This particular weekend right before Christmas is always inevitably a busy one. I still have a few (okay, more than a few) presents to check off the list, meal preparations to make, decorations to be hung, preparations for house guests....oh and then the wrapping and hiding and the cookie baking and updating our holiday music playlist. Sigh...The list goes on for so many of us moms! The end goal for me is to stay calm with a smile on my face while creating happy memories for the kids. The trick is to break the work up with some fun activities. There are a few places to get that photo with Santa, see the Nutcracker, or even have the kids make a holiday craft. This week we covered places to visit with Santa in Hartford and Fairfield Counties. This weekend in particular the Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Concert is at the Bushnell. There is also a Chanuka Fever Concert in West Hartford. If, like me, you'd like to take a break and go out to dinner a night or two, check out our listing of great restaurant options in Litchfield County. Some schools finish up this Friday and some not until next. For those in Fairfield County we've rounded up fun activities for the kids over the holiday break. We love our Facebook and twitter friends and will be doing some give aways next week so please sign up to like us. Take a deep breathe and dive in. Make the most of this Merry Holiday season!