We made it through Christmas. It’s always a hard day for my girl. It’s overwhelming, over stimulating and overly emotional. It’s wanting so many things and being excited to get some, upset to not get others. It’s counting presents to make sure Jackson doesn’t get more than she does. It’s running around like a party girl one minute and curling in a ball the next. And it’s staying up late, even though she took her sleep meds, and sleeping in late the next day to recover. But we made it through. And funny enough, I saw no hair pulling!

We did have a Christmas snafu…I didn’t think Izzy still believed in Santa so I planned a Santa free Christmas. I guess she actually did…or really wanted to still. I got a little nervous when she mentioned the reindeer food and then sat out cookies and milk. Santa has always left his gifts unwrapped under our tree. This year, all the presents were wrapped and Izzy was so upset that Santa forgot us. Crap. She wouldn’t let me say the words, so I simply said “once we reach a certain age, mom and dad take over the gift giving for Santa.” She was so angry. All day. At me….not her dad, just me. I’m used to her anger, but it set us up for a day full of snark and impatience and glares. I tried my best, but I was definitely in the doghouse all day. Oh well, someday we’ll laugh about it (maybe). Rosebud made a Christmas snafu today…she snacked on the foot of Izzys new doll. Oops 😬 🐶

Even though Christmas Day itself is hard, these Christmas Break days are treasured. There’s no homework, no school-induced stress. There’s game playing, movie watching, puzzle making, animal snuggling, wine drinking (haha!) and very little pulling. Here’s to another 11 days of break 🥂