remember that time i had a blog?

Remember it? It wasn't that long ago.

Okay, melodrama aside, my laptop fell ill a couple of weeks ago and despite my incessant need (and stubbornness) to keep babying it along, it finally died. It was at this point I borrowed my sister's old laptop that didn't take long to follow suit. I am totally owning the fact that I'm a computer addict so I found myself a little anxious when there were suddenly no working computers in the house. Thankfully, the holiday season, Ethan and a few other endeavors kept me super busy to the point where this weird computer-less transition became tolerable at best. I can do tolerable. Of course, I missed blogging and writing and nearly fell to my knees in overwhelming joy when I came home one night and my husband presented me with a completely restored laptop.

That's my far too wordy way of saying that I'm back now.

I debated playing catch up but decided to just take things from here. For the most part.

Each year, I like to throw Ethan and his friends a little holiday party. I hold these parties at the park in my parent's neighborhood because the weather is (finally) nice enough to make this happen here in Florida. I thought I kept things simple this year until my mom was super sick and couldn't entertain Ethan while I set up which means I spent two hours chasing a toddler around a park while decorating for his party -- which included cutting Christmas tree shapes into 30 cheese sandwiches. I'm usually one to shun the "Super Mom" title but, dude, I earned it after getting that party but together (by the skin of my teeth) before the cars started pulling up. Anyway, it was a nice little get together with some cookies, milk and other little snacks, some crafts and just playtime. My dad bought a Santa suit to wear to these parties and I was curious how Ethan would do with that. (If you're wondering, he flung himself on the floor and screamed that it wasn't Santa, it was just Grandpa trying to be funny but he wasn't funny at all.)

Here are a couple of photos from Ethan's 2014 holiday party and then I'll consider myself all caught up.

(Oh, it's good to be back.)

the one with the christmas tree, 2014 edition

We got back into town, came home to eat frozen pizzas (don't judge, we had been out of town a while) and then headed back to the car to go pick out a Christmas tree. I've seen photos online of people who aren't Floridians who actually go and chop down their own trees. I forget that option exists. For me, I see the tree lot tent go up on the corner near our house and get all excited because the trees are here! And what is more Christmas-y than walking through a lot of pre-cut trees trying to pick the perfect one? (Non-Floridians, don't answer that.)

Ethan was really excited about the tree this year. He spent an ungodly amount of time walking the lot, trying to make the most careful choice. We ended up finding a really great tree. We walked in the door with the tree and Ethan was elbow deep in the boxes of ornaments, making his plans for decoration and set-up.

(Also, yes, that is my laundry pile sitting proudly atop my couch. I can own it.)

Back before we had kids, my husband and I were so diligent about collecting ornaments. Okay. Wait. I was diligent about collecting ornaments. My husband really couldn't have cared less. I was all about ordering the most fragile, beautiful custom ornaments to represent our year or the events that took place that year. I kept this up through Ethan's first Christmas until I realized that, you know, kids break things.

That, and four thousand tons of salt dough on your tree looks way better anyway.

Of course, my top favorite part of tree decorating with a toddler is the cluster of plastic unbreakable ornaments that he has hung across the lower half of the tree. Breakables on top, plastic on the bottom.

This holiday season is the exact opposite of how I imagined it would be. There's a nursery all locked up just down the hallway. There's someone missing from the festivities. Things are both the same as they were last year and, yet, couldn't be more different. I'm learning to take a deep breath and throw myself into the magic of the season with Ethan. His happiness is contagious and I'm glad to share his joy.

the one with santa, 2014 edition

Here's my obligatory "sorry for my blog absence" opening line. We had gone out of town for Thanksgiving and I ran two fundraisers in a row that I'm still working on wrapping up. On November 22nd, the day before the six month anniversary of Wylie's birth and death, I did a 24 hour Blogathon -- Blogging To Remember -- to raise funds for The Compassionate Friends. It was a bigger success than I ever dreamed and I was able to raise over $2,000! (Thank you to Randalin for making it happen!) This past weekend, I was stuck to Instagram running the @turtlepowerauction for my amazing friend Jenna's beautiful little boy, James. So, it's been busy and my table is filled with raffle prizes needing to go out and my inbox is filled with e-mails needing to be replied to and we just got back into town this afternoon after a few days away. Still, as Ethan is reminding us every five minutes, it's almost Christmas so the show must go on.

There is a mall 3 1/2 hours from home -- 40 minutes from the lake house we spend Thanksgiving at -- that has the best Santa ever. No, really. He pretty much is Santa. Which is precisely why there are three hour waits (we definitely stood in that line last year) and why, before heading back home to South Florida, we decided to get to the mall before it opened and get a spot in the Santa line. Ethan was really into Santa this year and looking forward to meeting him. He was a little shy but mostly really excited. He asked Santa for some blocks and a stuffed Piglet this year. If only his holiday wishlists always stay this practical and sweet!

Anyway, here are Ethan's Santa photos from this year!

Totally worth extending our vacation, driving totally out of the way and camping out in a line inside a closed mall, I don't care what you say.

The holidays are here!

ICE! Featuring The Nutcracker, a #gaylordpalmschristmas

Back when we were in college and living in Orlando, my friends and I used to look forward to attending ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee every year. We eventually moved back to South Florida and hadn't been able to attend for a few years now so I was really excited to be able to have the opportunity to return to ICE! -- and this time with Ethan in tow! ICE was always incredible, but I knew that it would be even more magical to experience it through Ethan's eyes. In the years since we attended, I had heard that ICE! had expanded and was even larger and more incredible than before. This year, they even offered snow tubing as an add-on!

The theme changes each year and this year was The Nutcracker. I was really excited about this because Ethan is obsessed with all things Nutcracker this year. He carries around his toy nutcracker, Fresh Fish (don't ask), wherever he goes -- even to bed.

Before entering ICE! -- where the temperature drops to 9 degrees -- you're given the opportunity to purchase some mittens and also borrow a thick parka free of charge. Ethan must have been wearing about 5 layers as it was, but we couldn't pass up the parka. We're Floridians so nine degrees is totally insane to us -- and, in a good way. It's sort of a thrill being able to experience such cold temperatures we otherwise would never get! (Also, Ethan looked beyond adorable in the massive parka. Let's not forget that part.)

Once inside, you get to make your way through the six rooms that tell the story of The Nutcracker with the help of over 2 million pounds of hand carved ice. No, you didn't read that wrong: over 2 million pounds! Every piece of ice is hand carved and the details are absolutely breathtaking.

Ethan was completely in awe with every step he took. By the time we reached the end, his cheeks were all rosy but he wasn't ready to leave just yet without one more walk through the beautiful ice display. It's hard to believe that every piece of ice was completely handcarved! Throughout the display, there are several signs with facts about the ice and the process that went into creating the entire display. To read up on how it's all done, check this out!

One of Ethan's favorite parts was the ice slide! There are four incredible ice slides and I loved that ICE! had one especially for the little kids. Ethan was able to slide down himself which made him feel really cool -- figuratively and literally, of course. He went on the slide four times before he was ready to head on to the next area!

There he goes!

This year, we got to walk through The Frostbite Factory -- a live carving area -- to watch how the ice is carved!

ICE! is a definite must-visit for all ages. It was something we enjoyed as college kids, as adults, as parents and now it's something Ethan will look forward to every year as well! I saw that ICE! now offers special proposal planning for those looking to pop the big question in a special way. I was hoping we would catch a proposal in action but we didn't. Still, ICE! is a wonderful exhibit for all ages and a true taste of Christmas magic!

For the adult crowd, ICE! also offers a new ICE Bar. Admission to the ICE Bar, On The Blocks, is $15.95 (inclusive of gratuity).

For us, we picked up some popcorn and cups of cocoa in the cafe upon exiting the ICE! display and spent some time together warming up! There is also a beautiful gift shop to exit through after the display to pick up some souvenirs or just check out all of the beautiful ornaments. Of course, the entire hotel is filled with beautiful Christmas trees and holiday decor that is worth checking out -- so we made sure to walk around the lobby admiring it all as well.

We had a great time at ICE! and look forward to making next year another #gaylordpalmschristmas. I can't wait to see next year's theme!

For more information on ICE, visit the Gaylord Palms website.

ICE runs from November 15, 2014 until January 4, 2015. Tickets begin $28.99 for adults, $26.99 for seniors and $14.99 for children 4-12. Children 4 and under are free. There are many discounts available -- including military personnel and Florida residents -- so be sure to check out the ticketing information!