Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  All the Christmas things are in full swing over here.  We're doing Christmas at church, at home and at school.  It's wonderful!  Let me tell you about my favorite moments of the week.

1 // Date Night

We tried out a new babysitter (and all loved her!!!) and got to go on a double date with friends.  We tried a new to me restaurant - Comfort - in downtown Evansville.  It was so good!  We arrived about 15 minutes early so we could enjoy a drink and time alone.  We need to do this more often :)

Any restaurant with pink lemonade earns bonus points for me.  We loved the balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts appetizer, my grilled chicken salad was so good and Kevin's catfish was the best he's had since we lived in the South so he says!

2 // Take Your Mom to School

I got to be Fletcher's sub Monday morning!  It was so much fun.  The kids were really excited for me to go to school with them.  His teacher was out for the morning and I was so happy to get to help.  I loved seeing him in his element and meeting his friends.  He said he loved having me there and his friends thought I was really nice.  I only wished I could have seen Olive during the day.  First graders are fun, but I promptly went home to Leo and took a nap when he took a nap that day!  Kevin rearranged his morning to stay home with Leo.  I was thankful for the team effort to make this day happen.

3 // To: Me, From: Me

I had some birthday money to spend so I invested in some new holiday headbands.  Two Christmas ones that will be on repeat all month long and then two others that will be so cute throughout the year.  Sweet City Bows are my favorite headbands.  Aren't they pretty!?

4 // Christmas Cheer

Our church looks so festive for the holidays.  They've got live Christmas music playing in the entrance, a beautiful Christmas set and a Christmas sermon series happening in December.  We also brought home an advent devotional to do this month.

5 // St Nick's Day

The kids left their shoes out for St Nick and I loved filling them with their favorite Christmas candy!  My kids are obsessed with Crocs.

6 // DIY Peppermint Berry Wreath

I smile every time I see this pretty wreath on my front door!

7 // Downtown with Dad

Kevin and the big kids went to another UE basketball game this week.  They love going with him!  He's generous with the snacks and he's so fun.  I'm glad they get this time with him.  I stayed home with Leo because the games are late when you're two.

8 // Elf on the Shelf

Our elves have been busy this week!  Holly, Jolly & Chris brought the kids these adorable new gingerbread ornaments.  They all love gingerbread cookies so these sweet ornaments seemed perfect for them.  Would you believe that they came in a set from Walmart!?!  They were just $5.98 and the quality is great.  I loved that the set came with one girl and two boys - perfect for our family!

9 // Library Tip

We try to visit our local library a couple times a month to get new books for the kids to read.  They love playing at the library, too.  Tip - if you are looking for a way to save money this Christmas, check out Christmas books to read to your kids instead of buying new ones.  I picked up a stack to read with my crew for free!

10 // Happy Birthday, Sis!

My sister had a birthday this week and we had fun celebrating her!  She loves pink and red so we gave her a pink and red themed gift.  My SIL made the yummiest baked potato bar!

11 // My Cards are Done!

The big kids helped me stamp and stuff and seal my cards this year.  It was wonderful!  We still have some to hand deliver to neighbors and local friends, but I think we're all done mailing them out.

12 // Snaps from School

The kid's teachers are so good about snapping pictures of the kids and posting them to the class Facebook page.  It's really fun to see the kids working with their friends.  Then it gives us something specific to talk about when they get home.

13 // Oh Leo

Leo has been extra busy and extra hungry and extra everything lately!  He's got the bumps and bruises to prove it.  Ouch!  He's solidified his #wildmanleo status.  He's the sweetest, busiest, squishiest guy we know.  He is talking up a storm and saying the funniest things.  We all love him lots and he keeps us all busy.

Miss Mus = Christmas

Miss Mus Tee = Christmas tree

Miss Mus socks = stockings

I hope you've had a wonderful week and have some special weekend plans with the people you love!

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My Tips & Tricks for Doing Elf on the Shelf

My kids have been asking to join in the Elf on the Shelf fun for years.  Probably at least 6 years.  I finally decided that this was the year that I would say YES.  We are not traveling in December like we did for so many years, we aren't moving like we did last year and I was excited about it.  I opted to skip the daily advent calendar we've done in the past.  This way I'd have more time for elf activities.  You've definitely got to pick and choose this time of year so that you don't drive yourself bonkers.

Our Elf Rules:

1. Our elves bring Christmas joy, not messes.

2. Our elves aren't naughty.

3. Our elves don't report good/bad behavior back to Santa.

4. Our elves deliver many of the holiday surprises I already like to scatter throughout December.

5. Our elves are not magic and anyone can touch them.  The kids know that I'm the one setting the elves up each night.  They just think that I collaborate with the elves for Christmas fun.  The elves move all around the house so the kids never know where to find them in the morning.  I think hunting for them is a big part of the elf fun.

 

I made a secret Pinterest board of easy elf ideas, wrote out a list of elf ideas in my planner and then set a reoccurring alarm clock for 10:00pm every night in December.  It just says ELF TIME and it's my reminder to get the elves set up at night after the kids have gone to bed. 

Let me show you what our elves have been up to so far this month.

I opted for 3 elves - one for each kid - and used elves that I already owned instead of buying the official elf on the shelf.  It was cheaper and easier so don't feel the pressure to buy name brand if you don't want to.  I named our elves and made sure that it would be something easy for me to remember.

Let me introduce you to Holly, Jolly & Chris.

1 // Edible Christmas Tree Farm

The kids loved this one and were really excited about the invitation to go Christmas tree shopping after school.

Kevin grew up with real trees and convinced me that real trees were the way to go.  We love picking out a new tree every year.  We looked up and down all the rows to find the perfect tree.

2 // Lost in the Cold

The elves were on the hunt for some ice cream and wound up getting stuck in the fridge.

3 // Gingerbread Breakfast

I combined our tradition of a North Pole Breakfast and the elves with a gingerbread delivery.  I grabbed one house, one train and one gingerbread book.  We did an easy breakfast of donuts and the kids got a couple of new ornaments for the year.

In years past, I would have stressed about the kids wearing Christmas jammies and making sure that I had done all the things for breakfast.  This year the kids wore whatever they wanted, I grabbed a few new gingerbread things and they loved it!  Sometimes less is more.

4 // Inflatable Santa

The kids have been asking for a fun inflatable.  I saved it for the elves to give them.  Aldi had several cute options this year for $12.99.

5 // Nutcrackers

I got each of the kids a new nutcracker for the year and left a note from the elves asking for help figuring out how to use these nutcrackers.

6 // Taco Tuesday: Elf Edition

I grabbed these Holiday Chips at Meijer and then a few days later Kevin came home with the tree shaped Tostitos.  The kids were excited about both for taco night.

Do you do a version of Elf on the Shelf at your house?  I would LOVE to hear about it!

Exercising in the Cold with Kids

It's not quite winter, but it's definitely gotten cold in Indiana!  My nice weather routine is going on a 30 minute walk every day with my toddler in the stroller after we get the big kids off to school.  My cold weather routine is very similar.  If it's not snowy or icy, then we walk together.  If it's really windy or really cold, I'll do a 20 minute power walk.  I just essentially walk as fast as I can for as long as I can before we turn into popsicles.

 

Cold Weather Exercising Tips (Especially for Moms of Little Ones)

1. Everyone wears layers - hats, jackets with hoods, blankets, gloves for the person pushing the stroller, ear warmers, snacks like a sucker and a small toy like a car or a small stuffed animal.  Covering up your ears will be a game changer.  It keeps you warm and a little less wind blown.  I keep a stack of all the cold weather walking supplies in our mud room.  That way I can just grab everything we need to get out of the house fast.

2. Pick up things along the walk to keep things interesting - rocks, sticks, tall grasses - and talk about all the things you see - holiday decor, hawks, neighbors, dogs, animals, cars and their colors, or keep an eye on the things happening at the houses near you.  The construction sites all around us are very entertaining and exciting.  Leo likes to pick the way we walk.  I'll shout WAY WAY and point to the direction we go.  I don't care at all which route we take and he really seems to enjoy picking the way way :)

3. Put exercise on your daily to do list.  If you're a list maker like me, crossing that item off every day will give you great satisfaction.  You'll never regret getting moving and getting out in the sunshine.

4. Find a window of time where you'll be most successful at fitting in exercise to your daily routine.  For me, that's sometime after I drop the big kids off at school and lunch time.  If I wait until after school I am much less likely to skip my exercise.  If I had a treadmill, early morning or late night walks would be enticing.

5. On the weekends - try to work it out so that you can go for a solo walk!  My husband is home on the weekends during the day so I'll head out and enjoy a quiet walk on my own those days :)

 

How we started.  Sherpa blanket, pom pom hat & jacket.  I had on longs sleeves, puffer jacket and an ear warmer.  I wish I'd remembered my gloves.

Hat off and hood up.  Leo also likes to pull the sun shade down if it's particularly windy.  I love that he's got options to keep himself out of the elements.

He loves finding sticks along the way.  And getting rocks to play with and throw.

 

Rocks and sticks.  Repeat.

What's your winter exercise routine?

DIY Peppermint Berry Wreath

I found myself wanting a new Christmas wreath for our first full holiday season in our house.  I have had a new Christmas wreath on my radar this year because my typical red berry wreath that looked fabulous on my old blue door does not look fabulous on my new red door.  It just got lost in all the red.  I shopped around a bit and couldn't find anything that I loved.  I improvised and made my own with supplies I already own.  What's better than a free DIY project!?

I really enjoy making wreaths so I was excited to try to improve my wreath.

I used my old berry wreath, some silver berries and a wired black and white ribbon from Sams.

Before: Red berry wreath!  I bought it from Hobby Lobby and used it at Christmas for several years.

Progress!  I took the leaves off the silver berries and then added them evenly around the entire wreath.  The wreath base is a grapevine wreath so I just poked the silver berries into the wreath.  No hot glue required.  I love that it ended up looking like a striped candy candy wreath.

I hadn't planned on adding a bow, but it felt like it was missing something with just the silver berries.  Insert a this pretty striped ribbon.  I made a bow and tied it onto the wreath.  Leo was curious about my wreath project.

I added it to my door and love how my peppermint berry wreath turned out!  The berry wreath no longer gets lost on my door.  I added a red lantern and galvanized houses.  I'd love to had a big black and white checked wreath under my welcome mat, but I haven't found one that I love.

A close up!

What's on your front door for Christmas?

Could you reinvent a wreath you have to make it new for the holiday season??

It's worth a try and a fun, creative way to save you some money.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  And Happy December!  I feel like these next few weeks are going to fly by.  I hope they're happy and healthy weeks for all of us.  I am in pretty good shape with shopping, planning, Christmas cards and festivities.  We've had a good week.  Let me tell you about my favorite parts!

1 // Elf on the Shelf

No one is more surprised that we're doing our own version Elf on the Shelf than me.  I've resisted for years, but this year felt right.  We weren't moving at Christmas like last year and my kids have been dying to join in the elf fun.  I already had these elves - Holly, Jolly & Chris.  I customized them a bit to work for my kids - eye color to match their eyes and accessories like tutus and earrings.

These elves will not be doing anything naughty or making messes.  There aren't any rules we're following and they won't be sending any behavior reports to Santa.  They'll just be moving around the house and helping spread Christmas cheer from now until Christmas.

Their first treat was an edible Christmas tree farm and an invitation to go tree shopping.

2 // Downtown with Dad

Kevin took the big kids to a basketball game this week.  They don't start until 7pm which is late for Leo.  So we divided and conquered.  I stayed home with Leo and he went with the big kids.  It worked out great.  So if you've got a big age gap with your crew, consider doing this.  They got snacks and cheered for the Aces.  Kevin also knew I'd love a picture of the kids by this huge purple Christmas tree.  He was right :)

3 // Road trip + Dinner with Friends

Some of my very favorite Terre Haute friends planned a holiday dinner meet up for us.  Remember that they drive an hour South and I drive an hour North to meet at Old Chicago for dinner?  It's perfect!  We always have the very best time together.  I look forward to seeing them so much!  Old Chicago has the best Italian Nachos & Pepperoni Pizza rolls.  We sat there for hours catching up :)

4 // Half Birthday

Olive turned 9 1/2 this week!  She got to pick dinner and dessert that night.  She chose Freddy's burgers and fries with ice cream for dessert.  I can't believe she'll be 10 in the Spring.  She loves school, is working hard to make new friends, loves to craft, loves to read and stays up late at night making lists and dreaming up plans for projects.

5 // Old Navy Finds

I added some new tops to my wardrobe this season thanks to lots of Old Navy rewards money.  I love their new twist on traditional plaids and I got some cute thermals and sweaters.  I don't need a ton of new things so I find adding in a few new pieces each season works for me.

6 // New Wreath

I put together a new peppermint inspired wreath for my front door for Christmas.  My red door + a red berry wreath just wasn't quite working.  Check back next week for more details.

7 // Leo Dedication

Look at this cutie!  I'm so glad he got to participate in the baby dedication at our church.

8 // The Pit

We've really enjoyed having a fire pit.  It's a great hang out spot for us to relax and chat.  I'll give you a full tour of the fire pit and planning process for that project soon.  Leo has nicknamed this spot "The Pit" and asks to go out to the pit all the time.

9 // Oh Christmas Tree

We've put up several trees so far - playroom, big kid's room, Leo's room and our bedroom.  We are planning to decorate our real family room tree this weekend.  I'll give you a tour of the trees when they're all done.  The big kids love their colorful bedroom tree so much.  Is there anything better than falling asleep to the lights of a Christmas tree??

10 // Sunrise on the Farm

We've had some really beautiful sunrises this week!

11 // Smoothie Bowls

When I don't feel like making lunch or don't know what to make for lunch, I go for a smoothie bowl.  I mix frozen bananas, berries and water in my blender until smooth.  Then pour it into a bowl and add toppings.  It's so yummy!

12 // Movie Night

My favorite thing in the world is piling on our huge play room couch and watching a movie with the kids at the end of the day.  We've watched The Rise of Gru, Home Alone and Home Alone 2 so far.  What are your favorite Christmas movies?

13 // Jordan Bakery Box

I've had some fun orders come in lately.  This order was for a rainbow baby shower.  Rainbow themed with a little boy on the way.  Rainbow sprinkle chocolate chip cookies and Blue M&M Monster Cookies.  They turned out so cute.

I hope that you've got fun plans this weekend with the people you love most.

Linking up with Momfessionals