Shenanigans – The Last Before Christmas

Coming in at you hot from another holiday filled weekend! I really am going to miss when Christmas is over this year. Everything is happening so fast, and I don’t feel like I have had near enough time to watch all the movies, sing all the songs, eat all the treats, and do all the things. You know? In fact, our Christmas cookies still haven’t been made yet. They may happen Christmas Day. Just as long as they are gone before the diet kicks in, am I right??

I have said it before, and I will say it again…Zoe is way cooler than I have ever been.

I have been trying to read a few of Zoe’s Christmas books when we have some down time. We have really been enjoying How to Catch Santa. It is really cute!!!

We got to visit Santa on Saturday. Zoe was so excited! The past two years, we have taken her to Bass Pro Shop. It was fine, but it was always crazy crowded and you always spent 2-3 hours waiting around in that store for your chance to spend 30 seconds getting a picture snapped from far away. This year we got lucky and Chris got on at the exact moment someone cancelled their appointment with Santa at The Summit. Their experience is so much better! When you have an appointment, you get up to 5 minutes with Santa. They will take pictures of just your kid and of your whole family, or any combination you want. The Santa was really friendly, and the set was gorgeous! I know where I want to go again next year!

After our Santa trip, we decided to go to Twisted Root for burgers. Zoe loves her a burger. Is she my kid or what?! I ordered the Spicy Goat with goat cheese, bacon and chipotle. Why have I never had goat cheese on a burger before???? SO GOOD!

After we ate, we were trying to decide what else we wanted to do that day. Chris had been helping a coworker with a new car a few days ago, and noticed that a lot of dealerships around here had some really good cars at good prices right now. When I got my Explorer a few years ago, I was also looking at Infiniti QX60 as well. Chris was like, we could just go down and look at this one real quick. Annnnnnnd guess what came home!!!!

This car was waiting for us there. It had every package/option that I would have picked had I built it myself. The ride is soooooo smooth! Much smoother than the Explorer. And there is so much more room in the backseat. Zoe’s carseat was always squished up against my seat before, but now there is a huge gap and I can actually slide back some. I took it to my mom’s house last night with high winds and pouring rain. Normally I would be having anxiety the entire drive (it’s an hour.) And not once did I get nervous about the winds or the rain. So worth it.

In other things we did this week. Chris and one of his friends changed out our kitchen sink and faucet after our contractor went MIA on us. Why are contractors so damn sketchy??? They did such good job!

We also got our new dishwasher installed!!!! Things we get excited for when we are adults, right??

I have been driving Zoe through other streets in our neighborhood every night to look at Christmas lights this entire month. On our way home from dance Thursday, I decided to change up our scenery a little and go to a neighborhood I know goes all out. She loved it!!! I really loved the Home Alone house and wish i would have gotten pictures of the other side with Marv, Harry and the Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal sign!

I have been keeping up with Jerry the Elf all month. He hasn’t done anything too crazy or messy. Mostly just finds new places to hide, and has brought Zoe a few fun things like a coloring book, candy cane, Christmas necklace and this delicious Santa donut. Of course, there have been a few mornings I have woken up and realized I hadn’t planned anything out and scoured Pinterest quickly to figure out what I could do with him before I got Zoe up. She has really enjoyed waking up each morning to go look for him. It is how I get her out a bed easily. I am actually going to miss threatening her with him come December 26th LOL.

Zoe has been fighting off getting sick for about two weeks not. Flu, strep and a few cold strands have been flying around the area. I think one is finally taking her down. Last night she started crying about her ear hurting, something she hasn’t complained about since getting tubes two years ago. Annnnnd of course, I woke up this morning with a cough. Today was supposed to be her last day at school for the year. Guess we will be skipping out in favor for a doctor appointment and some rest. If you need me, hopefully my ass will be parked right here soaking in the last of the Christmas magic.