Let the Holidays Begin!

Welcome to the beginning of Thanksgiving Week! The local radio station that plays holiday music from Thanksgiving until New Years started 2 weeks early. The stores had holiday decorations out before Halloween was even over. The shopping rush has already begun. Whether people are just making plans to hit certain stores on Black Friday or people are trying to avoid the worst part of the rush by shopping now, the stores are already bustling.

For Thanksgiving, we're taking DTTF's mom (Nana) to my grandma's house (Grandma) where my mom (Grams/Mom) is meeting us. I can hardly wait! I love getting to visit with my mom. Even though I talk to her every day or two, it's not the same as seeing her face-to-face! Plus, I can't get her to send me pictures of her new haircut, so I have to see it for myself.

Sometimes I really wish my mom and I lived nearer to each other, especially now that Tree Faerie is here. There are so many times when I would love to be able to pick up the phone to tell my mom, "Hey, could you come over for a few minutes/hours to play with Tree Faerie so I can get such-and-such done (or take a nap)?" I would have no problem asking this of my mom. When I ask DTTF's mom, I'm always afraid I'm burdening her because I know she has so much she's trying to get done with her house, her horses, her property, or barrel racing, not to mention her time-consuming job. Plus, when she comes to visit, I always feel like I need to visit with her, too. Don't get me wrong - I love my mother-in-law dearly and love talking to her. My list of Things-to-Do-When-Tree-Faerie-Is-Otherwise-Occupied just keeps growing, especially since that "otherwise occupied" usually means napping or asleep at night. Naps are not long enough to actually finish a project, and at night I need sleep, too, now more than ever.

I guess I just need to make a schedule of when I want certain things done by and have someone, even DTTF, come over to entertain her while I accomplish things.

Tangent over. Back to the original topic.

We're taking Nana with us because I don't feel right about leaving her 'alone' on Thanksgiving. If she had said she couldn't make it, we would have made plans here. I think that's the way it should be since DTTF's sister now lives in Florida and can't be here for Thanksgiving.

Speaking of my sister-in-law... SHE'S COMING IN FOR THE HOLIDAYS! (Can you tell I'm excited?) She, her husband, and her two boys (a 2.5 year old and a 2 month old) are flying in around the middle of December and will be here until after Christmas! We can hardly wait! DTTF occasionally giggles with anticipation, which is absolutely adorable.

So, enjoy the holiday music and the shopping mad-house, and make sure to tell your family how special they are to you!

Speaking of the holidays, over at An Island Life, you can enter to win Mom Spit, the alternative to the lick-and-wipe method! You can also enter to win Babylegs from Queen Baby and enter to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Out to Tea, makers of adorable hair accessories, featuring non-slip clips and adjustable fabric headbands.