And Then My Name Was MAMA: Oh the Holidays!

When will these run wild, free and NAKED days end? As much as I really love my son to express himself however he find the need, at some point he really just needs to keep his clothes on. I know that kids will learn all of their nooks and crannies, becoming quite fascinated with them too! I also am aware that these stages are innocent and all kids go thru them. However, playing with poop and your butt are just gross! I have mentioned this before but it is like my son can not get enough of his hands down his pants!!!!! To go the extra mile he will even smell his hand after his deep exploration into the abyss of his butt crack! He does this just to identify whether he has gone poop or not and then replies ever so sweetly, "No Poopy Mommy, No Poopy." or "Poopy Mommy, Poopy!"
As though feeling the poop come out isn't indication enough....he MUST EXPLORE it!

It really just amazes me because I wonder how, where, why certain behaviors such as these occur? I am not walking around the house with my hands in my butt, playing with my poop, or doing a dig and smell excavation!

Who needs a drum set when you have an empty cracker tin and 2 empty paper towel rolls? He started drumming with clothes on and somewhere during his set ended up butt booty naked and drumming away!

MOVING ON.....for now!

I am starting two different segments to add to my blog. Just because I can and my brain is like explosives on the fourth of July. Sometimes I just have so much going on that I need to get it out while other times...eh, not so much! So, my first is The Elf Diaries. I figured it is the Holiday Season and we have just began our journey and tradition with the Elf on the Shelf. I thought it would be fun to write a little bit each day from our Elf's perspective. Even Elf's have voices too.
My next little blurb I am adding will be letters to my hubby. My husband is the greatest! With that being said he always like to "Have Fun." He likes to play around, make jokes, etc. So, I am going to write him a little loving letter blurb every time he may do something that.......well let's just say in the heat of the situation may make me want to strangle his gorgeous neck. (Welcome Ally McBeal Moment!)

And in other news: The Holidays have begun

I want to talk for a second about this time of year. First off the holidays are government affiliated days where branding and marketing really goes above and beyond to pimp themselves. It is all a conspiracy theory, right? The government wants to control every aspect of our lives. Listen, I don't really know the answer to that statement other than everyone has their own opinions just as with anything else, and rightfully so.

People go crazy spending money, and well just go crazy! Black Friday no longer is fun because you have people who will literally kill you to get whatever percentage off the retailer is offering, really....seriously, REALLY?!

You have grouchy people who are even more grouchy because most people around them are cheerier even if only a wee bit cheerier due to the Holiday season. Remember that saying, misery loves company? So true!

Fruit cake exists in surplus. Maybe it is good? Not sure as I have never tried one. I am more of a apple pie / pumpkin pie girl myself during the holidays.

People become obsessed with buying gifts. So much so that they are no longer buying out of the kindness of their hearts but buying out of : obligation. People are overspending, and buying to receive in return. First major lesson is to not expect anything from anyone. Expectations are your ego speaking. It is how you view or want things or people to act, not what or who they truly are.
The holidays are not about this!!!! They are not about things and what you can obtain! Every year it is as though it gets worse. This is what I do not like about the Holidays!
Gifts are nice, don't get me wrong but I am the kind of person who appreciates the sentiment behind the gift. I honestly would rather receive nothing if there was no sentiment behind the gift.

The holidays are days where retailers bank with goal setting sales, marketers bank from retailers ads, and consumers..well they just really go to the bank and for what? A day that is essentially just like any other unless you are celebrating the true sentiment behind the holiday. The only difference is a holiday day has its own special title. It's not just Sunday it's Easter Sunday or not just Wednesday it's Christmas. Everyday we should be thankful for our gifts, blessings, people in our lives. Everyday we should be aware of our religious beliefs, journeys, traditions. All year long we can give to those we care about. All year long we can celebrate life! Yet, we do not do this. This holiday season I am really trying to reflect on what is most important so I can pass this along to my children.

What is most important to me about the Holidays:

Time- time spent with my loved ones because when your time is up that's it -No backsies

Traditions- building on top of our childhood traditions and making new ones with our children

Giving- for the right reasons- donating- being kind- Giving with sentiment and thought behind the gesture of the gift

Being grateful - taking a moment to reflect on all that I have to be thankful for everyday not just on Christmas morning or at Thanksgiving dinner.

What I love about this time of year:

The Cinnamon Pine cones and Brooms....LOVE IT!!!
Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Ham, Stuffing, goody foodies that you don't necessarily eat or make on a daily basis.
Witnessing acts of true kindness - I love this all year but it seems the Holidays bring more of this out in people.
A fresh real Christmas Tree.
Holiday Movies old and new - The classic collection - Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch etc
Holiday music.......sing out loud......windows down, system up, singing............umm Jingle Bells!
Our Family Photo- Finally at least one a year with all of us!
The church services and programs.
Holiday Lights....Love to scout neighborhoods that are on the verge of Holiday Light War!!!
Santa, Hot Cocoa, the crisp coolness that we get very briefly here in FL.

I really do love this time of year....so I guess I'll take the good with the bad and let the Holiday Festivities begin!