I'm loving... {MY Christmas List Edition}

If you're anything like me, you started thinking about what you wanted to get your kids for Christmas sometime back in July. Santa is already done by November 5th because this mama just likes to enjoy the holidays... and have you ever seen the line at Marshall's/Homegoods from mid November-Christmas Eve?!?! Insanity.

One thing I'm not so good at is thinking about what I want for Christmas. I end up just saying "oh don't get me anything" or "whatever you think is cute" and then I end up with $200 in Starbucks gift cards and a $50 Victoria Secret gift card from my 86 year old grandfather because nothing says Merry Christmas like a lace thong from your Poppop. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE those Starbucks gift cards... all 15 of them because they are gone by March every year and yes... I really do get a VS GC almost every year from my Poppop but it's meant for "jammies"...so I'm told ;) ... I decided this year to be more intentional with my list.

But here's the thing about being an adult. When I want something, and I have the $ to buy it... I do. And I certainly don't want it wrapped under the tree .... because those magical elves who wrap the kid's presents and build trampolines do actually intend to sleep at least a few hours Christmas Eve! The point is, Christmas shopping for adults, or even making a list for yourself can be HARD!

I'm a pretty sensible Christmas gift kinda gal. Daniel and I usually just pick something we want for the house and gift that to each other. This year, we gifted ourselves our present(s) early because we actually needed it sooner than later. Get excited.... 1st on my "I'm loving for Christmas list" is....

1. The Dyson Animal:

How I have lived my adult life without this vacuum, I'm just not sure. I loved my robot vacuum... all 3 of them but that's the problem... I had 3 in 2 years. They just didn't hold up well. The Dyson is a beast but it works.... so much so that I gagged the 1st time I cleaned it. It's pricey but worth every penny!

Next, was a surprise from Daniel. I told him we needed to call a carpet cleaner.... cause we have toddlers and dogs and our poor carpet had seen better days. He told me he'd do some research and I planned to ask him about it a few days later. 2 days later, thanks to Amazon Prime, came this:

2. Bissell Big Green Cleaning Machine

Apparently, I am the new carpet cleaning company around here. It was one of those moments where I wasn't sure whether or not to be mad or ecstatic. I gave it a go before explaining that I meant more along the lines of "Stanley Steamer" ... and much to my surprise, this thing is AMAZING! It's so powerful, that I ended up having to use a GFI outlet with an extension cord because I blew the circuit... twice. My carpets look just a good as they did the last time we hired a professional company! It's pretty big and storing it is proving to be an interesting task but if you have kids or dogs, you'll save so much $ over time just owning your own steam cleaner and I HIGHLY recommend this one!


The rest of my list isn't big items like the ones above and I don't actually have them (hint hint) but you NEEDED to be informed of the awesomeness of those carpet products.

3. Hillsong United Zion Album

Confession. I own an iPod and an iPhone and I haven't got a single song on either unless you count the ABC song app. I'm a lover of CDs, Pandora and YouTube and I stream the Hillsong channel most of the day. This CD would make a nice addition to the swagger wagon's collection. If you haven't heard "Oceans" yet from this album, you MUST. Right Now. Be blessed.

Hillsong is coming to Greenville SC next Tuesday and I'm trying to make it work out. I want to go SO badly!

4. Anne Taylor Loft Boyfriend Cardigan

I wore this cardigan in mustard for our family photos and I LOVE it! It fits really cute and is a great fall staple piece to have in your wardrobe. I like the length and the material seems like it will hold up nicely. Good news! It's on sale for $25 right now! SO... I'm thinking I need it in another color.... or 5.

5. Starbucks {You are Here} Mugs

I've decided to streamline my coffee mugs for stacking purposes... and because these are darling and make me happy. I have Charlotte and North Carolina. I've requested NYC from my sister who lives there and Atlanta from my grandparents but since my parents are flight attendants, I think they need to start buying me Sbux mugs from cool cities, don't you?

6. Canvas Flats

I bought these Steve Madden camo Tom like shoes about 2 months ago. I wasn't sure what I would wear these with because I am NOT a country girl and would never wear camo but these have proved to be more of a neutral that jazz up jeans and a solid shirt. They're like butter on my feet and have become a "go to" preschool drop off/errand running shoe. I'd love another pair... that SPARKLE or have polka dots or are crocheted. I like a fun shoe.

7. Gift Cards
You really can't beat a gift card. I know it isn't as fun to gift but it sure is fun to receive! There are lots of cute Pinteresty ways to give a gift card. I personally like the mason jar of candy with the card hidden in it idea! :)

Here is my list of fun, not as common gift cards that I'd love and I bet you might too!
a. Hobby Lobby - this place is my weakness... I go in for $2.99 worth of grosgrain ribbon and $127 later, I have new mantle decor, a cake plate, polka dot fabric, glitter, wrapping paper and a sparkly singing Santa.
b. Canvas on Demand (or any other canvas place)
c. Groupon/Living Social - this is like cheating because you're getting a gift card for a discount site which means you're getting a more expensive gift than they would have given you in the 1st place!
d. Amazon - you can buy anything... and I mean anything on Amazon.
e. Etsy- Don't buy me an etsy gift card... I WILL spend it on hair bows for Avery... but you may like one for some handmade jewelry or a crocheted sweater for a pig... they probably sell one... that site has some wacky things
f. Nail salon gift card but for 2 people... it's way more fun to go with a friend and treat her too!

That's my list of things this mama's loving for Christmas present ideas. Next up... Christmas List Toy Edition!

Splash Pad Fun{ish}

This morning, I packed up our crew and we headed to Blakeney for some splash pad fun with my friend, Meredith and her twins. It's a tiny little splash pad but there are lots of places to sit and eat, a futuristic dysfunctional playground (but at least it's a padded place to run) and most importantly, a STARBUCKS! Thank you, Jesus... Amen.

The kids enjoyed the splash pad for a bit but then Parker declared "this is too small"... so apparently he has outgrown this activity...or maybe we're just a bit grumpy today from lack of sleep but regardless, the camera was in tow to capture the less whiny moments.

 Who needs a small splash pad when you've got a gigantic fountain!? They were SO tempted!

 One fought the urge, one didn't.... I'll let you guess.

Splash Pad Fun

AND then we started to whine and run in opposite directions. Such is life sometimes, right?! The good news is that we got out of the house, were on time, I got a yummy Starbucks, I enjoyed some adult conversation and a little Vitamin D. Hopefully this afternoon after naps/quiet time, we can get some pool time in! ;) This mama is SO excited for SUN!

Summer Family Photos

If you've read the blog for a while, you know I LOVE having family photos taken! It's about the only way to get all 4 of us in the same picture. I seem to be the only member of our family who enjoys having family photos taken but twice a year (sometimes 3 times) I subject my family to 45 minute of torture to satisfy my need to have pretty pictures.

Daniel is usually easily bribed to smile, Avery typically chips up when made to laugh and then there's Parker.... Parker HATES family photos. So much so that he refused to wear his puffer vest for our Christmas pictures last year that really made him look like I picked him up off the street and threw him in our family photos. He didn't coordinate one bit. It got to the point where he'd cry when he saw the photographer because he knew it was picture day. As much as we love her, we actually had to find a different photographer so he wouldn't bust into tears the second we pulled into the picture location.

I get professional photo anxiety because I want a pretty, framable family photo SO badly but Parker is either pouting, Avery is running in the opposite direction, Daniel is rolling his eyes or looking off into space and I'm usually fake smiling as if I don't notice the chaos unfolding around me. For this photoshoot, I decided to go in a completely different direction. Instead of posing and smiling, let's just play! I hired Heather with Heather Marie Photography to capture lifestyle shots with pretty light.  As a mom of 3 beautiful, rambunctious boys, I figured she'd be most likely to crack a smile out of Parker! Would you believe, he was the cheesiest of us all!

The results speak for themselves! We met her about 50 minutes from our house at 7am (yikes!) with the kids in PJs, Starbucks in hand and fresh Krispy Kremes! We sugared the kids up, changed their clothes and started playing. We had a blast! I had a hard time deciding which to frame! Thank you Heather for these special treasures!

Get excited... Heather also included some out takes for me that I'll share next!

Don't Take My Starbucks!

On Friday, my mom and I made a quick trip to Target. Of course, no trip to Target would be complete without swinging through the in store Starbucks! Parker knows Starbucks all too well and starts yelling "BOBBY" (which is what he calls soy milk... weird, I know) when he sees any Starbucks. I was trying to search for a cute maternity top and Parker was being fidgety in the cart so, being the mother of the year I am, I handed him my Starbucks (cold drink, obviously!) for a second so I could try on a top and entertain him at the same time. I quickly learned that the apple didn't fall far from the tree when it comes to the love for all things coffee! See for yourself!

If you're having problems viewing it here, you can watch it on You Tube here.