crazily normal

11 December 2014

Keeping In Touch Over The Holidays

Family is a huge part of the holiday season, and unfortunately for us, the majority of our family lives in other provinces. This means, we typically don't see them over the Christmas holidays. Between the distance among us and my job including shift work (meaning working over Christmas), planning a gathering with many family members can be difficult. So, we rely on other ways to keep in touch over the holidays.

For the past few years, we have used FaceTime to talk with loved ones over the holidays. The face to face part of it makes it seem like they are a little less far away and that way they can share some fun experiences, like seeing each other open presents and essentially "being together" while actually being far away

There is also the good old fashioned phone call to spread the holiday cheer. Calling family and friends over the holidays, to say a quick "Merry Christmas" is the perfect way to keep in touch with those who haven't picked up on all the techie gadgets! Between e-mails and texting, I feel like phone calls are few and far between these days, so picking up the phone at Christmas time is perfect!

We do a lot of texting in our house too, so we are able to text quick words to loved ones and send them holiday greetings along with some photos snapped on Christmas morning and throughout the day. I know they are much appreciated by those who live far away or who aren't able to be there with us on Christmas morning to celebrate.

Every year, we make an effort to send out our family holiday cards. I like to try to get them out early December (that doesn't always happen though). And because many of our card recipients live many miles away, I like to send a little hand written message with each one on our personalized notepads, making it that much more special. And, with so many cards to send out, using my Tiny Prints personalized address stamp makes sending out our cards so simple. Not only does it save me time, but it looks so chic on the front of the envelope! I know how much I love receiving mail so I put forth the effort to make the mail I send special, filled with holiday cheer!

The holiday season is meant to be spent with family and these are the ways we stay close with our family, near and far, throughout the holidays.

Do you have family that lives far away?
What are some ways you keep in touch over the holidays?

9 December 2014

Making Holiday Memories: Baking Cookies

I have never been one to be much of a baker. Or a cook for that matter. I don't LOVE cooking or baking, but I do love eating!

Anyways, I can remember baking cookies with my mom when I was younger, helping to pour all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, watching it all blend together. I would help to put the dough onto the pan, and of course, sneak in a bite or two of the cookie dough (obviously the best part!)

I wanted to make these memories with Palmer.

She was eager to see what we were up to. I had to take the eggs away from her a number of times. That's when Daddy stepped in. As I measured out all the ingredients, Palmer and Mitch added it to the mixer.

I tried to snap a few photos while making the cookies, but it was one of those moments when you just step back and look at the two people in front of me and think "This is perfect." Something in that moment just made me smile and think about how much I really love them!

Linking up here

5 December 2014

That Friday Post: Christmas Traditions

I seriously cannot even believe the holidays are right around the corner. Christmas is creeping up so fast and I am not nearly prepared for it! I am especially excited for this holiday season because Palmer will understand it a little bit more and I cannot wait to see her on Christmas morning with all her gifts from Santa and I just know she will get spoiled!

I want to touch on some family traditions I hope to begin. Since our little family of 3 only began 22 months ago, I want to start some new family traditions this year that I really hope to continue on for years to come!

one | A couple weekends ago, we as a family, set up all the Christmas decorations and trimmed the tree. Palmer didn't quite get it but I know next year she will be excited for it! It's tough when they are still little and don't really understand what is happening. But, nevertheless, we all had fun. Palmer loved pulling out each little ornament and handing it to Mitch or I to hang on the tree. And she was just in awe when we light it up! So cute! I think there is something so magical about a Christmas tree, and it makes the upcoming holidays seem that much more exciting!

two | Another tradition I hope to carry through with is getting a special little ornament for Palmer (and each child after) every year. Last year we made one for Palmer, using her hand print. It really is so cute. I want to find a special decoration for the tree each year that Palmer can call her own, and even one day, take with her to decorate her own tree with her own family. I think this will end up being something that Palmer will look forward to each year as the Christmas season approaches and I think it would be something really special for Palmer to keep with her as she grows!

three | I know this year we will begin the usual tradition of setting out a snack for Santa and his reindeer before bed, and what better way than with homemade cookies??? I always loved doing this and waking up in the morning, making sure Santa got his snacks and the reindeer ate their carrots and reading the special letter Santa left for us beside the empty plate. I knew they had a very busy night ahead of them and having those snacks were probably just what they needed! I hope Palmer enjoys doing this just as much as I did.

four | I know you have already read about our special little elf, Chippy. Seriously you guys, Palmer wakes up every morning asking about Chippy. I didn't think she would get it, but she does. She hunts around for the little elf, seeing what kind of mischief he has gotten himself into this time. I think this is a cute little tradition to carry on; reminding kids about the magic of Christmas.

five | Finally, to round out this post, I want, on each Christmas, to get a family photo. We don't get enough of these and what better time to do it than on Christmas, a time meant to be with family. It is the perfect reason to document our family; during a time full of joy and being with family.

Christmas 2013

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions???

ALSO, have you entered yourself into the giveaway??? Great to win a bit of extra $$$ before the holidays!!!

2 December 2014

Believing in the Magic of Christmas

Christmas is a magical time and I believe that now more than ever.

Growing up, there was always something so special about the holidays and believing in all the things Christmas brings. There was Santa watching over you all year round, taking note of if you've been naughty or nice. There were all his little elves working hard in the workshops to make toys for girls and boys all over the world. There were Rudolph and the team of reindeer that flew through the Christmas night sky, delivering gifts to all the children. Christmas was magic.

This year, we introduced Palmer to Chippy, Santa's elf sent from the North Pole to watch over her. We watched the movie with her several times over and we explain to her about Santa and Chippy. This morning she woke up and noticed the Christmas tree where Chippy sat all day yesterday watching her was not where he was today. "Chippy. At you?? At You??" She called out. She hunted around for Chippy and where he was hiding today. There he sat in a stocking hung by the fireplace. "Awwww! Chippy!" she pointed, with a giant smile on her face. My heart filled with joy! Palmer is starting to understand the magic of Christmas.

This is what I want Palmer to remember. I want her to remember the magic of Christmas. I want her to believe. As we grow, the believing changes and the magic means something different, but it is still there.

This year, my magic is watching Palmer light up, seeing her eyes sparkle knowing Chippy has once again come to our house. It will be magic, having family around to watch Palmer believing in Santa on Christmas morning, as she glistens with delight at the amazing day ahead of her! I know, hands down, this will be the best Christmas yet. Seeing it through your child's eyes will be magic.

Linking up here

1 December 2014

Welcome December (And Chippy The Elf) With A GIVEAWAY!!!!

Our weekend was pretty low key as I was working nights all week. This means, I attempt to sleep during the day and when I'm not sleeping, I am a lazy bum. This weekend, it was OK though because it was COLD! We had a huge dump of snow and temperatures that were -35 with the windchill. The perfect excuse to stay bundled up inside drinking hot cocoa and watch movies. Well, only one movie to be exact. Over and over and over.

We began watching the Elf on the Shelf movie in hopes that Palmer would start to recognize Santa and the Elves and start to believe in the magic of Christmas. Well, turns out, she loves that movie. We watched it 4 times this weekend and she was still asking for more "moonie" (movie) and to see Chippy (the elf from the movie).

We decided to introduce our Christmas Elf this weekend too.

"Wow! Chippy!"

Chippy joined us Sunday evening. (We decided to stay with the name of Chippy because that is what Palmer knew the elf to be. When we say Chippy, she knows its an elf and remembers about the movie. Maybe next year we will get a new elf from the North Pole, but for ease and continuity, we stuck with Chippy this year.)

Follow our family adventures of Chippy the Elf with #ChippyAtTheLowes2014

On another note....WOW! December already! Only a couple weeks left before Christmas! What better way to start off a new month than to win you some money?!? For those last minute gift ideas. For a gift for yourself. I'm sure you can think of a great way to spend $225!!!