YIKES.
Has it really been almost two weeks since I checked in here?? Hello? Hello? Anyone still out there?
I mean, I knew I was in need of a little time away from the blog and social media, but I honestly didn’t plan on taking THAT long. Apparently I needed it though, so it is what it is and here we are. Happy 2019 to YOU!
Did you guys have a great holiday season? We were blessed with a really, really great Christmas this year; the boys are at such a fun age, so they were totally into everything. But I will say, I am SO happy to be getting back into a regular routine once again!
We actually kicked off the holidays the Friday before Christmas by hosting our first (and hopefully annual!) adults-only neighborhood Christmas party. Winter always keeps everyone cooped up and we don’t get to see our favorite neighbors nearly enough in the colder months. Plus, it was so nice to be able to have a conversation without being interrupted or worrying about what your kiddo might be up to in the next room. These people, man. Just the best.
Fast forward a bit to Christmas Eve, which we spent at home and had some fun baking and decorating Christmas cookies throughout the day (when Lucas realized we didn’t have any to leave for Santa).
My mother-in-law came over later in the evening, and we all shared a nice dinner, followed up with a showing of the Polar Express and Christmas Chronicles (on Netflix).
By the way, has anyone else caught the Christmas Chronicles movie on Netflix?? I swear, if I had a dollar for every time we’ve watched that movie, I’d be a rich woman. Alex became OBSESSED with it and still continues to ask for it on a daily basis. It’s actually a cute movie though, and I’m still catching new bits and pieces every time we turn it on.
We finished up Christmas Eve by putting out our cookies and milk for Santa and spreading out all of our reindeer food. Oats and glitter for dayyyyys.
Christmas day was filled with presents, family, and fun, and I swear, being able to watch their eyes light up come Christmas morning just gets better and better (and never gets old).
Our living room floor basically became non-existent after what seemed like about five minutes…
And the boys made out with some pretty neat new toys (which I’m still working on trying to find space for…!).
The Little Tikes STEM Junior Wonder Lab was a hit with both boys, as I suspected, but I immediately regretted my decision to do “snow making” as our first experiment.
I’m pretty sure we were vacuuming up snow for days…
But I meeeean, that face…pure happiness. How can you say no? : )
As for the rest of our Christmas break, we really didn’t have a whole lot planned (which, note to self, future breaks from school/daycare are definitely going to require a little more structure and planning. Because sure enough, two days in and my child is complaining of boredom. Yeppp…a house full of new toys but he was just “so bored” and didn’t know what to do. Ayyyy yi yi, kiddo!)
The day after Christmas we enjoyed our last Christmas celebration over at my parents’ house, where the boys were spoiled all over again.
We played outside any chance we could get (aka, if it was dry and not freezing cold), because we all needed some fresh air, and they needed to be able to just MOVE!
I worked on cleaning up the basement a bit to make room for some of our new stuff, and also have a “working” pile of toys that need to be donated or sold.
I also ended up starting a new Fitness Blender workout program, which I’m SUPER pumped about. After having tried their FB Strong program, and their FB Mass program (love both of them), I decided to give their FB Burn program a shot. I’m almost through week 1, and it seems to be a great mix of HIIT and strength, along with some pilates, too.
After weeks of riding the sugar and alcohol train, my body is craving getting back into a regular food/exercise routine!
And we also rung in the new year with our neighbors, John and Tal, and their kiddos, which was an awesome time as always.
So there we have it, I think we’re pretty much caught up!
I feel like I still have yet to really even sit back and reflect on 2018, let alone, come up with any sort of plans or goals for 2019. I know I have thoughts and ideas, for all aspects of my life, and my hope is that I’ll be able to get them all together and share them with you guys soon (because what sort of blogger would I be if I didn’t share my new year goals?). ; )
As for the blog, if there is anything in particular you guys are hoping to see/see more of for 2019, PLEASE let me know!! I always truly value your input <3
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I’d love to hear more about your workouts and scheduling them into a busy day.
Kimberly says
I really enjoy your blog! I will read anything you post 👍
Melissa says
Hi Courtney! Love your blog and have been reading for years :) I’d love to know more about the Fitness Blender programs I’ve never tried it. What weights do you need at home to do the Strength program? Do you supplement your workouts with anything else? I always loved the what I ate in a day posts and any new baking recipes :)
Katie says
Hi Melissa, I bought the FB Strong program after Courtney’s blog post and used 10 and 15 lb weights. I do wish I had a slightly lighter set (maybe 7.5 or 5) and maybe a set of 20’s for a few of the moves (like less than 5 over the whole course) but overall the 10 and 15 seems to work just fine. Hope that helps :)
Melissa says
Ha I too was on the sugar/alcohol train and this week sure felt good to get back to a normal routine.
I always love reading your outfit posts!
Happy New Year!
Stacey says
That’s so funny … I also just started the FB Burn program lol. I decided I wanted to try something different, so I gave it a go and so far, so good. I actually purchased FB Burn and FB Mass during Fitness Blender’s Black Friday sale which was a great deal. I’m excited that they’re coming out with a new program soon too – I’m really loving their workout style and the face that I can get in a really great workout in the comfort of my own home.
Also … in terms of content for your blog, I’ve always really liked your fashion posts (it gives me inspiration, even if I’m working from my own closet), as well as meal/dinner ideas and the like. I also really like day-in-the-life posts (because *nosy* lol). I’ve really just enjoyed everything you’ve shared over the years … you’ve always stayed true to who you are, what you’re interested in, how you’ve evolved, etc. I really resonate with that and I think that’s what has kept me tuned in to your blog for so long now.
Lauren says
I’d like to see more of the meal planning posts you used to do. And some more parenting/kid stuff. I have two boys three years apart. You’re about 1.5 years ahead of me – so I like seeing a little glimpse of what’s to come haha. :)
Leslie says
It looks like you had a nice holidays! Ever since you mentioned Jay’s father passing every time I see your MIL on the blog I always think of how she’s doing. She seems so sweet so I hope her holidays were great as well.
Shashaqueefa says
Hope you had a very happy holidays! I’d like to see more pictures of the food you eat! Mine food is usually out of a box, can or hand!
Emily says
Love your WIAW posts and honest posts about life, fitness, food, etc. I also like day in the life and outfits! Happy New Year! :)