Hey Mac Families!
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2022!
We are wrapping up winter break this weekend, and my kids will be off and running as usual, come Monday. My oldest was home from college for a few days during the break, and we were able to squeeze in quite a bit of family fun during that short window.
I admit that, most years, I am ready for my family to go back to school so I can get back to my structured days. But this year seems a little different for some reason.
- Maybe it's because we have had such a good time together this year.
- Maybe it's because my kids are a little older and are super helpful instead of super needy (as young children rightfully are).
- Maybe it's because my hubs took the reigns on the required baking and engaged my kids to help out. I never realized what a stressor that is while I am running around trying to get ready for Christmas until I didn't have to do it.
- Maybe it's because I was able to bust out my Kitchen Aid mixer that my oldest gifted me and have fun baking again after years of hating it. That thing literally makes me want to bake all day... it's a total game changer.
- Maybe it's because my kids seem to be genuinely having fun with each other. They all got back into Legos this Christmas after my oldest built his newly acquired Harley Fat Boy, and that led to a trip to the local Bricks and Mini Figs store and an afternoon of quiet building... TOGETHER. It was great.
- Maybe it's because we really focused on our immediate family this year, and spending time together, alone.
- Maybe it's because it suddenly hit me that my oldest is 20, and our Christmases as a family unit are limited.
- Maybe it's because I want to hold on to these precious moments, especially after I've spent today following the Boulder County fire. I am heartbroken for the families who are being displaced tonight.
I know it sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it anyway.
It goes SO, SO fast.
I have been a parent for over 20 years but I remember the days when my kiddos were babies like it was yesterday. It feels like it WAS yesterday, yet also seems so far away.
So, try to take five minutes over the next few days, before your kids go back to school, and the chaos sneaks in, and soak it in. Just watch them for a few minutes, and enjoy your family, even if they are driving you nuts, or there is dinner to make, or bathrooms to be cleaned. Take just five minutes, and stick that memory in your "memory jar".
I promise you, when your kids are older, and helping you bake, or clean, or prepare for the winter holidays, and when you realize that you are actually enjoying winter break, you'll remember that moment. And you will smile.
Peace ☮️, Love ❤️, & Macaroni 🌼,
Christen
