Dead Week for Parents

You know how in college, the last week before finals was dead week? Well, once you are a parent to school-age children, the week of school before Christmas break is the new dead week.
Before kids: "I need to bring something to the organization pot luck on Monday and something to the building pot luck on Friday.  Let me look up some recipes to try."
Now: "Okay, organization pot luck is Monday, what is easy? Pretzels? Awesome! Tuesday night I need to put snacks together for both classes.  Oh and must be healthy and nut-free. Well, we have pretzels, so let's add in raisins, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and cheese crackers. I might need to mix it in the tub, but oh well. Also on Tuesday night we need to pick a book to go to school to share and then donate. And select a show-and-tell item. Don't forget we need to make cookies for the cookie exchange on Wednesday. Oh thank goodness, Tuesday is over. Wednesday. Okay, those cookies need to be frosted. And arranged in half dozen sets. Then carted to church for the exchange. After the exchange is dinner, child chaos, and finally church service. Go home and wrap teacher gifts for youngest daughter's teachers. Thursday is Christmas program day. Yay... Leave work early to go get youngest daughter to take her back to school for the 2pm performance. Pick up Bubba from daycare. Throw dinner together and have kids back at the school for the 7pm performance. Wrap gifts for oldest daughter's teachers. Friday. Oh thank God this week is almost over. Make sure gift for the oldest's class gift exchange has made it to school. Send cards and gifts to daycare. Leave work early to pick oldest up because it's early release day. Perhaps drop presents off in the mail because obviously they haven't gone out yet.
And what is the reward for making it through dead week? Children's program at church on Sunday, 6th birthday for Miss M on Monday, Christmas Eve service with kids singing on Tuesday, Christmas Day insanity, and back to work on Thursday. Yay...
I wonder how long that bottle of peppermint schnapps is going to last...