CoCoa Christmas!

Guys, did you know? Did you know? It's officially Christmas!!! December 1st is here!! It's here!! It's finally here!! And just like last year our Elf, CoCoa, has arrived!!!

The doorbell rang last night and Bennett's eyes were huge! "It's probably the mailman," he said. But when he got to the door he was pleasantly surprised. He's been asking when CoCoa would arrive to our house for weeks and when the time finally came he was so excited! Christmas magic is in the air and having littles makes it that much more magical.

The kids walked out to find this little bit of fun on the porch ~ and B was amazed he spelled words with M&M's! He looked up to the sky and said "I think Santa dropped him off!" Yes he did little man, yes he certainly did!

They practically ran to the couch so we could snuggle up on the couch to read our book to help us remember how everything goes down.

Bennett was hanging onto every word and per usual, Lainey just couldn't stop moving.

 That ponytail cracks me up! Stop reading and pay attention to me Daddy!

After we read our book we screened The Elf's Story because I think reiterating the story and letting them both read it and see it helps at this age to really comprehend the full story.  We bought it on Apple TV last year and again, Bennett hung on to every word. And honestly, I love the movie. Plus, I've been singing Extravaganzalorious ever since so I know everyone in my house is super stoked! Ha!

 And again, Lainey can't stop moving.

Bennett was extra good at bedtime tonight. At bath time Lainey was patting Bennett on the head (her version of a hit) and Bennett sternly looked at her and said "Ouch Lainey, you know CoCoa is watching and would not like that very much!" Hehehe. Christmas magic in all forms.

We're so excited to play Elf on a Shelf this year!  I found this great post on making the elf bendy and I think that will add an extra element of fun. And in the meantime, CoCoa, that silly elf, got stuck digging his way through the candy jar. I can't wait to see the mischief he gets into this year!

In addition to our newest visitor tomorrow also kicks off 25 Acts of Christmas Kindness.

Sweet miss Emily over at Three Boys and a Girl shared this adorable Christmas Challenge that her friend, Ashley, from Everythings Hunky Dorey is doing.  Just like her, I want to be sure I'm working to continually teach Bennett and Lainey the real meaning of Christmas. Our elf, Santa Claus, the presents, etc. are all awesome, but there is so much more. Jesus is the reason for the season, and being a Christian in every since of the word should always ring true. So we're jumping on the band wagon and adding the Christmas Challenge to our plate. Feel free to join us! It's easy and kid friendly! I don't plan to do them in order, but I'm keeping the list with us and going to check them off as we go!

Merry Christmas everybody!! Let's spread some holiday cheer!

What's Up Wednesday: June Edition

I took a two month hiatus, but I'm back this month a little What's Up Wednesday action. I'm technically a week early because the linkup is supposed to go up on the last Wednesday of the month ... but we have BUSY weekend, and busy week with the soon to be three year old and the Fourth of July (shewweeee) so I thought I'd stop on over today and post a bit early. As a reminder, I (try) check-in at the end of every month and let you know what's happening around this place. So here's What's Up Wednesday: June Edition where I cover these topics.

What I'm reminiscing about ... Hate to start out somber ... but I'm reminiscing A LOT about my grandmother. We received some unfortunate news about her health this week and it has me walking down memory lane on an hourly basis. If you recall, our sweet little Lainey is named after my grandmother, Elaine. They got to meet this year and it was the happiest of times. I've told you before, but I could get lost in my "I love my grandma tangents" for a long time. But for now I'm reminiscing about watching 'Lady and The Tramp' on her living room floor with a perfectly arranged picnic she made just for me. Or baking with her in my parent's kitchen when she would come to stay with us while my parents went out of town. And thinking of how she kept loom rings tied together hanging from her rear view mirror for nearly 20 years because it was a gift I made her in the second grade. She is a special lady and I love her with my whole heart.

What I'm loving ... life. Regular ole' grocery shopping, calling the dentist for an appoinment, changing diapers, swim lessons, eating too much food with friends, waking up early to feed the littles ... life. I had to take a brief two month hiatus a bit from that too and boy does it feel good to be back!

What we've been up to ... Life! Ha. Ironic I know. But the moment we were able to jump back in, boy did we ever. From weddings, to gals nights, the family nights, zoo visits with friends, dressing like your best friend (ahem Shane and Kevin), laughing with our friends, letting Bennett have the candy because it's summer, laughing with our kids. We're making it happen and trying our dangdest to make the most of summer. And this week we've been planning a little man's third birthday (I swear only yesterday we were celebrating his first birthday)!

What I'm dreading ... the heat. It is SO HOT in Nashville ya'll. I realize it's way hotter on the west coast, but man you walk outside and practically melt! I could use a little cool down for a few days.

What I'm working on ... Baptism + Birthday. The two B's for the weekend! Party planning mode in full effect begins tomorrow. Watch out people, I'm a lady on a mission.

What I'm excited about ... The party of course! We've had a lot of knocks lately and I'm excited to have people come to our house for something to celebrate! Plus Bennett is so excited and keeps talking about "his birfday party when he is free (three)" and I can't wait to see him when everything is all set up. And some birthday presents have already started arriving in the mail and if it's any indication of how he will react to his present's I'm excited. Plus little Lainey in her baptismal gown, eeeks! All the cuteness.

What I'm watching/reading ... My bible study group starts up tomorrow night and we are reading Love Does this month. I also had two new daily devotional books shipped my way, and I still haven't made my way all the way through The Nest yet. So much reading, so little time :)

What I'm listening to ... The Three Little Pigs (insert chuckle and eye roll). Bennett has halfway moved on from his love for Humpty Dumpty and is settling into a nice Three Little Pigs obsession. His GoGo (my mom) sent him an early birthday gift with a plush set of the three little pigs, the big bad wolf, and all of their houses ... complete with picture storybook and CD-Rom (that sounds so 90's) of the book on tape. The other day I was bribing him to do something and promised to take the CD with us to swim lessons and he could listen to it the whole way there. Big mistake. Huge. It is now on repeat SO often in the car I might actually cry if I have to hear the little pigs again. But on the flipside is equally adorable and it could be terrible rap music that I'll probably have to suffer through in 10 years ... so I'm going to let this one be. For a little bit anyway.

What I'm wearing ... Yoga pants and maxi skirts. I'm still covering up my leg for the most part and am rocking a compression sock ... so the length keeps things under wraps (literally) ha!

What I'm doing this weekend ... We've got Bennett's buddies birthday party Friday. Saturday we're doing some more party prep of our own. Saturday night a lot of our guests will be arriving into town. And Sunday we wake up bright and early for the baptism and come home to celebrate the little man!

What I'm looking forward to next month ... Nothing, and I love it! We've had A LOT going on ya'll. And really we need to settle a little bit. We need to focus back into our little nucleus and get back on track. Life is moving at a fast pace and we need to embrace it and just let things be for a little. It's time to play. Time to enjoy summer. Time to enjoy our kids and this season of life.

What else is new ... we celebrated an abbreviated Father's Day this weekend, and the kids gifted Shane with a new tent, sleeping bags and lantern. They mentioned something about daddy taking them camping in the back yard?! I can't wait to see how this one plays out next month. I promise to share extra coverage on that story. Wink wink!

What's Up Wednesday

Two more days. Really one more day because tomorrow is orientation and little bit is off to Two Day Twos. I thought it would be best to link up with a pre-determined topic vs. coming here with a compelling topic all  my own. Linking up for What's Up Wednesday for the first time ... they host it on the last Wednesday of every month. So let's check it out. 

What we're eating this week ... Fruit! Since it's officially back to school + third trimester, it's time to get the endless summer snacking/eating/binging/grandparent sweets under control! Let's face it, we traveled A LOT this summer. Even if it was just heading back to KY for the weekend, there was A LOT of car rides. Which means A LOT of snacks. More fast food than I care to mention. Huge breakfasts and just great summertime goodies. But, it's officially time to get it in check. Time to get little man back on a routine where he's eating more than watermelon + crackers for three days straight any something other than mickey mouse pancakes for a solid week. So we're focusing this fall on eating a little more healthy and getting into a better routine. But, I am nearly 7 months pregnant ... so I'd be willing to bet we slip a little :)

What I'm reminiscing about ... Bennett as a wee one complete with baby curls and giggles. How in the world am I sending him to school this week? I know I sound like a broken record and I realize he will only be gone two days a week, but my word! I'm excited because he's ready and looking forward to this new school year and "playing with his fwiends"...but I'm sad because I really love spending the day with him and I miss him when he's not home.  The summer just went by too fast. And so did these last two years. 

What I'm loving ... My snoogle + pillows in general. My momma sent me this early in my pregnancy this time and man is it a real gem. You forget the bigger your belly gets that rolling over is quite the task in the middle of the night. Or how much you need something in between your legs to get you all propped up and comfy. This guy has come to my rescue many-a-nights.

What we've been up to ... Just indulging in the last few days/weeks of summer. Everything from the Wilson County fair to a few friends weddings. To new drum sets and back to school shoe shopping (he chose the grey pair by the way). We've managed to cram it all in.

What I'm dreading ... Friday. Back to school. We've discussed this in my mommy meltdown last week.

What I'm working on ... Falls City Beer. Falls City Beer. Falls City Beer. Editing a few sessions. Falls City Beer. Falls City Beer. We're smack dab in the middle of a rebrand/refresh project with one of the companies and I feel like I eat sleep and breathe it. Except I don't get to eat it (drink it) because I'm pregnant, although on some days I really wish I could. Everything is going great, and it's much needed. It's just A LOT all at once.

What I'm excited about ... Tee Ball! We've signed Bennett up two a Lil Sluggers Tee Ball program here in Nashville and I can't wait for it kick-off this weekend. Don't worry, I plan to bring my camera and come back with a full report of the chaos + cuteness. It's parent participation encouraged, so Hubs is taking the reigns and will be out in the field.  I'll just be the cute pregnant bleacher mom with a wide angle lens :)

What I'm watching/reading ... Watching: Mad Men!  Hubs and I are on a binge ya'll.  We're currently on season three and Don Draper is a Bad A** and his wife, Besty, is one hott mama.

Reading: The Girl On The Train, but if I'm being honest I'm not really getting what all the fuss is about. It's keep my interest enough to finish it at some point, but it is definitely not a page turner for me. And for those in the camp that it is better than Gone Girl ... I think ya'll are CRAZY!!!

What I'm listening to ... Girl Crush by Little Big Town. I know, it's over played and past it's prime. But I can't help it. I love it so much.

What I'm wearing ... Maternity athletic crops + a tank. Hello work-from-home-mom summer uniform.

What I'm doing this weekend ... Doctor's Appointments, TeeBall + More nesting. Hello, I'm a pregnant hormonal mother!

What I'm looking forward to next month ... September! One of my favorite months. Next month I'll celebrate having been married to my handsome hubby for four years! And I will celebrate my birthday + last year of my twenties. Plus, it's the final farewell to summer and the onset of my favorite season, Fall! Bring it September ... I'm ready for ya!

What else is new ... My baby bump. I'm quickly exiting the "adorable bump" phase of pregnancy and headed into the "I'm a whale" third trimester. The home stretch!  Overall I'm feeling really good compared to last pregnancy. Starting to get more tired and sleep is becoming less easy. I'm feeling large and officially nothing but maternity clothes in my closet fit (BOO!). But other than that I don't have too many complaints.

So there you have it gang, that's What's Up Wednesday!  Happy Hump day!