Thursday, December 25, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Weekending
Another Christmas weekend has come and gone. This one was full of holiday fun, and I'm dragging! Today I'm linking up for the first time with B Loved Boston for her Weekending series.
Friday we headed east to see Santa at Northpark Center. I've posted about it in years past, but the Santa there is just so wonderful and great with the kids. There were children's choirs and great decorations, and it's just a lot of fun. Tomorrow I'll be posting our official Santa pic with the details of how that went down.
Friday evening, after some awesome post-Santa naps for everyone including me, after Dad got home we decided to take our chances with Sundance Square here in Fort Worth. We ate at Uno's and then walked around the square. It's absolutely magical all lit up for the season, and even more so with the live jazz band playing Christmas music Friday night.
Saturday we all slept in (that means we were up by 7), then had a lazy morning. We drove to Corsicana in the late afternoon to catch the Living Christmas Tree at First Baptist. My mom sang in the tree this year, and the kids loved it. They were quiet and even still during parts of it! After a quick supper, we changed the kids into their pajamas for an easy move from carseat to bed when we finally got home around 11:30.
After church on Sunday, we all came home for naps after such a late night. Later I wrapped gifts with "help" and made lists of everything I have to do this week. We have supper club on Friday night, we're hosting a Christmas party for our Sunday school class on Saturday evening, and my in-laws are coming to celebrate Christmas with us Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. I've got backing and cleaning to get moving on, plus those last few Christmas gifts to track down.
I'm sure your to-do list is as long as mine. Here's to getting it done with our Christmas cheer still in one piece!
Friday we headed east to see Santa at Northpark Center. I've posted about it in years past, but the Santa there is just so wonderful and great with the kids. There were children's choirs and great decorations, and it's just a lot of fun. Tomorrow I'll be posting our official Santa pic with the details of how that went down.
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Friday evening, after some awesome post-Santa naps for everyone including me, after Dad got home we decided to take our chances with Sundance Square here in Fort Worth. We ate at Uno's and then walked around the square. It's absolutely magical all lit up for the season, and even more so with the live jazz band playing Christmas music Friday night.
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Saturday we all slept in (that means we were up by 7), then had a lazy morning. We drove to Corsicana in the late afternoon to catch the Living Christmas Tree at First Baptist. My mom sang in the tree this year, and the kids loved it. They were quiet and even still during parts of it! After a quick supper, we changed the kids into their pajamas for an easy move from carseat to bed when we finally got home around 11:30.
After church on Sunday, we all came home for naps after such a late night. Later I wrapped gifts with "help" and made lists of everything I have to do this week. We have supper club on Friday night, we're hosting a Christmas party for our Sunday school class on Saturday evening, and my in-laws are coming to celebrate Christmas with us Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. I've got backing and cleaning to get moving on, plus those last few Christmas gifts to track down.
I'm sure your to-do list is as long as mine. Here's to getting it done with our Christmas cheer still in one piece!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Weekending
Our weekend was filled with Christmas fun!
Friday night, all four of us headed up to the church to help with the annual Christmas Store. To help give children in the surrounding community a joy-filled Christmas, our church sets up a store for their parents to come and shop. The toys are a gift from our church family. While the parents are shopping, our middle and high school students (with adult supervision, of course) do fun activities with their kiddos. It's such a fun night--you can't help but leave with an abundance of Christmas cheer!
After that, we headed to Ol' South Pancake House with the students. It was a late night, but that didn't stop our kids from waking up at 7:15 am like they do every single morning. Good times. And great naps, later that afternoon. I had a Christmas luncheon on Saturday for a "new mom" ministry I'm involved in. Not only was it at my favorite tea room, but I also splurged and had peppermint chocolate chunk cheesecake. Merry Pure Barre to me.
That evening, Jack and I headed out to find Annabelle's Christmas present from him. He has decided on his own, that since sister pink puffy hearts Elsa, he wants her to have an Elsa doll. A singing Elsa doll, to be exact. (Sister sings it non-stop, so now she'll be able to duet.) We only visited Toys R Us, and their shelves were totally empty. If we strike out at Target tonight, he may be getting his first lesson in online shopping tomorrow.
Sunday was church in the morning, then back in the evening for the choir's beautiful Christmas performance. This year the special guest performer was Jodi McBrayer formerly of the Christian group, Avalon. Jack went in with us and did great! Any wiggles were calmed down with a few marshmallows I packed in my bag for such a time as this.
Here's my current view from the couch where I'm blogging this afternoon. I finally got something up on the mantle Sunday afternoon. Simple, easy, twinkle lights, done.
I hope you have a great week!
Friday night, all four of us headed up to the church to help with the annual Christmas Store. To help give children in the surrounding community a joy-filled Christmas, our church sets up a store for their parents to come and shop. The toys are a gift from our church family. While the parents are shopping, our middle and high school students (with adult supervision, of course) do fun activities with their kiddos. It's such a fun night--you can't help but leave with an abundance of Christmas cheer!
After that, we headed to Ol' South Pancake House with the students. It was a late night, but that didn't stop our kids from waking up at 7:15 am like they do every single morning. Good times. And great naps, later that afternoon. I had a Christmas luncheon on Saturday for a "new mom" ministry I'm involved in. Not only was it at my favorite tea room, but I also splurged and had peppermint chocolate chunk cheesecake. Merry Pure Barre to me.
That evening, Jack and I headed out to find Annabelle's Christmas present from him. He has decided on his own, that since sister pink puffy hearts Elsa, he wants her to have an Elsa doll. A singing Elsa doll, to be exact. (Sister sings it non-stop, so now she'll be able to duet.) We only visited Toys R Us, and their shelves were totally empty. If we strike out at Target tonight, he may be getting his first lesson in online shopping tomorrow.
Sunday was church in the morning, then back in the evening for the choir's beautiful Christmas performance. This year the special guest performer was Jodi McBrayer formerly of the Christian group, Avalon. Jack went in with us and did great! Any wiggles were calmed down with a few marshmallows I packed in my bag for such a time as this.
Here's my current view from the couch where I'm blogging this afternoon. I finally got something up on the mantle Sunday afternoon. Simple, easy, twinkle lights, done.
I hope you have a great week!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Gifts for Cozy Winter Evenings
I keep hearing everyone say we're going to have quite a ride this winter, and it's got me thinking about some of my favorite cozy comforts. Here are some of my favorite gifts to keep cozy on those winter nights.
Clockwise from top left:
Barefoot Dreams Drape Wrap
This beautiful cardigan is made by a blanket company, so you'll literally wrap the recipient in one of the softest blankets they'll ever cuddle up in. I already have one of these under the tree for someone I love. It is fabulous.
Lollia Breathe Tranquil Bubble Bath
Who doesn't love a fabulous bubble bath? A perfect gift for almost anyone at a nice price point. This is one of my favorite gifts to give, as well as receive.
Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil
Adding oil to a hot bath is a great way to keep skin hydrated during the long winter. This Red Roses scent is beautiful. What better way to relax than combining moisture, fabulous scent, and a nice hot, nourishing bath?
Embraceable Pajama Top and Bottoms
For the girl who slips into her pjs as soon as she walks through the door, this soft and comfy set will become her fast favorite.
kai Body Butter
This wonderful body butter feels as luxe as the tag declares. One of Oprah's Favorite Things several (many?) years ago, it's absolutely worth the price. The gardenia smell is divine.
Ugg Dakota Slippers
To keep her tootsies warm during these long dreary months, give her a classic moccasin slipper. My pick is the rich pewter color.
What's your favorite creature comfort to cuddle up during these cold winter months?
Monday, December 1, 2014
Thanksgiving Holiday
Last week, the kids and I set out for Corsicana on Tuesday after naps. Mr. G was working Wednesday, and we were planning to take two cars anyway because we had that much stuff between his hunting gear and Jack's 4-wheeler. I hadn't been home in a while, so it was nice to grab a little extra time with my grandparents before the chaos of the holiday hit.
Pretty much all we did from Tuesday evening to Saturday was hang out and eat. Wednesday we headed to downtown for lunch and little shopping. It's really picturesque, and we stopped in the pocket park for a picture. The pocket park is a break in the buildings that was created after a fire ruined a store there. The city has created a really neat spot for all sorts of events: Santa pics, choir performances, you name it. I couldn't get the kids to look at the camera, but they were being so sweet to one another.
Thursday was a huge food fest. We were missing one person from my mom's side of the family. My cousin was working, and I was missing him because he's getting married this summer. I wanted to pump him for info. I'm excited for the wedding but also excited for another girl in the family! Until I was 20, I was the only granddaughter on that side.
The kids didn't nap that day, which was so crazy. Annabelle finally passed out in my arms around 5. Celebration, indeed. I couldn't believe it when they went to bed late after no naps and woke up at the exact same time as they always do. Friday included an extended nap.
The rest of the weekend, Mr. G woke up at 4 AM to duck hunt, and the kids and I stayed back at my parents in our pajamas as long as we could. Any black Friday shopping I did happened from the couch. Saturday was a special celebration for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, so I'll post about that later this week.
It was a great weekend in my hometown, and I was thankful to see so much of my family.
I hope you were well and had safe holiday travels this past week!
Pretty much all we did from Tuesday evening to Saturday was hang out and eat. Wednesday we headed to downtown for lunch and little shopping. It's really picturesque, and we stopped in the pocket park for a picture. The pocket park is a break in the buildings that was created after a fire ruined a store there. The city has created a really neat spot for all sorts of events: Santa pics, choir performances, you name it. I couldn't get the kids to look at the camera, but they were being so sweet to one another.
Thursday was a huge food fest. We were missing one person from my mom's side of the family. My cousin was working, and I was missing him because he's getting married this summer. I wanted to pump him for info. I'm excited for the wedding but also excited for another girl in the family! Until I was 20, I was the only granddaughter on that side.
The kids didn't nap that day, which was so crazy. Annabelle finally passed out in my arms around 5. Celebration, indeed. I couldn't believe it when they went to bed late after no naps and woke up at the exact same time as they always do. Friday included an extended nap.
The rest of the weekend, Mr. G woke up at 4 AM to duck hunt, and the kids and I stayed back at my parents in our pajamas as long as we could. Any black Friday shopping I did happened from the couch. Saturday was a special celebration for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, so I'll post about that later this week.
It was a great weekend in my hometown, and I was thankful to see so much of my family.
I hope you were well and had safe holiday travels this past week!
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