Favorite Things

Happy Friday! It feels surreal that this is my last Favorite Things of 2017. Of all my series, this is the one that I look forward to writing the most. It’s a sweet reminder of what has happened and an online diary of sorts that I hope my children will enjoy reading when they get older. Blogging is my way of keeping the memories of our life preserved for future generations.

One of the highlights of the week was successfully completing my Holiday Bucket List Challenge. Some of you were following along via Instagram on the activity du jour. I was tasked to do one holiday-themed thing everyday from December 1st until Christmas day. It ranged from things that I could easily get behind like decorating our home and baking cookies. To near impossible activities like going on a sleigh ride (no snow) and visiting a live Nativity (no comment). I improvised when I had to. The challenge was great fun and I loved being inspired by all the ideas.

An unexpected outcome of the bucket list challenge was how on top of everything I was. The Holiday Bucket List doubled as a “to do list” and I felt really organized this year. Gifts were wrapped early, and not at 2am on Christmas morning as in previous years – that alone was huge! The kiddos got involved in the challenge and learned how to cut paper into the prettiest snowflakes and make reindeer food. As a family, we snuggled on the couch and watched Christmas movies. None of those things would have happened without the list. It was a December filled with firsts and a truly lovely Christmas.

I’m signing off for just a few days. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a Happy New Year. I’ll be back on Monday, January 1st with a personal post and reflections on 2017 – The Year that was Charged.