Christmas Letter

Although most people who read this blog have already received our Christmas letter, this blog is just as much for our family as it is for others.  I always like to archive our letter on the blog, so here goes:

It’s a week until Christmas and I’m trying desperately to check things off my Christmas to-do list.  (Finish off yet another tub of peppermint ice cream after the kids are in bed.  Check!)  I’ve left “Write Christmas letter” on the list for the last few weeks, waiting for inspiration to strike.  As I initially sat down and stared at the blank screen, I thought, “Maybe I don’t need to write a Christmas letter this year.”  I still keep up our family blog on a regular basis, so for those who want to get a glimpse into our crazy life, you are always welcome to go to ezsanck.blogspot.com.  For the rest of you, I’ll try to give a brief recap of the past year in our household.

2018:  Our Year in Review

January:  Celebrated Staley’s 7^th birthday with a trip to the American Girl Store.  Also celebrated my 16^th work anniversary at the Children’s Hospital in Peoria.  Recognized I’ll need to keep working my 2 days/week as a pediatric occupational therapist in order to afford anything they sell at the American Girl Store.

February:  Stayed inside, became one with my cozy sweatshirts, and lamented endless Illinois winters.  Jake and Elwood celebrated their 16^th birthday.  No driving for them, but they definitely have a cat license to nap and shed.

March:  Adelie turned 5 and Briggs turned 3.  Adelie wanted a mermaid party.  Briggs wanted a train party.  I didn’t want to plan 2 parties.  The result: a mermaid train party.

April:  Zach hit a milestone birthday.  (Hint:  Rhymes with zorty.)  Took a quick spring break trip to Indianapolis.  It was fun, but winter coats and snow made me think that maybe spring breaking somewhere warm is a better idea.

May:  Crammed tons of end-of-the-school-year activities into a few short weeks as Staley finished up first grade and ended her spring acting class with Mulan, Jr. while Adelie “graduated” from pre-school. 

June:  Enjoyed lazy days punctuated with baseball and t-ball games, swimming lessons, trips to State Farm pool, play dates, library programs, acting class, and our week-long extended family trip to Pentwater, Michigan.

July:  See June minus Pentwater plus 4^th of July.

August:  Participated in another successful Eureka to Peoria St. Jude Run that Zach spends all year planning and organizing.  (Just wish he wouldn’t have planned for it to be so hot the day of the run.)  After years of waiting, Adelie got to join Staley on stage (Lion King, Jr.) and at school (big Kindergartener!!)  I realized how quiet and easy it is with only one child home during the day.  I also realized that I have a certain threshold for how long I can play train table before going a little insane.

September:  Briggs started 3 year old pre-school two mornings each week.  Zach and I celebrated 17 years of marriage.  Adelie realized that school actually means every day and includes homework, missing out on daytime outings with mom, and not getting to spend mom’s work days with grandparents. There were tears.

October:  Enjoyed a long week-end family trip to Madison, Wisconsin.  My kids haven’t met a zoo, children’s museum, or hotel pool they don’t like.  Filled up on favorite fall activities like pumpkin farms, football games, bike rides, and Halloween, as well as some not-so-favorite fall activities like raking and raking and raking some more.

November:  Zach accepted a promotion at his job at State Farm, started studying for his CPA exam, decided he’d like to train for a triathlon, and almost single-handedly cheered the Bears into the playoffs.  (He thinks sleep is over-rated.)  Expressed our thankfulness for our family, our friends, our jobs, our health, and that all our kids can dress themselves and take themselves to the bathroom.  Lamented the beginning of endless Illinois winters.

December:  Enjoyed festive celebrations, watched the girls in another play (Annie, Jr.), became best friends with Amazon and Etsy, and came to terms with the fact that our Christmas cards will be late this year.

As you can see, it’s been a full, fun, healthy, happy, crazy, busy, blessed year.  Wishing the same for you! 

A cute Christmas picture that I loved but never had a chance to post.