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Enjoying: Thanksgiving Prep

November 23, 2016 By Kelle

If this post was something you could hold, it would be covered in gold glitter–the fancy extra-fine kind–layers of it that would shed off and land in your lap and stick to your skin, not in the annoying way, but just enough to maintain a festive shimmer that reminded you throughout the day that maybe you do like glitter and maybe you aren’t too old to seal your Christmas cards this year with scratch-and-sniff peppermint stickers (do it, do it).

The whole world feels like a scratch-and-sniff sticker right now, and I want to smell it all–the line-up of pine trees for sale out front of the grocery stores, the spiced cider samples, the apples, the turkeys, the smoke from the fireplace. I must admit, wrangling an Enjoying the Small Things post late November feels like containing a field of stallions–so many things to be happy about, so many senses awake, so many “thank yous.”

On the eve of our day of gratitude, we are enjoying…

Our table set for breakfast tomorrow.

Preschool prayers and a room full of littles learning gratitude every day…makes me cry.

A walk in the woods, and pausing for some love.

And twirling…always twirling.

Slow mornings and the promise for so many more next month.

Sister dances.

Matching girls.

Happy weekend chaos.

A solution to making bunk bed beds.

(Beddy’s zipper bedding–they started their Black Friday sale. I’m just sayin’–our bunk bed probs are gone!)

Her hand stand phase. All day, ‘err day.

Switching out the kids’ bedding for festive winter stuff. When the weather doesn’t change, we find ways to switch things up.

Accepting that his baby feet are really man feet. Because they’re huge.

We’re looking forward to spending the day with family and friends tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

…and this song of mine, in three-quarter time, wishes you and yours the same thing too.

Sending the Best Gift: Our Words

November 21, 2016 By Kelle

This post is sponsored by Hallmark Signature.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is taking an opportunity to recognize our people–from the closest in our village like our best friends and parents, to ones we sometimes forget to acknowledge–the friends who live far away, our kids’ teachers, the mail lady who carries our kids’ bikes up to the garage when we leave them out. And while I love finding the perfect little gift to make someone smile, the gift that’s most remembered is our words–taking the time to tell someone what they really bring to our lives.

I’ve had a small stack of gorgeous holiday cards Hallmark Signature sent me on my desk for a couple of weeks now, and I finally took some time this past weekend to sit down and write some special notes to people I wanted to recognize–beyond the “Merry Christmas” and smiling faces in the family card we send to all our friends. I loved the challenge of thinking about a few extraordinary relationships in my life, and doing something a little extra to let them know how much I love them.

Now I’ve always been a stationery lover and remember exactly what the first box of cards I bought with my own money looked like (they were peach, embossed, with off white envelopes–I was probably 14 when I bought them), so I speak fluent card love. And these Hallmark Signature cards? They’re more than cards–they’re presents, exquisitely decorated with textured details and stand-out embellishments from removable ornaments to framed jingle bells.

And my extraordinary recipients?

Well, I took some time to tell my friend Lindsey how much I love doing motherhood with her–how I love that she gets as excited as I do for picking out Christmas pajamas and taping preschool projects to the wall and switching regular bed sheets to reindeer ones come December 1st. I told her that no matter how old our kids get, I will always remember preschool drop off days and hugging her in the hallways as some of the best days of my life, and that she always makes me feel like everything is going to be okay.

I wrote three cards to my kids’ teachers, to be left on their desk with presents after the holiday parties next month, and willed meaningful words to match the gratitude I feel for their love and support of my kids. I tell myself “Don’t gush” before my pen starts moving, but then sometimes I cry when I’m writing, so maybe a little gushing is okay. If there’s anyone who deserves an extraordinary card this Christmas, it’s our teachers.

I tucked a Nutcracker ticket in the sweetest Nutcracker card and wrote some words for my dear friend who’s sharing the tradition with us this year.

…and began a letter to each of my parents in the two most extraordinary cards of the bunch because I know that, as much as I’ll search for the perfect gift for both of them, what will mean the most are the words that go with it. There’s so much to say to both of them.

The best gift for all our people who are anything but ordinary? Words. Pour them out. Tell them how much they matter.

Thank you Hallmark Signature for giving us the prettiest place for those words to land.

Hallmark Signature cards are available in the card aisle wherever Hallmark cards are sold. Click HERE to find a store near you! Don’t forget the cocoa to keep you cozy while you write.

24 of the Best Children’s Holiday Books for Advent Countdown

November 17, 2016 By Kelle

When Lainey was about two years old, one of my friends had the brilliant idea of hitting Barnes & Noble the day after Christmas to scrape up as many kids’ holiday books we could get our hands on, for 75% off. The goal was to stash them away in a closet and pull them out each night in December the following year. I started a great collection that year and have since expanded our compilation slowly so that we now have 24 of our very favorite winter and Christmas-themed books.

This year, our advent calendar is going to be focused on reading together before bed–books that celebrate everything we love about the season. Even though the kids have already seen several of the books, I wrapped each of them up to add the excitement of surprise and opening a gift together. To bring a little more fun to the tradition, several of the books have added treats and instructions on where and how the book should be read…

Hot cocoa and a fort for one…

Popcorn under the stars for another…

And a S’mores kit for a reading session under our twinkle lights on the lanai.

Since 24 books can be a hefty cost (we built our collection over the years), a few tips if you’re interested:

*Buy paperback books if available: much cheaper, and they shouldn’t get too much wear and tear if you tuck them away after the holiday to save for next year.
*Buy used books: While it might take a little longer to receive and cost you a few dollars for shipping, it often still works out to be a great deal–many used books on Amazon cost literally only pennies.
*Rotate books: Find a few mom friends who want to join the tradition and each commit to buying 4-5 different books and rotating them at the end of the week. Let your kids wrap them up for the next recipients.
*Check them out at your library. If you’re a regular library visitor, check out 7 each week, and swap them out every Friday.

I can easily gush about children’s literature–kids books are one of my great loves–and I’ve included a list of the favorite Christmas books in our collection at the end of this post, but first: a few ideas to bring a little holiday sparkle to your book ritual.

*Buy an extra copy of one of the books (preferably an inexpensive one) and have it sent to a family member or friend far away. On the evening that book is opened, include the instructions: “For tonight’s book, Grandma is waiting for a FaceTime call. She will be reading you the story while you follow along.” I had one sent to my mom in New York and can’t wait to hear her read it to the kids while we’re snuggled together looking at the pictures.

*Have fun with changing up where the book is to be read and who reads it. Beds are cozy and an obvious choice for bedtime reading sessions, but kids will love the excitement of changing up the instructions: “Take a flashlight and a blanket outside, and read this book under the stars.” “Get a bubble bath ready. Mom will read this one to you while you’re in the tub tonight.” “Dad reads tonight, but build a blanket fort in the living room first. He’ll meet you there for the story.”

*On the outside, tape snacks or treats to be enjoyed while you read–cocoa packets, microwave popcorn, Hershey’s kisses.

*Try the audio version for a couple (especially longer/wordier stories). You’ll love quietly relaxing while you listen with your kids (don’t fall asleep!), and if you’re lucky, you might get a great reader (see James Earl Jones for one of them below!).

*Include a fun activity: “Run around the house two times before the book tonight.” “Make up a dance to Jingle Bell Rock.” “Cut these sheets of paper into snowflakes and hang them over your bed before the story.” Or, my personal favorite: “Warning. Tonight’s story will be read in a British accent.”

Also, very important: Skipping activities or anything extra is just fine because BOOKS ARE MAGIC JUST AS THEY ARE. And even more magical? Snuggling together to read them in a huddle.

Cue Drummer Boy’s pa-rum-pa-pum-pum…
Our 24 Favorite Christmas books

1. A Winter Story, Brambly Hedge. I’ve expressed my love for Brambly Hedge on social media before, but truly these books are magical and, sadly, many out of print. You can easily find them used on Amazon though (see third-party sellers), and you’ll be happy you did when you open the book to find Jill Barklem’s enchanting miniature fantasy land of mice. This cozy story will take you inside the tree home of the mice during a snow storm and make you wish you were attending their Snow Ball. Your kids will get lost in the illustrations and surely dream of the magical Brambly Hedge at Christmas.

2. Christmas in the Big Woods (Little House picture book) Whether you’re a Laura Ingalls fan or not, this sweet picture book version of Christmas at the Ingalls cabin will bring out all the good feels.

3. The Polar Express. A holiday classic, this one is a great book to be followed by the movie. All aboard!

4. Splendiferous Christmas (Fancy Nancy). Expand your Christmas vocabulary and get your fancy on with this favorite.

5. Almost a Full Moon. Newly published this year. The illustrations capture all the enchantment of winter, and the simple text of a winter gathering story is perfectly combined to evoke warm feelings of togetherness.

6. The Jolly Christmas Postman. If you’ve read the original Jolly Postman, you’ll know the fun that’s tucked inside this book–tiny envelopes that open and reveal pull-out treasures. Follow the Christmas postman as he makes his mail journey, delivering holiday letters to all our favorite fairy tale characters.

7. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree. I found this book at a little cabin store nestled in the mountains of North Carolina, and the illustrations took my breath away. Every time we read it, I remember that little shop and how the illustrations in the book represent that cozy setting. It’s a bit of a longer story, but my kids love it, and we stop at every page to point out all the winter magic in the pictures.

8. Eloise at Christmastime. The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Christmas. Eloise. A trifecta of holiday fun.

9. The Snowy Day. A little boy in the city and all the possibility that lies in the first snowfall. If only we could read this in Florida and dream of waking up to school canceled from our first snow.

10. Charlie and the Christmas Kitty (Charlie the Ranch Dog). My kids love the adventures of the Pioneer Woman’s ranch dog, Charlie. This is Christmas version is one of Dash’s favorites.

11. Winter Poems. Snowy landscape paintings accompany 25 different poems of winter from the world’s greatest poets.

12. How Santa Got His Job. A cute story about how Santa met the elves and found his dream job.

13. A Very Marley Christmas. Another one of Dash’s favorites (rambunctious lab is his spirit animal).

14. A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree. An overgrown pine tree has his wish come true with help from his woodland friends. The illustrations make me want to book a ticket north, just to walk through the woods in the snow.

15. Room for a Little One. A sweet version of the nativity story, the simple text and warm illustrations of the stable animals are a delight, especially for little ones. “There’s always room at the inn.”

16. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey a long story but a truly meaningful one that captures the importance of caring for others. This anniversary issue comes with an audio narration by James Earl Jones as a complimentary download. Let him read this one. In fact, anytime you ever have a chance to have James Earl Jones read anything to you, go with it.

17. Jenny’s Winter Walk: A Kids’ Yoga Winter Book. A fun winter story that will have you practicing stretches and yoga positions. Nella is going to love this one.

18. Snowmen at Night. What do snowmen do when we all go to bed? Why, they come alive and have fun. A kindergarten favorite.

19. The Mitten. My kids have heard me read this story so many times, but they never tire. The part they wait for? The giant, overly dramatic AH-CHOOOOOOOO!

20. The Sweet Smell of Christmas. Great for little ones, this book is full of scratch and sniff stickers that invite kids to experience the story with their senses–pine, cookies, peppermint, etc.

21. Madeline’s Christmas. Another classic, we like to read this story with our best French accent.

22. The Most Perfect Snowman A touching winter story about kindness and what perfection is truly about. We love this one.

23. Owl Moon. A Caldecott medal winner, and one I save to the end because I love it so much. The illustrations, the descriptions (snow that’s “whiter than the milk in a cereal bowl”), the truth of finding magic in the simplest acts in nature. Jane Yolen dreamily captures the imagination with this winter tale that engages all the senses.

24. The Night Before Christmas. A Christmas Eve tradition, but the real predicament is which version to choose? The Classic illustrated version or the sweet Holly Hobbie one?

The countdown begins two weeks from today. We can’t wait to start our tradition and end our evenings cuddled up, lost in story.

Did I forget one of your holiday favorites? Do tell.