Five on Friday – Favorites + $150 Cash Giveaway Reminder

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a favorites post for Friday, so here it goes!

O N E – Fun Finds at Target

As always, Target is on point with aaaallll the things.  I had to grab a few things on my lunch break yesterday and I tried to shield my eyes as I walked past the dollar spot, but as always, my lack of self-control when in Target took over and my legs just started walking that way anyway.

Even though B and I were just there for two hours last Friday, I still managed to come across more new stuff that we had either missed or that they had just restocked.  Like these cocktail recipe books, for example.  How cute are they?  They are hard back and both are filled to the brim with yummy recipes and bright pictures splashed on each of the pages.  When I found out they were only $5 each, both of them just jumped in my cart.  I couldn’t help it.  They are perfect for gift exchanges and stocking stuffers!

And I’m praying that my brother or sister-in-law are not reading this post because I’m about to post something amazing that B and I found last week when we were there.

Zach and Cheryl, if you’re reading, please stop now as I’m about to post the greatest gift that your son will ever receive from me and I would like for it to be a surprise for you guys on Christmas Eve as well…

Well, are you gone??

OK, now that they have (hopefully) stopped reading, B and I were walking by the book aisle at Target last Friday and look what was peeking out at me from the shelf…

I literally started jumping up and down, y’all.  Literally.  It has been my family’s tradition for years to watch Home Alone on Christmas Eve (and a hundred other times throughout the year as well) and we can all recite the entire movie pretty much from start to finish.  To see that some genius has turned the movie into a kids’ storybook was almost too much for me to handle.  I promptly purchased two copies (and FYI they’re $5 cheaper on Amazon) – one for my new nephew, and one for our kids.  I still can’t even believe that this is a thing and I’m totally kicking myself for not thinking of it first.  We read it to our kids for the first time last night and it was fantastic.

T W O – Olivia’s Braids

You may have seen my post on Instagram yesterday about our little almost three-nager.  Sigh.  This girl is killing me.  Tantrums for daaaays these days.  Threes were by far the worst for Jacob, and it’s looking like it’s going to be the same for Olivia.  But worse. 

Lately, she’s been really obsessed with her hair.  She tells me very specifically how she wants it styled each morning – down with a bow, up in a bun, in a big ponytail, in a small braid (along the side of her face) or in a big braid.  These past couple of weeks she’s been all about the braid.  A couple of mornings ago, she told me that she wanted a “big braid” which basically means that she wants her entire hair in one single braid.  Well, I braided it (and it was a damn good looking braid if I do say so myself) and when I was done she proceeded to start screaming, “A BIIIIG. BRAAAAID!!!!” 

I was completely clueless as to why she was melting down because I had done what she had asked and it looked great, so I explained to her that I had styled her hair in one big braid and that it looked beautiful.  She was not satisfied with my explanation, so she ended up ripping pieces of her hair out of the rubber band while screaming her head off.  Needless to say, she ended up going to school looking like a hot mess because I was not about to fix it and reward her after that behavior.

When she came home from school that day, her hair was all tied up in the most perfect French braid and she was as happy as a clam.  So I’m assuming BIG BRAID = FRENCH BRAID.  And I don’t even know how to French braid.  Dang you, teachers!  I guess I’m going to have to step up my hair game.  Sigh.

But just look how stinking cute it is!  LOVE.

T H R E E - Things Jacob is Thankful for AKA His Christmas List

This kid.  He has been obsessed with writing his Christmas wish list over and over again.  Each day when we get home from school, he asks for a piece of paper and a marker so he can make a new list.  And he brought home his thankful leaves from Spanish class the other day, and what do you know… he’s thankful for all of the things on his Christmas list.  Haha.

And you guys, look at his handwriting.  OMG.  How is that the handwriting of a kindergartener??  Oh, and did I mention that he doesn’t even ask for help with the spelling?  He just sounds out the words and writes them down all by himself.  I am so proud of him.  I always knew that he was going to be exceptional at spelling and reading and grammar, I just had no idea that he would be so exceptional at such a young age.

F O U R – Beauty and the Beast

Have you seen the new trailer for Beauty and the Beast yet?!  I cried.  I actually cried when I watched it.  Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie.  It came out when I was nine years old so I was at the perfect age for princesses and love stories, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.  I still get chills when I hear the Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson version of the song, which I just introduced Olivia to recently. 

It looks like Disney is sticking straight to the original storyline and all of the details are looking just like the original animated version.  Emma Watson could not be more perfect to play Belle, and I simply can’t wait to see it.  I only wish Olivia was old enough to share it with me.

F I V E – Wedding Recaps

In honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary, I started recapping our wedding here on the blog this week!  I didn’t blog back when we got married, and I have always wanted to have a recap as a keepsake.  So far I have blogged about our Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding Planning & Details.  I will continue recapping over the next couple of months until it’s all on here and I do hope you’ll follow along.  It was such a magical day, and I really mean it when I say that.

Finally, before I go, don’t forget that I am co-hosting a giveaway with several of my best blogger pals.  We’re giving away $150 CASH that you can use any way you please!!  Who doesn’t need a little bit of extra cash this time of year??  If you haven’t already entered, head here and get busy!  It only takes a minute!

Happy weekend!  XO

*Linking up with A Liz Adventures and Carolina Charm for Five on Friday, A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites,  September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday, Meet @ the Barre for Friday Favorites, Cup of Tea for High Five for Friday, and Our Pretty Little Girls for Rewind Friday!