Just Gnoming Around


Get it? 

Instead of just clowning around, just gnoming around. 

Yep, I really do love gnomes that much. 


Buddy the elf says the best way to spread christmas cheer is to sing it loud for all to hear. But I am inclined to believe it really is to put on a pair of festive pjs and have some fun. Actually, not even pjs, just festive clothes. Last week at the park, this kid was wearing the cutest christmas dinosaur sweater. It made me smile. I enjoyed it so much that introvert Jessica actually started up a conversation with a perfect stranger just to talk to her about her son's awesome sweater. I tell ya, the older I get, the more generous I become with my complements, even doling them out to perfect strangers. But festive pjs, something that even a couple years ago I would have found an unnecessary frivolous splurge, have become something I enjoy getting. Of course, I am still very much me and managed to stack two coupon codes and a sale when buying them this year!

I got all the kids the same pjs as mine. They are Isla's favorite. She wears them as soon as they are washed. She wore them to pajama night at church and is planning on wearing them to pajama day at school on Friday. Even Connor likes his. I'm sure it's the gnomes. Because, when do gnomes not make people smile?! Come on, even the hardest of hearts crack a smile looking at adorable gnome Callum!






I really do love gnomes that much. Seriously.

Speaking of gnomes, did you know I've had a gnome stolen off my porch only to be returned a week later? Or that someone anonymously sent me one in the mail. And, just a couple weeks ago, one showed up in my yard, with gnome care instructions coming in the mail a few days later.

So, I'm just going to be over here gnoming around until Christmas.


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Our Christmas Decor


I kind of can't believe Christmas is only a week away. I don't know why it's snuck up on me this year. I am normally so on top of this season. I don't know if it's the warm weather, the fact that the kids have to be in school right up until Christmas or all the fall birthdays, but something has me feeling a bit out of sorts. 

No matter how I feel about it, I still decorated the day after thanksgiving. I love Christmas that much that I always decorate right away. In fact, funny story. We pulled out our old tree (had it for 13 years) and maybe 1/8 of the lights worked...whomp, whomp, whomp. So we went out in the black friday chaos to hunt down a new tree. Basically Ian would circle the parking lot while I ran in and found the perfect tree...it took a couple stores, but I am really happy with the one we picked! 

My Christmas decor style has changed a lot over the years. It started with cheap things bought at kmart our first Christmas. It then transitioned when I worked at Pottery Barn for three years. Alas, many of those Pottery Barn decorations have just become unpractical with children as the years have gone on. So, this year, I gifted my aunt with a bunch of the decorations. I was just happy that they were going to someone who would appreciate and enjoy them. 

Besides the tree, I really haven't bought any new decorations. I would like to get a new tree skirt. I've probably said that for the past three years, but I haven't found the perfect one at a price I'm willing to pay, so I am still holding out. I do have to say, I love all the homemade decor that has made it into our rotation from the kids school projects over the years. Those pieces make me smile the most...especially the ones involving pictures! 




^^ The little people in our house keep rearranging our stockings. I've given up trying to keep them in order because the reality is, it really doesn't matter. 




^^ The 24 Christmas books that I collected from thrift stores six years ago are still going strong. There are actually now more than 24 and I didn't wrap them for advent like in years past. But the kids, especially Isla, still really enjoy reading them. 


The glow of the Christmas tree at night will always be one of my favorite things. I just enjoy the warmth that the lights and all the decor bring to our house at Christmas. Now to get my butt into gear and start wrapping presents!!!


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Callum {two years}


Weight: 28 pounds, 8 ounces
Length: 33.5 inches
tooth count: 16

Likes: throwing balls, playing with older kids, climbing on things, playing on playgrounds, locks and latches
Dislikes: sitting still, being forced to do anything he doesn't want to do, being in his stroller for too long


This kid is mr. independent. He wants to do everything on his own. And he certainly never wants to be forced to do something he doesn't want to do...it could even be something he normally likes, but if he isn't in the mood, he will let everyone know. Climbing is his jam. He likes to be high up on the play structures at the park and put a foot out like he is going to jump, then look at me and smile. Little turkey! 

Callum is talking up a storm. He says so many words I couldn't even count. If I don't acknowledge a word he said the first time, he will repeat it over and over until I get it. He is now also stringing two words together, with "stop it!" being his favorite. Though he has also said things like "Connor school" or "dad car". And another favorite, "ucky poo"...haha, now you know what I say when I change him! Callum loves saying Connor and Isla's names. They are literally the two most used words he says. He says Connor's name "nonnor". It's really sweet. Besides knowing our names and grandparents names, he also knows Uncle Jeremy, as well as a couple kids from the school (Pierson and Jack). And he knows the names of practically all foods, haha! The kid takes eating very serious. 

Callum will eat mostly any food, as long as he is in the mood. That is the big caveat right there, it has to be his idea. He loves him some meat. He never turns any type of meat down and will eat copious amounts of it. He also loves eggs, yogurt and bananas. Oh and noodles. He likes noodles. We offer him milk all the time, but he doesn't seem to like it at all. Speaking of milk, we are currently in the process of weaning him from nursing. This has been going on for almost two weeks and I feel like he is finally getting it. But it is so sad when he wants his "ilk" and I say no, he literally goes hysterical...but in a sad way, not a temper tantrum way. Sort of breaks my heart each time. But it's time. 

Callum willingly reads with us these days. He will endlessly bring us books to read. He even calls certain books certain names, like a book with a rainbow on it he calls rainbow and a book with a bunny on it he calls bunny. In fact, I would consider the board book I Am a Bunny his current favorite book. Though his grandparents got him the book Good Night Planes recently and he really likes that one as well. 

Besides enjoying playing and being outside, Callum loves planes and helicopters. That started with him spotting them outside and turned into him enjoying playing with them as well. He also loves playing with all the matchbox cars we have. Literally his favorite past time is pushing them off a bookshelf one at a time. Then he picks them back up and does it all over again. He also loves scribbling on anything when he can get his hands on any writing utensil. And balls are a huge source of entertainment for him. He is a good thrower too. 

Some things I want to remember about Callum right now; how you can't walk past leaves without picking them up and throwing them. And how you can't resist picking up a stick and hitting anyone or anything near you with it. How you come to me wanting kisses when you hurt yourself and how you like giving me open mouth kisses on my lips. How you say a word over and over until I correctly acknowledge it. How you will ask for candy or otter pops ("pop") pretty much any time day or night. In fact, a piece of candy is pretty much guaranteed to make you stop crying for any reason. 









I can't believe how much this kid has grown and changed in just six months! Makes this mama all sappy and emotional. And since I am already that way, I may as well make it even worse and check out Connor and Isla at the same age.


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Homemade Daily Facial Serum



I have been slowly on a quest over the past couple years to change all the products I use on myself to products as natural as possible. Many of these products I have purchased, but some I have found easy ways to make myself. This daily facial serum is an easy one. I have been using this recipe for about a year and love it. It doesn't leave my face feeling like there is a film on it, like the facial lotion I was using before did. It leaves my face feeling clean and moist and I have never gotten any breakouts from it.

When using the same essential oils daily on something like your face, less is more. It's important to not overwhelm your body with too many essential oils day after day. That is why you will find this recipe really doesn't have a high content of essential oils. As for ingredients, the carrot seed oil helps provide sun protection, while the other three help with breakouts, anti aging and more.

This recipe is for the half ounce dropper bottles.

  • 2 drops of carrot seed oil
  • 2 drops of patchouli
  • 2 drops of lavender
  • 3 drops of frankincense 
Fill the rest of the way with the carrier oil of your choice. I use hemp seed oil, though I know jojoba and avocado oils are also popular choices. 

I use 4 drops every morning and find that is plenty of coverage. I used to use more drops when I would rub my hands together to put it on, but when I switched to applying it with a finger, I found I could use a lot less. 



In case you are curious about some of the other things I've made - back to school oil recipes, coconut oil for shaving cream, homemade baby wash and homemade laundry soap


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The Perks of Being the Youngest





I remember when my older brother and I were in school, my younger brother telling us the things he got to do while we were in school. He got to go to lunch with my parents or he got candy from my dad's receptionist when he visited my dad at work. I am sure my parents heard "that's not fair!" more than they ever wanted to. But now I'm learning, there's perks of being the youngest...and there's perks for me still being that the youngest cannot yet form a sentence!

The other day, while Connor and Isla were at school, I decided to throw away their gingerbread house. Then I decided I should offer it to Callum and see what he does. The kid lit up as soon as he realized I wasn't playing a sick joke on him. He was seriously ecstatic. He went to town on that thing, until I finally had to pry it out of his sticky little hands.

It's one of those memories I want to remember forever because he was just so excited. It was bliss, pure bliss. His joy about something as simple as getting to go to town on a gingerbread house was palatable.

And given that Callum can't quite talk yet and the kids haven't even noticed their gingerbread house is missing, no one is none the wiser.


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A Children's Gift Guide So You Don't Just Have To Randomly Pick Something Off The Shelf At The Store




I have learned over the years, I like things for my kids that are either useful or toys that can spur on imaginative play. Here is a list of things we either have and love or are wishing for. It covers a wide range of gift ideas for kids all the way up to age 10. These presents are all over the price spectrum, many of them very budget friendly. 


Books are always a good idea. Perhaps The Watermelon Seed board book or Little Dinos Don't Bite for the little one in your life. 
How To Train A Train or Diary of A Fly for the slightly older one. 
And Nancy Clancy, Captain Underpants or Diary of A Wimpy Kid for the older reader. 

In fact, Captain Underpants the movie will make the whole family laugh. 
So will classics like Home Alone and Ernest Goes to Camp

Wood toys are timeless.

What kid doesn't want to make their own candy?
This diy charm bracelet kit was a favorite of Isla's. 

This cash register is a huge hit in our home. 
Melissa & Doug dress up outfits are awesome too. 
This cleaning set is played with by my kids and their friends all the time. 
This astronaut helmet is a favorite in our home. 

What baby wouldn't look cute in this beanie?
And what mom wouldn't be happy if her kid was gifted a pair of hunter rain boots?

Playhouses, especially ones that easily come apart for storage, are always a good idea. 
As are outdoor ones.

How about a fun sleep suit for the little girl in your life?

How about a magnetic dartboard for the older kid in your life?
And let us not forget fidget cubes. Those are all the rage right now.

Or even something for their room, like a cool nightlight.
Or perhaps a safe for their prized posessions. 
Or even a comfy bean bag chair

Craft items are always a win. This paper roll is cheap and cool. 
And these dot paints are fun. 

If you are going for something unique, a venus fly trap is sure to intrigue them.

And if all else fails, games are always a winner and the classics are still a big hit - monopoly, battleship and scrabble junior. 


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It's Still Fall





Fall doesn't end until December 20th. But it seems like most people skipped fall this year. As soon as halloween was over, everyone switched to christmas. So many people I know decorated their homes for christmas as soon as November hit. I even saw trees lighting up some windows on my street. It's kind of crazy.

But fall is still here. And since we have gotten almost no rain, all the leaves are still so beautiful and crunchy. They are fun to walk in. They are fun to play in...as long as one knows for certain it's a clean leaf pile. Yeah, we learned that one first hand a couple weeks ago. Dog poop and kids...YUCK! 

Callum absolutely loves leaves. Like LOVES them. Every time he sees even just a few, he grabs them and throws them in the air. It is really quite cute. Plus, we have taken to running the stroller through all the leaf piles on the way to school. All the kids laugh...and all my neighbors are probably looking at me through their windows with scorn on their faces for messing up their leaf piles. Oh well, you only live once, so I may as well mess up some leaf piles for fun.

Now don't get me wrong, I love me some christmas. I even decorated our house the day after thanksgiving. But, I also have an adorable December baby and it really seems that christmas can't arrive until after his birthday has been celebrated. This little guy will be two come Saturday, and once he is properly celebrated, let the christmas festivities commence!

Even then, you will still see me running through all the leaf piles, much to the distain of my neighbors.


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