "schedule." Enjoyed this.

Unknown said...

How cute is SHE? I love that she was so excited about her little oven. Happy New Year, my friend!! Here's to a great 2015!

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson