It seems like 2025 is already in full swing and that 2024 is a distant memory. However, I felt like it was necessary for me to reflect on this past holiday season because it was such a joyful time.

But I guess I should mention that even though it was a joyful time, it was also a shorter time. The past couple years I took close to two weeks off because I had that luxury and because someone needed to be with the kids during the full duration of their holiday break. This past break, Beau and Sloan were released from school later than previous years and they left with Sid to South Carolina for the second half of it. Thus, I just took the week of Dec. 23 – Dec. 27 off. However, I made the most of every moment.

When I look back on my 2024 holiday break, I have a few sweet memories that especially stick out. They include staying up late with Beau watching movies, serving with my family as greeters at Christmas Eve mass, playing with my kids as we unpackaged new toys, and enjoying a couple of special meals just the four of us.

Quick photo with the kids after we returned from mass on Christmas Eve.

And even though I didn’t go with Sid and the kids to South Carolina (duty calls at work), driving them out to the airport and still sharing with them that excitement of hopping on a plane to see family made my heart really happy.

Sid, Sloan, and Beau at the Spokane Airport before they boarded a plane for Atlanta (en route to Myrtle Beach).

So besides the truly important aspects of the holiday season that we took to heart (God, family, and thankfulness), I had the opportunity to do some fun things with the kids during that last full week of December. Here are five of them…

Inflatables and Cousins – On Monday (Dec. 23), I met my sister at Jump 4 Joy in Spokane Valley. Miranda brought Mik and John to play with Sloan and Beau inside the indoor inflatable park. While they expended all of their energy, Miranda and I lounged on the facility’s couches and chatted away.

We all had a nice time at Jump 4 Joy in Spokane Valley.

Christmas Movie – On Tuesday, I took Beau and Sloan to the historic Garland Theater for a free showing of the original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie from 1964. It was nostalgic for me as it had been years since I watched it and exciting for the kids who had never seen it before.

Sloan and Beau pose for a photo after watching “Rudolph” at the Garland Theater.

Mall Rats – I enjoy taking the kids to the mall because it is an inexpensive way (if you do it right) to pass some time. Sloan browsed Claire’s for way too long, Beau played on the indoor jungle gym, and we enjoyed all the Christmas decorations. Throughout the week, we made stops at Spokane Valley Mall, Northtown Mall, and River Park Square.

While at the Spokane Valley Mall, we went to WePlay, the facility’s indoor playground.

Libraries – It wouldn’t be a break from school if I didn’t take the kids to the library, right? We hit up both the Spokane Valley County Library and the Spokane Public Library – Central to break up the constant stimuli from the crazy holiday week. Sloan and Beau read books, built Legos, and did crafts.

Beau coming in hot off the slide at the Spokane Public Library – Central. Can you spot Sloan?

Mobius – We made our annual visit to Spokane’s Mobius Children’s Museum on Friday. I love taking the kids here because they are so engaged. Beau, who always gets distracted when we go to trampoline parks and other attractions by the arcade games/food stands/etc., never had his attention span thwarted by what was offered on the museum floor. He interacted with most of the stations and we all had a lot of fun.

Beau living his best life at Mobius.

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It was a blessed holiday break indeed! Thankfully, everyone successfully transitioned back to the school/work grind which is an impressive feat considering I returned them home from the airport late last night. I am appreciative of the memories made and look forward to when we will do it again in December 2025. Don’t Blink.