Santa Visit and Christmas-y Ideas

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.  We did and I will post about it tomorrow. I tend to post a lot more this month because we have so many fun Christmas traditions that I like to record.

We typically go to see Santa the day before Thanksgiving but due to a fishing trip for the boys, we went a night earlier. This was a somewhat emotional trip for me as Will had promised me that he would go see Santa until he went to college.  That means this was the last year all three kids would go see Santa.  I know it is kind of silly but we have gone to see Santa every year since Will was born.  I LOVE going to see Santa as a family.  We always make a day or night out of it by going to eat and walking around window shopping and having fun family time.

Here is Will's first and second trip to see Santa.

You can see he was not too happy that second year.

And here are the photos from this year.  They are all iPhone pictures.

The kids goofing around

After we saw Santa we walked around and looked at the decorations and window shopped.  It was fun family time.  We played around in the Apple store and Brooks Brothers.  Then we went to dinner.  It was really nice.  I thought I would cry at Santa but the photographer lady (who was very nice) talked to me so much that I was distracted and not 100% in the moment.  I guess it was good because I did not get upset and my memories are more of the time we spent as a family that night.

Now onto some Christmas shopping ideas because after all it IS Black Friday!

So this summer I read a book (as did the rest of the US) about de-cluttering. The book is really good and I did a ton of de-cluttering. The book is called The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  The key is to only keep things that bring you JOY.  I really ask myself a number of questions before I bring something new into our house now. The book has really been good for me.  It would make an excellent Christmas gift for someone who need to organize and de-clutter.

I mention the book because it has made me so much more intentional in what I purchase. So if I buy something, it was something I really loved and felt like I would use. I want to share with you some great deals I have found.

I like nice quality clothes and accessories but I also try to keep the "trendy" pieces on a reasonable price point.

This is by far the best thing I have purchased recently.  As I mentioned in my last post, most of my jewelry was stolen in a break in a few months ago.  I LOVE chunky fun jewelry and I had quite a collection of pieces that I wore constantly.  They were not worth anything to the thieves but I wore them a lot.

Anyway, this necklace is so awesome.  It arrived this week and I planned my Thanksgiving day outfit around it (but the weather did not cooperate). It is on major sale today so the price is awesome. I think I'll order another one to give as a gift.

I will admit that I am kind of addicted to plaid this season and I see everyone else is too.

I LOVE this tartan plaid pencil skirt.  It is on sale (30% off today) here and here.  I ordered one and plan to wear it to work and for some holiday occasions.

Keeping with the plaid theme.  I love this scarf (above) as it is lighter weight and the tassels make it really cute.


There are a million plaid scarves out there this year at every price point and I think they make a great gift for a woman of any age (teen to grandma) and one size fits all.  I usually have one or two on hand for last minute gift giving.  This one is a great price and would be a good gift for babysitter or teachers.

This one is a great deal too.

Another thing I wear all winter long is these vests.  I have one in cream, tan, red and olive green.  I bought the tan one first from a high end store and paid a lot for it.  Then I found these and they are just as nice at a fraction of the price.  They changed the pattern a little this year but I really like it.

This is THE best money I have ever spent.  I had heard people rave about these for years and I could not see the big deal.  Well, I finally bought one a few years ago and I wear it constantly.  I even found a kids one for Kate that she lives in.  We call them "our cozy."  In fact I have mine on right now while I write this post.  I wear one mostly around the house but I also wear it to barre class and running errands.  It is lounge wear technically but it looks like a sweater.  It is THE SOFTEST thing you will own as it feels like a soft hug.  It would make a very special gift for someone and it comes in lots of colors.  I am not a big fan of the ombre ones.  I have either cocoa or pewter and it is super neutral. I also want to add that mine is not this long at all and I am rather petite.

Mine fits more this this.



And since I am on the "cozy" theme.  This is another really special purchase.  I had always wanted linen sheets but they can be very pricey for a king size.  So, when I saw these on sale right before my birthday, I knew that was what  wanted.



I LOVE them.  I wish I bought them years ago.  They are so soft but cool and crisp too.  Now I wish all of my sheets were this linen.

Each year, people ask me about the cute holiday dresses I buy for Kate.  Honestly, I start looking in September at local boutiques, places like TJ Maxx and Marshalls and Nordstrom.  As Kate gets older, it gets harder to find a few holiday dresses.  She wears them to The Nutcracker Ballet, The Teddy Bear tea, our Santa visit, Christmas parties, etc.  Each year I buy two and then she usually has a few that still fit from the year before.

I found these that I really like this year. I love this dress.  It is beautiful and it is only $26 on sale right now.

It also comes in a silver metallic

This brocade fit and flare is on sale too



This one is adorable and it comes in toddler, little girl and big girl sizes.



This plaid one is really cute too.


This one is darling too.



And Kate has this gold lame dress and it is so cute. It is on sale right now.



I plan to post about our Thanksgiving tomorrow.  Don't forget to enter the Minted contest in my last post.  They are having great sales today too.  Click on the sale on my sidebar.

Disclosure Note:  This post contains some affiliate links and if you purchase items after clicking on links I will receive a small commission from the company (at no cost to you). I only link to products or companies I have used and loved. Thank you.

Winner and Santa

Congratulations to Allison F. for winning the Minted Giveaway for $250.  Minted did not let me know the winner right away so that was the reason for the slight delay.  We contacted Allison and she was thrilled.  My cards from Minted arrived this week and they are so cute.  I cannot wait to share them here. If you still need to order, click on the ad on my sidebar, there are lots of discounts and specials.

So, as I write this post I realized I never posted about Halloween. Yikes. Going to try to squeeze that in this week.  I love looking back at the holiday events from year to year on the blog so I don't want to miss it.

Yesterday, we followed our annual tradition of going to see Santa.  I despise crowds and I am not a fan of malls either.  So, we have always tried to go the day before Thanksgiving right when they open.  It is usually not crowded at all.  Then we go to the food court and let the kids eat whatever they want. I always try to suggest a nicer restaurant but they like the opportunity to eat fast food;)

As we were half way to the Galleria, I realized that I left my fully charged, good camera sitting by the front door at home.  So, all I had was my iPhone (which I vowed never to do again after last year!).  I let it go pretty easily though realizing it is not about the photos but the experience and the tradition (that is HUGE progress for me BTW).

While I was fine about it yesterday, I am a little disappointed today.  I must be shaky cause these are all blurry.  Will has promised to go visit Santa with us until he goes to college.  And Harry promised to go until Will stops.  So I am pretty sad to say that next year is likely the last year for our whole family to do this.  I am sure I will take Kate for as long as she'd like to go though.

I always take a couple of photos waiting in line.  We got to see Santa arrive too since we were early.

Harry and Will kept wanting to mess with Kate's bun. 

When Santa greeted Kate, he complimented her "beautiful dimple."

He also asked Harry if I was his sister.  Wish I had that on video.  Santa's quite the charmer!
And he has a Southern accent.







Kate asked Santa for a beam.  She wants a gymnastics beam for our house.  Santa did not respond so she is concerned that he thought she said "beans."  Harry wants a go pro camera and Will said he doesn't need/want anything.








After Santa, we went to the Tesla store.  Harry and Will enjoyed playing around there.  I realized that in exactly a year, Harry could get his driving permit!!!!!  Can you believe that?!










I feel very blessed and full of gratitude this year.  I have everything that matters in life...God, a fabulous husband who decides to love me everyday (even though I am sure it is very hard some days), three kids who are faithful, smart, funny, and kind.  We are surrounded with good and caring friends and family. And we have our health.

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Santa

Every year for the past several years, we have made it a tradition to go see Santa the day before Thanksgiving.  It is one day all 3 kids are off from school.  Dave can usually sneak away from the office since it is a slow day.  And it used to be really empty at the mall.

Let me just say that this is one of my favorite things all year.  I don't know why but it is super important to me.  I get very emotional (in a good way) and I enjoy it a lot.  You can see all our past visits here.

Well, in the spirit of keeping things real here...yesterday was not the magical Santa visit that it often is.

First of all, I have been having some really bad nerve inflammation and pain this week on one side of my body.  And it scares me because I have had this before and it lasted YEARS.  Many years ago, I was diagnosed with MS and treated for it.  Luckily, through a series of lifestyle and dietary changes, all of my pain and symptoms went away (and we realized it is not MS).  Well, the symptoms are back right now and I am in a lot of pain.  I am juicing and trying to eat super healthy (hard to do Thanksgiving week!).  I am also having sleep issues which is very unusual for me.  I fall asleep super early but then wake up in the middle of the night.  I never have sleep issues so this one is tough for me.

I say all that not to complain really but to admit that I was probably not in my most positive frame of mind for our visit to Santa.  I was very excited but probably a bit grumpy or edgy.  I did not even lug my big camera along which is SO not like me.

Anyway, Will had swim practice so the plan was for him and Dave to meet us at the Galleria.  Will had never driven there and wasn't even sure how to get there.  Often we are first in line but yesterday we ran a little late and there was a LONG line.  Luckily, I sat on a nearby bench with my leg pain and Dave stood in line for us:)

I did snap one picutre of Kate with my real camera but all the rest are Iphone shots.

I am very blessed that Will and Harry are still cooperative about going to visit Santa.  

They know how much it means to me:)

If you been around the blog a while, you know I always take a few "standing in line" shots...

selfie and not a flattering angle at all:)
This is how it is now waiting in line...kids on phones:)



Kate caught Santa's eye...



Santa bow

We are next!

So after Santa, we always eat lunch.  I suggested a nicer restaurant but the kids want junk food from the food court so that is what it was (for them).  I did not eat.  Then we usually go to Dylan's Candy Bar and get them get a treat.  Much to our dismay Dylan's  has closed in Houston:(

But I did spy a Godiva shoppe so we stopped in there and let them each pick out a special chocolate.

Well, I learned a lesson.  BRING THE GOOOD Camera! What was I thinking?!  Also, I got so upset at Dave because the video is of the back of Kate's head and not her little face as she spoke to Santa. Like really upset.  Like I had to hold back tears in the Galleria.  I am not proud of that but it is true.

Untitled from Kim S on Vimeo.

I put too much importance on capturing these memories and I really miss the actual moments my kids were with Santa.  I only have a few years left of this and that hurts this Mama's heart deeply. Their childhood is fleeting. In fact, I kind of want to take Kate back again on a weekday morning and enjoy it more.  I did that one other year.  I think what I am most upset is how quickly my kids are growing up.  Will has his own car now and is like a pseudo-adult. He is gone a lot. And Harry turns 13 this week!

If you have little ones, savor every single second with them!!!  I know that is hard to do sometimes.  I truly enjoy each stage of my children but I do hate how quickly it is all going by.

Well, we are getting ready for the 4th annual Turkey Bowl today.  And then we are having dinner with Dave's brother and family.  Happy Thanksgiving!!  We have so much to be thankful for.

And here is what I wrote this morning on my facebook wall....

I am sitting here meditating on what I am thankful for this morning. I am so blessed with a great husband, fabulous children that I really enjoy (most of the time) and incredible friendships and family (mom and sisters). I absolutely love the work I do and the life I have. But I realized that it is my faith in God that I am most thankful for. Because life gets hard some days and when I get disappointed in a situation or my family or friends or myself, it is my faith in God and His constant presence that lifts me up. Thank you God. Happy Thanksgiving y'all.