Don’t you just want to throw something at me for even suggesting it’s time to think about the holidays? I almost walked out of Target a couple of weeks ago because I couldn’t bear to see the red and green everywhere. Then the holiday music channels started on the radio and it was enough to drive me over the edge.

I wasn’t always this way. In absolute truth, if there was a crazy cat lady equivalent for Christmas, it would be me. I grew up loving the anticipation of the season, the noise, the gatherings, the food… If you have been around here any length of time, you know I’ve written about our family Christmas history before. Somewhere along the way, when my step-kids were about the age that my twins are now, I lost the feeling for the season. The to-do lists were out of control. The gift wants were out of control. The people and the noise made me feel like the Grinch surveying Who-ville.

Christmas, kids, lagniappeadrienne robideauxNovember 9, 2017kids, Christmas, family holidaysComment

the magic of christmas

Christmas, kids, lagniappeadrienne robideauxDecember 1, 2016kids, Christmas, advent, family holidaysComment

family holidays: pictures with santa

When I started dating my future husband, his children were seven, five, four, four, and 2 ¾. I had met each of the kids maybe once or twice when I found myself in line to see Santa at the Nordstrom flagship in downtown Seattle. Now, if you live in a city with kids, you totally know the chaos of waiting in line to see Santa at a department store. It takes forever. Forever. Like best ride at Disneyland forever. And here I was in a new relationship with a man with five children under the age of eight waiting to see Santa. It was a bit surreal.

lagniappe, kids, Christmasadrienne robideauxDecember 16, 2014family holidays, kids, christmasComment

family holidays: christmas cards

I’m a little late on this post. If I had it together, I would have posted this in October when I was trying to decide which Christmas cards to send out. But that is ok because this post is not about what Christmas cards you should make or buy. It is about why you should make or buy something, anything, and send it right away.

lagniappe, Christmasadrienne robideauxDecember 8, 2014family holidays, kidsComment

family holidays: book-a-day

Years ago, my friend Sharon shared several of her family Christmas traditions that I thought were just genius. My favorite was her story-a-day tradition. As she packed up Christmas decorations after the holidays, Sharon would wrap all of the kids’ Christmas books in leftover paper. The wrapped books were pulled out at the beginning of the following December and her kids opened one book per day to read together before bedtime. Brilliant. Wrapping things the kids already owned? Reading a Christmas story together at the end of the day? What’s not to like?

Christmas, kids, lagniappeadrienne robideauxDecember 4, 2014kids, family holidays, christmas, booksComment

family holidays: stockings

For the last several years (read: since we got married), my husband has been trying to get me to tone down the Christmas gifts. I try, really, I do. But sometimes I forget what I’ve already bought then feel like I have to “make it even”. Sometimes it isn’t even me that makes the tree look like Santa has dropped his entire toy load in our living room. It’s simply the fact that we have seven kids and they have five grandparents on our side of the family alone plus cousins and aunts and uncles and godparents. It isn’t much different than when I was growing up. Lots of kids equals lots of gifts, even if you personally don’t buy a whole lot.

kids, Christmas, lagniappeadrienne robideauxDecember 1, 2014kids, family holidays, christmasComment

family holidays: elf on a shelf

The Elf on a Shelf is everywhere these days. It makes me kind of sad to see all of the products on which our elf’s face have been plastered. My kids, of course, think it is the coolest thing ever. “Look, Mom! I just saw Felix!” I still love our elf. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Felix Navidad.

lagniappe, kids, Christmasadrienne robideauxNovember 26, 2014kids, christmas, elf on a shelf, family holidays Comments

family holiday: crafting with kids

It is fair to say that I am on Pinterest all the time. This time of year is no exception as the anticipation of the holiday season begins. I really try to get my shopping and meal planning for Christmas done before Thanksgiving so that I can enjoy making things with my kids during the holidays. I also spend some time planning out and preparing for specific crafts so that the kids have an easy and festive craft-break afterschool.

lagniappe, kids, Christmasadrienne robideauxNovember 24, 2014kids, family holidays, craft, adventComment

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