The Holidays Have Officially Arrived

Well folks, it's that time of year again! Once again all of the facebook satuses have started posting updates on how many work days are left in the year, how many days until a long holiday weekend and how many days are left for shopping. I must admit that I feel pretty fortunate that since this past Sunday I have been at "zero work days" and my "long holiday weekend" will infact be a "long holiday two weeks" (or more) without work. I also feel fortunate that while everyone else is running around like a "chicken with their heads cut of" picking up last bits of this or that, I'm enjoying the days as much as any other time of the year. But perhaps I'm most thankful that while everyone else will be wrapping up christmas presents this year, I'll be packing my bags for our first 'real' family vacation!



As has become the trend over the past 3-4 years, Ryan and I have refrained from any frivilous Christmas spending and have politely bowed out of all family Secret Santas and friendly gift exchanges. The little bit of Christmas shopping we did was to buy Jude a bucket full of different sized balls (about $30 total), 3 books ($20) and a metal tonka truck (about $20). One can not fathom the relief that comes from being brutally honest with family that "we are not doing the whole BIG Christmas thing". Of course you get your weird looks and people ask you once more "are you sure you don't want to be part of the Christmas gift exchange" but really this is what works for our family.



The thought of craming any more toys into Jude's toy room is a thought that sickens me. So, in addition to confused looks about gift exchanges, we get "this bitch is out of her mind" looks when we tell people we'd rather not receive toys for Jude either. But the alternative to these packages is much more rewarding. We have provided our families with a variety of memberships and classes that we have (or would like to have) Jude involved in. As a result, Jude is getting a zoo membership, a children's museum membership and music classes. All of which will enrich his life and keep our home clutter free. After all, when most people look back on their childhood, they remember the experiences more than the toys - and experience is something Jude will have a lot of.



In addition - as mentioned above - by skipping all of the boxes and bows and packages, we are taking Jude on vacation (yes I admit this is just as much for Ryan and I as it is for Jude - if not more)! Disney here we come! If you flip back over the posts from May, you might remember my craving a chance to get away. A chance to leave dirty dishes and loads of laundry behind for a few days of someone else making the bed, a few days of someone else cooking the food and a few days of quality time with my husband. While we had a few options in mind, we ultimately settled on Disney World! When thinking long and hard about the different places we could go, this just seemed to be the most 'family friendly' option for a 1.5 year old.



So, the climax of our holiday skipping is that on christmas day while most other people are gathering up the stray pieces of christmas wrapping paper littered around the room, we will be throwing shampoo and tooth brushes and other last minute items in a suitcase for an early departure the next morning. While other people will be waking up the next day to another day of putting toys together we will be leaving Delaware behind for a week and heading to a place that's warm! Finally, while other people are playing with toys, Jude will be seeing all sorts of cool things (which though he will not remember, will be priming him and shaping his chracter into someone who appreciates these sorts of experiences).



I must say that this alternative to the standard Christmas gets me all giddy just thinking about it. Before we had Jude, Ryan and I had a couple years of getting around a little and it's nice to (maybe?) finally be stepping back in that direction. So, gone be the gifts! Gone be the packages! Gone be the shopping! Hello travel!