Family Holiday Movie Night Tradition

This post is sponsored by Mondelez. All thoughts are my own. 

Nothing will get you more into the spirit of season like snuggling up on the couch with a jolly movie. 

As a little girl, one of my favorite traditions was picking out our holiday movie, getting all the snacks, and then fighting for the comfiest spot of the couch. 

When I think about those moments in our little apartment, I get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. I love replicating these special moments with my little ones. 

No movie night is complete without the movie night essentials...you know, cozy pajamas, a jolly movie, and treats because what’s a movie night without popcorn, movie theater candy, & OREOs!?! Sour Patch and Swedish Fish are our favorites. 

Head to Walmart for all your movie night needs and get ready for a true holiday miracle...a silent night. Well, except for the munching and giggling 😉

My favorite family tradition and a cozy break from the hustle and bustle of this often busy season. Slowing down is the best way of cherishing little moments during the holidays. 

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Winter Bucket List

Winter isn't officially here but tomorrow is the 1st of December!  

A day that marks the change in season and spirits!

Just writing this gets me feeling all holly & jolly. 

The lights. The music. The smells. And...the magic of the season. 

So grab your peppermint mocha, a candy cane, and print out this bucket list to help you make the most of the season!

Our Family Bucket List to help us squeeze every ounce of fun out of this magical time of year.

Enjoy this special time making spirits bright! ❤️

EGGSTRA Special Egg Hunt

The holidays are EGGSTRA special with little Peeps running around...bringing back the magic. 

Is there anything more magical than the Easter Bunny visiting and an Easter Egg hunt?! Nope. That's just the best thing ever. 

As a true holiday junkie (& former teacher), I am always looking for new ways to jazz up our holidays and make them a little less chaotic with little funny bunnies hopping all around! 

Last year, I was told about this genius way to make the Easter Egg Hunt fair for big and little kids alike! I was like, "What the Peep?! Tell me more!"

This isn't a new idea but it's new to me and pretty darn EGG-celent! 

Every little honey bunny is assigned a different color and can only pick "their" color eggs. You can customize the eggs so they are filled with EGGS-traordinary things that they love, hide them appropriately for each age, and best of all...everyone gets the same amount! Winning! 

This year, I filled the eggs with...

-Cars

-Dinosaurs

-Lip Gloss

-Play-doh

-Tattos

-Hair Clips

-Nail Polish

-Candy & Other Sweet Treats

Wishin' all you Peeps a hoppin' good Easter! 

*Disclaimer: The Easter Jammies were gifted to me by Leveret Clothing.* 

Sun Bunny Easter Basket

One sure way to bring a little sunshine to your favorite peeps' this Easter is with a basket filled with all the goodies they'll need to enjoy a water filled spring and summer.  

Whether it's the pool or the beach, this fun basket gets everyone excited for sunny days. 

1. Beach Bucket
2. Water Toys
3. Sunglasses
4. Towel
5. Swimsuit (Girls & Boy)

And of course...a few sweet treats! What's easter without Peeps, Starburst Jelly Beans, Cadbury Mini Eggs, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Eggs?!

Hope you all have a Hippity Hoppity Easter!!

I Love You With Every Pizza My Heart...Valentine's Dinner

Do you have any special Valentine’s Day traditions with your family? 

Pizza sure does have a special place in my heart and it's been our Valentine's Day dinner almost every year since Andrew and I have been together...except when I was pregnant and could only stomach Costco Hot dogs. 🤷🏻‍♀️

This is one tradition I was so excited to share with these little people. After all, I sure do love them with every PIZZA my heart. 😉

Who wouldn't absolutely love a heart shaped pizza? 

The best part is the Littles get to join in on the fun...after you've scrubbed them down!

How a-dough-able is this?!

Pizza Recipe (All Ingredients from Trader Joe's):

-Trader Joe's Pizza Dough

-Trader Joe's Organic Marinara Sauce

-Mozzarella Cheese

-Toppings (Whatever your little hearts desire...pineapple, pepperoni, ham, artichokes, jalapeño, options are endless)

Happy Eating! ❤️

Felt Letter Board & Bowls

Christmas Gifts: Want, Need, Wear, & Read

I love Christmas and I love keeping Christmas simple. 

I know I've said this in previous posts but simple does not mean less special. It means feeling the magic and remembering what's actually important...the true meaning of Christmas, spending time with your family & friends, and making beautiful memories. 

Years ago when I was teaching, I came across an awesome idea that I knew I wanted to incorporate into our home one day...a simpler gift giving idea. 

Instead of a stack of gifts...each child receives 4 presents Christmas morning...one they want, one they need, one thing to wear, and one thing to read. AND...Santa brings each child a large gift and fills their stockings. 

It’s so simple. So meaningful. So perfect for us.

• Something you WANT: this is a fun gift. Something they asked for...or something you know will bring a HUGE smile to their face. For us...it's a toy. 
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• Something you NEED: this is something that your child needs...whatever that may be. It could be shoes, dishes, towels, bathing suit. We do shoes.  
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• Something to WEAR: This can be clothing, accessories, hats, shoes, backpack, etc. We are doing robes.  
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• Something to READ: this is always my favorite...books! I try to find interactive books that go with what they are into right now. Usborne has a FABULOUS selection of interactive and engaging books. 

I love how this method of gift giving brings a sense of intention...each gift is incredibly thoughtful, since you are only getting 4! There aren't any random things or trinkets you buy just because you need to get something. 

We want our little sugar plums to focus more on all of the joy and magic of the holiday season....not just the gifts.

In the wise words of Charlie Brown, "It's not what's under the Christmas tree that matters. It's who's around it."

❤️

In keeping with my December Christmas Song theme...closing with "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!" This is a family favorite and pairs perfectly with the idea of simple gift giving. 😂 Jk. 

Elf on the Shelf & The Elf Box

One of my favorite traditions that we have started in our own home is Elf on the Shelf.

In our home, Elfie comes on December 1st and leaves on Christmas Eve with Santa! I love the magic and joy this little elf brings. 

The Elf Box makes this so easy. It's a box full of props and a photo flip book to help stage your elf. The box is absolutely precious, captures the spirit of Christmas, and is just the right amount of fun and magic...without any of the stress. 

This box helps you kill it....Elf on the Shelf style.

I received The 7 Day Elf Box yesterday....

• Pizza Night...complete with an elf sized pizza box and pizza! 
• Movie Night...comes with popcorn and 3D movie glasses! 
• Hot Cocoa Night...comes with an elf sized coffee cup. 
• Superhero...complete with cape and mask. 
• Beach Day...comes with an elf sized beach towel, mini umbrella, and SAND! 
• Bowling...comes with little bowling lane, pins, and bowling ball. 
• Cookie Making Set...complete with dough for sugar or gingerbread cookies, elf sized cookie cutters, elf sized rolling pin, and flour. 😍

My favorite part about this is that each day you can incorporate a family fun activity to go with your Elfs visit....pizza party, Christmas movie night, hot chocolate and driving to see the Christmas Lights, superhero dress up day, family bowling date, and cookie making day!!! 

I truly believe the joy of Christmas is in making memories with those you love. I hope my kids' memories of this season are filled with laughter and joy. I hope they remember the magic and excitement of looking for Elfie each day.

And...if one day they become parents and choose to continue this tradition, I hope they have as much fun making this season magical for their children as I do every night while they are snuggled up in their beds. 

The Elf Box made our morning extra merry and oh so bright. If you could have seen the look on Drew's face...Christmas Magic at its best. ❤️

Be sure to watch my circle stories on Instagram for Elfie's daily adventures and check out The Elf Box for more fun!!!

Last Day to order 2017 Elf Boxes is December 17th!  

Pre-Orders for 2018 are 20% off and use code FREESHIP18 to waive the shipping fee. 

In keeping with December's theme, I'm closing this post with my little sugar plums' favorite Christmas song...."Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!" 

*Disclaimer: The 7 Day Elf Box was gifted to me in exchange for a review. All opinions in this post are my own.*

Family Christmas Traditions

"These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!" -Sleigh Ride

By nature, I am an insanely sentimental person and I love traditions...especially Christmas traditions. ❤️

When Amina and Drew were babies, I decided I wanted to create simple family traditions. Things that don't cost much but are meaningful and easy to continue even as my kids grow older. Traditions that they could one day continue with their own families. 

Simple does not mean less special. It means finding the magic in the little things. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I want to remember to slow down and enjoy these special moments, make memories, and cherish traditions.  

As a little girl, my favorite Christmas tradition was picking out our Christmas tree, playing this Kids Christmas tape we had, and decorating our tree. I loved looking at every ornament. I loved the stories that went with each one. We'd drink hot chocolate, sing, dance, and deck our halls. When I think about those moments in our little apartment, I get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. 

I want my little sugar plums to look back and be filled with the magic of the season and know they were so loved. 

Here are some of my favorite traditions with our little family...

• Christmas Tree
• Special Christmas Ornament Every Year
• Seeing the Christmas Lights
• Matching Christmas Jammies
• Elf on the Shelf

I wish you all a simple and calm holiday season...filled with special moments with those you love. 

In keeping with December's theme, I'm closing this post with another forever favorite...."Sleigh Ride!"

All photos are courtesy of my sweet and oh so talented little cousin, Kylie. 

Winter Bucket List

It's the most wonderful time of the year! 

Although winter isn't officially here...I feel like the 1st of December marks the change in season and spirits!

Just writing this gets me feeling all holly & jolly. 

The lights. The music. The smells. And...the magic of the season. 

I've always loved winter and December in particular. Now that I have littles, everything is extra magical through their innocent little eyes. 

My favorite thing about each season is making bucket lists with tons of family fun. I love these lists because we get to spend quality time together and create memories with our little sugar plums that will (hopefully) last a lifetime. 

Here are 7 Winter Family Fun Activities on our bucket list. 

See the Christmas Lights 

Decorate our Christmas Tree

Write a Letter to Santa

Visit Santa

Have a Hot Cocoa & Christmas Movie Night

Bake Christmas Cookies

Go to a Christmas Parade

Make it a December to remember. 

In honor of this season and all that is merry & bright. I'll close each post this month with one of my favorite Christmas songs. This week is... "Man with the Bag" by the lovely Kay Starr. An oldie but a goodie. ❤️

Pumpkin Pickin' with the Pumpkins!

Nothing quite says fall like the PUMPKIN PATCH...and fall is definitely here. Although in Southern California, we don't see "true" fall and it has been hot as heck....we have noticed the leaves are changing and beginning to fall, the evenings have turned crisp, and pumpkin everything has taken over!! 

Our first Pumpkin Patch of the Season....

Drew's First Time on a horse. This big boy was so brace and so proud of himself. 🖤

All photos are courtesy of my dear friend and talented photographer Kaycee Castillo 🖤🎃👻 She is holding Pumpkin Patch Mini Sessions throughout the month, check her IG for info!