Happy Friday. It’s hard to believe that Christmas is one week away. In some ways this holiday season has felt extra long and festive because decorating and shopping started so early but in other ways it feels so not like the week before Christmas…especially because I don’t have plans to see my family.

Finn left this morning to spend a week with his dad after being with me for a little over two weeks. We have been way off of our regular schedule for the last month or so. Let’s just say that pandemic co-parenting has been tricky in many ways on both sides in ways ranging from making childcare decisions to possible exposures to quarantines and more!

I’ll get Finn back on Christmas Day around noon and I’m very grateful that I’ll get to see him and spend time with him on Christmas! <3

The first thing that I did when Finn left was go for a run. It always helps me to make the shift energetically of not having him with me. It was a perfect day for a run. Abundant sunshine and low 40s. I wore shorts, long sleeves, a vest and gloves and felt just right for the whole six miles. It was an awesome run and I ran both my neighborhood and the trails and listened to a podcast episode from In Your Feelings and Taylor Swift’s new album.

I very much enjoyed the last couple of weeks with Finn. He is at such a fun age right now and so sweet, affectionate and full of personality. He’s also starting to talk in full sentences and is getting more into interactive play. One of his new favorite things to say is, “Mommy, come play with me.” He tells me exactly where to sit and what to do. It’s very cute.

The car obsession is here to stay. I gave Finn this set of 20 Hot Wheels Cars last week as an early Christmas present. When he comes home on Christmas Day I’m going to have this launch and loop raceway put together for him and he’s going to lose his mind…and I’m probably going to lose mine because I’ll be racing cars with him nonstop for the foreseeable future. 😉

We baked cupcakes together this week and Finn had a great time playing with the sprinkles. I’m not a neat baker to start with and baking with a two year old resulted in quite the messy kitchen but it was totally worth it for how much fun we had.

Here’s our finished cupcakes. For the cake I used the recipe on the back of Hershey’s extra dark cocoa powder and I winged the frosting. It was a hybrid buttercream/cream cheese.

I did get out of the house one night for a holiday dinner out. I forgot that I had this skirt in my closet and it seemed like a good time to wear it. I can’t decide what I think about it but what I do love is the black mock turtleneck bodysuit that I am wearing in this photo and the layered gold necklace (it’s all one piece). I never thought I was a bodysuit kind of girl but I got this one at Nordstrom Rack and I love how clean the tuck is with a bodysuit!

(Note the Hot Wheels cars in the background, haha.)

There was one day this week that it rained all day and didn’t get above the mid-30s. I knew Finn would have serious cabin fever if I didn’t find a way for him to run out some of his energy so I took him to tot time at a nearby gymnastics gym. They have a $5 drop in every day. It’s not a formal class and it’s unstaffed but you get full access to the gym.

It was SO MUCH FUN…for both me and Finn! I cannot wait to go back! It was an incredible facility and I actually want to sign Finn up for a toddler gymnastics class there when he turns three! Finn was moving nonstop for the whole hour that we were there and when we got home he refused lunch and wanted to go straight up for his nap. Mission accomplished! 🙂

We bundled up and got in the back yard as much as we could. It is crazy how kids don’t seem to feel the cold like we do! I have to beg Finn to put a jacket on and forget a hat or gloves. I guess it makes sense when I watch him out there. He literally never stops moving, exploring and playing.

I also recruit Finn to do household chores with me like laundry and vacuuming and try to turn them into a game for him. I’ll give him his socks to sort when we’re doing laundry and this mini Dyson has been a hit since he could walk!

Here’s a flashback from exactly one year ago!

The furry ones had a great week too. In this photo they are relaxing outside of Finn’s bathroom while he was in the bath after we all ran around in the yard and threw the ball for a long time one afternoon.

I’m grateful that Finn gets to spend time with his dad this coming week but I’m already counting down the days until I get him back in these PJs and get to sing Christmas songs on Christmas night!

Thanks for turning in for this most random but fun to write end of the week update. I hope that you guys have a lovely weekend!

QUESTIONS

What are you giving your toddlers for Christmas this year?

Are you doing any holiday baking this weekend?

How are you guys feeling/doing in general? This is such a strange holiday season. <3