Friday Things #348
1. Hello friends! It’s been awhile! I took last week off from Friday Things since we were holiday-ing, so I feel like it’s been an eternity since we chatted. Did you have a nice holiday? I’m dying to hear about the best thing you ate! We hosted our families here as we’ve done for the last six years or so, and everyone had such a wonderful time. We put up our Christmas tree the weekend before Thanksgiving (but no other Christmas decorations until after!) and I might be totally sold on eating Thanksgiving dinner next to the glow of a Christmas tree forever and ever from now on.
2. Back at the end of October, I got a craft idea for a “thankful tree” in one of the parenting emails I subscribe to… I thought the boys would enjoy cutting out branches since they like art projects, but I didn’t really think the whole writing down something that they are thankful for every day would take off. OMG I WAS WRONG. This was easily one of their favorite things we have ever done. They BEGGED me to “do our thankful leaves!” – write things down that made them happy or they were thankful for more than once a day. It made my heart swell with pride, listening to them tell me what to write… and it gave me such perspective. The things that made them the happiest? Reading books together, me making them lunch, Daddy picking them up from school, playing with friends, drawing, walking the dogs. It truly is all of the little moments, the simple things… Once the month was over, Joseph begged me to do something special for Christmas, too, so I replaced the fall tree and leaves with a Christmas tree, which we’ll cover with “thankful ornaments” during December :)
3. Last week, Dominic graduated from his swim level and is now in class with Joseph! He got a special doughnut trip to celebrate, of course. That little fish flew through his first two swim levels taking independent lessons and his big brother could not have been more thrilled to be in the pool together. After their first class together yesterday, while we were in the changing room, Joseph said, “Dominic, you did SO AWESOME today!” Through all the bickering they do, moments like that make me so proud.
4. The week of Thanksgiving, Joseph went on his very first “real” field trip, as in he rode a big school bus INTO THE CITY 😱and went to the symphony. I was supposed to chaperone, but came down with a 24-hour stomach bug early that morning and had to back out. I was so nervous he wouldn’t want to go anymore, but he was still excited and asked me to help him pick out “fancy clothes”. I’m good friends with another mom who went so she was texting me pictures and play-by-play the whole time. He had so much fun!
5. Isabelle turns 20 months today! My goodness, can you believe it?! She is so sweet and has become so much fun. Her new favorite thing is carrying her baby doll around, hugging it and patting its back, then laying it on the coffee table, lifting its dress and saying, “No poop!” 😂
6. Feeling EVERYTHING about this, and my kids are all still four and under! >> I Loved the Season
7. Such a wonderful reminder >> Everyone Around You is Grieving. Go Easy.
8. Let’s talk about insulated reusable grocery bags. Do you have any that you absolutely love and recommend? I’d like to get a couple so that I can run to the grocery store while the boys are at school and then run other errands and not worry about the cold stuff being out for too long before we get home. Give me your recommendations!
9. I am 100% not into Elf on the Shelf; I don’t foresee ever doing it. Please tell me I’m not the only one! I’m hoping this whole thing goes away before Joseph gets a little older and tons of kids at school are talking about their elf friend 😬
10. TGIF! I enjoyed some serious Duke snuggles on Sunday morning!
#9. I have a 20 month old, turns 2 on April 6th, like your little one! I am not an elf on the shelf type myself and can’t imagine I would enjoy doing the whole thing for an entire month…… However, my two sisters do it for their 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl, and let me tell you, the magic it brings to those kiddos makes me really consider it. We FaceTime almost daily and the sheer Joy on their little faces and the excitement, it’s a novelty that has not worn offf and it is uplifting and refreshing and I love being a part of their Joy, it’s contagious. Also, the opportunities to share certain things that may not otherwise come up is an extra bonus. Kids will tell Jingle Bell something in a letter they may not readily tell Mom. And the opportunity to practice letter writing is a bonus! I’m not saying No just yet LOL
No Elf on the shelf here and no Santa.
Have you ever heard of Thirty-One? They are my favourite company for totes, and thermal bags. I have the Fresh Market Thermal and it’s great. I actually have a ton of their stuff, lol. It’s great stuff and you can have it personalized.
https://www.mythirtyone.com/us/en/collection/large-thermals
Nope, not an Elf on the Shelf girl here. Between kids, husband, work, school, running a farm, animals… I have too much too think about to add moving a goofy looking doll around the house EVERY day. My nine year old knew it wasn’t real from the first day her 1st grade teacher introduced it so it saved me from having to be the ‘mean’ parent!!! For those that like it, great! It’s just not for us.
Love the idea of the thankful Christmas tree!
NO Elf on the Shelf at our house. We do Dinovember instead (but no icky messes).
As for insulated bags, Rachel Ray’s is hands-down the best.
Rachael Ray ChillOut Thermal Tote Bag for Grocery Shopping, Transport Cold or Hot Food, Insulated, Reusable, Marine Blue with Brown Trim https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR177PP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Dqw7DbKH7T0PC
We also love her lasagna lugger.
Rachael Ray Expandable Lasagna Lugger, Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041P7C2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Mvw7DbXVDK10A
Hi Dawn, Have you bought them recently or awhile ago? I originally looked at these because they are at the top of Cook’s Illustrated’s ratings, but when I read the ratings on Amazon, people who bought them a few years ago and loved them and bought another one recently said the quality appeared different and not as good.
A family friend gave our kids each an elf one year as a “gift.” My kids talk about the darn things constantly and if I forget to move them (which happens all the time) they are devastated. It’s so exhausting. Why would anyone add more mental load to their day if they didn’t have to? Avoid it at all costs!
We have an Elf. I think it’s a matter of preference on how you approach it. We have never used ours to bribe our kids. They don’t think the Elf is trying to “catch” them misbehaving and then telling Santa about their behavior. Our Elf is simply here to spread holiday cheer. She does silly things, brings baked goodies we only get this time of year, and writes special messages to the kids. It is simply another way to make memories with our family!
I like this approach!! I think mostly I can’t figure out how I would come up with a ton of creative things to do with it and then actually REMEMBER to do it every night 🤦♀️😂
John Pavlovitz is one of my favorite authors. He speaks so many truths. As for the Elf, my girls came along well before he/she was introduced, but the older daughter now has two boys and has opted out even though so many if their friends do it. The weeks leading up to Christmas are stressful enough without having to come up with new and clever ways to move the Elf which, in reality, will not affect your kids behavior one tiny bit. They do several Advent calendars: each boy has his own to open before bed, they have a large wooden one with a small candy treat (a great way to dispose of the Halloween candy!) and a Velcro nativity scene where a new piece is added each day.
We tried avoiding Elf on the Shelf but as soon as my daughter got to Pre-K and all the kids were talking about theirs, we had to give in.
We never did Elf on the Shelf; I think it’s creepy. The kids, who are now in college, never cared. We had/have plenty of Christmas traditions they still look forward to. Don’t give in!
I have never understood all the Elf on the Shelf hate. A lot of people think it’s supposed to be spying on your kids, but that’s not what we do. He is a little mischief maker. Every night he gets into some kind of trouble – he will be in the refrigerator tasting a dessert, or he will have knocked some (unbreakable) ornaments on the floor, or he’s made a little mess of some of Isabelle’s toys (we have an Isabelle, too!)
She has so much fun each morning finding what he’s gotten into. But if he were to be a little spy, no, that wouldn’t be fun.
Love your blog, your pictures, your recipes. Thank you so much for all your hard work!
We didn’t do elf on the shelf either. It’s bribery and creepy. It seemed like we were the only family in our daughters school who didn’t participate. I told her that Santa knew she was such a good kid that he didn’t need so send an elf to report on her. She wanted one for a toy so we did get one for her to play with.
I just read the go easy link and I also read some posts below. Tears are falling down my face right now. I share in your grief ladies and will be saying prayers for each of you. We had so many losses of family members this last 5 years not to mention the loss of my 3 remaining Grandparents. I’ve also had losses of 4 of my beloved pets…brutal. I miss my Grandma more and more with each year especially when life is hard..which has been a LOT lately. But God is so Good and brings joy even from the ashes somehow. Your blog is an incredible bright spot, such a blessing in the daily grind to have this special gift and light. Thank you for that.
Macy, I am so sorry for your losses; wrapping you up in lots of love. Thank you for the wonderfully kind words, xo.
Everything in your blog today was touching and amazing from start to finish….starting with the beautiful picture of your fireplace to the sweetest touching picture of you and the doggie laying on your neck so sweetly..and everything in between was so touching. Thankful tree, Isabelle saying “no poop” to her doll. Today’s Friday blog may have been one of my very favorite ones ever…
P.s. Insulated grocery bags…my sister got me one a long time ago but it’s amazing. It is a Rachael ray product and it is durable, a d works perfectly. It has held up so well I’ve never had to replace it.
Thank you for the kind words, Macy, xo
Love the leaves and Christmas ornament idea, sounds like your kids loved it. Not sure what the issue with Elf on the Shelf is. Sounds like a fun game. Isabelle is way too grown up! I use the insulated bags from Real Canadian Superstore.
I HIGHLY recommend BAGGU reusable bags!! Super cute and incredibly strong, they easily fold back up and allow you to store a lot of them in a small space. Also, they go into the washing machine! I’ve been using them for years (and they still look brand new)!!
My boys (now 31 and 26) were very small when Elf on the Shelf first came out. I thought it was a bad idea then and still do. We never did it. My boys never wanted it and we have so many other wonderful traditions that we still do – stockings and a wonderful wooden advent calendar. You have so much joy with your kids – I think this is a negative thing to avoid.
I will never do Elf on the Shelf either. My kids are still too little to know it even exists, but also dreading the day they have friends with it.
Hi Michelle, Your pics and stories of your children remind me of being a kid again (especially since I’m the youngest with two older brothers)… so sweet! My Mom passed last year and I think of her sometimes when reading your Friday posts. :-) Your beautifully decorated hearth is to die for!!! I have seen the Elf on a Shelf, but never participated in it, so don’t really understand it. I’ve lost several family members, an appreciate your sensitivity — thanks for the link! Awesome shot of you and Duke! Blessings to you and your family during this holiday season.
I’m so sorry for your losses. I will be praying for you. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. May He be so near you right now.
My kids survived not doing elf on the shelf. It was just starting out when they were 13 & 8. They never felt left out. BTW they are 31 and 26 and Santa still visits….
My opinion is that parents use it to get their kids to behave. Don’t even start…
Your thanksgiving trees was great. Maybe find or start something else for your family? Not everyone does it I’m sure!
So glad to see your Friday Things back this week & your updates, yeah!
My kids are 14 & 12. I did do the Elf,; they enjoyed reading the story that comes with it, but, it was stressful to remember to move it each night, And, the next Christmas I’d forget where I had stored it to take back out!
My kids did enjoy it, & they loved seeing each morning where in the house he returned to.
There is also a dog from the same line. With its own story. With the dog, the child is to let it sleep in their bed each night, but I can’t remember why.
Have a great weekend!
First, your mantle looks beautiful. Second, you’re not alone. I never did Elf on the Shelf. My sons friends would ask and he would say my mom has Santa’s number and texts him until Christmas. I never liked the elf. Creepy.
Your baby girl is getting to big! She’s darling and your boys are still handsome little dudes.
Have a great day!
LOVE your thankful tree! Your kiddos are so sweet.
As for Elf on the Shelf – my kids are 10, 8 and 5 and I’ve never done it. RESIST!
Mine mention stories their friends tell them about their elves, but only once did my son ask why we don’t have one. I just said that Santa has many ways of keeping track of his naughty and nice lists.
Though, I think because we don’t have one, they have never believed it was anything more than just a toy (though I have NEVER said anything like that, I avoid the Elf on the Shelf conversations as much as humanly possible, lest I get trapped into having to get one!!) but I mean, it LOOKS like a toy and they’ve seen them at the store?
all,
I just finished the article on grief…please be kind to one another…especially this time of the year.
I lost my husband of 12 years this past july. the sadness is overwhelming. and yes, I have support groups etc.
the loss is still there.
amazing the comments I have received. “you should be over this by now”, “you knew this was coming, you are a nurse after all”.
please.. those of us grieving…we will not “get over” anything.
as for me, it is with the grace of God that He will walk with me through this.
Blessings to all,
Mary, I hear you and honor your feelings. My father has been valiantly fighting cancer and he got terrible news this week. Our days with our super hero father are numbered and I can’t bear it. I don’t know if I can ever “celebrate “ at the holidays again. I am struggling to hold it together. I too pray that God can help me, and my family, through this. Sending you love and blessings during this difficult time. ❤️
Debbie, I am so heartbroken for you and the news that you received. Prayers for peace, courage, and love to you and your family right now ❤️️
Oh Mary, I am so very sorry for your loss. Wrapping you in lots of love and prayers this holiday season, xo.
Michelle,
I want to thank you for #7 for the reminder to go easy, that people around you are grieving. I’ve nearly always found the holidays a difficult time. Not due to a family loss, but due to family struggles. After over 20+ years, I’m spending my holidays alone and although this is my choice, it is still very difficult. It can be hard to put on the happy face with all the happy families out and about. I’m genuinely happy for them and no longer resentful that I do not have that family-together-happiness. This post reminded me that I’m not the only one and to have compassion to those around me. Warm thanks.
Hi! So cute! Love your Friday Things! Anyway, bags…I love loqi bags. They come in a pouch so you can throw a couple in your bag. They are washable, carry 44 lbs and are so cute! Perfect for the times you didn’t think you needed a bag and there you go you have one in your bag! Amazon of course. 🙄 Have a wonderful week.
A couple of years ago my grand son’s class was going to have an elf on the shelf in their classroom. The teacher asked for name suggestions and eight year old Luke suggested “Stalker”. You might consider the Kindness Elf instead.
Love your thankful tree! We’re an interfaith family, primarily Jewish but have a christmas tree, and i can’t IMAGINE ever doing elf on the shelf – it seems so stressful for my friends! There’s plenty of magic in the season, and parents are already working their tushes off!
Never understood Elf on the Shelf…do the right thing only when you’re being watched and you get rewarded with presents? Seems like a strange lesson to teach little ones.
I love your site and all the pictures of the kids. For the first time since 2003 I didn’t host, my brother did. He made a killer Mac and Cheese. It was so good, I took hope leftovers and had two more servings. Sunday snuggles are the best at least that is what I tell my shorkie as we snuggle on Sunday mornings.
Good Morning Michelle,
Ummm…..I got your back with the Elf on a Shelf thing. I’m a hard no on that one too…..not sure if 100% is even enough!! But I am all for those snuggles any time I can get them. Our golden Riley sends a nose nuzzle and lick to Duke and Judith. Aren’t goldens the best. Have a great weekend with your beautiful family.
Your pictures are so good, precious kids for sure but that one of you and Duke brought tears, so sweet! Thanks.
Thanks for posting! I was so confused about what day it was last week without your weekend posts! ;) I love the reusable cold bags from Sam’s/Costco. They are huge and very affordable. We live in Florida so we need them year round and they are great. I love making fewer trips because they are so big.
Thanks again for your blog. If I made a “thankful tree,” your blog would be on it!
I’m with you – Elf on the Shelf is CREEPY!
Michelle, I so enjoy your blog but especially your Friday Things. Your family is adorable and I love following along as your children grow!
I am 100% with you regarding Elf on a Shelf. You are NOT the only one! It seems very negative to me.
Okay, off to gather provisions to make the Chocolate Babka!