From my family to yours...

What Do You Cook For Christmas Dinner?

Christmas dinner is always an important event in any household. Just like Thanksgiving, there are those traditional foods you have every year. Whether it be turkey, ham, prime rib, lasagna, or pork loin, everyone has their favorite dishes they enjoy serving to their family. Today I want to know...

 What is on your dinner table this holiday season?

Here are some of my favorites!

Butter Lettuce Salad with Gorgonzola and Pear Dressing

Old Fashioned Glazed Ham

Prime Rib

Green Beans with Brown Butter and Pine Nuts

Buttermilk Buscuits

Brussels Spouts with Balsamic and Cranberries

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Don't they all just look delicious?

Enjoy!

#jollyvoxbox review

I recently received the Jolly VoxBox from Influenster. I was so excited to receive this book and check out all the goodies inside!

I've always been a fan of Ducktape and I'm just amazed at the different types they have right now. I use the regular sized pink zebra in my classroom. I was super excited to find a "Duckling" mini roll in my box today. How fun! I can wait to use the mini around my home and in the classroom. It's perfect to hang up student work in the hallways with its high performance strength and adhesion characteristics. 

Follow them on twitter @theduckbrand

You can never have too many eye shadows and with NYC New York Color HD Color Trio Eye Shadow, you can buy even more at the amazing price of $2.99! This lightweight eye shadow is perfect for the day or evening look. It's easy to use and looks very professional. 

Follow them on twitter @nycnewyorkcolor

I'll be honest, I don't think I've ever purchased a Rimmel product. It's not that I don't like them but they've never really caught my eye. I love this new Show Off Lip Lacquer. It's perfect to wear just as a gloss or over a colored lipstick. It's smooth, shiny, and available in 14 different shades.

Follow Rimmel London @rimmellondonus

I was so excited to see this Skinny Cow Candy in my Jolly Vox Box! It melts-in-your-mouth and is scrumptious! J even loved them and couldn't believe they are only 130 calories per snack! They are perfect if you have a chocolate craving and the peanut butter creme on the inside is just delightful!

You can find Skinny Cow on twitter @theskinnycow

We always have purchased Puffs tissues because they are the best! They are strong, ultra soft, and help avoid a chapped nose. We always keep a box in our family room and in Hadley's room for her winter runny nose. I also have stacks of them in my classroom. They're perfect for all ages!

Puffs is on twitter too @puffs

These are my own thoughts and opinions about each product. 

I have received these products complimentary for test purposes from Influenster.

My Favorite Things: Teacher Edition

Since I'm a teacher, I thought it would be fun to do a little gift guide for those wondering what they should get their child's teacher for Christmas. First, let me say that I do not expect to get gifts. It is a wonderful bonus that I am very thankful for, but I would be perfectly happy not receiving anything. There is a reason why I teach and it's not for the extra presents :)

Books: What better way to give a gift to your teacher and to the classroom. Books are a wonderful addition and always welcomed. Find out your teachers favorite author and pick a few from their list!

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Clorox Wipes: I'm in constant need these! I would be thrilled if a student brought in a two-pack for Christmas! It's the little things that count :)

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Gift Cards for the classroom: Receiving gift cards to a local teacher store is awesome! I get to purchase some extra things we need for the classroom.

Gift cards for the teacher: If a student wants to get something for me personally, gift cards are always great! I rarely get breakfast or coffee for myself but in the past if I've received a gift card to Tim Hortons or Starbucks, I make sure to bring in my coffee and tell the student I used their gift to buy my coffee that morning. They usually think that is pretty cool.

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Hand Sanitizer: Love these personalized hand sanitizers for the classroom!

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Homemade Gifts: I love receiving homemade gifts! It amazes me at how crafty and creative some of my parents and students are. Last year I received one of the most unique gifts that I use quite often...rice bag warmers! My student made me a large bag, medium bag, and two small bags for your hands. I thought they were such a wonderful idea!

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Pens: I'm obsessed with pens. Any kind really but I'm obsessed with Paper Mate Flair Felt Pens. I buy a new pack every year and get so excited to open the new package! They're kind of pricey but totally worth it! 

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But in the end, a hug and a Merry Christmas would be just perfect.

What are some of your favorite gifts to give teachers?

Christmas Ornaments

If you are looking to purchase personalized Christmas ornaments, check out what Sarah is making at Growing, Laughing, and Loving in Life. I purchased ornaments for her for my piano students and love them!! They're so adorable and she even put music note ribbon at the top! Turn around time was very fast and they were wrapped safe and tight! 

Thank you so much for making these beautiful ornaments!

So What Wednesday

Today I'm saying So what if...

• I'm not ready to put up Christmas decorations. Normally I'm all over this. Two weeks after having Hadley, I hobbled around the house putting put fall decor. But Christmas...I'm just not ready {but my shopping is done}!

• We're packing up our home in hopes to put it back up for sale in January. I swear it doesn't matter how much we pack, I still feel like there's stuff everywhere!

• Josh can't keep people in movies straight. Sunday night we were watching The Wizard of Oz and he asked, "did she kill the Ompa Lompas?" referring to the Wicked Witch. No, that would be Willy Wonka.

• My cat gets on top of the kitchen cabinets every day...all the time! I am constantly wiping down the counters. He drives me BANANAS! But I still love him.

• I love Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte. It's delish! Thank goodness for the Groupon I bought a while back! I wanted to make them at home but have you seen this recipe?!

What are you saying "so what" to today?

Five on Friday

{one}

On Monday, Hadley turned 12 weeks old. 12 weeks! Time has just flown by. I'm so sad to know that next week is my last week off with her. The past 13 weeks have been absolutely amazing and I've enjoyed every minute--even when we were both crying. I don't want to leave her and would do anything to stay home with her. I'd love to work at home but that's not really an option with my degree. But she will be going to a good friend who is amazing and has wonderful kids, so I know she will be happy and safe. That is the most important.

{two}

Jenny and her daughter Lucy came over to "play" on Monday. It was so nice to talk to another new mom about how both girls are doing. It's also crazy to see how different they are a month apart. I sometimes feel like I don't see a lot of change in H because I see her everyday. But when I saw Lucy it made me remember when H couldn't quite do the things she's doing now. It's crazy and wonderful at the same time. I love watching her grow!

{three}

Sorry, another one about Miss Hadley. Last week we took her to see Santa. I definitely have respect for the bird but I hate lines. We went on a Friday morning and nobody was there. We walked right up got our picture and left! It was great! I was really hoping for a smile picture or a total meltdown picture (because those crack me up) but she was just chillin. She kept looking at all of us (me, Josh, and the three elves) like we were crazy trying to get her to laugh.

{four}

I made this delicious crockpot chicken tortilla soup. It was so good. I'm really happy that we have extra to freeze. It will definitely come in handle on those cold winter evenings!

{five}

Christmas pictures are tomorrow! I'm so excited!! I spent way to long thinking about what we would all wear, but I'm liking it and hoping it works out. I ordered H a few bows from one of my favorite "bowtiques", Diva Baby Bowtique. I love their hair puffs!




Happy Friday!

So What Wednesday

Today I'm saying So What if...

• I called to find out when Santa will be at the mall and his first day is this Saturday. Saturday?? Really? 
• I also texted J and told him we are going to the mall one day right when they open and running to get in line. I do not want to wait in a line for hours...J does not do well with crowds! 
• I have a countdown in my head to go back to work and it's not a happy countdown. It's an, "I'm not ready to leave my baby" countdown. I'd do just about anything to be able to stay at home with her, even part time. But it's just not God's plan right now (or my student loans).
• I have quite a few blog post ideas but just need to find the time to write them.
• I'm worried about how I'm going to balance baby/husband/family/work/house when going back to work.
• Oh, friends? What friends? I figured that comes later when I get myself somewhat together with a new schedule...hopefully.
• We can't really find a church that we love. We've tried a couple but nothing just feels right.
• I'm hoping for a lot of snow days this year. Snow days means spending more time with my sweet girl!
• J and I still haven't had a date night since H was born. That's on our "to-do" list. We talk about it a lot though!