Friday Favorites

How is it even possible that we are only a week away from Christmas!? Every year, life flies by faster and faster, and I am just trying my best to soak it all in. We are set to get a snowstorm tonight, followed by temperatures with highs below zero on Sunday! That's a Minnesota winter for you! In this season of twinkle lights and cheer, you know there are so many favorite things to share!


1. The Lace Up Trend
Okay, who all has jumped on the lace up trend lately? I have been holding out, but I saw this sweater just came out at Gap and I am in love. But you know me, I am waiting for the perfect moment (and sale) to strike ;-) **UPDATE** I was not even finished writing this post and wouldn't you know, I flipped over to The Gap's website and the sweater is marked at $15 off, and then another 45% off!! So there is the great sale I was waiting for, and it is obviously now on it's way to me. Shhh, don't tell Mike!


2. Wreath Cookies

I go all out with Christmas cookies, and am a little embarrassed to admit we have eaten the entire double batch of kiss cookies, as well as the entire batch of sugar cookies already *cue the monkey covering his eyes emoji* There is not much self control around our house when it comes to sweets. My all time favorite since childhood, though, is Christmas Wreath cookies! Not only are they yummy, but they are so quick and easy because they don't require any dough prep or baking! Melt a stick of butter and a bag of marshmallows, add some green food coloring and corn flakes, and shape on wax paper. Add some cinnamon candies for the holly berries and you are done! To be honest, I never shape them into actual wreaths, I more-so just create a little blob, but while I love to bake, I am also lazy and they taste the same regardless! Mike got home from working late last night and already found them, so it's a good thing I bought ingredients for another batch ;-)


3. Shop Small

I love my big retailers. Old Navy, Nordstrom, Gap, you all have my heart. But there is often something so special about small shops, and the unique/custom products you can find! I found these adorable beanies for my boys, and am just dying to receive them in the mail. I have also been on the hunt for some wall décor for our home, and am certain I will end up finding what I am looking for through Etsy or Instagram. I just love one of a kind pieces that support moms like myself!


4. Ikea Gifts
Okay, when Christmas shopping for kiddos I have never really thought 'go to Ikea'. But this year, after assessing our toy situation and how many pieces and contraptions we have, we are really trying to keep it to more useful, practical pieces. My parents drove down towards Ikea yesterday, and asked if I needed anything. I looked online, and found this table, this art easel, and how cute are these play veggies!? Jackson has been stealing food off of his dinner plate to feed his toy rocking horse (true story) and it will be so fun to give him some outlets for more imaginative play. And as always, you seriously CANNOT beat their prices. $25 for that table!? I know the boys will get so much use out of it, and if they break it or color on it, I won't be totally heartbroken. I just love me some Ikea.


5. Baby Eats
I have spoken a bit on this, but Lincoln seriously hates baby food. He purses his lips and refuses to eat more than one or two bites. It has been a challenge, because while I try so hard to not compare my children, at this point Jackson was eating pretty regular meals every single day. I feel bad that Lincoln hasn't been experiencing food and flavors, but at the same time, he is refusing what we offer to him! So, I made the decision to just let things happen naturally, and not forcing him to eat if he doesn't want to. In the past week or two, I have started letting him try little bites of whatever we are eating, and he has gobbled down pineapple off of my Hawaiian pizza, goes crazy or bits of garlic bread, and he will love you forever if you let him have a bite (or gnaw) of your apple. Last night, we had tator tot hotdish and I decided to serve him some of the veggies and tots, and he went nuts!! I seriously could not feed him fast enough. He seems to have really figured out how to swallow, which was a bit of a challenge in the past month as, while he wanted to eat, he would usually gag on anything that wasn't liquid. I never want to wish away my babies, but I am so excited that we are finally entering the stage where he can really start to explore people food and be a part of our meals with us! Also, Jackson has started eating at the table with us and has gladly passed down his highchair. Nothing makes my day more than when a child pronounces something and it comes out sounding like something totally inappropriate, and in this case it is when he points to Lincoln's 'hass-ho'. Is it bad I don't want him to correct it ever!?


I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. We are off to the extended family Christmas party tomorrow, and Santa will be there! I'd say it's a 50-50 shot that Jackson screams, and fully expect Lincoln to try to eat Santa's beard ;-)

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