Travel: Nashville Over Christmas Break

The trio's winter break was shorter this year, as compared with past years. We usually plan a trip over the break, but given the smaller window we decided to stay home and just enjoy the holidays.  

But then we got antsy. We started planning a day trip to Nashville, but the plan kind of grew to more of a quick, three day trip. Skip located the all-important, indoor pool, and the trio had a good time swimming in the indoor/outdoor space. We explored the city by checking out the Parthenon and Vanderbilt University. We had lunch at the Gaylord Opryland, and the girls did a little shopping.  

Fun fact: We really wanted to take Pixie, but Skip was certain that the hotel (one he has frequented many times for work) did not allow pets. When we arrived, we saw a guest maneuvering THREE small dogs across the parking lot and into the hotel! Later observations revealed that there were numerous pets at the hotel. Skip was in some trouble with the fam until we read the pet policy, which stated that excessive barking would result in a $250 fine per incident. Basically, Pixie at the hotel would have bankrupted our family within the first hour. Skip went from being a "hater" to an exceptional money manager quickly.  

Second fun fact: We quickly realized that we have never been in a hotel or group lodging situation on New Years Eve. Things were festive and very loud! 

We love a generous breakfast situation. 

Vanderbilt

Exploring the Parthenon

Lunch at Jack Daniels

Opryland

Loved the indoor/outdoor pool

This was a perfect trip, and we're so glad to have worked it in. 

Christmas Break

The trio had some extra days off after New Year's Day, and we enjoyed some hibernation time while doing some of our favorite things. 

We cautioned Lauren and Grace about this, and the time has arrived. This year they have had no extra time for recreational reading. Their assigned reading, homework and projects have kept them busy, leaving little or no time to read just for fun. They have missed it, and George has been busily reading through the Harry Potter series. 

Santa brought George cowboy boots for Christmas, and he has been wearing them everywhere, even out to lunch.  

William George was my big helper taking the tree down, and he was kind enough to pose with a special ornament he made this year at school.  

We took Skip's advice about "dialing back" on the nightly bedtime and began getting up early. While part of me wanted to fly wildly into that first day back, we were glad to get adjusted, and we enjoyed the upside of having such long days for our last days off. 

George's second grade teachers are so awesome. At their Christmas party, they passed out a ziplock bag filled with various science experiences that students could perform at home over the break. This proved to be fun for the whole family. 

Shown below: does a candy cane dissolve fastest in cold, warm or hot water? What is your hypothesis? 

Fast: Cold water

Faster: Warm water

Fastest: Hot water

We loved enjoying the last few days of freedom but are ready to get back in the swing of things. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everybody!  

Are you ready for 2018?

Lauren definitely is. She already has her planner organized, and she has made lots of resolutions.  

We have decided to make January our "power month" and are especially focused on making each Monday in January "power Monday".  

  

Whatever you resolve for 2018, we wish you the best!                           

Christmas Day, 2017

William George was the first to wake on Christmas morning, and Skip heard him start coming down the stairs at 6:03am. Because my mom had spent the night on Christmas Eve, she was able to intercept George and stall him until 7:00am. We had to do our yearly pose a the top of the stairs, and then we did a little riff where I had mom pretend to knock them out of the way to get to the tree first. HA!

Santa had indeed stopped by and been much too generous in leaving behind many things we needed and several things we had wanted.  

Pixie watched on the whole time, remembering when she was the "it" gift sensation three years ago.  

Grandparents were much too generous, as usual.  

Finally, some love was shown to Pixie in the form of an homage.  

We had our traditional brunch, and Gran and Poppa left later in the morning for Atlanta. We tried to restore some order, examine gifts, play with some things and, later, prepare for dinner.  

Christmas, 2017, you were amazing!