Teacher Gifts

Before becoming a mommy, I had the 2nd best job in the world...I was a teacher. 

I loved my job. And I loved those kids. 

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year...and the busiest for teachers and parents alike.

With the list of everything that has to be done in December, it was always so nice to be remembered by my students and their parents. I had the best parents and always felt loved, appreciated, and very spoiled!

Now I'm on the other side...I'm a mom with the best teachers in the world. 

A gift, no matter how big or small, is a way to say....

-thank you for everything you do in the classroom. 

-thank you for being patient because I know it isn't easy.

-and...I want you to know that I know how much you put into making our children’s days special. 

Teachers are definitely not in this profession for the big bucks.With that being said, I love giving gift cards, wrapped thoughtfully so they can do some spending without the guilt!

A roll of wrapping paper, cute plant, or cookies, tied with a ribbon and attach a gift card! Easy, thoughtful, and really helpful this time of year. 

For an extra special touch, have your little decorate a cute tag or write a special card ❤️

That's a Wrap...Christmas 2018 Recap!

Christmas 2018...that’s a wrap!

This was definitely a December to remember and my favorite Christmas yet...The magic. The excitement. The fun. Even the chaos. 

BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER!

My little sugar plums love this season as much as their momma and it melts my heart. 

My favorite moments:

-Watching my littles look for Elfie each morning.

-Making Tamales with my family.

-Watching Christmas Movies!

-Reading Christmas Books!

-Peppermint Hot Cocoa with the kids. 

-Making Gingerbread Cookies with my littles. 

-Singing Christmas Songs...and dancing our hearts out.

-Seeing the Christmas lights. 

-Drew’s Obsession with his Yeti Beanie. 😂

-Amina & Drew’s Preschool Holiday Programs 😍😍😍

-Bea singing “Happy Birthday to Bobby (Baby) Jesus!”

-The look on the kids' faces when Santa actually came!

Was all calm, merry, and bright?! 

HECK NO! 

Is that even possible with three little ones? Not in our family.  It was chaos but the best possible kind! 😉

"I used to think being a kid on Christmas was the best thing ever but it turns out having kids on Christmas is..."

I don't think there is anything can beat being a mom during Christmas. 

❤️

Gift Guide for HER

Today, I've rounded up a few of my favorite gift ideas for the special gals on your Christmas list....wife, gf, mom, bff...I’ve got you covered!

1. Coffee Mug

No explanation needed. Duh....Coffee done in style. Anything better?! Nope. 

The cutest mug and the absolute cutest shop! 

For those of you shopping...Save 20% off this shop with code SANTABABY ❤️❤️

2. Candles

These candles are delicious, hand poured, and natural....Seriously, they’re good! The perfect gift that keeps on giving. 

3. Nena & Co. Bag 

The most beautiful and unique handmade bags. Literally a work of art. 

4. Daniel Wellington Watches 

The most timeless watches...beautiful, classic, and a must have every day staple. 

Use code JUSTINEV for 15% off your purchase!

5. Cozy Sweatshirt 

Everyone loves a cozy sweatshirt and this one is a favorite on my weekly rotation. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Hashtag Mom Life! 😉

It's the absolute coziest while still being super cute and it’s from the sweetest shop. 

Hope this helps you make someone’s day a little extra merry and oh so bright!! ❤️

Want, Need, Wear, Read

Lights are being hung, halls are being decked, and Mommas (& dadas) are working like elves to make this season merry and oh so bright!

To help you with your list this year, I thought I’d share how we Gift in our home....

In our home, we do the 4 Gift Method Of Giving to our little sugarplums!

Each little receives 4 presents from Mom & Dad on Christmas morning...something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.

AND...Santa brings each child a large gift and fills their stockings (stocking post coming later)!

It’s simple and meaningful and it works for us.

1. Something they 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 glow in the dark race track, princess dresses, and shimmeez because who doesn’t love two-toned color changing plushies that are covered in sequin!

2. Something they NEED: this is something practical...whatever that may be. It could be anything your little one needs! For us....it’s undies  Don’t think it can get more practical than that. 😉

3. Something to WEAR: this can be clothing, accessories, hats, shoes, backpack, etc. For us....it’s Rainboots! 

4. 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 and the Dino Sports Series are favorites in our home!

I love this method of gift giving. For us, it brings a sense of intention...each gift has to be thoughtful, since you are only giving 4! 

Hope you all have yourselves a merry little Christmas!!!

***Santa always brings an unwrapped big gift and fills the stockings. This year he is bring Drew a bike and the girls are getting bitty baby dolls! 

Thankful. Grateful. Blessed

I wish I was better at remembering to be thankful more than just when Thanksgiving is near. 

I think I get caught up in the laundry, picking up, wiping little tushies, and handling the mood swings of toddlers....that I forget to stop and remember that I am very blessed. 

This year, I thought I'd share just what I am most thankful for....

Motherhood. Being a momma is a gift. I am thankful for the little boy and little girls who fill our home with laughter, screams, roars, and even tears. I am thankful for the early mornings and up all nights. I am thankful for the messy meals, dirty dishes, loads of laundry, dirty diapers, and crayon on the walls. I am thankful for little voices who fill our home with stories of Lightning McQueen, Dinosaurs, Elsa, and Ninjas! I am thankful for the meltdowns and cuddles. I am thankful for the hard days so I can appreciate the good ones. I am thankful for these little people who fill our arms and hearts. 

Marriage. You don't see much of Andrew on my little "squares." He hates pictures. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 But he is always there. On the sidelines. Refusing to take another photo. Making dinner. Mowing the lawn. Pouring the wine. Playing with the kids. Making smart ass remarks. Making me laugh while rolling my eyes. He is a damn good husband and even better dad. He puts up with my crap...there’s a lot of crap and a little bit of attitude. And, he works hard so that I can stay home with our babies. 

I know I don't tell him enough but I am thankful for my husband. I could not do this thing called life without this man...or the wine. 😘

Family. I am thankful for our family. Thank you for loving us, helping us, and giving so selflessly. Thank you for being here even when you are driving me crazy. 😉 I don’t know what we’d do without you....all of you. 

Friends. I am so thankful for my friendships. My best friends. Thank you for continuing to be there for me through all the good, exciting, mundane, and hard. Thank you for continuing to love me, no matter how bad I am at texting back. 

You. I am truly thankful for all of you and this cozy place on the internet. Thank you for reading along and supporting me. Thank you for every like, comment, and every single message when a link is not working! Thank you for the love and encouragement. 

My little space on the internet would not be possible without all of you. 

Wishing you all the Happiest of Thanksgivings! 🧡 

Our Favorite Spooky Family Movies

It’s the 1st Friday of October...you know what that means?! 

Family Movie Night!!!

It’s time to break out the Halloween PJs and those SPOOKY Halloween movies! 

Who doesn’t love a (mildly) spooky flick and equally spooky pajamas?!?! We sure do! 

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year so I’ve compiled My Favorite Spooky Family Halloween Movies!

Cuddle up with your boos and treat yourself to a hauntingly good time! 👻 

1. Double Double, Toil & Trouble stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen so you know it’s going to be good! Can I get an amen?! 😉 Twin girls who discover that their Great Aunt has been trapped and cursed by her evil twin sister.  It’s up to the girls to break the curse!

2. Hotel Transylvania I, II, & III is a fun family flick starring Dracula, his daughter, and some not so spooky monsters! From a lavish hotel for monsters to a cruise ship vacay...these monsters are livin’ their best lives and keep us laughing along the way!

3. Halloweentown is the story of a girl named Marnie who learns she's a witch and discovers a secret portal to a magical place where ghosts and ghouls, skeletons, witches and werewolves live apart from the human world...Halloweentown! She learns that not all is as it seems and finds herself battling a wicked warlock to save her her family.

4. Descendants I & II is the story of the troublemaking offspring of Disney's classic villains...Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar. 

5. Room on the Broom is based on the book by Julia Donaldson, telling the story of a kind witch who has a variety of animals join her on her broom! Her friends work together when their beloved witch is nearly lunch for a fearsome dragon. Available on Netflix!

6. Hocus Pocus is a classic...the story of Max, his sister Dani, and their friend Allison. When Max ignores Allison’s warning and frees a coven of evil witches, the kids must enlist the help of a magical cat to steal the witches' spell book and stop them from becoming immortal. This is about as spooky as this momma gets and it’s my FAVORITE!

7. The Little Vampire is the story of a little boy who moves and is picked on by the other boys. He befriends a kid vampire and must find courage when his best friend’s life and the future of the vampire race are threatened by a vampire hunter. 

8. Toy Story Of Terror brings back all your favorite characters for a spooky reunion! 

All movies are available through the iTunes Store!

Pop It Like It’s Hot...Popcorn Bar

Happy Independence Day Eve!

Pop It Like It’s Hot...this 4th of July with a festive popcorn barn. 

Super Easy. 

Super Fun. 

And oh so YUM!

All you need...

-Popcorn (We have a thing for air pop)

-Red, White, & Blue M&Ms

-Red, White, & Blue Sprinkles

-Marshmallows

Popcorn Bowl, Balloons, Pajamas, Dishes, Felt Letter Board, Stars

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

Valentines Day for the Littles

I'm told I am a bit extra when it comes to holidays...and I've decided I am totally ok with that. I embrace it. 

And now that it's February, I say YOMO (You Only Mom Once)!

If you are looking to make your littlest Vantine's hearts go pitter patter...bust out some decorations, adorable tableware, and a few heartfelt surprises! 

Decorations:

A little goes a long way...whether they are homemade or store bought, decorating sets the tone and gets everyone excited and feeling festive. We start out with store bought and add to our decor as we complete little projects & crafts throughout the month. 

Table, Mylar Love Balloon, Felt Letter Board

Adorable Tableware:

As usual, Replay Recycled wins again for the most festive and colorful flatware, cups, bowls, snack cups, and utensils. Absolutely perfect for meals, baking, and decorating during the holiday seasons. If you didn't catch my original Replay Post (Here) then I'll give you the cliff notes version of why I love this company...Microwave Safe, Dushwasher Safe, and good for the environment. Mom Win! 

All Replay Dishes pair nicely with hugs and a side of smooches! 

Give a Valentine! 

This year my littlest loves are getting heart shaped candy, heart shaped chalk, and Replay Snack Cups!

Surprises are definitely my love language! I love surprising my little loves and finding the perfect and most heartfelt gift. It's my thing. I don't know what says I love you more than all of their favorite things!

Enjoy this month with your little sweethearts! Xo. 

*Disclaimer: The Valentine's Day Collection was gifted to me by Re-Play in exchange for a review. All opinions in this post are my own.*