5 on Friday | Week 48

Y’all. Why is it that after a short work week and a wonderful holiday weekend, that getting back in the swing of things has to be SO hard? I have to-do lists a mile long on my desk at work. And on those lists are more lists to make and things like “call your best friend whom you haven’t spoken to in thirty days” because I can’t seem to get the simplest tasks done without a reminder. At least I’m nearing the end of my holiday shopping and our house is looking merrier by the day. I’m hoping that by Monday morning most of my lists are in the trash and we’re coasting through a wonderful month filled with crazy, fun things to do!

Let’s talk 5 on Friday.

ONE | I got an Influenster #voxbox in the mail a little over a week ago and we love pretty much everything in it. It was full of Suave Family goodies and there was something for everyone. The Moroccan Infusion Conditioning Treatment is amazing. I’ve been using it a few times a week and it makes my hair so much more manageable. The kids were already using their Detangling spray, but this Double Dutch Apple scent is yummy. Of course the mister couldn’t care less about what products he uses in the shower, so he was happy to give this all-in-one product a try. We’re super excited that a new Braun thermometer is coming our way next month to try. Have you heard of Influenster? {I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes}.

TWO | Thanksgiving was amazing. I took exactly one photograph of my family and there is exactly one person in it. It’s a bummer, too, because Josh was wearing his goofy sweatshirt and I really liked my outfit and the girls were adorable, as usual. Taz wasn’t feeling too hot and ate only one white powdered donut the entire day. I snapped this pic of her snoozing in my mom’s lap late that afternoon. We had a massive pot-luck lunch, enjoyed napping in front of the fire, way too many desserts and a three hour game of Shanghai that lasted well into the evening. My kind of holiday.

THREE | On Friday morning, we headed out to breakfast at IHOP – our post-Thanksgiving-holiday tradition. We had pancakes and french toast and bacon and then swiped a pretty fantastic Christmas tree on the way back home. I’ll have to share photos of the entire day next week, because the girls had a blast.

FOUR | Our sweet little elf, Scout returned on Sunday morning and the girls are in heaven. I love all of our Christmas traditions, but I’ve also felt very convicted about how to make the holiday more Christ-centered, especially for my girls. I picked up a set of Advent cards from Naptime Diaries last month and we decided to incorporate those into our Elf on the Shelf experience. I’m trying to stray away from the whole “reporting back to Santa” situation and instead Scout is bringing the girls an advent card each day and we’re reading it together and talking through what it means.

FIVE | Christmas pajamas. Why are they so cute?! WHY are they so expensive?!?! Ella is sort of over the whole matching pj thing, so I’ll probably just grab her some cute pants at Target or something. Fortunately, Taz can wear the slew of holiday pjs left over from Ella since they were only in rotation for a month or so. She gets giddy every time she pulls a pair on. Then she adds silly socks, leg warmers and sometimes a few additional accessories before heading to bed. I always order them one matching pair that they get to open on Christmas Eve and wear for the big day. I was complaining about Gap’s long johns being an exorbitant $25 a pair last week and REFUSED to order them. Then, on Monday Hanna Andersson had these half off and I considered the $28 price tag a steal. What. The. What. Either way, they will be adorable in these on Christmas morning. Where did you buy pajamas this year?

Kristin is married to her high-school sweetheart and the mother to two daughters. Professional by day and creative by night, she is a family lifestyle blogger who writes about faith, family, and fitting it all into a busy schedule. At Taz + Belly, you’ll find healthy recipes, children’s party ideas, tutorials, DIY projects, and more. Click Here to Read More About Kristin