CHRISTMAS THINGS

 Christmas was incredible.  Not as jam packed as it's been in previous years, but still magical and memorable all the same.

Even as my kids get older, some Christmas traditions still abound. Our Christmas craft this year was yet another attempt at building a ginger bread house,  which came out quite nice.

The first day of Advent always calls for a movie night with special treats like hot chocolate,  popcorn and fun snacks.

This year, my friends and I did the viral dump and grab Christmas gift exchange and it was a hoot!

Another Christmas tradition that never gets old is baking peanut butter blossoms, the holiday cookie of choice in our house.

Then it was time to celebrate the holiday with family.

Christmas came fast and furiously but I was so excited for all of it. Wrapping presents to put under the tree, stuffing the stocking, festive music to delight the ear and lights everywhere. I just love Christmas. 

After our family celebration at home, we headed to PF Changs for dinner, a nice respite from the kitchen for this mama.

It was a wonderful, joyful, merry little Christmas after all.

A Perfect Graduation

 My boy has officially graduated from high school and it was a perfect day. The location was perfect, giving me a wave of nostalgia for my own graduation from high school which also took place in a gymnasium. 

Unlike a lot of graduations, this one was to the point without too much fanfare or extra unnecessary fluff. There was the processional of the graduates, a few notable speakers who kept it short and sweet and a musical interlude. Then it was time to hand out the titles. It was, like I said, the perfect day.

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