low key holidays

As everyone around us hustles and bustles around in preparation for the holidays, our family kept a low profile yesterday. Our family gathered yesterday to celebrate being together. It is our first Christmas without Granny and we did not want to give up getting together, but did not want to make a big ordeal out of it either. We ate sandwiches and chips, played games and only the youngest kids were given gifts. All in all it was a good day and the stress level was kept to a minimum, reminding us all what is really important.

personal inventory

This year is the first in many that my husband has been around for New Year's Eve and able to enjoy New Year's Day with us. We tried something new this year-a personal inventory. This will be an activity for families with older kids to try. I made up a booklet of some things I wanted our family to think about, how their spiritual life was moving, how we spend our time, etc. We sat together and filled out the packet then discussed the things that we felt comfortable discussing. We helped each other with ideas and talked about ways to hold each other accountable in the future. We finished up by each getting a personal prayer packet filled with questions to ask ourselves and pray over. This is an excellent way for families to begin a new year.

family gift exchange

We spend much time over the holidays with extended family. We love seeing everyone and giving and getting gifts, eating, playing games and catching up. But in the midst of it all, we allow a little time for just the four of us to exchange gifts. We always encourage the kids to buy gifts for each other and they have always been good about that as well as getting each of us a present too. It does not have to be much, but our kids always do a great job of buying or making something that shows they really thought about that person. Whether it is a bar of chocolate, a photo from a special time, an NBA backpack or whatever, they put thought into what the recipient wants, likes and needs. We had a wonderful family gift exchange this year and we all really treasure the time for the four of us in the middle of all the holiday "chaos".

Bike Ride

Get the bikes out.

Air up those tires.

Grab your water bottles.

Hit the pavement.

It's cycling night!

Let the kids choose the route. Ride around the park. Ride around the neighborhood. Ride to Grandma's house.

Just spend the time with your family, enjoying the outdoors. Lots of fun, fresh air, and good exercise as well.