Sitting here while the girls sleep and Kevin just left for work typing this article.
Every year the build up for Christmas, in my eyes, is truly magical and honestly I love it. I remember how I felt as a kid and now having my own kids and seeing it through their little eyes only makes it that much more special to me now.
Christmas Eve for me is always the best and this year was even better because Kevin had the whole day off and we spent part of it running last minute errands and even standing outside in the cold waiting to get Italian pastries and struffoli (those who aren’t Italian these are honey balls with sprinkles on them). It was cold, but we had so much fun, while my mom watched the girls for us.
Christmas Dessert with Struffoli and Cannoli!
But now it is the day after Christmas (Decemeber 26th) and I honestly hate the day after Christmas and all the let down after. It truly is like taking a balloon and letting all the air out.
Feels a bit downright gloomy now and for many of us it will be two to three months of bitter cold and snow in the forecast weekly until April here on in the Northeast of the country.
But still just uploaded pictures and video from yesterday and will admit, I couldn’t help but smile at the perfect time we had opening presents as a family on Christmas morning. I also can’t help, but feel elated thinking about how I was able to surprise Kevin with the one thing he truly wanted, but kept telling me was too expensive to purchase with a PS4 from Amazon! One of the reasons I worked my butt off this past month with my blogging and ordered it on December 23rd (tracking it on Amazon when it became available again) when I knew for sure I had made more then enough money to cover it.
The presents though are now definitely long unwrapped. The boxes for lo the many toys are broken up and int he garbage with said wrapping paper. My house for the most part is back in order after putting away everything we could before Christmas dinner yesterday and now it just feels like any other day to be quite honest.
But for those who would like to see what Christmas morning looked like here, as well as a short video of my girls playing with Emma’s Flutterby Fairy that she totally asked Santa for, keep scrolling for the photo bombing and also for that video, too!
Christmas Morning – The Calm Before the Unwrapping Storm!
Closer Shot – Santa Really Came
The Girls First Spotted the Doc McStuffins Check In Center!
Unwrapping Presents!!
By the way, Kevin surprised me, too with a new Michael Kors tote and my brother even got me two new charms from the Pandora 12 Days of Christmas collection mentioned here earlier.
Michael Kors Tote
Pandora Bracelet with the 2 New Charms added from the 12 Days of Christmas Collection thanks to my brother!
However, my girls are indeed off through next week, so now I will be taking a bit of a break from blogging for a few days. I may repost a few best of type articles, but that will most likely be all for a few short days.
So, please just bear with me and hope to also figure out a bit of a better blogging system for the new year, because this past month alone I ran myself a bit ragged doing double and triple post somedays, which I am positive I will not be able to do again for awhile, because quite frankly I am more then a bit burnt out right now.
And as I mentioned previously, I am now a proud affiliate marketer for Pandora Towson.
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massholemommy says
I lllllloooooove struffoli!!! It looks like your family had a wonderful Christmas. I, for one, am glad it's over, though.
My recent post Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
Janine Huldie says
Robin, I am totality addicted to struffoli and seriously the wait outside the bakery was totally 100% worth it!! As for Christmas being over, I am torn over it to be honest. I am a kid at heart with this day and as crazy as it gets, I still love it so!!
Kerri says
What a great time you had, this time when the girls are still young and the magic is there. I'm glad you enjoyed your day and hope the Christmas hangover ends soon. Enjoy the vacation and being home!
My recent post A year of thankful
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kerri and I know I am truly trying to enjoy this time now as much as I can, because I know it will only be a few short years before the magic will be gone and they will be too big to believe in Santa.
Nellie says
I am loving your new bag! Beautiful!! I also loved the unwrapping photos 🙂 Glad you guys had a great time this year!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Nellie and still trying to enjoy the next few days around here, too 🙂
Kate says
I got a new bag too 🙂 We are spoiled! And your tree was pretty packed with presents- so fun.
My recent post There were 4 days of Christmas
Janine Huldie says
I saw it and loved it! And so true we are all so spoiled, but yes so fun!! 🙂
notinjersey says
looks like you all had a great christmas!!
My recent post The First Snow
Janine Huldie says
Totally did Dara and thanks again!! 🙂
Billybuc says
Their smiles are classic and brought a smile to my face. Having little kids around on this holiday really is a priceless experience. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
Janine Huldie says
Bill, to me their smiles are priceless and wouldn't trade them for the world. And seriously so happy to share our pictures here with all!! 🙂
realhousewife says
Hey Janine! GM! Loved LOVED the pix of the girls opening gifts…the looks on their faces are priceless! I remember those days…awe.
I had a wonderful holiday with my family and children but I am glad it's over:). I look forward to life going back to my normal routines. I love the new MK tote! Kevin did good!!
Have a happy new year with your family and enjoy the days off!
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Kelly and I am trying to do a little here and there now, but still trying to enjoy the next few days while the girls are home and next week being New Year's as well. Hoping you had a wonderful Christmas, too and hope you too are enjoying these few days as well now!! 🙂
My recent post Christmas 2013 – Over Now, But So Much Fun Was Had
tamaralikecamera says
Yum!! I love sprinkles on anything.
And the day after Christmas is mournful for me.
And wow, can that fairy fly!
Scarlet got a lot of Sofia pajamas and some dress up dolls and the Frozen ice palace and dolls, and an Elsa dress!
My recent post Do I Want a Third Baby?
Janine Huldie says
So do I, Tamara!! And I am so glad it isn't just me with being mournful after Christmas is over. I really just felt such a let down the next day. I am much better today, but yesterday was kind of a downer and bummer even though it was the best two days with both Eve and the day of. And we totally got Frozen stuff, too. And even though the Flutterby Fairy worked, it now won't work and no one has another one in stock here. And of course that was the one thing she asked Santa at the mall personally for!
.MIS. Manhattan Image & Style says
It looks like you all had a wonderful Christmas!! I love the pictures, your kids are adorable! <3
Diana http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
New Blog Post: How to Start 2014 With The Right Attitude
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Diana and hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!! 🙂
Sandy_Ramsey says
It looks like a Merry Christmas to me! Love the Michael Kors tote! Thanks for sharing the video of the girls…precious!
My recent post 2013: Wrapping It Up with Joy
Janine Huldie says
Really was a wonderful Christmas and seriously was so happy to share all I could here, including the video, too! 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
I love the excitement on your girl's faces while they are unwrapping gifts – so much fun!
And – I love that you and your husband both surprised each other with such nice gifts!!!
I actually really like this time between Christmas and New Year's – it is usually after that when I struggle!!
My recent post Standing Makes Me Happy!
Janine Huldie says
January is totally a struggle for me, too and just know the dead of the winter is on its way. So, I am seriously not looking forward to that at all right now either. But Christmas was totally fun and I must admit I loved that we did indeed surprise each other!! 🙂
stephanie2006 says
Love it!! My little Violet got Disney Princess figurines, too, along with the princess castle 🙂 It's always the best to see how grateful and happy the little ones are, and I got to surprise Richard, too 🙂
My recent post Challenge 2013: Book 12 – The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared
Janine Huldie says
I love that Richard surprised you, too!! And our girls would totally get along perfectly it sounds like!! 🙂
ginnymarie says
Enjoy your week with the girls! My girls received the Flutterbye Fairies, too, and are having fun with them! The day after Christmas is a little hard to get through for me, too. You took some wonderful pictures of your two little ones!
My recent post A Very Merry Waterpark-y Christmas
Janine Huldie says
The fluttery fairy worked for about 10 minutes and the video clips are all I have of her working. Now she is fully charged and even has charged rechargeable batteries and just spins on her base and won't take off. So, now I am in the process of trying to find a store local to me that has another one to exchange for it, because of course that is the one thing she asked Santa for Christmas for and now it doesn't work. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to upset, but still I feel bad (total mom guilt here). Thanks so much though Ginny and seriously hoping you are having a wonderful weekend now 🙂
ginnymarie says
That happened to one of ours, too. The other one still works perfectly. I sent an email to the company, and am waiting to hear from them. Good luck!
My recent post A Very Merry Waterpark-y Christmas
Janine Huldie says
Ginny, thank you for sharing that with me, because I was truly wondering if it was just ours this happened to. If I can't find another one this weekend, I may do the same and write them, too.
gigigirl says
I wish I could get a few of those struffoli….I don't know of any Italian bakeries here. Have a few for me! You all got such great gifts. Love that video with the girls and the flying fairy….I giggled each time I saw it. The day after Christmas is a letdown and that's my excuse for not putting up any decorations….too depressing when it's all over and they have to come down! Now is your time to lay back a bit and relax. Enjoy some time at home while the girls play with their new toys. I can't believe a new year is upon us…..let's hope for a good one for all of us. My love to all of you. xxxxoooo Aunt Gloria
Janine Huldie says
Aunt Gloria, there are still a few left over and cannoli's too. Wish you were here and would totally have shared with you. And the video totally makes me smile, too. I knew I had to share it and just so happy that I could here. And relaxing is so the name of the game right now and seriously just trying each day to do one or two things and then spend the rest with the girls and Kevin (when he gets home from work) now!! Love you too!! xoxo 🙂
gigigirl says
Enjoy the rest of the weekend and your time with your family. Still have visions of those struffoli dancing in my head! Love to all……xxxxoooo
Janine Huldie says
You too and seriously will,have to try to get struffoli for Easter when you get back to LI!! Something to totally look forward to now 🙂 xoxo!!
pfchico says
Great pictures! I love the looks of your dessert. WOW! That looks amazing.
My recent post Low Fat Frozen Yogurt Pops
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much and I told you I still had a few things left over and that is one of them. Cannot resist picking on those not one bit!! 🙂
Camille says
Aww, the girls look so happy and excited opening their presents! So sweet. 🙂
Good luck finding a happy medium with blogging, definitely don't burn yourself out!!
My recent post Tagged! Christmas Style
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Camille and I seriously am a work in progress and will be taking some time in the next few days to try to figure it out a bit more now.
Stephanie says
It looks like you guys had an incredible Christmas, especially the girls!
My recent post Christmas 2013
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Stephanie and hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!! 🙂
Kristina & Millie says
Merry Christmas 😉 glad it was AWESOME for everyone!
My recent post Last Snickerdoodle Sunday for 2013!!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much to you both and hoping your Christmases were just as good and even better!! 🙂
cgacad says
janine, it looks like you and the family had such a magical christmas! wishing you an enjoyable rest of the year and looking forward to more from you in 2014!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Catherine and hoping you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, too. And wishing you a very, Happy New Year, as well!! 🙂