Christmas Doodle Town

 Having to change my original post for today due to a migraine and kid with an ear infection so I'm re-sharing my Christmas doodle town just in time for the last couple of weeks of school if you're a teacher and time at home with your kiddos or grandkids if you're not a teacher ;)

Playroom Christmas

 I thought I had my act together to show y'all all of our Christmas decor today BUT I'm having some technical difficulties so I'm going to share the playroom today and then the rest later this week.

Weekend Recap

 Saturday morning started off early for everyone at our house.  The boys headed to Frisco where they were running in the Frosty 5k and I was cracking up at this picture that Dave sent me because they look like NFL players on their way into a game ;) hahahaha

Friday Favorites

 

 Happy Friday, friends! Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

One of my very FAVORITE pictures from the week is this one...

Gift Guide: Teachers

     Today I'm sharing gift ideas for teachers.  I get this question A LOT this time of year so here we go!  I know that this can be a bit overwhelming ESPECIALLY if you have a middle or high schooler (or both!) who have 7+ teachers and one idea is to find a few other parents in the same boat as you and pool your gifts together to get one gift card or other gift for each teacher. Keep that in mind as you're reading! ;)

 - NOTE/GIFT CARD -

I get asked a lot about what I like to receive as a teacher and people don't like to hear that it's gift cards - but as a 19-year veteran teacher please hear me - it's gift cards ;)  

 $5 to Sonic or Starbucks... A Baskin Robins gift card to take their kids out for ice cream or a Cinemark card to check out a movie with their kids over break.  A gift card for a local restaurant to enjoy a meal with their spouse or a gift card to their favorite store.  EASY!  Write a note, pop the card in the envelope and call it a day!  I know gift cards get a bad wrap for being impersonal but I think if you pick a place that you know a teacher loves or write a note about enjoying a meal with their family it can make it super personal and special.  

- OVENTURE RING AND ID HOLDER -

I use my  O-Ring every day and keep my teacher ID and key card in the  ID holder on the ring.  It makes my keys easily accessible (and identifiable if I leave them somewhere!) and the silicone are my favorite option for school because I can wipe them down with disinfectant.  

- HULKEN BAG -

I KNOW I've been a bogg bag advocate and I STILL AM... BUT there's a new bag in town that I just can't quit.  It's called a Hulken and it HAS WHEELS!!!  It holds EVERYTHING and it makes carting all the things back and forth so easy.  Honestly... if I had to pick one as a teacher bag I'd pick the Hulken.  I KNOW!!!  

- FLAIR PENS -

Listen, y'all.  Teachers. Love. Flair. Pens.  

This is a bigger gift BUT if you're going in with other families or if your budget allows and you want to give something extra special  a saranoni blanket would be a HUGE hit!  

Other random thoughts/ideas: 

For several years, we've bought breakfast tacos from Rudy's and put them in the workroom with a thank you note from our kids since they each have 7+ teachers.  Anytime you can feed teachers we appreciate it ;) Around the holidays everyone is thinking sweets but a hot breakfast or lunch goes a long way!  

I've had a mom email me and ask what I like from Sonic and drop off a drink to the office which made my day!  Same with Starbucks - you could email a teacher and ask for their order and have your student bring it to them at the start of the day.

If you are able to coordinate it, a group gift could be the way to go.  I LOVE it when a mom will post on our class facebook page that they're collecting money (venmo for the win) to purchase a teacher (or teachers) a larger gift card or gift.  It takes the pressure off of me and enables s to combine our efforts and show our appreciation in a big way.  It's the best!

Hoping this post got your wheels turning OR gave you the permission you needed to pop a gift card in an envelope (or in an email!) and cross something off your list!  HAPPY THURSDAY, friends!

PS - this post contained affiliate links - thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog!

Deviled Eggs with Candied Pecans

I LOVE a deviled egg and I feel like I've perfected the deviled egg itself as well as the garnish. 

North Pole Breakfast '24

 This past Friday morning was our 13th annual North Pole Breakfast, but this one was a little bittersweet because I don't have any "believers" left in my house. Griffin has been piecing things together for a little while and this summer she asked me directly about Santa and then pretty much immediately followed up with, "we can still have the North Pole Breakfast, right?"  ABSOLUTELY!  

So Thursday night after everyone was passed out from a day of turkey and 5Ks and football I got out my bin of goodies and got to work.  

Thanksgiving 2024

Back from my impromptu little break after a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving.  We traded in a late start and cinnamon rolls for a local turkey trot - because apparently that's what happens when your kids participate in running sports ;) hahaha

What's Up Wednesday

   Today I'm linking up with  Shay and  Sheaffer to talk a little bit about what's been going on around here! I missed out on this last week when I was in DDC with Luke, but wanted to share anyway ;)

Sausage squares! I shared the recipe in a quick post yesterday- but these are a tradition for us on the morning that we decorate the Christmas tree. The kids were all at a church retreat this past weekend so Monday morning we ate sausage squares and all reminisced over our ornaments ;) 

Sausage Squares

 

Sausage squares are one of the easiest and tastiest things to make - they're great for breakfast or as an appetizer and they reheat really well.  

Under $20 Gift Ideas

Whether you're looking for a couple of stocking stuffers, a gift for a gift exchange or just something under $20 to stick under the tree - I've got you covered ;) Sharing lots of my favorites and tried and true finds all under $20...

 This vaseline stick has been my go-to for probably close to a year and you can use it pretty much anywhere.  Use it on dry hands or as a lip balm.  It's not greasy and the stick form makes it easy to toss in your bag or backpack.

Toddler/Younger Kids Gift Guide

 While I LOVE the ages my kids are now, I definitely miss shopping for all the fun stuff from when they were younger.  Today I'm sharing some of my tried and true favorites along with some new fun finds in the hopes that you can cross a gift or two off of your list.

This air-powered building/STEM toy would be under the tree for my kids if they were younger. I love toys that spark creativity through building and I think this really would have bene up all three of their alleys.