We (I) Needed a Little Christmas...

This year, our home hosted the last interview dinner again. We LOVE hosting anything, and it gave me huge motivation to get our Christmas decorations up earlier (i.e. a whopping three weeks before Christmas). It was no small feat as this was our biggest tree yet! Shout out to my mom the OG of "I decorate my tree with a ladder". 

After filling our home with more poinsettias and pine than should be allowed, rearranging the ornaments that the kids placed on the lower branches, and deflecting snow-globe sabotage (I'm looking at you, Natey)...my heart was overflowing with holiday joy. 

Finished!! I told Little Nate the snow globe wasn’t going on the tree and then he tried to sabotage my mantle. #YouTriedIt #JohnsonChristmas 😂🎄🎅🏾

A post shared by Jasmine Johnson, MD (@mrsmommymd) on Dec 9, 2017 at 12:53pm PST

All of the decorations even transformed Isabelle into a Nutcracker ballerina...

I think I know what her new activity will be in 2018 ;-) 

Later that night, we headed to the home of two of my co-residents for our resident holiday party. This was actually the first one I made it to because we either didn't have a babysitter or were out of town. It was a lot of fun!

The found the desserts!

Also, 6 of the 7 members of my class were there, which NEVER happens since one of us is always on call.

Class of 2018, minus one (home sick with her little)

Fast forward to Christmas Eve....

I mentioned in my last post, on the 23rd my parents AND Grammy made the drive down (!!!).  This was a big deal because this was her first Christmas since my Grandaddy died. We knew she would be sad, but didn't want her to be alone. She can be stubborn, but she agreed this time. My little bro also flew in from Chicago - the other two had a wedding and had to work back at home so they could not make it. Missed you guys!

I was feeling under the weather and kind of like a Scrooge all week because I had been working a ton. When I got home on Christmas Eve, it was around 9PM. The cookies were already made and Nate had gotten all of the gifts ready the day prior without me - also because I was working.

I stayed up to set out the presents. I think this may be our Natey's last Christmas believing in Santa. He wrote him a letter saying he still believed even though a lot of his friends didn't. Be still my heart....

Uncle Carey wrote a letter back to Natey - because he would recognize his parents' handwriting, obviously...

No one got dressed until dinner, and then I went right to bed. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but man, nothing beats having family around for the holidays. My heart was so full.

Tuesday, it was back to the Onc service for me. It was a bummer to work Christmas week, but being at work also put things into major perspective. Some of our sweet patients could not go home for Christmas, despite this, they were grateful to be alive, and some knew they were spending their last Christmas here on Earth.

This year was rough, but it's important that I don't let being tired push me away from seeing opportunity for gratitude in all things, choosing compassion, remembering my purpose, and seeing the good in all people.

It may be January tomorrow, but I'm going to keep the Christmas Spirit going a little while longer...

 

Holiday Fun with Little Doebahyou! **Review**

This week my kiddos and I had the pleasure of reviewing a monthly kids' activity box by Little Doebahyou. Little Doebahyou, developed by two sisters born in Liberia and raised in the United States, seeks to educate children about the rich traditions in Africa and the African Diaspora. Through colorful illustrations, fun activities, and informational cards they introduce us to cultures thousands of miles away from the comfort of our own home - with an adorable passport book to document your "travels"! 

They were so excited to open a box under the tree early!

The box starts with warm wishes from the Little Doebahyou team to get you excited about the contents inside. Our box was holiday themed and focused on holiday traditions around the world.

In addition to a huge poster map, the adorable Little Doebahyou travel case was loaded with A TON of items.

From the company's website...

Every month, we carefully select each item in the Little Doebahyou box to ensure that you and your child have a fun, authentic cultural and educational experience. Each box includes one pen-pal letter from Grear & Guaye, one country passport stamp sticker, one fact sheet regarding the country of the month, one country flag, one map of the country,  three cultural activities, one cooking activity, and one journal activity.  

Your first subscription package also serves as an intro kit, and will include one passport, one travel journal, one sheet of decorative journal stickers, one box of colored pencils, one pen, one luggage tag, and one suitcase.   

The activities were super fun for the kids and easy to do. In one sitting, we made Christmas wreath (US) ornaments and decorated a Jankunu mask (Belize). Later this week we will make the Santa Berries treat (South Africa) and do an Amigo Secreto (Brazil) gift exchange. So cool!

Jankunu mask coloring 

Wreath ornaments!

It felt awesome to get away from screen time and do such an easy learning activity for the whole family! Little Doebahyou is a great year-round gift idea for the littles in your life. Check out their site for one-time or subscription options.

***My family received a free box for review, but I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own***