Now that the tree is decorated and things are more organized in our house again, I wanted to continue the holiday spirit today. I want to do nothing but enjoy this holiday weekend and fill it with as many of my favorite small traditions as possible. After all, every weekend after this until Christmas is already filled with other fun events – multiple parties, a special family night, and perhaps M’s first ride on the Macy’s Pink Pig around the big tree in downtown Atlanta.

I started our mini-traditions last night by watching Elf with Peter.

The movie may only be 7 years old and not quite a classic, but it has quickly become my favorite. ‘Twas the perfect way to end a day of tree decorating and toy organizing.

This morning, I once again awoke not feeling the greatest. In my opinion, that just shows how smart our bodies truly are and that we should listen. My midwife explicitly told to take it easier these last 8 weeks of pregnancy, so if I feel weak or tired at all I skip my planned workout and thrive on my regular activity. Daily activity counts plenty for me right now. If I’m feeling good, I’ll work out. If not, I won’t. That simple to care for me and baby B.

Besides, shopping counts as a workout, right? 😉 I thought so. I hit up HomeGoods and Kohls for a couple of things for gifts. I adore Home Goods! They had so many adorable holiday displays out and great gift variety for many people I’m buying for this year. I have a feeling I will be going back when I know who I will be buying for in the blogger gift exchange. Have you signed up yet??

Then I headed to Target to pick up a few gifts for M and the ingredients for how I planned to spend some of my afternoon. Fudge making!

Every year for the holidays I make a special mocha fudge. It’s one of the things I make really well. This year, I plan to donate some to a bake sale Tina plans to host next week and I wanted to switch it up a bit. Instead of just mocha fudge, I wanted to see how peppermint mocha fudge would taste. It’s as fabulous as it sounds…and looks.

I hope you all are having just as enjoyable a Saturday! My night will only continue to get better with a special date night with Peter. See you all tomorrow afternoon. 🙂

• Do you have any special holiday treats you always look forward to making?
• What is your favorite holiday movie?

Now that Thanksgiving has officially ended, I am in full blown Christmas mode. I absolutely love this time of year! In fact, I think I prefer the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas over the actual holiday days themselves. I look forward to the holiday parties with friends, the traditional events with family, and just the cheerier mood of many people. Plus, its less hectic than how we spend our holidays bustling from my family’s time together to Peter’s family. Then again, I love that our days are so filled with loved ones. I don’t think I would have it any other way. 🙂 Yesterday was perfect…and today continues to make my heart flutter with holiday cheer.

The day started off nicely with Makenzie actually sleeping in for a change. I needed it too. Apparently the day after holidays, birthday parties, weddings, etc leave me hurting…badly. So I had to forego my original plan of starting the day with a kickbox DVD and got in a different workout instead. Tree decorating!!!

All while listening to Pandora’s Christmas Radio. I adore Mariah Carey Christmas music and now Michael Buble’s versions of songs as well.

While decorating the tree, Peter snapped a shot that had me feeling like the jolly old guy Santa…

…so I spent another good chunk of the morning finishing up organizing toys for Braedon and Makenzie’s playroom. It’s a lot of work sorting through what deserves to stay out when you have to make room for baby and toddler stuff!

It feels so good to finish! I still have quite a bit to do for their bedrooms though. The midwife sparked a fire under me after saying they mainly hope to get me to Christmas with all of the Braxton Hicks contractions I have been feeling. Now, resting most of the remainder of the day sounds like a plan. Questions for you --

What is your favorite holiday? Like I said above, I love the whole season! For the meaning of the holiday, Christmas certainly wins in my book. As far as how we spend the day? I think I prefer Thanksgiving because it purely focuses on time spent with family without all the “what gifts did I get” hoopla. Plus, the food rocks!

My Thanksgiving Lunch plate of ham, sweet potato, squash, and green bean casseroles. I love my Thanksgiving casseroles!!!! It is my favorite meal…so whoever asked that for the Q + A series. There’s your answer – Thanksgiving meal!

Do you have a favorite Christmas ornament? I have two. A “Peace Angel” that we got as the first one in a special tradition we started last year. Also, a special ornament my parents gave me that used to hang on their tree…with a picture of me on my first Christmas.