Life Lately / December 2024

Sharing a little life lately update with a full recap of December in 2024 on Caitlin Houston Blog.

Life Lately / December 2024

December is the most magical time of the year – and the busiest. I was thrilled to celebrate my first born during the same month as Christmas until we had another December baby. December became crazier with two birthday parties in addition to every other holiday event and tradition on the calendar. I would like to say I slowed down the way I planned, but sometimes life moves faster than we want it to. It’s now January and I am only just sitting down to finish my last Life Lately series for the year. I still want to remember all of the good parts of the month though – so enjoy my recap of December 2024.

Annabelle turns 11

I don’t think I will ever be ready when Annabelle turns another year older. Here we are at 11 years old and she is almost the same height as me. She borrows my clothes, wears my shoes, and is known for sneaking my makeup when she can’t find her own. I adore everything about her – especially the way she quickly retracts her statements when the inner preteen comes out. We celebrated her birthday with dinner at Christo’s, a ride through Hubbard Park’s holiday lights, and a spa/slime themed kids party. We ended her birthday with a front seat to a meteor shower in our own backyard!

Instead of toys, Annabelle received gift cards to Ulta and Barnes and Noble, as well as her first pair of platform Uggs. She still loves playing with her American Girl dolls but is definitely making more of a shift towards big girl to little girl.

Arbor Turns 3

Arbor’s Grinch theme birthday party was a huge hit. She fell in love with the big green guy last Christmas and this year we had to make her birthday about him too. Arbor wore a red Grinch bathrobe from my sister and her family the entire night – which made it all the more silly. A special appearance from the Grinch himself had all of the kids (and adults) in tears.

The Nutcracker and The Christmas Pageant at Church

Nothing says holiday season like The Nutcracker and the real story of Christmas. Annabelle and Ailey performed at The Oakdale in The Nutcracker for the second year in a row. Annabelle was a member of the party scene (as a boy) and Ailey graced the stage in a variation scene! Watching the girls on stage with professional world class ballerinas is so surreal!

Later in December Annabelle and Ailey asked if they could participate in our church’s Christmas pageant. We have never been to the family service since Arbor has had such an early bedtime. But now that she goes to sleep a little later we can attend nighttime services. The girls were the most beautiful angels and it was so amazing to see them sing in front of the entire congregation.

Bad Mom’s Christmas Party and The Polar Express

My daughters’ dance friends Moms have become some of my closest friends over the last few years. I look forward to a few different annual events where we all get together – The Nutcracker, Competition, Nationals, etc. Last year one of the Moms hosted a Bad Mom’s Christmas party (think shot-o-clock a wild Yankee Swap) that’s become one of my favorite nights out with the Moms. This year the same Mom added in a night on The Polar Express. All of our families (minus one who was sick) went out for pizza and then climbed aboard a First Class car to The North Pole. Brandon and I say it was one of the best memories from December 2024!

Other Holiday Traditions and Special Moments 2024

We have so many holiday traditions I look forward to every year. From picking the Christmas tree to the town’s winter celebration, from cookie baking to handing out holiday cheer awards in town – my heart is so full at the end of the month. In addition to traditions, my best friend and her family stopped by on their visit to CT, my Dad and I made holiday swag for the ones we love, and I brought the girls to see Moana 2. It was Arbor’s first time to the movie theater and she cannot wait to go back to see another movie!

Other moments: I painted a winter bird, went to Rose Vineyard with my neighborhood Mom group for a 40th birthday celebration, Arbor making snow angels