By the time you read this, you will probably be filled to the brim with turkey, stuffing, potatoes and other Thanksgiving delights. But since I’m writing this column before Thanksgiving weekend, I am still excited for what pretty much signals a great few months of food and treat-filled holidays.
The temperatures have very noticeably dropped over the last couple of weeks, and with the cooler weather and shorter days comes the opportunity for holidays that encourage family time, and a much-needed break from the chaos of September.
I do have to admit that I’m a bit apprehensive to actually take a full weekend off work. Before heading out of town for Thanksgiving, I asked my husband to download the needed programs onto his laptop so I could work while we were gone. He decided that would be too much for the laptop to handle and has refused my request.
I actually think he is probably lying to me, and I know taking a full weekend off work is a good thing. I probably am in need of it mentally since I don’t really remember the last time I took a full weekend away from all things work-related. It was probably in March, but I really can’t be sure.
Being able to keep tabs on emails and messages with my iPhone is sometimes a curse when I’m out of town. It makes me realize that taking a weekend off work results in a bit of added chaos when I get home, not remembering what I did and didn’t respond to while I was gone.
Of course taking three full days away from my computer and spending that time with my family will be great, I can’t deny that. Spending time with family, in my opinion, is what Thanksgiving is all about anyways.
To me, Thanksgiving signifies the beginning of the holiday season. I guess Halloween isn’t really a holiday, but it’s still a great excuse to take a day to be silly and spend time with my boys, which fits the theme of the idea behind many holidays at this time of the year. We’ve had the boys’ Halloween costumes bought since August I think, and Brodie, my three-year-old, has really enjoyed running around the house in his green spandex over the past two months, so I’m excited to see his reaction to actually wearing his costume in public.
Once November hits, we will be in full-on Christmas mode. I’ll officially be able to take out the “if you’re bad Santa won’t bring you any presents” excuse when the boys aren’t listening, which is something I kind of depend on after the Halloween hype is over. Christmas is fun as a child, but I think it’s almost more exciting as a parent, watching your kids get excited about everything Christmas related and trying their best to impress Santa.
Although life is always busy and slightly chaotic, the chaos that comes with the holiday season is different. I always find myself excited about the first snowfall, something my husband totally dreads. I recently caught myself flipping through some winter photos from last year and looking forward to the snowfall, despite how long the 2012-13 winter season was.
This year, I’m welcoming the 2013 hoilday season with very open arms.
