Welcome to Thanksgiving week. Apparently 3 of my 4 kids (at home) have Tuesday and Wednesday off this week, in addition to Thursday/Friday. Historically we haven’t really traveled at Thanksgiving because the kids used to have a half-day Wednesday, but I guess that’s changed now. Maybe in future years. This year we’re going to NJ relatives for Thanksgiving, and then we’ll likely do Dutch Wonderland and Longwood, and get our real tree. (The artificial “fancy tree” is already up! As is the staircase garland in the picture on this post.) The oldest is coming home Tuesday night so we’ll be a crew of 7 again for a bit.
On Friday, my husband and I went out to a local Greek place for a date night dinner. Before and after that we had the romantic activity of filling out 7 entries for our tour operator (for our trip over Christmas) with passport info, insurance info, etc. Traveling with a big group of people is always a hassle! I also had to pick up the 16-year-old from his post-play party (he’d spent the week doing tech for the high school production).
On Saturday my husband ran the Philadelphia half marathon. I did not. I didn’t even sign up for this one. I’ve been feeling pretty not-so-excited about races lately. Instead, I ran about 4 miles, did a strength workout, and called it a day. My 14-year-old and 10-year-old and I did start on the Lego holiday train set.
In the afternoon I took the 5-year-old to a birthday party, and then in the evening (while my husband was on Wicked duty with the 14-year-old) he and the 10-year-old and I went to Luminature at the Philly zoo. It was…OK. They brought the Ferris wheel back this year, but I think they toned down everything else because that was there. Since we weren’t going to wait in line for that it was kind of a less-exciting experience overall than in some years past. But hey, we kicked off the holiday light-seeing part of our year. Maybe some other ones will be better.
Sunday: One highlight was that the postlude at church was an organ improvisation with both our long-time music director and our church’s “organ scholar” (a student who is very young and very talented). They were shuffling around on the bench, scooting down so the other could get in, switching sides, occasionally doing a 4-hand sequence, etc. Sometimes being up in the choir loft has its benefits! It was amazing. The livestream is posted here (go to 1:06:10 in the service) but that link will switch in a day or two to be in “past services.”
The rest of the day was a slew of kid activities. I ran during my daughter’s tennis lesson. I supervised a playdate for the 10-year-old, then took the 5-year-old to an end-of-year party for his flag football team. They were running around outside a lot for that one — as the adults watched the Eagles game. Which didn’t really go as hoped, sigh. Then it was time for trumpet/trombone lessons, and scouts. Phew!
Last week my Before Breakfast podcast interview was with Megan Sumrell — she talked systematizing to waste less time — be sure to check that out. Some of the shorter episodes included “Make your holiday fun list” and “Don’t leave without scheduling the next time.”
Then over at Vanderhacks, I suggested that we “Set a limit at the beginning.” Sometimes we avoid things because we’re not sure how long they’ll take or if it will be possible to end them. But you can establish a boundary from the outset, which might make you willing to do things a bit more often. Another post: “Embrace your people.” We don’t need to find new friends to spend more time with friends — it’s also possible to move friendly people up the friendship ladder. I reminded people that “Santa’s elves need time in the workshop.” If you’re doing holiday prep and such, it needs to be blocked on the calendar. This is work that takes time so…no point pretending it doesn’t. Behind the paywall I shared “Laura’s little list of (nearly) effortless good habits” — tiny tweaks that might make life better. Please check those out!