Weekend Wrap-Up On Tuesday....Christmas Edition

Happy Monday Ladies!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  All the planning, shopping, prepping...and BAM its over so quick! 

 

 

Our Santa was definitely doing this December 26:)

 

Our Christmas was pretty darn perfect.  I was DEFINITELY missing Harrison and my mom, but we did A LOT of facetiming and hey...I'll take what I can get!

 

Mark had to work until noon on Christmas Eve, and I was up early running around picking up a few last minute things and doing a little food shopping!

 

We went to church at 5:15, we found "our" church a few weeks ago and we definitely feel very much at home there...we were very excited for the Christmas Eve service.

 

All 6 of us loaded in the car on our way to church.

 

 

I snapped this quick when we got into church, the service was absolutely beautiful.  Hands down the BEST Christmas service I have ever attended.  It was filled with a great message, amazing songs and we ended with nothing but the candles we were holding as we all sang Silent Night..I actually teared up...it was that beautiful and that moving.

 

 

A quick little selfie before service started.

 

 

I just LOVE these two so much!

 

After church we came home and dug into our Chick Fill A nugget platter, and watched Christmas movies and opened some gifts my mom sent down!

 

We made some reindeer food....

 

 

 

and a Gingerbread house...

 

 

and then we sprinkled the reindeer food....

 

 

and then we snuggled and tracked Santa!

 

 

Brooke and Jack...hands down my 2 best behaved kiddos!!!!

 

 

Olivia got these Descendents dolls and well...her life was pretty much made!

 

After presents, we watched A Christmas Story, and we turn it on at 8 every Christmas Eve and the channel literally doesn't change for a full 24 hours...we never really sit and watch the whole thing through, but it is always on in the background for the full 24 hours!  It's definitely part of our tradition for sure!

 

Every year we always leave Santa beer and cookies...AJ decided that when he was about 2 and it has just stuck...however the kids were wanting to leave him Fireball this year..Olivia wasn't happy about it.  We did have Fireball...however she left him this note, letting he know we left him milk and NOT Fireball.  When we asked her why she said..."mom I don't want him to get drunk and crash his sleigh"...this girl at the ripe old age of 7 is just too much!

 

After the kids settled down, and we put out the milk and cookies, we got the kiddos all in one room and pretty much threatened the heck out of them to not come out of there until the morning!  Yes...we are those parents that totally believe in dishing out threats to our kids!

 

 

I miss the days of the kids being little and there being a million presents under the tree...I also miss the days of the items they are asking for not exceeding $50....lol!  The bigger they get....the BIGGER the pricetag!

 

I just love Christmas!

 

Olivia asked us to set up a spy cam to see if we could see Santa...so we downloaded the Kringl app and BAM...we got to see Santa in our house...she couldn't even believe it when she saw it Christmas morning.  I love seeing the magic of the season through her sweet little eyes!

 

The kids woke up around 7:30, found their stockings, but by 8 they were in our room telling us to get up to see what Santa brought!  So much fun!

 

We were all missing Harrison! 

 

AJ was pretty happy with his new JETS hat Santa delivered!

 

 

Olivia was SO excited opening each gift...literally screaming in delight!  There is nothing better than having kids on Christmas morning!

 

Beats were a hot item over here this Christmas!

 

 

She couldn't have been more excited...she was hoping hard for a solid month that she would get Mary Ellen...because you know mom she is so fancy like me!

 

Happy Girl!!

 

 

  

This is probably my favorite video we took...hearing Olivia thanking Santa because AJ got his Beats and she got her Shopkins...I mean so precious!

 

 

 

 

AJ has been wanting a phone for a good year now...and we decided to give him one for Christmas.  He was VERY specific that it 'had' to be an iPhone, he didn't want some dumb flip phone...well we decided to have a little fun with him Christmas morning!  We of course did get him an iPhone, but we also went to Walmart and grabbed one of those flip phone, pay as you go phones...we wrapped it up and put it under the tree...we hid the iPhone in the tree...and as he was expressing his disappointment, without trying to be "ugly", the tree started ringing and he found his iPhone!  It was so great!

 

It probably wasn't the nicest little prank to play on Christmas...but it was great and he was such a good sport about it!

 

After presents we ate breakfast and just enjoyed the rest of the morning....

 

Just a girl, her doll, and a Gator pillow pet....

 

I just love how she propped up her pillow pet to sit at the table with her! 

 

 

 

I spent the entire day in my pajamas and it was amazing!  And these pina coladas Mark made...pretty darn amazing too!

 

 

I loved getting lots of pics from my mom on Christmas!  I miss them all so much!

 

 

Harrison and my sweet niece London.

 

This picture is getting printed and put into a frame...it is just perfect....I love the way they are looking at each other!  Not only is he a great son and big brother...he is a pretty awesome cousin too!

 

My fam!

 

We spent the rest of the day playing and watching A Christmas story...it was low key and perfect in every single way!

 

Saturday morning we all slept in!  Olivia got Orbeez crush and she was so excited to wake up Saturday morning to play with it.

 

Such a fun little toy!

 

After a slow morning...we showered and Mark took the boys for haircuts and to the bait store, and I ran to Target for a return....

 

And yes it was 90 degrees here Saturday...I am not saying it has to be freezing out...but does it need to be 90 on December 26???

 

This girl never got dressed Saturday and was happy to watch Shopkins videos on the ipad out on the porch most of the day!

 

 

We ended the night with some intense pillow fights and wrestling matches on my bed!  Mark is such a good sport!

 

I curled up in my bed by 9:30 and fell asleep to the Hallmark channel!

 

Sunday morning I was up by 6:30....YUCK!  I wasn't loving being up so early, however the peace and quiet while everyone was still sleeping was pretty nice.

 

Coffee, my tree and complete silence...PERFECTION!

 

Once everyone woke up...around 11...we cleaned up the house and Mark and Olivia washed the cars, the boys fished, Brooke watched Hallmark (she is SO my daughter), then we watched football!  We were pretty disappointed to see the Panther's perfect season come to an end...however we were THRILLED to see the Jets beat the Patriots...those of you that are Jets fans will totally understand what a big deal that is!

 

It was a nice low key day...the perfect way to end Christmas weekend! 

 

I am hoping to get lots of organizing done this week!  We are still deciding what we will do New Year's Eve...and the kiddos are super excited their dad is coming to visit this week!

 

Thanks for sticking around for this super long post!  Be sure to check back tomorrow...I'll be sharing some super good after Christmas deals with you guys!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Merry Christmas

 

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!



It's Christmas Eve...

Happy Thursday Girls!

 

And just like that....BAM...Christmas Eve is here!  This is the first time in probably forever, that I will not be out still shopping!  Everything is wrapped and ready for Santa to come tonight!

 

We are spending the day today watching Christmas movies and tracking Santa!  We will go to church tonight, then come home to have dinner, open a few gifts and watch "A Christmas Story".

 

Christmas Eve is my very favorite day of the year, and though I will be missing my family like crazy, I am going to make the best of it and enjoy this day with my husband and kiddos!

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve!

 



How Many Gifts To Give....

Happy Wednesday Ladies!

 

Hope you are all having a great week!  I cannot even believe Christmas is next week!  I just started my holiday shopping like a week ago, and I still have a few things I need to get before I am done!  Definitely kicking myself a bit for waiting so long this year!

 

I don't know about you guys, but every single year I stress about "do I have enough under the tree".  I tend to overbuy...I love seeing a ton of presents under the tree..it just makes me happy.  Often I have found myself buying things they weren't even asking for just to have "more" under the tree.  A light bulb went off when Brooke and Harrison were younger...they had so many gifts to open Christmas morning, they were overwhelmed..they were tearing the wrapping back just enough to see what it was, tossing it to the side, and moving on to the next.  It was at that moment I realized I was doing way too much...they didn't even appreciate what they were getting!  I stopped buying them random things, but I found myself most times buying them every item on their list, because I didn't want them to be disappointed!  Like I said...I tend to go overboard. 

 

As my kiddos have gotten older their lists aren't as long anymore, however the price tag is ENORMOUS!  Long gone are the days of $20 items...hello $200 earbuds!  I have always had all the gifts under the tree from Santa, we never gave our kids gifts, I never even gave it a second thought.  Then this year I read something on social media saying to be mindful of what we mark from Santa, so when kids go back to school no child's feelings are hurt when one child is telling about all the awesome, expensive toys they got, while another child maybe only got a winter coat and a few small items they "needed" not wanted.  I never thought about that...however a few days later I could relate...but in a different way.  Olivia was talking to Buddy (our elf) saying how she had to have a new kitchen and all the accessories for her American Girl doll, and she really needed Santa to bring it because, in her exact words "Buddy no way are my parents spending like $250 on this stuff" ...well she was right about that...it wasn't happening!  I told Olivia I wasn't sure if Santa would be able to bring that to her, and she said "yes he can Mommy, he makes everything, he doesn't have to pay for it"....oh girl yes he does!!!  At that moment it hit me...I should have, years ago, just made a few gifts each year from Santa and the rest from Mommy & Daddy! 

 

The older kids get it, they know we are buying the gifts (AJ is still questionable...he is 12) so they ask for bigger ticket items of course, but within reason.  It is hard when they still believe in Santa and think they can have 425 gifts!  Mark and I talked about it, so we sat down with the kids and told them that we spoke with Santa (because duh all parents have his number) and since they are so many children all over the world this year that need gifts, he will only be able to bring them 3 gifts, and he asked if the moms and dads would help out and buy a few gifts too.  Olivia was a bit tiffed about this at first, but we explained to her how the wisemen brought baby Jesus 3 gifts, and she seemed fine with it....parent win! 

 

I was really happy with the decision we made to cut back a bit this year, my kids have so much, they are so fortunate...and I really want them to understand that as wonderful as it is to wake up Christmas morning with a thousand gifts, the true, real meaning of Christmas is just so much more. 

 

This year, I decided on a budget...and stuck to it...that has NEVER happened.  For years I was always so worried making sure each kid had the same number of packages to open...it just added so much stress to the holiday.  I will admit, at times I get a bit sad to think there will not be as much "stuff" under the tree this year, but I quickly get over it.  I realize going into debt for Christmas gifts is just plain stupid, and I know the kids are really going to love what they are getting...it may be less under the tree, but they are getting what they have asked for!  Quality over quantity...I'm so glad that is happening over here!

 

This past year has been full of ups and downs for me, our family has gone through a lot this year, and a lot of change has happened for all of us.  Some days were really hard, but I have learned so much this year, and I am truly understanding what it is to just be content with what I have.  I've learned that people are going to like me, or not like me for that matter, for who I am, NOT what I have.  And this is something I am really instilling into my children.  I was not looking forward to the holidays this year at all....being away from family, not having Harrison here with us..I was hating it all.  But now, I am so excited for Christmas...I am happy and at peace with myself, and my life where it is right now.

 

So what about you guys....I would love to hear how many gifts are under your tree, are they all from Santa, are they wrapped or unwrapped under the tree....I always love hearing what everyone else does!

 

Hope you all have a great day!


Holiday Gifts For Girls

Happy Wednesday Ladies!

 

I feel like this week really kicks off the holiday season for me!  Thanksgiving is like the official start of the holidays for us!  We absolutely LOVE this time of year!  I am super excited to break out the holiday decorations after dinner tomorrow night!

 

I am super far behind on my holiday shopping!  I have some lists made of who I need to buy for and what I need to get, but I haven't crossed much off that list yet!  Time to get serious!

 

Today I am talking about some great gifts for little girls!  I love love love my boys, but there is nothing more fun, in my opinion, than shopping for a little girl!

 

We are still Shopkins obsessed over here!  There will be lots of Shopkins under our tree this year for sure!  Kohls had a great selection online of Shopkins stuff, so if you have a Shopkin lover at your house, check out all the Shopkins Kohls has to offer here . 

 

I loved Lite-Brite as a little girl, and I am so glad this toy is still around!  This will be under the tree for Olivia this year!

 

Girls, did you play with this as a little girl?  I loved Fashion Plates!  This would be such a fun gift for the little girl on your list!

 

We are Descendants obsessed over here!  Olivia was pretty annoyed I didn't order her a Mal costume for Halloween..she is really hoping Santa brings her this doll for Christmas.  If you have a little Descendant lover on your list, this doll would be great!

 

If you have a crafter on your list, this would make a great gift for her!

 

An American Girl Doll is always a wonderful gift to give.  And if your little one isn't quite old enough, the Bitty Baby is the perfect baby doll!  Brooke loved her American Girl dolls, and now Olivia has a few of her own, and also plays with Brooke's from when she was little! 

 

Just like their mommys, little girls love being cozied up too!  A new bathrobe is a great gift for any little girl on your holiday list!

 

 

 



I know my little girl loves to craft, draw, stamp, pretty much anything like that.  This stamp set I know is something she would LOVE.  I am a huge fan of the entire Melissa and Doug line, such great products!

 

Little girls and Barbies...not sure it gets better than that!  The Barbie Dream House

 is a great gift for the Barbie loving girl on your list!

 

Cabbage Patch Kids , these will always be a favorite gift of mine to give to a little girl.  I just gave my niece London for her 2nd birthday this past October.  Any little girl on your list who loves babies would love to receive a Cabbage Patch Baby...and don't you just love they way they smell!

 

I have seen so many people posting videos playing this game...boy or girl...no doubt this woul be a hit under the tree this Christmas!

 

Olivia LOVES to cook and bake things!  Sadly we weren't huge fans of the Easy Bake Oven...however this mini donut maker would be a huge hit with her...and us as we could enjoy the treats she made!  If you have a little girl that loves to bake this could be a great gift!

 

Slippers are always a fun gift to give and receive.  Nordstrom has some great slippers for little girls, you can check them all out here .

 

So there you have it...some of my favorite gifts for the little girls on your list!

 

If you have a great gift for a little girl, please share it with me!

 

Here are my other Holiday Gift Posts:

Holiday Gifts Under $50

Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

 

I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are able to spend it with the ones you love most!