To be young again!

 (Courtesy of Pottery Barn Kids)

I read a blog on the Times Union page this morning (very interesting) about a woman who was walking through Target and noticed a kids toy that she really liked. This reminded my of a similar experience I had this weekend. I just started doing my Christmas shopping (as most of you know from my last blog) and as I was in Pottery Barn trying to find something that my mom already doesn't have and I was intrigued with the  toys in the window so I took a look inside. The toys that I found in this store were ridiculous! They had Dyson vacuum cleaners, stainless steal sinks and $50 fake baking sets for ages 3+! Now, I would be lying if I said I didn't get everything I wanted when I was little, being daddy's little princess, but my toys were much less extravagant. But now looking back my favorite memories are not tied to toys but more about the activities my brother and I would create to keep us occupied. I remember pulling apart the cushions of the couch and riding them down our stair case onto the landing where we piled up all of our pillows off our bed.
Oh how I would go back to this time in my life when from the moment I woke up to the time when I lay my head down to rest the only thing I had to worry about was when Rugrats was on T.V. or if my neighbor could come play hop scotch with me. What I wouldn't do to go back to such a simple life! Grow up slow!

Happy Friday!

(I really wish I was here right now!!!!) 

Today is the day! I have finally decided to do some Holiday shopping! I have already finished half of my done online, had to pay ridiculous prices in shipping but it beats fighting the crowds at the mall! As I was sitting here thinking of who I had to purchase gifts for, I was thinking how hard it must be to be married with a family, then the gift giving must get insane! I really only have to worry about my mom, dad and brother, which is just about enough for me to handle. I commend those people who think of gifts for everyone! I certainly don't have enough patience or creativity to think of gifts for everyone. I can barely think of something to get my brother! That kid has everything from iPads to beats audio head phones. So what I have been preaching about I am actually going to practice. I am thinking about getting something we could do as a family and donate to a charity in our name. We are fortunate enough to have each other and we don't need anything else! We usually take a family cruise together every Christmas, but this year we didn't know what every ones schedule would be like so we couldn't book a trip. I sure could use a vacation right about now. But even just getting some time off to spend with my crazy family will have to do this year, and I am completely satisfied with that :)

What's next...Christmas?!?

With Thanksgiving over, Christmas is right around the corner! My neighbors have already hung their Christmas lights, radio stations are already playing Christmas music and retail stores have already stocked all of their shelves with Christmas decorations. This got me thinking about what the Christmas season has really turned into? It seems as though the retail industry has turned Christmas into purchasing the best gifts and the newest products. I am almost disgusted when I see people standing outside department stores on Black Friday waiting to plow each other over when the doors open, meanwhile they could be spending their time at home with their families whom they probably only get to see on the holidays.

My Facebook updates are full of what everyone got on Cyber Monday! As per my previous post, to me the holidays are not about receiving, I look forward more to spending time with my family! For the past couple of years instead of giving gifts we have gone on a cruise together. I think that is what everyone should do! Because at the end of the day, the Coach purse or Marc Jacobs sunglasses will go out of style but your family will not!