Happy Monday! We are definitely feeling like the Soul II Soul song, “Back to life, back to reality…” over here. Christmas is all put away. We have a 5 day school week with no snow in sight. All our regularly scheduled events are back after Christmas break (sports, religious education, meetings, and work). I am linking up with Heather and the girls to say hello to Monday.

I haven’t shared much about our Christmas break, so I decided to do a Top Ten post. I am doing it in chronological order because it is all pretty great!

PRE-ONE

The boys and I spent the Sunday before Christmas baking cookies with my mom and sister. Jeff stayed home while the boys’ new loft beds were being installed. We decorated and baked cookies for a few hours before heading over to the movies. The new Grinch movie was super cute! We loved it!!

That night, Jodi and I ran a Christmas lights run with the local running group. It was our first time joining them and we had a great time! We had light up necklaces and hats, but totally forgot flashlights. Oops! Live and learn. We’ll definitely bring flashlights next year.

ONE

We started the tradition of going to Jeff’s parents’ house on Christmas Eve morning a few years ago. It is always so much fun! Jeff’s mom makes a delicious breakfast and we all have a great time together. The kids make something gingerbread, usually houses or trains. This year it was houses and everyone was able to independently decorate! Woohoo!! This gave all the grownups time to talk. We also exchange gifts on Christmas Eve morning. It’s a fun kick off to Christmas for everyone!!

TWO

Christmas Eve dinner is probably my favorite dinner of the year. My mom always gets a delicious roast and we cook potatoes around the meat. It is amazing!!! The other part of Christmas Eve dinner that is so much fun is our present traditions. Ever since I was a little girl, my parents (mom) have given us new pjs and an ornament that signifies something special from our year. She also picks out a Nutcracker for the boys. I added Jolabokaflod to our Christmas Eve traditions last year and am thrilled with my book selections this year!!

THREE

Those pjs my mom picked out this year were matching for my sister, mom, the boys, and me!! I loved it!!! It made Christmas morning pretty coordinated!!

I made sticky buns for the first time. It is our family recipe that my mom has been making as long as I can remember. I made a gluten free version and they turned out pretty good. I’m going to make a few changes the next time I make them, but I’d call them an overall win!

FOUR

We abandoned Christmas dinner last year and haven’t looked back. We have appetizers all day long. It’s so nice because no one is in the kitchen all day and we aren’t really that hungry after a big meal the night before. We dress in comfy clothes, play games, and enjoy each other’s company. Jeff’s parents and grandmother and my parents and sister were at our house for the evening. It’s pretty great!!

FIVE

Jeff and I spent the day after christmas building dressers. IKEA dressers that took ALL. DAY. LONG. To build! But it’s totally worth it. The boys needed new dressers and they love them. The dressers look perfect with their new loft beds.

SIX

We decided to go to Top Golf on Thursday morning. We’ve all been, but not as the four of us. It was so much fun to watch the kids hit the balls and aim for the targets. I came in last a few times, but not every time. It was a perfect family activity for the Parsons!

SEVEN

We recently joined the gym and I tried a bunch of classes over break. It was fun to workout whenever I wanted to and to have some girlfriends join me. I have tried barre, pump, flow, cx worx, and PiYo. I’ll probably try some others, but I am not a fan of cycling so they probably won’t make my list.

EIGHT

I read a few books over Christmas break. I didn’t pick anything too heavy and I really enjoyed them all.

NINE

Jack had a basketball tournament over break. They played some tough games but played hard. Jack had fun and that’s what is important! I learned how to do a basketball stats book and may have gotten myself a job as the back up score keeper for Freedom 4th grade.

TEN

We celebrated New Year’s Eve with some good friends! We decided to stay up until midnight and the kiddos’ excitement was totally worth being tired the next day! Ringing in the new year with great friends and my family by my side is the best!

I am pretty willing to try new things, but I have a rule that I don’t eat anything east of Italy. I made one exception to the rule, fried rice at the hibachi restaurant, but that is it. However, at the New Year’s Eve party I tried something new. I tried sushi for the very first time!! And the second, third, and fourth time!! I am very excited to announce that I liked it!! I had shrimp and avocado, crab and avocado, shrimp tempura (I think), and RAW SALMON sushi!! Holy cow! I cannot believe I broke my own rule! A few of the dads offered Jack $5 to try a piece of sushi and he tried it too! Jack isn’t a fan but Jeff and I are looking forward to trying sushi again soon!

That just about sums up our break. Lots of fun with family and friends! It was pretty wonderful! I hope everyone has a great Monday full of sunshine and books!!

☀️ 📚 😎