Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas

 Every year when Easter rolls around, I always feel a little bit hung over from the holiday season. One of my missions as a parent is to limit the amount of junk in our home, because after all, with four kids, it tends to add up quickly. I usually try to pick items and toys that I know will be used, and will not be found laying around in a random spot. I thought I would share my three mood boards for the kids which help me align what I am buying and maybe it will help you all too! 

Maileg Mouse |  Jellycat  |  sippy cups  |  toddler crayons  |

wooden farm animals  |  bath bombs  |  bathing suit  |  Natives

bows 

Dot Markers  |  WetBrush  | Maileg Mouse  | Barbie

Flip Flops  | hair ties  | bathing suit  | toothbrush

earrings  |  sleep mask  | Welly bandaids

Football gloves  |  bathing suits  |  football cards  | xbox gift card

Hydroflask  | toothbrush  | hat  | Welly bandaids

Under Armor Pants

Christmas 2017

How is it that another Christmas has come and gone? I feel so lucky to have such a good family to spend the holidays with... all of the people that surround us fill our hearts with so much love and joy.

I always feel like it is hard to truly get into the holiday spirit when lives are so consumed with the mundane day to day things that have to get done. Which is always so sad. My little empathetic middle child, Luke, came up to me on the evening of Christmas and began to cry. When I asked him what was wrong he said "Christmas is over and I want it to be Christmas again." We talked about all of the fun time we will have between now and next Christmas. He was still sad but thought it would be fun that next Christmas he would be in Kindergarten. Now... onto the gift part..

Does anyone else have children that create these elaborate lists, then you get your shopping done early, and then their lists change? No? Just me... okay.

When Luke was asked what his favorite gift was he said it was his Fingerling from Santa (thank you Facebook world for telling me what to get my children!) Aiden could not decide on a favorite gift and said everything was his favorite. Leila's favorite (I think) was "Moana Dog" a.k.a. Pua, the pig from Moana.

I cannot wait to see what this next year brings for us. I am going to put together a list of New Year's Resolutions and how we did on our resolutions from last year. But anyway, here are some of my favorite pictures from our Christmas holiday this year:

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate! 

One Sweet Christmas: 2016

I love Christmas season. I always have and after having children, I love it even more! I love the twinkling lights inside and out, the ambiance the lit tree gives off in the family room, excited kids pitter patter, and everything surrounding the season.... Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this Christmas!

Now that the tree and lights are down, the house is getting back to normal and I am envisioning the fun decor things I can do this year! Happy New Year!

2016 Christmas Fireplace

On the very rare occasion these days, I took a few pictures of my holiday fireplace. I would have loved to get more photos of the whole house but it was a chore enough to get it all decorated while working full time. Maybe tomorrow I can find time between stepping on legos and cleaning guacamole off of baby dolls heads to take some more photos!

But for now....

Is anyone else a sucker for white poinsettias?! I just swoon over them! 

Details:

Tree: Walmart

Fake greenery: Hobby Lobby

Fluffy stool: Bed, Bath, & Beyond

Distressed pot: Pottery Barn

Basket: TJ Maxx

Blue chair: Target

White vases: IKEA

Stockings: Hobby Lobby

Clock: Z Gallerie

HaLLoWeEn 2.0.1.6.

We have been incredibly fortunate when it comes to weather this fall. It has probably been in the 60s, 70s, and sometimes 80s every day since the beginning of our Indian Summer! I have to itch to decorate for Christmas, and planned on doing it on November 11th because I have that day off from work, but I couldn't help but put up our brand new tree tonight! I can't wait to share pictures with you once I get it all decorated!

This year we took some amazing beach photos while we were on vacation and I love them so much! I am using some for our Christmas card, so those will stay a secret, but here are a few that I am just smiling big smiles for....

We were also able to carve pumpkins outside which completely avoided messing up the inside of my house... pumpkin guts can be so sticky! They also scare Leila... when she is afraid, she covers both of her ears. I think that is kind of smart, obviously, you need to see the fear to make sure you are a safe distance away...

And because it was so warm and we carved our pumpkins three days before, they rotted before halloween actually came. Then, squirrels may or may not have gotten to them. Life.

This neighbor gave out jello shots. He was our favorite. 

IT IS NOVEMBER! Let the decorating begin! <3

A Christmas Photo Story: 2015

Merry Christmas!

He doesn't need presents to make him happy....

Just puppies! (yes, that is a real dog!)

Chubby ankles and baby moccs....

She was curious about those ears!

So excited to find out that Santa brought him a Hulkbuster, something he has been asking for for over a year!

DinoBatman!

Playing hide and seek at the end of the night with cousin Harlow.... dirty floors, stuffed tummies, and full hearts!