I apologize for my absence during this holiday season, but things have been very busy and very festive as of late. I’m sure that you understand.

It is amazing what a little time with your loved ones can do for your spirit, isn’t it?

If that doesn’t fill you with holiday magic, may I suggest a little competitive Pictionary? Seems to work for our family… ahem.

Hope your holiday was just as wonderful as ours was! (All photos courtesy of Edward Winter Photography)

Ever discover something that is so unique and exciting that you just HAVE to share it?

A friend of mine recently introduced me to Rendi. INSTANTLY IN LOVE. Rendi has some of the most beautiful and customizable gifts and home decor items that I have ever seen.

Perfect for the holidays!

The minute I flipped through the catalog and website I started making lists for Christmas. (I’m here to tell you that I could find something for every single person in my life. It has become quite the addiction!) I found gift ideas for my teachers, friends, family members and colleagues.  The fact that each piece is uniquely created for each individual makes it a something that will not soon be forgotten.

A small sampling…

I ordered this beautiful customized “wall tag” on late Monday afternoon and it was completed and shipped by the next day. Talk about service!

Mary Kate Battles is my Rendi stylist. I encourage you to stop by the site today and try it out for yourself!

Note: The last day for regular shipping to get these by Christmas is the 14th, but express delivery is available! And don’t forget that these are also perfect for birthdays, graduation and other life celebrations as well.

Families in the region who are looking for an exciting new holiday tradition need look no further than Christmas on the Potomac at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md.

It is an experience like none other.

We’ve attended Christmas on the Potomac twice (2010 and 2011) and both times our family has been left practically speechless. I’m a  parent of tween boys and trust me when I say that it is getting harder each year to find outings that the whole family can enjoy. That being said, I’m not exaggerating when I say that my kids never want to leave the Gaylord National. (Neither do their parents, truth be told)

But this year, our visit was definitely over the top:

Gaylord has teamed up with Dreamworks to offer “Merry Madagascar,” a two-night one-of-a-kind Dreamworks character vacation. Kids (and adults!) get the opportunity to rub elbows with Po, Shrek, Alex, King Julien and other Dreamworks characters during character breakfasts, scavenger hunts, and wake up calls, ice skating and more.

Have I mentioned ICE! yet? ICE! is a separate interactive indoor wonderland created entirely out of clear, white and colored ice. ICE! continues on with the Dreamworks theame featuring 10 scenes from “Merry Madagascar.” Best part? The two-story ice slide that both kids and adults can enjoy, as well as a sparkling nativity scene made entirely of crystal clear ice. The structure took 40 Chinese artisans 30 days to carve the two million pounds of ice needed for the holiday spectacular. “ICE!” is open daily through Jan. 8, including holidays.

Coupled with Gaylord’s  already extravagant Christmas on the Potomac activities, which include indoor snowfall, simulated Northern Lights and a 7,000-pound Tree of Light, there can be no doubt that it is a magical experience. I highly, highly recommend it!

If you would like more information on the Dreamworks Experience at Gaylord National, ICE! or Christmas on the Potomac, please consult Gaylord National’s website or call (301) 965-4000.

FTC Disclosure: I attended the opening weekend of Christmas on the Potomac as a member of the press for Want2Dish.com. I was not asked to share my experience nor was I compensated in any way for this post. All opinions, videos and photos are my own.

Dear Middle School Teacher,

I am too old for tests. Please, for the love of all that is holy, stop sending home tests for my son to prepare for. Because if HE has to study that means I have to study.

And I don’t want to study.

I’m done with the studying. I’ve paid my dues. Done my time. I’m too OLD, I tell you!

Yet here I sit. Contemplating how to instruct the 12 year old in on how the geographical features of India influenced the development of their civilization. And as much as I appreciate world history, I would much rather spend my evening contemplating Demi and Ashton’s breakup or JLo’s new boyfriend or just, well, anything besides world history.

I’m sure that makes me a bad parent. But at least I’m an honest one.

Sincerely,

Too old for this nonsense

Have you ever been slapped in the face with a reality that you didn’t even know existed? Emotions so raw that you can’t control them when they come bubbling up to the surface?

Unfortunately, that happened to me yesterday morning in front of complete strangers. But more on that in a moment…

The day started out well enough. I was thrilled to attend Hallmark’s Moments Between the Milestones event in Washington, D.C. It was a lovely morning that brought together bloggers from across the area as well as some of the most wonderfully creative minds at Hallmark. (Yep. THAT Hallmark. Some photos here.)

What an honor and a treat to be a part of that crowd!

And it was in front of that crowd, that I had a little breakdown.

We were lead through a writing workshop in which we were to randomly select three words from an envelope to use creatively in a piece of writing. There were no boundaries, only time limitations. We were encouraged to do free flow writing and just let the words take you on a journey.

My three words were MONSTERS… WINDOW… GIGGLE. (Seemed easy enough. I mean, I’d always called the boys “my little monsters” so I felt pretty confident .)

What came out of me was an emotional piece on them growing up…

“They are monsters. Not literally. Well, sometimes. When they try to assert themselves. When they try to be grown up. When they want their own way. Sometimes I don’t even recognize them…. my babies.

They are babies no more.

I remember when they were small. Well, smaller. When they needed me more. When they were little and momma scared away the monsters. We would gaze out the window for hours looking at the sky. Gazing at the rain. Finding animals in the clouds.

I sometimes catch a look or giggle that reminds me of those times and it makes my heart melt.

It is hard to let go, however necessary. We still giggle. We still gaze. But things change. Even the monsters.”

When I was asked to share what I wrote, I had a complete crying jag of a meltdown. In. Front. Of. Strangers.

I know. Not my finest I’ve-got-it-together moment.

I’m sure some in the room were sympathetic. I’m sure some could even relate. I’m sure some thought I forgot my medication.

Looking back on it, I can honestly say that I had NO IDEA I was so emotional about this transition in their/our life. Our daily pace is hectic. There is not much time for reflection. This exercise forced me to acknowledge some feelings that I didn’t realize existed.

Wow. Dare I say, “Thank you Hallmark?”

Yes, I believe I shall. Now, please excuse me while I go hug some not-so-little-anymore monsters…

How about you? Have you ever had a moment or realization about something like this?