Holidays Focused on Experiences
We made a point to share experiences this holiday season.
That meant braving the cold and checking out the local indoor and outdoor attractions. We continued our weekly tradition of dinners with friends and ventured out to the city. First stop was Lumaze, a light show pop up that was in the heart of Pittsburgh. It was fantastic. The place was buzzing with young adults with iPhones generating instagram content. I was also enjoying myself. They were serving wine out of a lightbulb. However, the lightbulb did require you have to drink wine through a straw, less than ideal.
Experiences over things - building gingerbread houses. Store bought, and proud of it!
Our oldest son is fascinated with lights, and all things electricity, so this was OVER the top for him. If you hear of Lumaze Lights coming to your city, I highly recommend. The tickets aren’t cheap, but we had an excellent night walking around in awe of the lights! A big thank you to our friends for the Christmas present of tickets!
Family photo at Lumaze, an indoor light garden! It was such an amazing memory, thankful for this gift!
Loving life. I caught him one minute for a photo before he ran away to the next activity!
We decided to take the light show outside and go to Kennywood, a local theme park that has light up night over the holidays. I was in a major mood to take advantage of everything Pittsburgh. Kennywood is Pittsburgh, as Bay Beach is Green Bay. We hustled over to the park one evening to take in the lights, rides, and of course petting zoo. Last time we went to the petting zoo, I was super pregnant and mildly concerned a goat was going to make my water break.
Petting zoo at Kennywood Light up Night! (same goats that almost broke my water with baby #2, ahah!)
This time only a few crying episodes from kids getting trampled on by baby goats, pigs, or other small animals. I mean, there were llamas. It was the best. Tatrums were worth it. We left after we could no longer feel our feet. Pittsburgh footwear is not made same as in Wisconsin.
Starting a new tradition in the Anderson household! Am I crazy, or do you love it?!
During our last few weeks of December, we geared up for Christmas. This year we caved. I swore I wasn’t going to do it, but this year our Elf on the Shelf visited the house. I honestly was against this new tradition, as I viewed it as one more thing; society placing more expectations on parents in an already overwhelming season! But, then I paused. I thought, gosh, my kids are only little once, and my oldest was creeping up on five years old! I caved, and went all in, with the help of our au pair, of course!
Speaking of au pair, we also had St. Nicholas visit from two separate countries! In the American tradition, stockings were left on the mantle and filled with goodies.
Wrapping practical gifts, Nespresso pods!
Our gift from our au pair, that I will later soak with tears! Look at all those memories and adventures!
I was working holiday coverage over Christmas week, and Paul was working Holiday coverage over New Years. So despite not having time off together, we at least were able to spend time with the little guys. We made muffins, wrapped some presents, and were able to open gifts together! You know your children had too many gifts when they started getting bored. I guess next year I won’t wrap every individual piece of clothing or socks, just for the joy of opening. They were so over it, haha we had to open to two sessions.
Snow doesn’t slow us down, we prepare and embrace! Mindset!
Baking, and making memories! Kids love the simple stuff!
The biggest success of Christmas 2020 was additional pieces of our Marble Run. This game gets SO much play time. Even more than the bounce house. I like that it has a bit of engineering and STEM weaved in with fun.
In Pittsburgh, we have a tradition of gathering with our close friends, and our au pair “earns their stripes” for Christmas. Meaning, they are inducted into the family with Burt’s Bee’s Striped PJs! Such sweet memories and family photos, of our growing crew!
Our extended Pittsburgh family with kids that keep on growing!! (AND one sore sport in plaid and jeans…. ba hum bug)
I was so thankful that we focused on activities and experiences this year. Of course there was plenty of “stuff” under the tree, despite my anxiety about stuff and minimalism mindset. It was wonderful. I cannot believe how quickly time flies!