Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone! Today I’m linking up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel for What’s Up Wednesday!
What we’re eating this week
Sunday – Baked ziti and salad
Monday – Barbeque Chicken Tacos
Tuesday – Taco Tuesday!
Wednesday – Sandwich Bar (We just set out a big bunch of deli meats, toppings, cheese and sandwich buns. Everyone chooses what to put on their sandwiches. My boys LOVE to do this.)
Thursday – Thanksgiving Day! I’m making our very favorite cinnamon rolls for breakfast and I’m in charge of pies for our Thanksgiving celebration. I’m making this apple, this pumpkin and this AMAZING pecan pie. (Seriously that is the best pecan pie recipe I have found. I’ve been making it for years.)
Friday – Pizza Quesadillas (We put sausage, pepperoni and mozzerella cheese in a quesadilla and dip them in pizza sauce!)
What I’m reminiscing about
Last Friday was World Prematurity Day and I posted on Instagram a little thank you to the doctors and nurses who treated our twins when they were born prematurely at 35w4d. After I posted that, I couldn’t stop thinking about that difficult time in our lives and how far we have all come. At the time, my doctor set a big milestone for us to make it to 35 weeks because of the likelihood that they would be born without complications. No one really expected them to need so much intervention. I was completely unprepared for what I was facing emotionally with my babies literally being taken from me and whisked away for emergency care.
Those NICU nurses were true angels in my life as they supported me when I had two babies receiving care and then eventually 3 children at home and one still in the hospital. I will forever remember those women and all they did for our family.
Two years later and thankfully that time is behind us but forever a part of our story!
What I’m loving
I have loved doing our thankful turkey with our family this year! This is the first year that Reid and Luke have been able to really participate in thinking of something they are thankful for every day. Hearing what two year olds are thankful for has been SO sweet (and SO hilarious!). I mean I am also thankful for ketchup so I get it. 😉 Also, Daddy was something that one of them was thankful for when asked almost every day. Those two and their Daddy are besties.
I’m also loving this little turkey! I picked him up from preschool yesterday and all the kids were decked out in these sweet turkey hats they made.
What we’ve been up to
Every year we go to an amazing holiday parade near us that has huge parade balloons. It’s our version of the Macy’s parade and my kids LOVE it.
Unfortunately when you have a parade in November, you have to expect some less than perfect parade weather. That was kind of an understatement this year! It was freezing cold and raining but we stuck it out and had a really great time together.
Elmo was new this year and we knew that Luke and Reid would freak out. They just stood and screamed “ELMO!” at it over and over.
The people walking with the Cookie Monster balloon passed out cookies right around the time that our two year olds were starting to get impatient. They sat on the curb and ate cookies the rest of the parade. 😉 #thankyoucookiepeople
Of course Santa and his awesome car brought up the rear. We went home and had some hot chocolate wrapped in blankets. A great end to a great day!
What I’m dreading
I’m dreading that impossible balance between the desire to go experience holiday things and traditions and the desire to keep our calendar open enough to have time to remember the true reason for the season and the time with our family. I get sort of defeated when I see how full our December calendar really is already! I want to make sure we stay in the moment with each other and avoid as much of that holiday stress as we can. How do you find the balance this time of year? Clearly I need some tips.
What I’m working on
Yesterday for Twin Tuesday, I posted a Twin Mom Gift Guide that’s full of awesome gift ideas for the twin mama on your list!
Also, I have a bunch of new Christmas designs up in my Etsy shop like this one.
If you are looking for a gift for that hard to buy for person, check out my new family tree personalized printable or a personalized family calendar!
What I’m excited about
I mentioned this in my Friday Favorites last week, but I’ve been in need of a serious jump start to my spiritual Christmas preparations so I ordered this Advent Devotional. It’s supposed to be here this week and I’m excited to dive into it.
I also ordered this one for my husband that he has been interested in.
And I’m reading this one with a small prayer group this Advent season!
What I’m watching/reading
I’ve definitely been taking in my fair share of Hallmark movies already this season. I’m sort of embarrassingly excited for the Candace Cameron Bure movie to premiere this weekend. (I mean she’s playing twins! I’m pretty impressed in your creativity Hallmark.)
My husband and I always watch all the Friends Thanksgiving episodes the week before Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite traditions!
What I’m listening to
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so we always wait until the day after to decorate our house for Christmas, but that rule doesn’t apply to Christmas music. 😉 We’ve already busted out their very favorite Mickey Christmas CD that we will listen to 6 billion more times before December is over. I’m honestly not entirely sure my kids know that ‘Deck the Halls’ doesn’t typically include quacking from Donald Duck in it.
What I’m doing this weekend
Basically just eating and shopping. Next question.
I’m only sort of kidding. We are celebrating Thanksgiving with my family and I will very probably try to take advantage of a bunch of Black Friday deals. I usually try to have my holiday shopping done before December but this year I’m way behind. There’s a holiday event in our area that we are planning to check out and most of all – enjoying our long holiday weekend together with my favorite people!
What I’m looking forward to next month
This is an easy one because of course CHRISTmas! I’m so excited to share this magical time with our children, spend time with family and teach them and experience with them the real meaning of this beautiful season.
BONUS QUESTION: What’s your favorite thing to do with your Elf on the Shelf?
Our boys always find it hilarious when our elf Cookie, plays with their toys. In years past he has made snow angels in cereal with their Super Heros and TP’ed (I don’t even know how to spell that?) our bathroom with some of their stuffed animals.
The first day he comes he always brings donuts for breakfast which is kind of my favorite too. 😉 Can’t wait to see everyone’s elf ideas!
Thanks for stopping by for What’s Up Wednesday! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
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