December | 2013 | She Writes Words

I attempted to have a quiet weekend, and I think I did OK.

On Friday I took all the Christmas decorations, minus the wreath on the front too and the board I stick all my Christmas cards to. Next year I’d really like to get a new wreath, a new tree topper (ours died after the tree fell over), and a new wreath.

Isla and I also tackled some “necessity” shopping at Walmart and Costco and I was surprised at how quiet they were. I guess a lot of people had to go back to work for Friday, so while a lot of the shelves were depleted of stock (Walmart especially), it wasn’t chaotic and I didn’t have to have my elbows up while wandering through the aisles. I scored 2 pairs of pajama pants from Costco for $13, and Isla got a new Dr. Seuss book, on top of our other groceries.

Saturday Isla and I met up with my mom at the mall to spend the gift certificates I received for Christmas. Can I just say how great general mall gc’s are? I really love that I’m not limited to one store and can use it anywhere! Anyway, I ended up buying myself a pair of TOMS! I’ve been wanting a pair for a while now since I love wearing flats but they always wear out. After hearing great things about them earlier in the fall, I just went for it. (Random side note – do they fit small on anyone else? Because I had to buy a 1/2-size smaller than my normal size.)

I also got a pretty sweater and some knee socks. *nerd*

Isla really seemed to enjoy being a mall rat, because when we got her out of her stroller there was no stopping her. She ran around EVERYWHERE and if you tried to pick her up and carry her she’d throw a fit. Fantastic. I fear that I’m going to have to buy one of those kiddie leashes because she’s a hurricane. Ugh.

Sunday was a challenging day. Kyle worked nightshift and got off that morning, so he sleeps during the day for his 2nd nightshift. I like to try and leave the house if I can so it’s quiet for Kyle, but we got a decent dump of snow and I didn’t feel like driving in it, so we stayed home. All was going great until Isla grabbed my half-empty cup of coffee while I wasn’t watching and spilled it all over the couch. (And me.) Then she got cranky. Then she didn’t want to eat her lunch and dumped it all over the floor. Then she spilled her milk. Then she got cranky again. Then she decided she just wanted to sit in her wagon and chill, so she did. Nap time was wonderful yesterday, to say the least. I got myself signed up for more yoga classes, so I’m excited for those. Now to just get the “new mat stink” out of my yoga mat.

Oh, and she also turned 1 1/2 years old on Sunday as well! Hard to believe this much time has gone by already!

I still can’t believe that 2014 is a couple days around the corner. Tomorrow I have my 2013 in Review post ready to go, and Isla has her 18-month immunizations. Womp womp for her! Then on Friday, I have my tattoo appointment – Dun dun duuuuun! I’m not giving away what it is, so you’ll just have to wait and find out. My appointment is in the afternoon, so keep your eyes on Instagram for the first photos. ;)

I’ll leave you with a photo of my little trouble maker.

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Everything is slowly going back to “normal” in our household. The tree is coming down today and the last of the turkey in the fridge is about to be consumed. (But there’s plenty of it left in the freezer for soup making!)

This year, Kyle and I wanted to have a simple and low-key Christmas. In the past, we always ended driving here, there and everywhere, visiting family to make everything “fair.” With the exception of a spaghetti dinner with my dad on the 23rd, we decided to host a get together with everyone on Christmas Eve. My mom & stepdad, Kyle’s mom & stepdad, and his aunt & uncle came up for post-dinner drinks and snacks and it was so nice. Everyone stayed for an hour or so and Kyle and I got to have a nice quiet Christmas day with Isla!

And speaking of Isla – She got SO spoiled this year! She got two Little People play sets, a new wagon, table & chairs for her playroom, TONS of books, clothes, markers, colouring books, Playdoh, a huggable Elmo, a Magnadoodle … I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting stuff too. She’s so lucky to have so many wonderful people in her life!

As for me, Kyle got me a brand new lululemon yoga mat (called “The Mat”). I’m super excited for this mat and can’t wait to use it in the new year! He also gave me a gift certificate for a tattoo (which he gifted earlier this month so I could book my appointment ASAP) and I’m SUPER excited/nervous for my appointment on January 3. I also got a really neat maple wood box carved from hand on Vancouver Island from Kyle’s stepdad (we do a Christmas name draw), and a load of gift certificates to my favourite places from my stepbrother. And my mom gave Kyle and I a vegetable steamer, which I’m really stoked on because I’ve been nagging to Kyle that I wanted one for a while, lol.

After the presents were all opened, Kyle got the turkey all ready for the oven (yep, he cooked Christmas dinner!). It was absolutely delicious and I’m so grateful that he made dinner. (I have never cooked a turkey in my life) Isla didn’t like her turkey until I put ketchup on it. Yep, she’s going to be one of those kids.

Yesterday Kyle sadly had to go back to work, so Isla and I went down to my mom’s for lunch and to visit my brother.

I hope Santa spoiled you all rotten! It’s still so hard to believe that 2014 is right around the corner! Now, here’s some photos from our Christmas Day: