Our Weekend - The One with Our Anniversary & Breakfast with Santa

Happy Monday!  The weekends continue to get busier and busier as the holiday season progresses and this weekend was no exception.  Friday, B took the day off from work so that we could have one of our famous days o’ fun together and it ended up being more of a day o’ shopping than anything else. 

We started the day with breakfast at Panera and then we hit up Target (where we spent almost two hours), Bath & Body Works, Hobby Lobby, and Kohl’s for a little bit (or a lot) of Christmas shopping.  We took a little break at noon to have lunch at Chipotle, and then we continued our shopping spree at Walmart.  We had just enough time to get home, hide all of the gifts, bring in all of the Cyber Monday packages from the front porch, and set up the new blow-up Santa the kids have been begging for before it was time to turn around and leave to pick them up from school. 

We ended up putting a HUGE dent in our Christmas shopping, and we got some HUGE deals along the way.  Bath & Body Works had their entire collection of lotions, body creams, and sprays for a mere $5 each and they had their entire soap collection for a mere $3 each.  Those prices are just unheard of and everything was even cheaper than it had been on Black Friday!  In addition to those savings, I also had a coupon for 20% off of my entire order so I racked up a TON of stuff and saved a bazillion dollars.  I was so excited. 

At Walmart, I somehow managed to find a 100-piece marble run set for only $4 and we also found a 9-foot blow-up Santa for just $29.  The kids have been begging for one since last Christmas so we went ahead and snagged it while we could find one that was inexpensive.  Most of those things are over $100!

We came straight home after picking up the kids and they were so excited to see that blow-up Santa in the yard!  They played outside for the rest of the afternoon, and then we made breakfast for dinner and settled in for our first viewing ever (with the kids) of Home Alone 2.  Naturally, they loved it.  I mean, who doesn’t?  #ThisIsPeterMcCallisterTheFaaaather

Saturday we were up and out of the house early to have breakfast with Santa at our church/school.  We sat down to a breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and fruit and then the kids got in line to see Santa.  Jacob asked him for Nerf guns and Hot Wheels (what else is new?) and Olivia asked him for Hatchimals and a “pink and purple tractor that goes by itself when you push a button.”  I don’t even know how to respond to that.  Lol.  That’s the first I’ve heard of that!  I swear she was just testing Santa to see what he would say!

After Breakfast with Santa, we headed straight to Bath & Body Works because they were having their $8.95 candle sale.  It only happens one day out of the whole year so I was excited to save some money.  I had intended to run in and out really quickly while everyone else waited in the car, but I had seriously underestimated just how many other people would be out trying to get the same deal.  There were hundreds of people in that tiny little store and the check-out line literally wove around the entire store TWICE.  I debated leaving, but since I had already made the drive over I felt committed. 

Fortunately B&B Works was prepared for the chaos and they had all hands on deck.  They had every single register open as well as a few other make-shift registers where they were ringing people up with iPads.  There were about 5 or 6 employees manning the check-out line, telling people exactly where to go to get in line and exactly which way to maneuver through the store to stay in the line properly.  I ended up being in and out in about 20 minutes which was just AMAZING considering.  And instead of paying $158.76 for six candles, I only paid $41.80.  That includes sales tax, y’all.  Now I won’t have to buy any candles until they do this same sale next December!

I ran in and out of Marshall’s right after that and then we headed home where we stayed the rest of the day.  The kids had been begging to build their gingerbread houses so we busted them out… it was the perfect rainy day activity.  Jacob built his Super Mario Brothers castle and Olivia built her Trolls house and it kept them busy for a good two hours.  #Winning  Our little first-born perfectionist wanted his to look exactly like the box, and our little second-born-doesn’t-give-a-you-know-what was just there for the snacks.  Lol.  But seriously, they both had fun decorating them.

Once they were done it was time to settle in for the SEC Championship game, Georgia vs. Alabama.  Once again we dominated Alabama like BOSSES and then somehow managed to let them come back and win it in the fourth quarter.  It hurt, but MAN OH MAN was I so proud of our Dawgs!  We have one of the youngest teams in college football now (most first-string players are freshmen or sophomores) and we went up against arguably one of the best Alabama football teams of all time… and we DOMINATED that game until the last few minutes.  All I have to say is – next year, people better be prepared because we are going to be on fire!

Saturday was Brian’s and my eleventh anniversary, so after we put the kids to bed we opened cards and gifts from one another and indulged in fresh, warm brownies with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on the top.  Y’all may remember that I’ve been dyyyying for some white kitchen cabinets?  Well, B has granted my wish as an anniversary/Christmas gift and I’m going to have somebody paint them for us in January!!!!  Y’all, I’m so excited I could just BURST!  Bye bye, dark kitchen!!!!

Sunday we were lazy all morning and then we had lunch at my MIL and step-FIL’s as always.  The weather was freakishly warm (low seventies) so we stayed outside in the back yard longer than usual after lunch.  And Olivia entertained the troops.  Hehe.

We made another quick stop at Marshall’s (again) on the way home and I loaded up on Rae Dunn mugs.  I’ve always heard you can always find her stuff way cheaper at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx but I have never once seen a Rae Dunn mug at either of ours, so when I went on Sunday and saw an entire display I was shocked!  Jackpot!  I grabbed a bunch to give as gifts and one to keep for myself.

Sunday evening my parents were out of town so my Momma didn’t cook, so I made some grilled cheese sandwiches and we stayed home all evening. 

Now I’m off to do #allthethings because I have a million and one things to do and my kids get out of school for Christmas Break in just three short weeks.  In the words of Kevin McCallister, “AAAAHHHH!!!!”

Happy Monday, y’all!

Don't forget to link up with Heather, Johannah, and myself... just grab our new Christmas graphic and link up below!

*Linking up with B Loved Boston for Weekending and HoHo Runs for Weekly Wrap.

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