Happy Friday to you! It’s been a while since I’ve done a little life lately/catch up session, and that’s probably because I’m been busy living it. Funny how that happens. I do regularly share what’s going on with my favorite pictures on Instagram or Snapchat, but I figured it was time to plaster them here in a blog post. This past week on Seven Graces, we’ve seen plenty of gift guides and Christmas cards. Now it’s time for a good ol’ photo dump and a couple of mom hacks for you.
ONE.
Last Friday, we went to a fun little birthday party for one of Charlotte’s friends at a kid’s play land. Charlotte had an absolute ball. She ate cake, but essentially made her own cake pop.
My friend Ailee snapped this photo of her, and it’s my favorite.
Charlotte loved this little horse and the tutus they had for dress-up. She is the silliest, and I love it. After the party, Michael and I left in separate vehicles because he went out of town for his sister’s Christmas recital, and I stayed behind for a church event. He took Charlotte with him, which left me with some free time to go look for a dress for his Christmas party tomorrow night. Do you know that those few hours I had to shop alone were like a little slice of heaven? Yes, yes they were. I got to try on clothes, browse casually, and walk around soaking in all the sights.
It’s festive during the holidays. I love it!
TWO.
Now for that church event, it was called Advent by Candlelight. It was an evening where groups of women got together to decorate a table for coffee and desserts and to enjoy an evening of fellowship and reflection. I signed up to take fruit, but I couldn’t just take it out of the bags. I think I saw on Pinterest somewhere to make a fruit kabob. I tried my best to make it look like a Christmas tree. The star at the top was the pineapple, the tree itself was the green grapes, and the decorations were the strawberries. If you need a super easy way to present some fruit for a holiday party, try this. So easy!
MOM HACK
Kabob your fruit to look like the holidays. Everyone enjoys fruit like that.
And this was our table setting at Advent by Candlelight with my fruit kabob on our plate. The night was so nice, and I’m so glad I was able to be part of it this year. It definitely made me stop and be still and remember the real reason for every season.
THREE.
I’m loving my kitchen these days, and I think it has everything to do with the fact that Christmas decorations are everywhere.
I found these kitchen towels in the Target dollar bin, and I just had to pick them up. Such a steal for three dollars a pair. Aren’t they fun? During that same shopping trip, I found this five dollar Santa mug, perfect for hot chocolate and coffee, and way cheaper than the Pottery Barn version.
I don’t know if you do this or not, but if you have a Keurig, you must try this out.
HOT CHOCOLATE KEURIG HACK
1. Empty hot chocolate packet into cup.
2. Run water only through your Keurig on the smallest setting.
3. Stir and add all the marshmallows.
4. Enjoy!
I added two packets and ran the largest setting for this cup because this cup is huge. I couldn’t finish it, but I certainly enjoyed that nap time treat. ;)
FOUR.
Over the weekend, my mom and sister came to Houston, and we enjoyed our 9th or 10th year of our Nutcracker tradition. I can’t remember if it’s our 9th or 10th year, but it really is our favorite. Next year, I think Charlotte will finally be old enough to join us. Saturday, we enjoyed a day of shopping, and it was so much fun to spend some girl time with them. Then Sunday, we went to brunch at Tiny Boxwood’s in town, and then headed to the matinee.
The line at Tiny Boxwood’s was so long, and we waited an entire hour to order, but it was so worth it. Any place where a cookie is an appetizer is my kind of place.
Then it was time for the matinee! Our seats were awesome this year. We have sat in every single section there is in the Wortham Theatre, and I think center Orchestra level is my favorite. And they’re not even the most expensive. This was the last year for this production and set, and I kept my eyes open the entire time. Usually, we doze off because we’ve seen it so many times, but not this year.
And of course we have a “theme” every year when it comes to what we wear. Clearly, our theme this year was black.
I also snapped a picture of the massive gingerbread house in the pretty sunlight. I can’t wait until Charlotte sees all this for the first time next year.
Another Nutcracker weekend down in the books!
FIVE.
Now let’s talk about this girl. My Charlotte Grace is growing so quickly, and it seems like the last few months she has just blossomed into a full-fledged little girl. She isn’t a baby anymore, and as much as it breaks my heart, it also makes it swell with pride at the same time.
Last week, I took her to exchange some shoes and to have lunch with her daddy, and we popped into Starbucks for a cake pop since she was being so good. Because she eats more sweets than I ever thought I would allow, I scheduled her first dentist appointment this week.
This was her sitting in the office. We chose a pediatric dentist, and I’m so glad we did. She was in awe of the office and all of the Disney princesses on the walls. They just checked her teeth, and since she doesn’t have them all in yet (we’re still waiting for the second set of molars), we didn’t do x-rays. She let the dental assistant clean her teeth and listened so well to instructions. She alllllmost cried when the dentist came in to take his look, but I was able to hold her hand and sit with her, so she was fine. I gave her lots of high fives and words of encouragement.
All smiles. She loved the toothbrush she got to take home, too.
And one last thing…
Because this time of year is magical, this picture is probably my most favorite ever. This little gown was sent to us by my friends at The Little Crane, and it has her monogram on the front. I pulled out my big camera and changed up the settings thanks to some tutorials I’ve read about photographing in front of the Christmas tree. If you want to take a picture of your little in front of the tree, I highly recommend reading this tutorial here and here. These tips definitely helped me catch this shot.
Have a good weekend, friend! Hope it’s wonderful and filled with fun, festive happenings. Talk to you soon!
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Oh goodness, that tree picture is too precious! So darling. I ALWAYS get the holiday mugs at Target for Christmas and Valentines day – they’re my favorite! They start the spider a bit on the inside after a while, but who cares if you’re only paying 5 dollars or less? They’re still useable, too!
Thank you, Morgan! Yes, they are the cutest! I use my novelty mugs so much, they do spider a bit, but I think I’ve gotten plenty of use out of them. :) Hope you’re having a great December!
My daughter and I saw the Houston Nutcracker last weekend. It was so special to see the sets and costumes for the last time. We can’t wait to see what next year will hold!
Wasn’t it great? I felt like everyone was extra good this year because it was the last with this set and costumes. I’m anxious to see what next year will look like, too!
So many things from this post!!!! First of all..your Keurig stand with the shelf underneath. Did you purchase that separately? If so, where can I find it?! I’m taking Lily to The Nutcracker for the FIRST time this year and I’m beyond excited to witness it through her eyes!! I’m not confident we will make it through the entire performance but I know she will be delighted to see the production for sure!
You’re so sweet, Amanda! Yes, the Keurig stand was purchased separately. I want to say I got that at Target? Or it could have been Bed Bath & Beyond. It came with K-cups, too. Now only my favorites go in there. Have y’all gone to The Nutcracker yet? I really can’t wait to take Charlotte. I know she will LOVE it. I want to put her in ballet this coming year, too. So much fun!
That shot in front of the tree is amazingly beautiful! I should read those tutorials, because I don’t have a clue on how to use the settings for my good camera. I love that deer towel you have too. ;)
Oh, thank you! Yes, the settings on my Canon have always intimidated me, but I think 1.5 of using it myself has me a little more confident to finally start changing things up. I love those towels, too. Happy December!
My goodness. Her smile after the dentist is absolutely precious! And I am loving the beautiful photo you snapped by the Christmas tree. So lovely!
Thank you, Mary! Her smile kills me. I’m afraid that smile will get her out of trouble more than it should. Lol. Hope you’re having a great week!
Shopping alone for nothing in particular is my favorite because its so relaxing! When I shop with O I spend so much time trying to corral O and make sure I don’t lose him that I barely see anything! I love your nutcracker tradition with your mom and sister — so fun and such a lovely memory :) I’m so glad Charlotte did well at the dentist! I’m sure you’re so proud of her!
Oh, gosh, I go to Target by myself occasionally, but there’s just something about going to Anthro & J.Crew by myself. It takes me back. ;) Yeah, when I take Charlotte with me, it’s like I can’t get out of there fast enough. I’m glad we’ve made The Nutcracker a tradition, and I can’t wait to add Charlotte to the mix. She’s been doing so great lately. But looking back at her pictures from even last year has my head spinning. My mom said yesterday, “babies grow so fast when they’re little but so slow when they’re teenagers.” I don’t want to this stage to ever end. Lol.
I can’t wait to bring Rae to the nutcracker and I’m SO glad my mom’s here to go with my this year like when we I was young. LOVE the picture of all you ladies in black! and shopping alone– when I get in a real funk, stefan says “maybe you should go shopping” hahahah
These pictures are precious. I love those kitchen towels from Target… so cute! Thanks for linking up!
That last picture is just beautiful! Shopping by yourself after children is like Heaven on earth! Thanks for joining in!
Sounds like a FABULOUS week! I love the photo of Charlotte in front of the tree. Stunning! I hope you have a lovely week.
Visiting from the link up! Ashley @ http://www.peacefulsimplelife.blogspot.ca