Christmastime

Christmas has always been a magical time in our house. I get a happy tingly feeling each year when I hear that first Christmas song or hang the stockings on the mantle. I can't wait for the big day but the first of December is when the fun begins! This year Lincoln is actually enjoying the festivities too which makes everything that much better. Every morning we come downstairs and when Link sees his advent calendar he says "please?" and we open up the next bag. I know he doesn't understand that it's a countdown to Christmas but it is so fun to see him get so excited for some stickers or play dough and it gives us an activity to enjoy together. We've been to see Santa twice (though he didn't sit on his lap), to zoolights (though he was just excited about the airplanes in the sky), and we have been snuggling up with Christmas movies each night. I'm treasuring all the time we have together as I know it won't be forever. I hope we can make the holidays as memorable for Link as my mom did for me.

The Perfect Plain Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies have a lot going for them. Delicious, beautiful, and relatively simple to make, they're always a crowd pleaser! 

This is the recipe that my mom always made us growing up, the nutmeg gives them a unique flavour. They taste so yummy plain but I couldn't resist decorating a few! 

Mom's Sugar Cookies

2 C. sugar
2 C. butter
4 eggs
4 tsp baking soda
6 C. flour
1 tsp salt
4 tsp cream o tartar
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Whip sugar and butter together for 5 minutes. Add eggs and whip for 5 more minutes. Stir in vanilla. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add to wet ingredients. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out dough on a floured surface 1/4" to 1/2" thick. Cut with cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment covered cookie sheets.

Bake 8-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Better undercooked than over.

*These cookies puff up so they aren't the best for a detailed cookie cutter. Best to stick to circle or square.

Free Christmas Tag Printable

I just realized that our first Christmas gathering is next weekend and I haven't wrapped anything. I guess I better get cracking! I've created some gift tags and am sharing them here with you. Click the link below to download the PDF and print on cardstock or photo paper for best results. Happy wrapping!

Download Here

Ten Awesome Gifts for Kids

Shopping for the little ones is definitely the best! But sometimes it's hard to sift through the millions of toys and goodies out there. Here are some really great ideas that will light up their faces! 

The Cardboard Box Book - Indigo

I don't know about you but I loved playing with old boxes. Give them this book along with the boxes and they'll be entertained for hours!

Tegu Magnetic Blocks - Mastermind Toys

The blocks stick together making them perfect for a restaurant or road trip! Plus the colours are super fun too!

Root View Farm - Engaging Minds

I kind of want to try this. Kids will be interested in seeing how vegetables grow and maybe it'll actually entice them to try one? Dare to dream ;)

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game - Toys R Us

Give this adorable game to the game lover on your list and they'll be learning colours, fine motor skills, and strategic thinking all while having a blast!

Wooden Shopping Cart - Pottery Barn Kids

This is the most stylish shopping cart I've ever seen, would make a great photoshoot prop too!

Handmade Dolls - Sophie & Lili

Sophie & Lili carry the most adorable things but these sweet dolls are my favourite, they offer customized versions as well.

Canadian Pacific Wood Train - Hallmark

I know lots of little guys with major train addictions, this one looks like a model train but is wood so you don't have to worry when it gets chucked on the floor!

Tickle Monster Kit - Amazon

The kit includes a book and Tickle Moster Gloves that will delight the kids as they get tickled like crazy! It would be a great gift for a grandparent too.

Luca 3D Play Carpets - West Coast Kids

These are my favourite things that I discovered this year, they are amazing!! The carpets come in different designs including Playhouse, Traffic, and Mini City. The playhouse one speaks to the designer in me as it looks like a giant floorplan!

Bata Take Apart Airplane - Amazon

Power tools rock,! This includes a power screwdriver so the kids can build and take apart this brightly coloured airplane over and over again. 

Ten Outstanding Gift Ideas for Her

I love shopping, especially if it's for a gift! This year I found way too many ideas so I'm sharing them with you. I hope they'll save you some time especially if you have a hard-to-buy-for lady in your life. 

Intarsia Happy Pullover - The Gap

"Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do"

Pep Talk Wallet - Modcloth

Any girl would love to pull this little number out of her bag.

Snow Dusting Throw - Anthroplogie

All she'll need is a cup of tea and a book and she'll be set! 

Plantable Paper Flower & Seed Bombs - Paper Sprouts

Wouldn't it be nice to get a reminder of warmer weather? Plant these in the spring and reap the rewards all summer long.

Roshe One Nike Runners - Little Burgundy

If she's going to run she might as well look cute doing it! 

Crowned Leaf Mug - Anthropologie

A little morning motivation goes a long way.

Kaleidoscope x Rose Gold iPhone Case - Felony

If bling is her thing than look no further.

Wine Growler - Restoration Hardware

Won't she look smart when she shows up with chilled wine that doesn't need a corkscrew?

Brix Chocolate for Wine - Hazeltons

Any excuse to have chocolate and wine right???

Cheers Champagne Glasses - Indigo

Perfect for the holidays or if you're like me all year long :)

Neighbour Gift Ideas

We are all so busy these days so we don’t see our neighbours all that much but I still like to keep in touch and Christmas is the perfect time to do it. I have gathered some great gift ideas to spread some holiday cheer! 

Printable Wine Labels - Martha Stewart

Reindeer Hot Chocolate - Better Homes & Gardens

Personalized Ornaments - Pizzazzerie

Gift Wrap Printable - Crafts Redesigned

Pancake Mix - Tater Tots & Jello

Painted Wooden Spoons - Little Bit Funky

Reversible Wood Block Art - How Does She

Grinch Pill Cookies - Sweetology 101

Link Loves: Newborn

It's been a while since Link as a newborn but I dug deep back in my fuzzy "new mom brain" and came up with this list of things that really helped us through!

1. Halo Swaddle Sleepsack

These are great for keeping his arms and hands still so no face scratching or being startled awake. He really fights it for a few minutes then he calms right down and sleeps much sounder. The zipper opens from the bottom for quick nighttime diaper changes too.

2. Nikon 35mm Lens

I love the 35mm lens because it gives my photos that look where the subject is clear and the background it soft/blurry. It's a good way to fake some photography skills ;)

3. Peg Perego Car Seat and Base

Having a separate car seat base that remains strapped in the vehicle is a must in my books. It's so easy to get Link in and out and it's awesome that I don't have to wake him up during naps.

4. Munchkin Wipes Warmer

It makes a nighttime diaper change less shocking and he remains calm and falls back asleep more easily. I mean who wouldn't want warm toilet paper??

5. Baby Connect App

This app has been a necessity for me, especially in those first few weeks when I was sleep deprived. It keeps track of lots of things like diaper changes, feedings, sleep, doctors appointments and more. My husband also got it on his phone and we can sync our data. 

6. Levana Keera Video Monitor

You can definitely get by with an audio monitor but the video is a great perk! I love that I can peek in on my little guy without going upstairs or disturbing him. It's also great when I'm in the shower and it's too loud to hear, I can keep an eye on him on screen.

7. Jolly Jumper Car Seat Cover

Perfect for Calgary weather, it keeps the wind and cold out. Link stays cozy in his little cocoon and often sleeps through our entire outing.

8. Onesie

These are great underneath the sleep sack because they allow for quick diaper changes, no messing with getting his legs in and out of sleepers.

9. iPad

This one is more for me but my iPad has saved my sanity during night feedings! I can watch Netflix, play games, or surf the web. Anything to keep me alert while nursing in the dark. I turn the subtitles on so I can keep the volume super low.

Five Family Friendly Dinners

There's nothing more frustrating than spending time trying out a new recipe only to have it not turn out! These are some of our tried an true dinners that I know are a safe bet and we will all enjoy. I hope you try them out!

Garlic Chicken Kale Spaghetti - Lauren's Latest

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole - Damn Delicious

Zucchini Fritters - Sally's Baking Addition

Middle Eastern Spicy Ground Beef - Kalyn's Kitchen

Spinach Asparagus Feta Quiche - And Her Little Dog Too

Our Advent Calendar

I've completed it! I decided to go with a wall hung version as I don't want Lincoln to sneak any of the treats early. The paper bags and kraft paper I had left over from another project so that worked perfectly with my budget. I thought I was pretty clever using a wooden meter stick to hang the bags from, built in holes for hanging! I wrapped it with a wide ribbon and secured it with tape on the back so it can easily be removed later. I normally have two pieces of art on this wall so I just made sure that the screw holes were behind where they would be hidden once they are replaced. I filled my bags with the fillers, added these free printables from Meet Penny and attached everything with staples and ribbon. I can't wait for December 1st to get here!!

 

Advent Calendar Filler Ideas

We celebrate Christmas over several days with our different family members.  Link will have plenty of stocking goodies at the Grandparent's houses so I've decided instead of a stocking at our house this year we will spread it out into an advent calendar. It will give him more time to notice each item and keep it fun throughout the whole month. He's not big into chocolate and candy so he won't be missing that anyways. Here are some of the items  that I'm including.

Books

Stickers

Candy Canes 

(to hang on the tree)

Match cards & Animals

Jingle Bells

Flash Cards

Puzzle

Post-its

Ballons

Window Clings

Cars

Floral Foam & Tees 

(to stick in it)

Finger Paint

Tree Ornaments

Advent Calendars

I love advent calendars! I still have one that I use every year but it just counts down the days so I’m not sure how much my 1 1/2 year old will get it. I’ve been on the hunt for an idea that is toddler friendly but relatively simple. Here are some interesting ideas that I saw along the way.



I adore this, it's so fun and whimsical! You could probably do it with stuff you have lying around the house too.

Blank Goods

I found this on Easy and thought I could do something similar myself with all the leftover scrapbook paper I have.

Polka Stripe Studio

This is just the cutest thing, that car! It makes a great decoration too and won't clash with a modern interior.

Oh Happy Day

Who wouldn't want a bucket of gifts?? This is so simple yet I can see kids being very excited about it.

Workman Family

What did I end up doing? You'll have to wait until tomorrow.....