Life Lately

Last week, we enjoyed a few rare days of warm weather. Which put me in the mood for...

Spring cleaning!

I've spent the last few days going through all of our closets and deep cleaning the girls bedroom. We are officially switching their room over to a "big girl" room. I'm excited to piece together a sweet little paradise for them, but I have to say, packing way the cribs is a bit sad, too.

Their new beds and bedding is set to arrive this weekend, so I'm sure I'll be sharing a peek at that soon. :)

We also had a little celebration for Ella. She asked for a rainbow cake and Paw Patrol party, so that's exactly what we did. Thank goodness for bakeries that ship cakes!!

I confess, when I'm not cleaning doing preschool with the girls, I've had my nose buried in books and coffee. As usual. <3

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Ella Bug turns THREE

What is it about THREE that feels so big? I remember when Evie turned three. It's such a big girl status. I admit, I shed tears this morning. I love my babies so much.

She was born with a full head of black curls and she's kept those curls ever since!

Ella is our feisty, silly, independent little lady. She loves Starbucks, Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Unicorns, cookies and being with her cousins and Grandparents. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. She hates shoes and doesn't like to have her hair brushed. She's also a snuggle bug.

Happiest of birthday's to our Elleanor! We love you to the moon and back. 💖

Christmas Cuties

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” ~Charles Dickens

Our Christmas Home

Well, here we are on Christmas Eve...and in the interest of full disclosure, it has been a rough week for us. Between travels, and a tummy bug, our schedule was thrown off track! But, the girls are on the men d, the house is starting to look like our cozy Christmas home again, and I'm ready for Egg Nog. ;)

One of my favorite additions to our Christmas décor this year is our "new" Christmas village! I actually bought the entire set at a flea market. I've always wanted one and finally had a place in our house to set one up. It like a scene straight from a hallmark movie!

Oliver the Elf has been keeping the girls entertained!

Our tree is filled with old world ornaments, hallmark ornaments, and ornaments that we've collected over the years. This year, we added a new Merry Christmas Sign that looked perfect at the top.

Happy Christmas Eve!

My Leaf Explorers

I just now got around to uploading pictures from last month. For the last two years, we take the girls on a leaf excursion. We drive around town collecting the brightest colored leaves we can find, then finish up with a treat at Starbucks. Evie remembered us doing this last year, and asked to do it again. It blows me away that she is now creating little memories of her own.

My sweet treasures. Yesterday babies, today, big girls.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! I have to buckle down and finish up my Christmas list. <3

Currently Loving (December Edition)

Drinking: My current order at Starbucks is a Grande Iced Cold Brew Coffee with Peppermint & Cream. Ever since switching from iced latte's to cold brew, I've realized I no longer enjoy the taste of their regular espresso. I do enjoy their Blond Roast, though. The cold brew is smooth, almost creamy for coffee consistency! ;)

Reading: I've been reading through The Christmas Blessing by Donna Van Liere for the seventh time (I think). I typically read it every year at Christmas, and every year, I think it's just as magical is the first time. It's equal parts romance, heartbreak and miracles.

Watching: I'm busy watching all the cheesy Christmas movies. And yes, I'm one of those that love Hallmark movies. I can't help it. I just love knowing they make me happy in the end and I don't ever have to worry about content. We are also slowly plowing our way through our traditional Christmas movies: Elf, Christmas With The Kranks, Polar Express, Home Alone 1 & 2, Santa Clause, and I always love watching While You Were Sleeping this time of year. I also love the old classics like It's A Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, White Christmas, etc. Ok, I clearly have a thing for Christmas movies. *wink* And my all time favorite? A Charlie Brown Christmas. 🎄

Side note...If you are looking for a new movie to add to your Christmas Collection, check out The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix! It's cute, funny, and good family-friendly movie.

Driving: Around looing at lights every single chance I get. There are few things that make me as happy and peaceful as looking at lights, listening to carols. It's just he best feeling in the world.

Buying: Well, I confess I have quite a bit left to purchase for gifts. I'm not too worried though, I have my ideas ready and rearing to go!

Enjoying: Grocery Delivery Service! I  have only used it twice now. Both times during cold weather and when I didn't want to get the kids out. It is just SO easy. You fill out your list, they go shopping for me, then deliver it on my front door. Such a fantastic service!

Christmas School

I'm finishing up my iced coffee this morning, while catching up with some online work. The girls slept in after a late (and fun) night out with their Grandmother. Josh and I got to have a quiet dinner out, which we topped off with a stop at Coldstone Creamery! Every year, I get a bowl of the Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream. I like it mixed with chocolate shavings, oreos, and whipped cream. It's a tiny slice of heaven!

We have been busy reading Christmas books, crafts, and doing school by the twinkling tree lights. Our morning basket is brimming with new treasures. I might be having more fun reading these new books than they are! *wink*

For some reason, school seems even more precious and sacred at this time of year. 💖

Happy Tuesday!

The Week After Thanksgiving

I love the week after Thanksgiving. I've never given much thought to it, but I realize now that it's a blessedly quite week before the Christmas festivities begin. To ponder all the reasons I am thankful...

• I'm thankful for my family. For a hard working and kind husband, for the health of my children. For the ability to make memories as a family of four. 

• I'm thankful for several opportunity to bless others and be blessed in return. Cheesy? Perhaps.

• I'm thankful for a long and luscious fall this season. We had glorious colors that lasted for weeks! Typically, fall last for only a short window of time due to droughts, but this year we had more rain than ever!

• I'm thankful for our cozy home that has been decked out for Christmas since mid-November. What can I say? The twinkle lights just make me smile.

• I'm thankful for a little Black Friday fun and traditions: Cracker Barrel for breakfast and an afternoon of shopping. We let the girls pick out new clothes and they had a blast!

And most of all, I am forever grateful for the grace of our Lord and Savior...the very reason this time of year is extra special. To celebrate not only His birth, but the REASON He came. <3

My Little Unicorns

We found a couple of unicorns on our front porch yesterday! We decided to keep them. *wink*

😍

Pumpkin Patch 2018

Last Friday, we made our annual trek to the pumpkin patch. Give me all the beautiful orange pumpkins!! <3

The girls had a blast, and seemed to enjoy the silly photo props more than anything!

Oh, the memories!! I love watching them giggle and laugh together. It's the best. <3

Learning to crank out water to float the little duckies! 

And that's a wrap! We are still coloring pumpkin things, and eating all the pumpkin things. This weekend I had my first round of Pumpkin Dump cake at church, and my goodness, was it good.

Happy Monday, Friends!

Five Things Friday

One: I found that Mary Poppins quote sign at Hobby Lobby and luckily all wood was on sale for 50% off. Mary Poppins is one of my favorite classic Disney movies! Adding it to my décor was a no brainer. ;) I'm super excited about the new movie coming out soon! Anyone else?

Two: The girls had a princess birthday party to attend last week at my friend Ashley's house. They had face painting and all the girls wore their favorite princess dresses. It was so cute and so much fun. These days of watching the girls take delight in all sorts of fun stuff is my jam!!!

Three: While out thrifting a few weeks ago, I found The Mitford Series minus one book. So, I decided to read them this winter. I'm also thinking of starting a YA series. I like to switch back and forth with my books (always have!). Any good novels I should be reading? I love mystery, historical fiction, suspense.

Four: I may or may not have started adding stickers to my daily planner. I told myself I would never do that, but here I am. 😁 I've also been working on putting together some of my favorite recipes and create a new home binder. I used a home management binder for years, but after having kids, I lost my groove.

Five: Ya'll, I  was driving around showing the girls a few fall displays and lights in our neighborhood, when I noticed that one of my neighbors already put up their Christmas tree. The struggle is real....how long will I hold out this year? I'm in no hurry to see fall gone, but I am one of those people that sees the entire fall/early winter as one long, delicious holiday season.

Linking up with High Five for Friday!