Holiday Fun (Every Other Weekend)

There is so much to do and see at the holidays, and with two working parents, it can be difficult to do things during the week.  That leaves the weekends.  There are already a limited number of holiday weekends, but when you are a stepmom, you probably don't get all of them with your child.  Joe and I get Maya every other weekend, so we will have to prioritize our activities.  Here's a list of the top events/activities we'd like to fit in this holiday season:

1. Santa

Of course, enough said.  You've got to have the annual picture with Santa, all dolled up in holiday attire.  I am hoping that this year she will be less fearful and more excited.  There probably aren't many years left that she'll be a believer, so it would be nice for her to at least look forward to seeing Santa once.

2. Christmas Lights

Kids young and old can appreciate the beauty of holiday lights and there are some really fantastic displays in and around Atlanta this time of year.  Last year we went to Lights of Life at Life University in Marietta.  It was miles of beautiful Christmas scenes in thousands of lights.  It was really something to see and we all really enjoyed it. 

This year, I think we'll try something different.  Joe is a big fan of Stone Mountain and I haven't had the pleasure of seeing their Christmas lights in about 4 years, so that would be exciting.  With more than 2 million lights in the village and on the roads of the tree covered mountain, it's certainly a sight to see. 

3. SNOW Fun

But perhaps we'll make a day of it and go to Snow Mountain first.  In it's third year, Snow Mountain features a snow-packed mountainside and action-packed excitement. With over five football fields of frosty joy, including 20 lanes of tubing we can zoom down the 400-foot hill in our family-sized tubes, or go it alone as a single rider. From snowman building to snowball shooting, tubing to togetherness, there is loads of fun to be had for everyone!  I've never participated in the Snow Mountain activities, but have long desired to go.   Plus, if it's anything like last year, this may be the only snow we see all year.

 4. Gingerbread House

We bought one of these last year and never had the time to make it.  Hopefully with better planning, we'll be able to complete the one I purchased this year.  I like cooking with Maya, but once the batter is mixed and put into the oven, there's a lot of waiting and not a lot of eating.  With the Gingerbread House, we'll have lots of things to snack on while we build our Christmas Decor masterpiece (right before we eat that too).

5. Visiting Family

As if it needed to be said.  This holiday season, we will spend one of our precious weekends at Grandma's house for family food, fun and PRESENTS!!  Maya will get to see and play with her cousins and be doted on by the grandparents.  Should be a great time!

That's likely all we'll have time for this holiday season, and I certainly hope we can fit it all in this year!  Hoping we have some great memories this Christmas!

Happy Holidays!