No place like home for the holidays...

Last night when I got home from work, I got the kids their dinner - changed into their feet pajamas -- and jaunted out to what has become a holiday tradition: looking at the Christmas lights. One night a week, sometimes two I take them out so we can sort of get a break in the monotony and enjoy Christmas without all the chaos. They each have their little travel mug and sippy cup filled with hot chocolate I made at home…we stop at Dunkins so I can get my coffee and for them --a few munchkins for the ride for dessert….holiday music on Sirius playing….and we drive around and look at all of the lights. Each night that we go, I pick a different side of town to see, and we really just have a lot of fun. It's also a great way to get them all warm and snuggly before bedtime without the usual finishing homework and watching a little television.

Traditions are important to me. And I think because the kids don't have grandparents in their lives on a regular basis to share in family times - what some consider as their immediate family, have become extended family for us -- and so ensuring that the kids have lots of traditions to reflect upon when they get older, is so important to me. I mean, some of my favorite memories growing up are about my grandparents and aunts and uncles; over the years, the family has grown smaller -- and so I am hoping to give to my kids a foundation of memories to look back upon that while might include a smaller group of family members -- are warm, fuzzy and happy just the same.

Tonight, after a much needed and anticipated yoga class, I have dinner plans with some friends…tomorrow, a holiday party at a girlfriend from work's house in NH…Sunday, a girls night shopping event. I don't have any shopping to do really, but it will be fun to see "the aunties" whom I haven't seen in far too long!

Fridays are fantastic, whether I have something going all weekend long - or don't have anything in particular at all lined up.

I wish you all the same!