After spending a few days with Intern’s family, we spent the rest of our trip home to Washington with my family on the eastside. Christmas is not a religious holiday at my house, but for us tends to be a time to get together to connect, play games (bananagrams of course) and try to force each other to stop working and spend time relaxing, together. We cook for my grandparents, we eat elaborate brunches in our pajamas, and anyone, at any point is allowed to sneak off for a little nap with a cat, or read a book by the fire. That is the goal every year, anyway.
My mom and I carry the same frenzy-productive-project gene, where neither of us can seem to slow down to relax during the holidays (or ever). Coming home to my mom’s house and seeing her rushing around refreshing drinks, baking strudel, or finding slippers for every cold pair of feet in the house makes me reflect on how alike we are. And Intern loves to point out this fact, and laugh at how alike we are with our busy frenzy of ideas!plans!goals! Slow down mom! (I know you’re reading) We can each remind the other to take a break, but can’t seem to break the habit ourselves. I feel like we did a pretty good job this year of simplifying and relaxing, so we’ll be in good shape for the next holiday.
Christmas Eve was spent at my Grandparent’s house, where for the last several years Intern and I have been in charge of the meal. Things tend to be a little fancier (fussier) at Grandma’s, but also a little boozier and a little loopier as the day wears on. My Grandparents are nothing if not particular about everything, but they seem to enjoy a houseful of people doing things for them (and sometimes at their bidding).
We spent Christmas day at my mom’s house with a good fire going in the fireplace, sharing some gifts for each other (many weirdly, with a polka-dot theme). Sparkling cocktails over brunch blended into a relaxing afternoon, before a crab feast in the evening. As per tradition, we finish every Christmas by the fire, with popcorn and bananagrams.
Ohhh! The scarf/necklace looks fantastic!
It turned out to be a hit! I was a little worried it was too weird for a necklace-scarf-thing, but she seems to really like it. Thanks for your shopping help!
That final photo of you three is the cutest. So glad I could see you for a brief moment.
thanks mr! We were very glad to see you too!