There's no point to this post other than to say--- Holidays with a young stepkid are the absolute worst. 

The unequal distribution of toys (i.e. if we say "we're not going to do electronics because SK already has plenty" and then SK walks through the door with the latest gadget we've agreed she won't be receiving at our house). We have (almost) 2 small siblings that DH and I agreed won't be receiving every latest shred of technology and will be encouraged [read forced *acute*] to do things like--- go outside, build a fort, ride a bike, play in the snow, play a team or individual sport/instrument/learn a language SOMETHING other than head shoved into a device. It does snow where we live, oftentimes heavily, but we have all of the equipment to play outside in it and regularly play outside with the youngest one, then come inside and warm up.

SK constantly climbs all over DH and is underfoot with him constantly, even though he's firm telling her to get out of the way. We have a young toddler that's just walking and so everything is a death trap: stairs, small objects that can be picked up and swallowed, open dishwashers where knives can be grabbed. So we're both having to harp on SK about leaving crap everywhere the baby can eat, close the baby gates, pick up valuables unless you want them covered in baby goo. DH is just as on the hook with these efforts as I am, but SK makes it very difficult when as soon as he picks up the baby, SK is trying to climb all over him, too. He goes to change the diaper, SK follows. He goes to fix baby some food-- SK is suddenly hungry, thirsty and requires MORE attention than the 1yo eating. I can reliably hand my toddler a cut up PB&J, Goldfish and a sippy cup of milk and so long as I'm supervising and no one is choking, she's eating like a champ. SK whines about the edges not being cut, too much jelly, not liking the Goldfish and wanting 2-3 refills of milk. It's a minor comparison that is easily shut down by us (eat it, scrape your own jelly off or go get a refill of water) but it's just the constant WHINING and expectation of catering. I'm sure some of it just age, some is personal annoyance and some is legit a product of SK's environment. But the combination really irks me at the moment.

We have to run around kingdom come on Christmas Day because our parenting plan is garbage (thanks DH, you really screwed us with this one!) and every year for the next decade basically we're to do handoffs with the ex ON Christmas-- meaning our (almost) 2 kids don't really get to start Christmas until that afternoon. I'm about to put the kibosh on that and SK can join in mid-day next year-- but it bothered me this year and I can see down the barrel of next with 2 small kiddos, one being more "aware" of Santa and having to put this elaborate show on to stave off a 2yo trying to get to presents. Nah, bro--- SK can get the presents when she gets here and we'll do our own family of 4 Christmas prior to that. 

Did I mention i'm heavily pregnant?! And annoyed??!

That is all, just a rant about what is probably normal 7-10yo behavior that is just highlighted by (1) blended family-ness and (2) my patience level running at an all time low