Mummy's Last Hurrah

If you've been following along, you know that I go back to work next week and have been nesting like crazy getting ready for this major transition: two working parents and two kids.  Oy!  I've been plugging away at the new projects on my desk and I actually have it all cleared off again!  I've had some other non-sewing related things to take care of as well.  We are upgrading to a family miniv- Ha!  Ya right!  We are actually getting an SUV and to make sure we are getting the best possible trade in value, I recently took our car to get detailed.  The process takes 4 hours and, as a courtesy, you are given a two-seater Smart Car.  Carseats don't work well in two-seaters, though, so K spent a morning at daycare with T. This caused two things to happen.  1. Some of my anxiety about K starting daycare was relieved, and 2. I got to spend several hours A-L-O-N-E!!!!!  I kept a little photo diary about my day...

 Driving this guy took some getting used to!  It felt like it was going to explode right before it would shift!  I'll probably never own one, but I felt very European driving it!

First stop, breakfast - ALONE!  Have I mentioned the gloriousness of being alone yet?  Breakfast didn't last very long though.  Since becoming a parent, I've learned to eat very quickly, regardless of whether or not my food it so hot that it is scalding my tongue!

 Second stop, the mall!  I don't even remember the last time I was in a mall by myself, perhaps greater than two years ago?  I needed to find a dress for a wedding this weekend.  Unfortunately, since breakfast was so quick, I got here before the stores opened.  It was okay, it gave me some time to walk around and window shop.  However, instead of window shopping for me, I kept gravitating towards Carter's, Gymboree, Baby Gap.  Cue the tears.  I actually had to sit down for a moment to collect myself.  I think I'm going to miss being home with K more than I thought I would...

First store, Ann Taylor Loft and total SCORE!  I ended up buying the second dress I tried on.  And, I got to go down a size, double bonus!

Before I knew it, our car was ready.  I enjoyed a few more moments of freedom right here before real life settled in again and I headed to the grocery store.  The best part of my day?  Picking up K and getting a good report.  She actually ate (a little), slept fine, and was smiling and laughing.  She had a great morning too!  I was so relieved and a lot of my anxieties about her eating were eased.  The transition next week may be rough, but we can do it and we will all survive.

Christmas Breakfast Ideas

Whoa.  Christmas is in six days!  Are you ready?

As of last night, I had everything wrapped, labeled and ready to go.  I took advantage of T's 3-hour nap (you know you're jealous!) and B's obsession with football to escape to Target and finish doing all the shopping.  After the little one went to bed, all her gifts came out and were wrapped, and her stocking was stuffed.  It got me thinking a little bit though.  This year is easy and maybe for a few more years, but after that, I'm going to need to find some really good hiding places!

It's a good thing we're ready early.  We're taking a week off back home in New England (although I'm sure I'll be spending more time than I like working on my thesis).  In previous years, we pack everything up (gifts for us and others) into the car and do everything there.  But this year, we're leaving on Christmas Eve and so have decided to have our own Christmas morning on the 24th before we go.  I'm really excited about it and am looking forward to seeing T's face as she sees al the gifts for her and gets to open them. 

I'm also starting to think about how I'm going to feed my family that morning.  It will be a 6 hour car drive (hopefully no flat tires this time!) with a stop for a late lunch.  We'll need something delicious and hearty to get us through the first leg of our trek.  Thanks to Pinterest (I know, where else?!), I've found some yummy Christmas morning breakfast recipes.  The hard part will be deciding which one to make! Click on the pictures to follow the link to the recipes!

Source: southernplate.com via Opie on Pinterest

I might just make these anyways!  They look soooo good- and easy!

Source: thatssoyummy.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Maybe with some kiwi or green grapes?

Source: ezrapoundcake.com via Katie on Pinterest

A great list - 10 breakfast ideas.  The Chai Waffles pictured above look heavenly, as did the Overnight French Toast Casserole and the Christmas Morning muffins. 

Source: allrecipes.com via J on Pinterest

Forgive the teeny, tiny picture, but the Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole might just be a winner here.  My mouth is beginning to water!

Source: alexandracooks.com via Bekah on Pinterest

Oh boy - more blueberries!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Rachel on Pinterest

A little heartier, I would have to skip the sausage though.  I like the idea of making it the night before and baking it while we open presents!

Source: annies-eats.com via Sandra on Pinterest

This spinach and cheese strata looks heavenly!  Maybe I could add some red peppers to make it really festive!

Man, you wouldn't think I just had lunch!  I almost wish I was planning brunch for 20 people so I could make a bunch of these.  I think no matter what I make, those doughnuts will be in my kitchen and then melting in my mouth Christmas morning!  Hmm, Spinach Strata or Blueberry French toast Casserole.  Oh, decisions, decisions!