I’m trying to embrace the fact that December is just going to fly by. Our days have been so full, which is wonderful, but I’m already feeling a little worn out. I think I’ve overslept every morning this week, leading to some frantic morning routines and forgetting children’s coats. When it’s 40 degrees. Oops.
So things are a little crazy, but there is a lot of good stuff filling it up!
Last night I attended the end-of-season Girls on the Run Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. I’ve been helping out this season in various ways and it was really wonderful to see everyone come together. These women are focused on doing so much good, building confidence and leadership skills in young girls. As a mom to two girls, these goals hold a special place in my heart.
I hope my girls always feel proud to be their silly, smart, sweet selves.
In other happenings, I found this on the shelf at Healthy Home Market this week.
Has anyone tried it?! I’m planning on grabbing a bottle next time, as my main use of ACV is in hot drinks or salad dressings, and this would be great for both.
How’s everyone doing on Christmas shopping? I. AM. DONE. Wow, that is fun to say! I still have wrapping and such to do, but am thrilled that the bulk of it is complete. If you’re still working on toddler gifts, I recommend checking out my toddler gift guide. I just saw that our household favorite Melissa and Doug grocery cart is on sale on Zulily for the next 24 hours. Both girls LOVE this toy.
Our Christmas cards have been ordered and sent, too, which feels so good. Here is an outtake I love but didn’t end up using…
Kaitlyn’s face! Bahaha.
We pretty much have Christmas music on 24/7 around here and it makes me ridiculously happy. The girls are feeling the Christmas spirit too.
Hailey keeps writing letter’s to Santa every day for our Elf “Star” to take to the North Pole. There is a lot of “mom, how do you spell ___” going on at our house. It’s pretty sweet though because she keeps asking everyone else what they want, including friends and family, and sending that to Santa. Yesterday was my turn.
Mom, what do you want for Christmas?
I answered with “to spend time with the whole family listening to Christmas music, eating good food and being cozy!”
H (looking confused): OK. But what do you want?
I guess my answer wasn’t that exciting. To play along, I tried to come up with a few things I’d ask Santa for.
I certainly would love to have a pair of these silicone oven gloves (in fuschia maybe?!), as my oven mitts have holes in them.
My friend Alise swears by this rice cooker (and the price is right!!) so I’d love to try it out.
Or a lemon juicer? I could really use one of those!
With a heavy, disappointed sigh, she finally asked, OK Mom, how do I spell lemon juicer?
She’s only 4 years old and already I bore her.
Ok, like I said, I overslept this morning and now the girls are running around and my window of computer time is over. But first, let me share with you the winner of the HUGE THANK YOU GIVEAWAY! …
Congratulations Carolyn S!!
I will be emailing you today, so check your inbox and thank you ALL so much for reading. Even on days where it’s complete randomness, like this.
What do you have planned for this weekend?
We are getting our treeeeeeee! 🙂
Heather Tatum says
Your family is adorable! We are officially moving into “new house” as my 2.5 year old loves to call it! It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over 4 years in one place! Have a wonderful weekend!
John J. says
Sweet Christmas card option! Ready to see the chosen one. You guys are so photogenic.
kate says
If you are on the market for a rice cooker, check out the ones by Zojirushi. They are a little more pricey, but well worth the money. We bought ours two years ago, it’s used at least once a week, and has never disappointed me.
I’m with you regarding the Christmas music. I have listened to Last Christmas, Let it snow, and all the other wonderful Christmas songs more than I should admit… 😉
Have a great weekend! We’ll probably have a quiet one and catch up on household stuff…
Brittany Dixon says
I have a zojirushi bread machine and have been pleased with it, so I’m sure the rice cooker is great too! I’ll have to check it out- thanks!
sherry says
The pictures are fabulous! Your photographer must love it when you schedule pictures because they always turn out so good!
Christen says
We’ve had some seriously frantic weekends lately so I’m just going to be chilling at home with my hubby and two little girls 🙂
Andrea says
Why get a rice cooker when you have an electric pressure cooker? 🙂
Saturday I’m going to see the Nutcracker with my sister, mom and two nieces. Girls’ day! I can’t wait. Sunday going to see the Buffalo Bills game. And hopefully get some decorating and gift making done as well. Oh….and tonight. Date night! Husband has been out of town since Monday morning and I finally get to see him tonight.
That outtake picture is precious! Might not have made the card but you should definitely have it printed and frame it somewhere in the house.
Brittany Dixon says
Andrea, you just blew my mind! an I use the pressure cooker for rice? Now that I say it, it certainly sounds plausible. Totally going to look into this- thanks!!
ANd have a blast at the Nutcracker- sounds like such a fun Christmas-y outing! 🙂
Andrea says
I used to burn and undercook rice all at the same time all the time. Once I got my Cuisinart electric PC I started cooking rice ONLY in that with great success! From a pilaf to a creamy risotto. And brown and wild rices cook in half the time as on the stove top. The Cuisinart book has a great basic pilaf recipe (three minutes high pressure, three minutes natural release…perfection!) and Laura over at hippressurecooking.com has a great basic risotto recipe and ideas for variations.
Looks like you had an amazing Christmasy weekend!
Heather says
Love seeing so many Christmas related posts on blogs right now. I love this time of year so much! I can’t help but feel joyful. Ha ha. That outtake picture is great. I think my favorite photos lately have been outtakes where the kids are being goofy or even better throw me some major shade. 😉
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I love our rice cooker, it is also wonderful for quinoa! And I’m so excited to run at the GOTR 5K in NYC this Sunday. I’m running as a Sparkle Runner, paired with a specific group to run alongside any girls who need some extra motivating 🙂 My day job wouldn’t permit me to be a coach but I would love to get involved more.
Brittany Dixon says
I love that you’re a sparkle runner- that is so awesome! My schedule this past year kept me from coaching too, but loved being involved in other ways. Have a fantastic run tomorrow!
elizabeth says
i bore my kids too & they’re 3.5 and almost 2. they pretty much want me to talk about super heroes and frozen all day. we’re going to christmas parties & I’m going to a friend’s baby shower! i’m also making spaghetti for Jared’s team at work on saturday (they keep odd hours).
Cassie says
Yes, I am also done with holiday shopping. I need to finish with the Christmas cards, wrap, and mail out of a few things, but that’s it! Hurray!
Just errands this weekend.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
Haha, clearly your wish list doesn’t add up in her mind! I once babysat but the kids came to my house. They immediately wanted to know where my toys were and if they could play with them, I had to break the bad news that as a teenager I didn’t have any.
Tami @ Have My Cake says
Ahh! I love that picture of your family! It’s so adorable!!!
We also have christmas music on 24/7…unless we are in the car…then it’s the toddler station on pandora. I can sing Elmo’s Song like you wouldn’t believe 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Giselle says
Every year I think I’m done shopping then continue to shop until I’ve overspent. So this year I’ve procrastinated a little so I won’t do the same thing. I tend to do most my shopping online so it’s much less stressful than going out into the craziness!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I feel you! I was so happy to be done but now other ideas of little things I could get are creeping into my mind. I need to stay busy so I don’t overdo it! Good luck with your shopping 🙂
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
That picture is not an outtake!! That is THE Christmas card picture!
Have a wonderful weekend, Brittany. 🙂
Denise says
Your family is so beautiful. The little girl has a lovely smile in that suit. It seems like a happy family. Looking your pictures on my business trip, I miss my daughter a lot. Hopefully, I will come back my home soon.