The Hutchinson Family: After Christmas Recovery

The week after Christmas has flown by and it hit me that tomorrow starts the first normal work week we’ve had in about a month. We have been “off-schedule” for quite a while. It’s been a lot of fun things, but we have realized how much we all thrive on routine. It is going to be tough to get up at my normal 5:45 tomorrow morning, but I’m kinda looking forward to getting back to a normal routine. The kids have been wild this week and I was worried that the terrible two’s had finally hit, but we seemed to be through the adjustment and back to normal this weekend. We’ve had a few really good days this weekend, so hopefully that was just “post Christmas disorder”.
Last Monday we took Ryan to a really cool place to get his hair cut. It’s called Snipits and is just for kids. They had toys, treats, lollipops and all the right things to make a 2 year old feel completely comfortable while getting his hair cut. This is the first time Ryan didn’t cry at all and Riley was even begging to get her hair cut when it was all said and done. The lady was very sweet and put some “jewels” in Riley’s hair. She was so proud and they stayed there all day! Aunt Heather and Uncle Brad were in town so we had fun playing with them on Monday. But after our day on Monday, we decided to declare Tuesday and adult day and decided to send Riley and Ryan to school. It was a good choice and gave us a chance to rest and relax.

Riley's hair "jewels"

laughing with Aunt Heather

working hard at the new easel from Gran-daddy

spaghetii dinnerIt was back to work for me on Wednesday and Thursday and then a few more days off for New Years. We went out for dinner with the whole gang on New Year’s Eve. Mee Maw, Gran-daddy, Aunt Heather, Uncle Brad and the 4 of us. It was an early dinner and then back to our house for a quick visit before Mee Maw and Gran-daddy headed out. They convinced everyone to play with the play doh and we all had fun watching them create things.

Mee Maw and Riley cracking up over play doh
(the play doh in Riley's hand a a "Christmas Tree")
We had some nice family down time this weekend and it was a lot of fun for the 4 of us. We made a trip to Costco and ran some errands on Saturday and then had a family movie night to watch Mary Poppins – their gift from Aunt Heather and Uncle Brad. They were mesmerized and we all really enjoyed the movie. Kevin had never seen it, so it was a must-see for us.

Today we stayed home all day and just got the house back in order. All the decorations down and put away and most everything at least picked up. Naptime was almost comical today… Ryan didn’t really want to nap so he summoned me in a couple of times. First it was a “stuck” foot in the rails of the bed. I heard him crying for me saying “Mommy Stuck” and he was only getting louder, so I knew it was time to go in. I found that he had ripped his pillowcase a the seam and had thrown all kinds of stuff around the room. Clearly not ready to sleep. I settled him down (all while Riley was snoozing away) and all was well for about 20 minutes. Then I heard him begin screaming as loud as he could “Riley Wake Up”. I quickly went in and found him standing over the edge of his bed and over her head screaming for her to wake up. I swooped him out of the room and brought him into my bed. I told him he had to be quiet and watch “mommy’s show”, which he did for a few minutes. He was just glad to be out of his room. Then he quietly told me “no watch mommy’s show”. It was so very cute, but we finished mommy’s show. I didn’t want him to think he just has to scream over Riley and then I will come rescue him to watch Dora in my room. Lessons to be learned…

Overall the holidays were thrilling and exhausting. It was a great season and I wouldn’t take back anything we did, but I’m looking forward to normalcy and routine. Crazy to hear me say that, but man is it true!

Ryan with the beard from the Santa Mr. Potatohead