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It's Been a Busy Fall, Surgery, Birthdays, Travel, and a PhD...

Whew!  It's almost over, but I can't really breathe yet.  Not until after Christmas.  Why?  All three of my kids have birthdays between Halloween (actually on Halloween), until three days after Christmas.  I have two down, one to go, plus Christmas.  Boy this has been a busy season!  This post may contain affiliate links, and here is a link to my updated privacy.

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The Hollywood sign!  Link to my jeans, and my shoes

Surgery

At the end of September, I had a preventative mastectomy.  All is well, but it has been endless doctors appointments, and healing.  I have a wonderful support group, and a great community that rallied around us, bringing food, and hanging out with me.  I am so appreciative!

If you like this post, I think you will like my posts explaining why I had a mastectomy, surgery and recovery.


Birthdays


Then, we had my son's birthday. I still wasn't quite back to normal, so my sister in law, and one of my BFF's, hosted his birthday for us.  All the emoji.  It was a super fun night.  He said the saddest thing when I was recovering, all he wanted for his birthday was to snuggle and hug mommy again.  THAT one made me cry, but I am happy to report that we did it!



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PhD


Next up?  The PhD.  Dude, it took 7 years.  I am not complaining, my sweetheart worked a full time job and had three kids.  It seemed impossible at times, but he never missed a vacation, a school share time, or anything else that we needed.  We are so happy that it is done, and he is busily planning what hobby he wants to try. HA!  Poor guy.



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Travel



Then we went to California to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with family in La Jolla. Then he had to work in Northern CA.  The kids and I stayed and went to LA to visit my family too!  It was pretty last minute, and I was so happy to see everyone!  The gorgeous weather makes me never want to leave.  We spent a ton of time outside (and tried hiking which if you follow me on Instagram you know that it did not go well...)  I happily ate my weight in acai bowls, and green smoothies.  Sigh, I love California cuisine.

We went to Disneyland and did some really fun things at the Bibbity Boppity Boutique that I cannot wait to share with you!

Now we are home and just celebrating the littlest's fifth birthday (excuse me while I cry in the corner).  The girls decided that they didn't want parties and preferred the Disneyland fun, so that made it a bit easier!

I think you will like this post about how we ditched birthday parties...


Last night I ordered Christmas on Amazon.  All the things.  A couple of years ago, we decided to simplify Christmas, and we are not going back.  They get four gifts from Santa, (something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read), and one gift from us.  DON'T worry, they get plenty of stuff.  That's why we did it, it was just too much stuff.  Remember we also have three birthdays around the same time.  My son is getting his favorite socks for wear it...







And from us, our oldest is getting a build your own computer kit (great reviews and looks super easy).  We thought it would be fun to do with Daddy as a hobby!





This post explains how we simplified Christmas.



Daddy has his graduation in a couple of weeks and we are so excited!  Check back for more fun from Disneyland and my top picks for things to do in La Jolla with kids!



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