More Than Enough — Los Hicksons

It's the week between Christmas and New Year and we're still listening to Christmas music on repeat in our apartment. The weather is frigid, and we are inside, cozy, stir crazy, silly, and very much looking forward to celebrating the New Year in Philly with our framily.

Our Christmas playlist is full of songs from artists with very different musical styles, from Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, and Hanson (of course), to David Crowder Band, and a new favorte, Christy Nockels. Her Christmas album, The Thrill of Hope, has several standard tunes, and a few originals, one of which contains these lyrics that have stuck with me this week:

“To celebrate all that You have given us
It always ends up more than enough
’Cause we celebrate Your love
And we can hardly wait to gather with our family
To see You’ve blessed us graciously”

Looking back over the past couple of weeks, that is what it feels like. We have been given more than enough. Yes, it was chaotic traveling to Florida November and December, with another trip coming up next week. Yes, it was chaotic hosting out of town guests three separate times over just a few weeks. Yes, it was chaotic planning Lucie's birthday party a week before Christmas. Yes.

And to be honest, I felt exhausted and kind of sad by the end of the day on Christmas. Little thoughts threatening to erase the joyful memories. Did everyone enjoy themselves? Was I too impatient? Could I have been a more gracious host? (yes...) Did we get to really experience the joy and anticipation of the Advent Season, or were we spread too thin? As I sit here in the glow of our (very dry) Christmas tree, I see Lucie's birthday balloon garland on the mantle, mixed in with the Christmas stockings (that we forgot to fill - oops!), and I hear Lucie singing Joy to the World while playing with her new PlayDoh pony set, I know that yes, "it always ends up more than enough". Thank you, Jesus, for your gracious gifts. We have been filled to the overflow spending time with those we love.

Prepping for Lucie's party. We stayed up way past what that clock says, making a balloon garland and a couple dozen delicious cupcakes.

Loooove how this turned out!

Abo and Grandma were in town to celebrate Lucie's THIRD Birthday!

The theme was chosen by Lucie. On the invite we put a spin on the song My Favorite Things: Freshly baked bagels with strawberry cream cheese. Bright big balloons that float up to the ceiling. Blankets to host fun indoor picnicking. These are a few of her favorite things!

One of Lucie's favorite things is to wear mismatched socks, so we had mismatching socks in the favor bags for all of her guests.

A few of the homemade buttermilk cupcakes in the shape of a three. The frosting was buttercream with a strawberry reduction! Thankful that Grandma was here to help get them ready, and that Abo was here to help blow up dozens of balloons.

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY, LUCIE! We love you, fierce little one.

Opening gifts. This was so fun!

A couple of gifts were waiting at home when we arrived from the party. Thanks, Amazon for keeping the party going!

The kids sang at church that Sunday. Lucie and her bestie, Elle weren't the biggest fans of having to perform, even though they both love the song and still sing it.

We ventured out of Manhattan to see a Christmas Concert at the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Came back and had breakfast for dinner at Midnight Diner, one of Rob's favorite places for pancakes.

Lucie's class celebrated her birthday on the actual day, and went all out with Elmo themed decor as per her request! She's so funny!

Abuela arrived just in time to soak up all things NYC Christmas. This is us at Bryant Park in front of the Christmas Tree.

Abuela, Rob and Lucie on the carousel in Bryant Park.

We walked through what felt like every person in NYC to get Chick-fil-a for dinner. It happens to be about midway between Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center, so we took our meal to go and sat in the lower concourse of 30 Rock to eat. We got a prime seat right next to the skating rink where we could see the skaters and the light display across the street on Saks 5th Ave. We even saw someone propose on the ice! She said yes! After that we headed upstairs to see the famous tree itself.

Chick-fil-a is the beeeeest.

Enjoying tea over brunch at Alice's Tea Cup.

Abuela and Bess taking an afternoon break.

One of the first in line on Christmas Eve day at Serendipity for brunch. The Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate with peanut butter was amazing.

Christmas Eve service at church, singing Silent Night.

Santa's helpers taking down Lucie's cardboard house to replace it with a fun teepee.

Lucie taking it all in on Christmas morning. Yes, she's hugging her mouse that our Exterminator gave her as a birthday gift. She named the mouse, Cupcake, because it came in a gift bag with a cupcake on it. Ha!

Opening gifts on Christmas morning.

Love this one that Rob captured of Abuela, Lucie, and me.

Fun socks and fun pj's!

Tantrums can happen at any time, even on Christmas in the middle of opening gifts!

One of my favorite Christmas Day traditions that we started the first year we lived in NYC. Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. We can almost quote the whole thing.