Reason #974 I love being Bean’s Mommy…

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p.s. just a few days left to enter the Shopbop giveaway!

He took a bit of time to size him up…

And then quickly realized he wasn’t a fan. I’m hoping it was after he told him what a nice, nice, nice Mama he has, and how she deserves everything she asks for this year.

Somehow the Mister and I will have to teach him that it pays to have friends in high places.

At this point, I want to mention how pleased I was with Nordstrom’s breakfast with Santa. The Mister and I had to leave early (due to Bean’s nap schedule), and they went out of their way to make sure we got our time with Santa for photos, etc.

Note: Nordstrom did not pay me or ask me to post about this. They have no idea who I am.

…but we can change that — Hi Nordstrom, I’m a fan. Happy to review gift cards for you any time

So instead of hanging my head in shame for the time I’ve wasted on Pinterest and Google Reader, I’ve decided to spread the wealth — er, cheer — and share some of the best holiday ideas I’ve seen this year.

Enjoy

The modern advent calendar – this is simply brilliant. Instead of relying on one of those cardboard options with sub-par chocolate hiding behind every door, why not make your own daily treats! I love the idea that one of the “items” could be a holiday activity you do together as a family – like watch The Grinch, or go for a drive to look at xmas lights, or make homemade hot cocoa – you get the idea.

Cookie cutters aren’t just for cookie dough. Make some festive mini-pizzas for apps or just have lots of them as your entire meal!

Hot chocolate for Christmas Morning? Add some punch and make it a true event with this Hot Choclate bar!

Thinking of making some gifts this year? This is the best collection of homemade gifts I’ve seen. And the list includes this stroke of chocolately brilliance, too:

Cookie swap parties are so last season. Get your group together and make GINGERBREAD HOUSES. This blog post ensures you don’t forget even the smallest details.

Trying to capture your beautiful tree this year, but coming up with sub-par photos? Here’s a guide for taking beautiful photos of your tree.

Are you running out of spots to hide your Elf on the Shelf? Here’s some ideas that will keep your kiddos guessing!

Seeing is believing – take a photo of your living room and CAPTURE THE MAGIC of Santa to prove to the little ones he really was there!

What holiday ideas have you come across this year? Please share in the comments!

Christmas is here in less than THREE WEEKS.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in gift guides, sales, holiday activities, decorations – the hustle bustle.

But really, all I want for Christmas – and this entire Holiday season – are these two hooligans:

The sprinkles on my cookies, the whipped cream in my cocoa, the “fa-la-la” to my deck the halls…these two are what makes Christmas so gosh darn loveable. Between awe-struck afternoons at the Botanical garden, singing carols every night before bed and keeping Bean from attacking our tiny, Charlie Brown-esque tree, I couldn’t imagine a happier Holiday.

And with three weeks left in the “season,” it’s pretty wonderful to know that I’ve already got “comfort and joy” covered.

But, in the event that I’ve been a very, very good girl this year, I figured I’d use this as an opportunity to connect with the Man with the Bag

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is…

• Snuggles with my men
• Breakfast in bed
• A few minutes in the kitchen to make Christmas cookies for my boys
• Experiencing the first snowfall with bean
• Nights reserved for holiday movies + popcorn
• An enormous gingerbread man
• Nights reserved for no email, no iPads, no iPhones, just snuggle time (a girl can dream)
• A back rub from the Mister lasting longer than 30 seconds
• Laughing till my stomach hurts
• A Holiday-themed date with the Mister

And if you are feeling extra generous, a cream that defies gravity and a few nights of sleeping in wouldn’t hurt, either.

Thanks in advance, Big Red.

Xo

shannon

What does your letter to Santa look like this year?

Hard to believe that everyone else has known him almost just as long as me — because it was just the two of us for awhile there

Before we know it, the Holidays will be over, it will be 2012(!) and we’ll be celebrating the little guy’s 1ST BIRTHDAY. No matter how hard I try, I simply cannot manage to make time stand still — especially with Bean on the move!

So instead, I’m trying to savor every second and live in the moment with my little slice of heaven.

At 9 months, Sawyer:

• CRAWLS – everywhere! He takes off like a dart!
• Has TWO teeth
• Never stops talking
• Plays peek-a-boo
• Waves
• Can stick out his tongue on cue (this boy is trouble…)
• weighs 20 lbs and is almost 30 inches

New loves: Christmas lights, Cottage cheese, Spot (don’t worry Clifford, he still loves you too), crawling, outlets — and drawers, cords, basically anything else that could harm him (again, T-R-O-U-B-L-E), tooting (yep, he laughs afterwards every time! are you sensing the trouble?), playing the “handsome man” game in the mirror

New hates: Being constrained when he wants to move, when someone else is eating or drinking in front of him

Thanks, Sawyer, for making these past 9 months the best Mommy and Daddy have ever had

Catch up on Sawyer’s past monthly milestones:

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

Like beautifully set tables (go, Mama!)

And those who go above and beyond to accommodate our little man

Speaking of which…

Sawyer learned it pays to have an “in” with the cook

Notice the elastic waist band — He’s his Mama’s boy

And let’s not forget the bounty…

Hope your Thanksgiving was absolutely delicious.

As is a pumpkin pancake breakfast.

The whole family enjoyed pumpkin carving…

Although Bean was a bit skeptical about getting his hands dirty.

Most meals revolved around frosting.

But Baby yoda was responsible for most of the “treats.”

He was strategic in scoping out the neighborhood.

He marked his target

And we made the long walk (across the street )

cautiously approached the door

Trick or treat!

Success.

How was your Halloween?!

Wondering why I’m in such a good mood on a Monday?

This little pumpkin helped

This past weekend, the Mister and I tried to soak up as much of the outdoors as we could. Walks in the metroparks, a family photo session in the park – it got me thinking…I still have a few musts left on my list of fall activities.

1.) Pick + carve Bean’s first pumpkin

2.) Make a fall dessert — pumpkin cupcakes with brown sugar buttercream, anyone?

3.) Get pumpkin ice cream

4.) Take bean to Peninsula for a fall foliage walk

What’s left on your list of activities for this fall?

4 years old!

Do you remember your birthday parties at that age? Remember the excitement of having your friends over to commemorate your oh-so-special day?! Waking up with excitement and glee, ready to celebrate and embrace yourself in every way? What happened to that little kid?

Looking around at the party this weekend, it lifted my heart to see all the kids playing and living in the moment. So carefree — no emails, no plans, no responsiblities to rush off to — so refreshing. It got me thinking about what other lessons we could learn from them. As I watched them playing, I made a few observations that I think we should all apply in our own lives.

It is always an appropriate time to sing as loudly as possible. Dance moves are optional, but highly recommended.

A cape makes any outfit better. So do swim goggles, tutus, bows or crowns.  There is no such thing as costumes or dress-up clothes.  They are all simply clothes and accessories.

Crying when you are sad about anything at all is perfectly acceptable. And the level of your sadness and wailing does not have to be at all in synch with the event itself. Crying for the sake of crying often makes things seem better.

Never, ever pass on cake.

Especially when it’s rainbow colored.

Most importantly — Life is fun. Life is an adventure. Jump out of bed every morning excited to see what the day will bring.

Happy Birthday, Annabelle — and thanks for reminding me what life is really all about.

What would your 4-year-old self tell you today?