Hi friends! Grab a hot beverage because it’s cold outside (at least it is in Cleveland) and let’s catch up for a virtual coffee date! As I did last month, I’m joining Coco and Deborah for their virtual coffee today, while also sharing a fitness update for a fitness linkup. I can hardly believe we are at December! Looking at my calendar is a little frightening, but honestly, I love the chaos of the holidays. So, if we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that …
I’d tell you that we just wrapped up Thanksgiving travel. We spent more than 20 hours in the car for a four-hour meal, but it was worth it. I saw my aunt, two uncles, and cousin that I only see once a year. I also got to see my parents quickly! I’m so grateful B does all that driving while I maintain my passenger princess status.
I’d tell you that I’m still injury-free and even got to run a Turkey Trot in Connecticut with my son, which is always such a fun tradition. Running with him makes me so proud. I wonder if my daughter will be ready for three miles next year? At their ages, I could barely run one mile!
Speaking of running, I’d mention that it’s almost time to sign up for spring marathons and half marathons! I enjoy this off season (for me) and focusing on strength training and running when I can … but before I know it I’ll be ready to train for the Cleveland Half Marathon again!
I’d tell you that December is packed with fun holiday activities. Book club, a Nutcracker viewing with my daughter and her friends, a band concert, two school holiday concerts, a piano recital, and more. It’s busy, but it’s the best kind of busy.
I’d tell you that speaking of a crazy calendar, tonight we’re doing something fun! We’re going to see The SpongeBob Musical at the Beck Center. We’re taking the whole family, and it will be GM’s first time seeing a show in a theater. I’m so excited for him to experience it. We even got comp media tickets, so we’re making a night of it with dinner out and then the show.
I’d tell you that we recently saw the new Wicked For Good movie. I took all three kids while B stayed home to work on the basement (he’s been working on finishing it as much as we can — new ceiling and walls). It was so fun. While the first movie was undoubtedly better, I love the musical, and seeing it brought to life on the big screen was amazing.
I’d tell you that the kids are off school for something like 17 days over the holidays. It sounds like a lot, but I do enjoy the extra time with them. By the time school starts again, though, we’re all ready for the routine.
I’d tell you that we just finished decorating for the holidays. There are two types of people: those who decorate right after Halloween and those who wait until after Thanksgiving. My husband is firmly in the second camp, so we just got everything up. The house feels so cozy now, and I love having holiday music playing in the background.
I’d tell you that I’m ready for holiday baking season. Last year I baked nine different types of cookies plus buckeyes, Chex mix, chocolate pretzels, and fudge. I’m not sure if I’ll hit those numbers again, but baking cookies is one of my favorite traditions. I’ve started making a list and I’m going to try to be a little more organized this year to keep track of everything I make and when. I already made my favorite graham cracker toffee and shared it with some friends, and we did some cut out cookies.
That’s what’s going on in my world. What’s new with you? How are you kicking off December?
- What is your go-to holiday cookie recipe? I always want new baking ideas!
- When do you start decorating for the holidays or listening to holiday music? Do you wait until after Thanksgiving?
- Have you ever seen the SpongeBob Musical? What was the last live musical you saw?
Linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher for the Fit Five Friday linkup and the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah
I Crashed The Web 
20 hours is a lot of driving — how do your kids do with all that time in the car?
I definitely am in the decorate after Thanksgiving camp. We put up our tree on Sunday, which is probably the earliest I’ve ever done it.
I’m missing my cookie baking group this weekend so I will have to make all my own cookies this year ….
We drive all of that on the whole trip! So we only drive about 5 to 8 hours at a time…which is still a lot! Lots of stopping. That’s two bedroom missing your cookie baking group! Hopefully you make some yummy treats!
We started decorating the week of Thanksgiving. Well- we got our tree on Wednesday, put the lights and tinsel on, but then got out the rest of the decorations on the weekend. Honestly I wouldn’t mind starting earlier, but Thanksgiving week is when my son is home so we just do it then.
Yes, I’m excited for baking season!!! I always make orange chocolate chip biscotti (I would share the recipe but it’s in a vegan cookbook) and the seriously soft molasses cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Plus sugar cookies and gingerbread men, of course! Oh, and peanut butter balls.
Here’s a link you might like:
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/75-christmas-cookies/
Ahh I love Sally! Do you use her gingerbread men recipe? I’ve never made gingerbread but we got a cookie cutter/house kit so i may need a new recipe!
Wow you and your kids are good sports to travel so far in the car for Thanksgiving! It would probably be me that would complain about being in the car. How do you keep them entertained? Does someone always have to go to the bathroom?? lol Sounds like you all enjoy visiting your family and that’s very nice!
Lol yes bathroom breaks are a plenty. But mostly by my husband bc he drinks so much coffee on the trip! We do a lot of audiobooks and activity books. But they all get car sick so there’s also some dramamine and throwing up involved.
I’m impressed your kids travel so long in a car – I think I could barely make it 20 hours LOL. It’s great that you got to visit your family.
And, I just love that you did a turkey trot with your son!
Enjoy all of your holiday festivities!
We only drive about 5 to 8 hours at a time — it is long but not 20 hrs at one time! Enjoy your holiday!
Now that the kids are grown and I mostly work from home, I’ve stopped baking. I used to a lot esp when I was a teacher.
That is a lot of driving but it’s only once a year, right?
I can’t wait until my granddaughter can run with me!
I don’t decorate until after Thanksgiving.
I saw both Wicked movies. Yes Part I was better and part 2 started out slow but it was enjoyable.
I’m looking forward to getting my holiday baking started, maybe this weekend . We have another potential “snow” situation in the forecast…
I think butter spritz cookies are the family favorite. I have a lineup of six cookies this year, and I will start making dough tomorrow. My mom is coming over Wednesday to help with the baking so we can each have cookies for gifts and whatnot.
I can’t wait for our holiday book club in two weeks. It’s going to be so fun.
I need to finish decorating, but Im a little unmotivated at the moment.
I haven’t made spritz cookies in so long! Do you have a good recipe?
You little ones look so festive and cute in their Christmas outfits!
I’ll have to remember you calling it “passenger princess.” My husband does all of the driving on our long road trips and I often sit in the back seat so I can work on my blog. I’ll have to start referring to myself as passenger princess. LOL
Ooh i love that you work on your blog in the car! I’m usually on “kids duty,” which has gotten easier over the years.
Haha, it definitely sounds hectic/chaotic, but I hope you have a great time! 20 hours in a car sounds roughhh but I’m glad it was worth it!
I loved Wicked the musical as well but they did such a great job with the movie adaptations! :]