Recently, I started a part-time job. I’m loving it. And, it has to do with blogging. Get this…I work for another blogger! It’s really fun, and she is such a sweet person and has like 5 million more followers than me or something. So, I’ve learned a lot too! In the process though, I’ve also been looking at a lot of crafts, DIY projects, and holiday home tours. I can now say that looking at pinterest is part of my job. “Yeah, honey. I’m working.” wink wink.
So, when you spend a lot of time looking at pretty and perfect things all day, you can start to feel a little bit loser-ish. I’ve even been tempted at this insanely busy time of year to go to Michael’s and purchase items for crafts!! Ahem, I don’t do crafts, remember? Except for this time. And, this one. But, still, everyone makes it all look so simple! Sure, I can make a reindeer statue out of styrofoam. Really, I can.
One thing I’ve noticed right now is the trend toward holiday home tours. I love them. I’m one of those weird people that if you leave your blinds open with the lights on at night, I can’t help but look in. Creepy!! So, a holiday home tour to peek inside someone’s house is right up my alley. But, these homes are AMAZING. Don’t have a clue what I’m talking about? Search for holiday home tour on Pinterest. You’ll catch on quick. But, the amazingness of some of these homes might leave some of you feeling inadequate. If so, then this post is for you!
So, I thought I would do a little Perfection Pending holiday home tour. I’m going to title it, “I have 3 small children 7, 4, and 2 living here…what more can you expect?” K, so the title needs a little work, but anyway, you get the idea. And, get ready for some low quality photos too. Excited!?
Let’s start with our lights on our Christmas tree. Lovingly Hastily hung by my husband with care at 11 pm at night when I said I was too tired to help.
Next, I’ll take you to another fun corner of the house where I shove all the stuffed animals that make annoying noises. I hope the kids won’t notice them and drive me to insanity. There are only so many times you can hear jingle bells by a penguin puppet’s animated voice.
From there, I’ll show you how we hung our stockings this year. We have an awesome wrap around fireplace, but no mantel, so they were hung on our fireplace screen. Talk about creative!
There’s the gingerbread house we made. 
Candy has been eaten, and the roof is now missing, but you can use your imagination for that.
We’re really good at keeping track of how many days are left until Christmas, too.
I found this little treasure on my window sill in my bedroom. Oops! We’re missing two wheels. I guarantee you we’ll never see those again. But, we’ll still bring out this train from my husband’s childhood every year anyway. That’s how we roll. Or don’t, I should say.
Let’s not forget this wreath I threw in my kitchen window because I didn’t know where else to put it. Looks good with the other “decor” of fresh basil, pacifiers, tylenol, and hand sanitizer.
And, we definitely can’t forget the snowman nativity that got shoved into the cabinet of the end table. Sorry, baby Jesus. I think that’s you upside down in the back….
And, of course, the ornaments….
Cheerios may or may not have been eaten off of this one.
The snowman that used to say, “Ho, Ho”
And, the baby that isn’t mine.
I do love my nativity though. Although, I do wish my stocking hangers had a place to you know…hang stockings.
And, this banner I won on Emily Thomas Writes makes me “believe” that one day I’ll have a picture perfect home. Even if it’s not in this lifetime. There’s that annoying cute little elf.
But, my absolute favorite part, for real…..when I see my tree from the outside of my house. It truly does make me happy. Even if the bottom is a little heavy on the lights and looks like it’s about to catch fire…..
Have a realistic holiday season. It will make us all feel better.
Can I just say I love you even more now? This made me laugh so hard and I needed that today.
PS Can I just say I love that you have a frame for baby’s first Christmas with someone else’s kid. Bwahahaha.
Love this post, much more like my house than like all the beautiful, “perfect” Pinterest posts I’ve been seeing. When you have kids and a job, Christmas is never as picture perfect as the magazines. Thanks for a reality check 🙂
Thanks for the kind comment! 🙂
I love your decorations! They remind me a lot of ours. I think you did the same gingerbread house too!
This is pretty hilarious. I especially like the baby photo that isn’t yours. So funny. I think that we are all chasing the Christmases of our childhood as adults and it isn’t possible.
Thanks Rachel!!
This made me smile – great post 🙂
Thanks!
The ornament with the baby that isn’t yours. Classic. Half of the lights on my mantel are out, and I just haven’t had the motivation to try to fix them or get new ones. It is what it is 🙂
Exactly. We can only do so much right? Getting my 83 Christmas cards sent out this year was a higher priority than making sure that the baby picture in the ornament was changed….
I love this so much
Thanks!! How are you??
I love this! Thanks for being real!! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!! 🙂
Hahahaha. I hope you “Have a realistic Christmas!” too! Especially love the Cheerios ornaments and the half-decorated Santa. This is SO much like every house with little kids. Not exactly what Pottery Barn depicts :).
Thanks Julia! 🙂
This is awesome!! I think my favorite is your keeping track of the days til Christmas. haha!
Yep. And since I wrote this post, we still haven’t added anymore cotton balls. :/
This post cracks me up! In the same boat with 3 kids…. people who do real holiday tours must lock their kids up!
Yes! Maybe that’s the key!! 😉
You are so right! I have yet to send out Christmas cards… 🙁
This is hilarious!! Love it.
Thank you! And, thanks for stopping by!! 🙂
I love it, Meredith! You’re so cool. How are things these days? Sounds like you’re enjoying the job. I miss you! Is that weird since I haven’t actually met you?
Brittany
Things are good…busy, but good. No, it’s not weird! I totally feel close to blogging friends. 🙂
My most real Christmas was when my son was right after my baby started walking. The Christmas tree looked hilarious. The top half was crowded with lights and ornaments because I put ALL of them up there. That’s right. The entire bottom half of our tree was completely bare because I was so afraid he would either eat the ornaments, break them, or chew on the lights and shock himself. Every friend that came by just laughed at me but I didn’t care. My kid was safe and I could go to the bathroom with peace of mind! ?
Haha. yes, I remember those days!
Love the way you roll…or don’t roll. Whole Christmas memories are so much more important than broken Christmas ornaments. Enjoy all that the season has to offer. Merry realistic Christmas to you and yours