SCARIEST TIME OF THE YEAR #hellonovember

Sure, Halloween is over, but the scariest time has JUST begun. November 1-January 1 has proven to be the absolute scariest time for our families. The holiday season is officially here!  

Each year, we promised to be done shopping by now, have the kids' toys purged, family photos planned and dinner menus crafted.  YET, small things like Youth Soccer League and Kindergarten have taken up more time than anticipated:  

• Soccer takes more energy for Moms than kids. 
• Home-school Pre-k to local Kindergarten is a *huuuuuuge* (insert D. Trump voice) transition.  
• Adding hobbies to the Soccer season can be fatal. 
• 3 year olds may watch planes fly overhead during soccer game. 
• Shin guards itch, are not easy to find in little kid sizes and get lost every Saturday morning.  
• Soccer cleats should come in BOGO so Mom can protect her toes. 

So, in an effort to get things in order - we will plan to attack all holiday efforts by 12/1. 
(Overzealous, yes! Practical, maybe): 

1. Plan holiday family dinners - location, time and menu. 
   
2. Pick out family card outfits NOW. 
3. Schedule Christmas card pictures, determine recipients and prepare to mail by 12/1.  
4. Purge all toy and learning stations to give away by Week 3 of November, have kids participate. 
5. Decide Christmas decor/lights and tree position, take inventory and set-up on 11/29. 
6. Schedule holiday festivities and purchase tickets in advance. 
7. Do not overbook! 

 It's easy to plan peace on the first of November when all is quiet, the leaves are falling and the sugar from night is still lingering. My challenge is staying on task when the plan goes haywire - when my project deadline is nearing and the client needs more; when the family picture outfits need to be tweaked; when I remember my Wedding Anniversary is in December and the babysitting plans fall through, and most dramatically, when we've made it through December only to be reminded our Mom's birthday is 1/1. 

While it's a scary time, the amazing memories, days of gratitude and lessons we are teaching remind us that we wouldn't be the wives, moms, sisters, daughters without the frantic times of 11/1 to 1/1. 

How do you manage when your calendar takes a hit?