Here’s a recap of our holiday break!
Holiday Break 2024
I always feel a little silly writing about Christmas in the New Year. Do you guys even care? But since I took the whole break off to be present with the fam, it’s the only way I can keep my 17-years-and-counting blog going! So here is everything we did over the holidays. *Rewinding the VCR tape*
Happy Birthday Grandpa
Thomas’s dad’s birthday is right before Christmas! We had a family night to celebrate (and then he got a new knee for his bday / Christmas).
Family Thai food dinner
Crozet Christmas Parade
We went to a friend’s 6th birthday party at the new Ivy House Play Space in Crozet. The boys did holiday crafts, and then we watched the parade out front.
Santa!
And I bumped into “Buddy the Elf” (as Birch calls him) aka, Seth out on a run!
ACAC Events
Gingerbread house making
My DIY picnic dinner
And a holiday party / white elephant at Random Row!
Christmas Pizza
Thomas spent HOURS making two large Christmas pizzas (Here is the recipe!). A Donne family tradition. This was his best ever!
Neighborhood Party
Always a highlight!
Christmas Eve
Mazen went to New Orleans with his dad, so Christmas Eve and Day were quiet.
The child was nestled all snug in his bed
The whole house was Minecraft and Lego themed on Christmas morning. These blocks were a huge hit.
Blue Apron Christmas Steak Dinner
After dinner, Mazey came home!!
Other Holiday Break Highlights
Date Night at Tavola
Mufasa Movie Afternoon
Lots and lots of playing
Hot Chocolate Date
Reading Time
LOVE Lisa Jewell. Didn’t love The Girls in the Garden. But reading After The Party and loving it!
Paint By Number
We finished a covid-era paint by number!
Spa Day at Keswick
The first day of break started off VERY relaxing!
A few friends from ACAC and I went to Keswick Spa for a girls spa day. Such a treat to go on a Saturday and not have to be home to meet the school bus! I think this is the nicest and best spa in Cville, and you can make a whole day of it. We went in the infrared sauna, showered, shared a charcuterie board, and did lots of relaxing. We all got facials!
Before:
After:
Kath Eats Real Food
Clean Kitchen : )
Splendid Spoon Detox Kit
Splendid Spoon is my favorite pre-made smoothie company, and I will sometimes order them when I want a reset or as a gift for a new mom or someone going through surgery. They have a new bundle that has tons of high-fiber, plant-based lunches and dinners along with smoothies on promo right now. I got a sample, and they are so good! Check it out here.
Medley Wine
Another new find (not great timing with Dry January!) are these Medley Wine Pouches. They are European (French / Italian), organic, no sugar added, pure wines that last for 45 days. Each one has 4 bottles in it – great for keeping on-hand for guests or taking to a party / the beach / traveling / etc. The white and red are AMAZING.
Our break ended with a snow day the day before the kids were supposed to go back to school. YAY US!
Next week is cruise week!
We went on a Disney Cruise from Dec 29 – Jan 4. We had a wonderful trip! I have all the recaps coming next week.