It’s been one heck of a week over here.

With work starting up the week after Thanksgiving, it feels like we’ve been on the go since we returned from California two weeks ago.

I think it’s been a while since I’ve been here, so let’s play a little catch-up.

Last Friday, we attended Ankur’s holiday party for work. Which was advertised as family-friendly. But some people opted NOT to bring their kids, and they were the real smart cookies.

We showed up. We talked to some people, had some drinks, ate some food. But y’know, it wasn’t the most relaxing situation. Shovel some food in your mouth and then race out the ballroom door to remind your 3-year old son to stop running to the coat room. Inhale a few sips of drink and then step out to change a poopy diaper.

Maybe next year, we get a babysitter. Ha.

We also got pictures with Santa last weekend. It was Ishu’s first interaction with a Santa Claus and he left a bit unimpressed. Or at least I did. Haha.

Maybe this was a Santa that mostly was in it for the photos and not the conversation.

After the picture was snapped, Ishu got off the bench and kept staring at the Santa. He asked Santa, “What about my name?”

The Santa said, “Oh sure, sure. What’s your name?”

So Ishu spelled out his name for him. And then asked, “Do you want to know how old I am?”

“Sure!” the Santa responded, pretty unenthusiastically.

“3.5+ years old,” Ishu said matter-of-factly, while staring at the Santa.

The Santa nodded, “That’s a good age. Good good age.”

“I want a robot that talks,” Ishu said before I ushered him away from the Santa so others could get their picture in.

I think we need a re-do with a Santa that wants to actually talk to my 3-year old. 🙂

Fortunately, the photo package we bought also included a bag of gummy bears. So maybe it was all worth it to Ishu. Who knows?

We also went to Zoo Lights on Monday. Which led to some pretty rough moments this week and a declaration that, no, we are not going to be a “Weekday Adventure” family for a while. Maybe in a few years. But, right now, we need order and routine during the week.

Trying to take a 4-month old baby in the car (when he despises the car) to stare at very overstimulating lights is just not it for us this season. He becomes a little fussy. The 3-year old becomes a little dysregulated. And we are all just left feeling more stressed and anxious than joyful.

We’re not writing the holiday season off.

We are simply adjusting expectations.

My master teacher from many, many years ago gifted Ishu an Edwardian Advent Calendar and that’s been a fun thing for him to look forward to each day. From the comfort of our home. He gets to decorate Christmas trees and watch cute animated stories and songs. It’s the “25 Days of Christmas” I didn’t know I needed. (Thank you, Kit, if you’re reading this! He loves it so much).

And then, yesterday, was Match Day. We found out Ankur is going to be completing his fellowship here with Northwestern. It’s a 2-year fellowship so we are Chicagoans for another 2.5 years! So anyone who hasn’t visited us yet (or, even if you have), come visit!

Today’s the last day of work and then the district is off for two weeks. Which feels like exactly what I need right now. Even though I JUST started, I need a pause on that timeline and all the incoming referrals to breathe for a second and catch up. So that, come January, I don’t feel so drowny.

Alright, it’s about that time that one of the two kids wakes up (and if it’s Ishu, it means that the other kid is gonna wake up too because Ishu just can’t help himself and wants to crawl into bed with the baby and kiss his little face all over. I get it. I do). So I’m off to throw myself into the tornado that is our morning.

GOOD LUCK TO ME. GOOD DAY TO ALL.