JKLOLFAMILY

2020

December

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Happy New Year!

By jklolfamily • On December 31, 2020 • In Holidays, Pandemic • 1 min read

Sayonara, 2020!!! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! lol

2020 will be memorable, that’s for sure. But I think we’re all just so excited to usher in the new year, even while we’re all celebrating at home.

Sure, nothing will really change tomorrow — with the pandemic still ongoing — but it’s at least a symbolic fresh start. And fingers crossed our vaccines will be here soon.

After watching the New Year’s Eve specials (with hardly any people in Times Square) and the fake firework display (no joke!), we are toasting to better days ahead.

Cheers to 2021!

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Let’s get this party started

By jklolfamily • On December 31, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Making our own noisemakers.

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2020 Bingo

By jklolfamily • On December 31, 2020 • In Holidays, Pandemic • 1 min read

My friend sent me this — such a funny game to cap off this wild year! I certainly got a lot of squares marked off. Although I can’t believe it’s been all this time, and I’ve still never tried a “quarantini”!

Also in my defense, I did intend on voting, lol. I thought had requested a mail-in ballot and kept waiting for it to arrive, only to discover after the deadline that the envelop was sitting in a pile somewhere. And the thought of going in person to the polls…you mean….around people?!?! Ahhhh!

“Adopted a pet” was another one I was tempted by. Definitely looked up and found some cute animals available on occasion (prompted by Emily! haha) but thankfully never followed through. Our house is already a zoo!

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More Halloween costumes

By jklolfamily • On December 29, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

This time it was the pumpkin costume that he wore when he was an infant — not even two months old!

Me: “Does it fit?”

Jackson: “Yeah, it fits perfectly!”

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Reindeer…hunt?

By jklolfamily • On December 29, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids, Pandemic • 1 min read

A scavenger hunt for the beautiful pine tree reindeer throughout downtown Wheaton, with Grandma and Aunt Emily.

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Pandemic trick

By jklolfamily • On December 29, 2020 • In Pandemic • 1 min read

Justin has been giving himself haircuts now, but only trimming the hair in the front. The on-screen look!

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Trying to reason

By jklolfamily • On December 28, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Beckham, can you please stop crying? Mommy’s gonna take us home soon.”
Jackson

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He sure is

By jklolfamily • On December 28, 2020 • In Kids, Pets • 1 min read

“Yep, Luc just ate it. Luc is excellent at cleaning up things.”
Jackson

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Busted

By jklolfamily • On December 27, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Daddy’s not using the rolling pin. He’s just using his hands.”
Jackson

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Christmas rooster?

By jklolfamily • On December 27, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Remember that time when Jackson wanted to be a rooster for Halloween? And then changed his mind after I bought all the pieces for the costume? And then I missed the return window and was stuck with an unused rooster costume?

Well Jackson apparently remembered, and decided he wanted to dress up as a rooster today. At least we’re getting some use out of that costume now!

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Hope you like garlic

By jklolfamily • On December 27, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Looks like Jackson’s been cooking again. Why did I buy the jumbo size bottle?! 😩

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Makes sense

By jklolfamily • On December 26, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Jackson, taking off his pants: “I’m gonna go put these in the drying machine.”

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Reflecting on Santa’s visit

By jklolfamily • On December 26, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Santa was all the rage, once he was off our property. Jackson kept talking about his visit from Christmas day.

“But Santa was different,” he said.

Uh oh! Did he notice?! Does he know??

“There was a problem,” Jackson continued. “He didn’t have a beard.”

I don’t know if it was the mask that was throwing him off, or maybe the cotton ball beard is getting sparse, but Jackson seemed to know something was fishy, lol.

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Socially distanced Santa

By jklolfamily • On December 25, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids, Pandemic • 1 min read

Santa and his elves stopped by later in the day with an outdoor COVID-safe visit. Jackson was so excited about it — after the fact — but gave side eye while he was here, lol.

Santa also surprised Jackson with his number one wish from his list — a saxophone!

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Xmas photo redo

By jklolfamily • On December 25, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids, Pets • 1 min read

How could I forget Luc?

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Merry Christmas!

By jklolfamily • On December 25, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

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Santa’s letter, re-made

By jklolfamily • On December 25, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Jackson got a pair of scissors in his stocking.

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Santa came!

By jklolfamily • On December 25, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Bright and early Christmas morning

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Getting ready for Santa

By jklolfamily • On December 24, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

“Should we get some cheese? I bet Santa would love cheese.”
“Is Santa gonna eat ALL the cookies? Will Santa share the cookies?”
Jackson

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Happy Christmas Eve!

By jklolfamily • On December 24, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Home for the holidays #thankscovid

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Making maple syrup

By jklolfamily • On December 24, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

For our not-so-typical Christmas Eve celebration this year, we tapped some maple trees in the backyard, lol

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Adventures of the elf

By jklolfamily • On December 24, 2020 • In Holidays • 1 min read

Here are the hiding spots for our elf’s first year visiting our house.

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Christmas cookie decorating

By jklolfamily • On December 22, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

So many sprinkles…yum!

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My kitchen has been booby-trapped

By jklolfamily • On December 22, 2020 • In Home • 1 min read

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Waiting room selfies

By jklolfamily • On December 22, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

At one of Beckham’s biweekly helmet appointments

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Scenes from the Pandemic

By jklolfamily • On December 21, 2020 • In Pandemic • 1 min read

With online shopping exploding during the pandemic, a new Amazon warehouse opened up nearby. Recently I was driving by and a huge fleet of identical vans were all rolling out — one after another after another. It was the strangest sight — like military vehicles deploying for battle!

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Need sleep

By jklolfamily • On December 21, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

I spent forever digging around the freezer looking for my ice cream. I could have sworn I had some left, but couldn’t find it anywhere. Eventually I found it — in the fridge!

Later that night I also realized that my sweater had been on backwards all day.

Heeeelp!

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In December. In Chicago.

By jklolfamily • On December 21, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Let’s open the sand box. Today’s a good day to play in the sand.”
Jackson

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How did he do that?!

By jklolfamily • On December 21, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

To my surprise, Jackson turned on Mickey Mouse all by himself. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that he — at some point — had also purchased three episodes.

How do they not childproof that part?!

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Snack time

By jklolfamily • On December 20, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

First he wanted something poppy. Then something flat and crunchy. Then something fluffy.

Jackson: “Hmm, what’s fluffy? Let’s go check the pantry.”

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Halloween/Christmas… same diff

By jklolfamily • On December 20, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

“I want to decorate for Halloween every day.”
-Jackson

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Elf on the shelf: Day 5

By jklolfamily • On December 20, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Jackson: “Daddy moved the elephant higher. He moved it from Beckham’s stocking to the tree.”

Daddy?! It’s supposed to be MAGIC!

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Where’s Beckham?

By jklolfamily • On December 20, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Peek-a-boo!

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Can’t fool him

By jklolfamily • On December 19, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Last night Jackson moved the elf — aka the elephant — and hid it himself behind the door in Beckham’s room. This morning when he got up, it was on the table eating a fruit bar.

Jackson: “Who found the elephant behind Beckham’s door? Did someone go in Beckham’s room quietly and get it and put it on the table?”

Me: “Maybe the elf got up and walked downstairs and climbed up on the table?”

Jackson: “Try again, Mommy. Those aren’t the words.”

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Sitting up all by himself now

By jklolfamily • On December 19, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

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Follow him

By jklolfamily • On December 19, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Justin commented how it’s so helpful that Jackson thinks out loud. Case in point:

Jackson runs into the bedroom, says, “Daddy’s sleeping. I’ll be able to get his computer in no time!” and then runs downstairs.

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Ouch

By jklolfamily • On December 19, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Me: “Oooo… that looks so nice. I want to take a bubble bath!”

Jackson: “But Mommy, you’re too big.”

Me: “You think so? You do have a pretty big tub.”

Jackson: “It would break.”

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Silly me

By jklolfamily • On December 18, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Our second day of the elf, and Jackson has continued to call it the elephant, haha. But when I called it the elephant, he corrected me: “That’s not an elephant. It doesn’t even have a trunk.”

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Elf excitement

By jklolfamily • On December 17, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Justin took Jackson downstairs in the morning so I missed his first reaction to our new elf. But when I woke up, he ran to tell me he found the “elephant” lol.

I’m not so sure the magical element has really sunk in yet. He then said, “Now I’ll go hide it and you can find it!”

And he keeps asking if we can play “that game” again tomorrow.

It’s no game… it’s Christmas magic!

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‘I counted the sheep’

By jklolfamily • On December 17, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Jackson came down the stairs saying he had a good nap.

Me: “You didn’t sleep.”

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Maybe next year

By jklolfamily • On December 17, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Me: “Jackson do you want to frost some more trees?”

Jackson: “I’m really busy. I need to watch my show.”

At least we finished a few “trees” for our gingerbread house before Jackson’s schedule filled up.

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Counting down

By jklolfamily • On December 16, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

“I’m waiting for Christmas, Mommy. But waiting is hard.”
-Jackson

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Last night of Chanukah

By jklolfamily • On December 16, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Alllll the candles this time!

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Gingerbread house decorating

By jklolfamily • On December 16, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

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He has arrived!

By jklolfamily • On December 16, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Weeeeee

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The elf is running late

By jklolfamily • On December 15, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Day 2 of Elf on the Shelf aaaaand… I forgot to do it again, lol.

I need to get that thing out of the box right now or it’s going to be Christmas Eve before we start!

I also think I may have been a bit too ambitious with the cleaning idea, too. I told Jackson we needed to clean because the elf was coming, and the best I could get him to do was like four pieces of a toy. And if that’s the best I could get on the first night, it’s only going to dissipate more haha. Worth a shot!

Also Jackson kept asking when the “elephant” was coming. I had to keep repeating, “No, ELF!”

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Deck the halls

By jklolfamily • On December 15, 2020 • In Holidays, Home • 1 min read

Our neighbor down the street really goes all out with the lights. We have to step up our game!

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Rough Start

By jklolfamily • On December 14, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Welp, today was supposed to be the first day of our modified Elf on the Shelf schedule — our Elf’s debut! — and I already forgot to do it. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

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Pinterest Fail

By jklolfamily • On December 14, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

The idea was to have Jackson make a cute holiday wreath out of handprints — a classic!

However things took a turn when he insisted on red finger paint.

Red handprints chaotically smeared all over a piece of paper? Looked more like Halloween horror than Christmas decor!

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20 questions

By jklolfamily • On December 14, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Jackson asking for snacks is like playing a game of 20 questions. He’ll describe what he wants without saying it directly. Today, for example, he asked for “something crunchy or something flat.”

The answer? A cookie, lol.

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Chef Jackson

By jklolfamily • On December 14, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Check out the salad he made for dinner (yes, there is some salad under there!).

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Christmas card photoshoot

By jklolfamily • On December 13, 2020 • In Holidays, Pandemic • 1 min read

Here are some of the outtakes that didn’t make it into our special pandemic-themed Christmas card this year.

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Go Go Christmas

By jklolfamily • On December 13, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

Jackson was obsessed with the the Kidz Bop “Go Christmas” video when he was little, excitedly shaking his fists and saying “go! go!” whenever he wanted to watch it.

And here’s Beckham watching it… also completely enamored!

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Telling Jackson the elf is going away now

By jklolfamily • On December 13, 2020 • In Holidays, Kids • 1 min read

“Santa is gonna be so worried!”
Jackson

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Snow flurry

By jklolfamily • On December 12, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Uh oh, Mommy. There’s not enough snow. There’s only crumbs of snow. Did somebody eat it all?”
-Jackson

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Eek!

By jklolfamily • On December 12, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Can you protect me from stepping on Beckham?”
-Jackson

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Happy Hanukkah!

By jklolfamily • On December 12, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Justin and Jackson lighting the Menorah together.

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Why didn’t I think of that?

By jklolfamily • On December 11, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Beckham was crying and crying at his doctor’s appointment.

Jackson: “Did you bring the baby shusher?”

Me: “Ohhh, no I didn’t.”

Jackson: “Oh, well you need to bring the baby shusher.”

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A game for bubblewrap

By jklolfamily • On December 11, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Step on it and say, ‘Never mind!”

Invented by Jackson.

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No paci? No prob-llama

By jklolfamily • On December 11, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Beckham using his fingers to self-soothe.

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Our new neighbor

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Home • 1 min read

We spotted this little fox hanging out in the woods behind our yard, and he was not afraid of us in the slightest. We crept closer and closer towards the fence, and he just sat there watching us. He didn’t even care when Luc got right up to the fence, although he did start walking away when Luc started barking.

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I don’t think so

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“Can you go back upstairs? I’ll keep an eye on Beckham.”
Jackson

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In the play kitchen

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Jackson: “If you want tape for the orange, just let me know. Plus it’s really important to keep it safe.”

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So. Much. Barking.

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids, Pets • 1 min read

“Luc sure is a loud doggie.”
Jackson

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A winter hike

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids, Pandemic • 1 min read

Jackson brought his backpack and filled it with toys for Beckham — including the Baby Shusher, which worked like a dream!

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Interesting route

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Apparently just going around the tree is not as fun.

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Happy 6 months!

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Half a year already!!! How is that possible?!?!

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Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

By jklolfamily • On December 10, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Jackson had so much fun learning how to play!

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Permission granted

By jklolfamily • On December 9, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

“I’m gonna go ask Mommy. Mommy, can I pretend I’m a doggie sleeping on the couch?”
Jackson

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Elf on the Shelf

By jklolfamily • On December 9, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

I kept debating whether I really wanted to start this holiday tradition… seems like it could be kinda fun, but you do hear parents lament all the work involved in coming up with creative ideas and remembering to move it around every night.

I think pandemic guilt got the better of me — trying to add a little more fun back into this unusual holiday season and this was, at least, something we could do from home. And then fear from all the out of stock items this year led me to impulse buy an elf once I saw one available.

So, I officially committed… eek!

That being said, I am changing the rules a bit for our elf. We’re keeping it simple: Ignoring all the naughty stuff, just moving the elf to a new spot, and only doing it for the 12 days of Christmas.

Plus a new goal — get everyone to clean each night before the elf comes, lol.

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Can you find the real one?

By jklolfamily • On December 9, 2020 • In Pets • 1 min read

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Aww

By jklolfamily • On December 8, 2020 • In Kids, Pandemic • 1 min read

Justin: “I have to go back to work now.”

Jackson: “Don’t worry, Daddy. I hope you can come back soon.”

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Santa, Santa, ho ho ho

By jklolfamily • On December 8, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

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Time to wake up?

By jklolfamily • On December 7, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

We have Jackson’s sound machine programmed so that it changes color and turns green in the morning when it’s OK to get out of bed. Apparently one night it shut off completely so he was confused in the morning.

Jackson: “The light didn’t turn green, and I was asking the triceratops but he didn’t say anything.”

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Checking out the lights

By jklolfamily • On December 7, 2020 • In Kids • 1 min read

Jackson thought it would be a good idea to bring/wear a blanket, haha.

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Tree delivery

By jklolfamily • On December 7, 2020 • In Pandemic • 1 min read

Our Christmas tree has arrived! In full pandemic style… home delivery! I wasn’t sure how it would look after being crammed in a box, but it actually turned out to be a really nice tree. We might have a new yearly tradition, haha.