'Adulting' at Christmas

 I’m a traditionalist.

And I don’t mean that I like things they were back in the 1950s.

I mean, I like tradition. Every year, same thing. Growing up, we did the same thing every Christmas.

Woke up early, sat on the stairs until mom said we could come down, opened gifts (me, very slowly as I really liked to savor each gift), got dressed, went to my Grams and Papps's house, ate breakfast, opened gifts - youngest to oldest. Drove to my grandma Dean and grandpa Bob's house, and spent the rest of the day ogling over what my cousin Megan got for Christmas, eating and watching football.

That was it! That was our Christmas for many, many years and in my eyes, it was perfection!

As we got older, pieces of the puzzle started to change. My grandparents somehow got old enough that they were moved to the nursing home, so the Hills' Christmas moved to my house. And the Barnes Christmas kind of poo-pooed (this makes me incredibly sad thinking about it) because everyone lives all over the country!

Then in 2014, my parents moved from my childhood home to Manhattan, Kan., and Christmas at our home was no longer. My mom even made us get NEW STOCKINGS! Can you believe it? The old-school knitted ones from the 80s are no longer (though she does hang them up in our respective rooms - because though almost all three of us are in our 30s ((Lauren is inching her way there)), we all have our own rooms at my parents house.

Check out those stockings!

 So much has changed since 'the days of 'ol.

Yes, I still kind of sit on the steps at my parents new house and wait for my mom to tell my kids (and me) to come downstairs. And yes, I'm still the first one up on Christmas day, even if my brother and sister aren't there. And yes, I'm secretly hoping my mom has Mariah Carey's 'Merry Christmas' CD playing in the background.

But what I find a little gratifying this year is that I think I may have finally grown up. Not enough to not tell my mom to still get me a few extra presents ‘if she feels like it’. But this year, we aren’t spending Christmas at my parents.

This year, we are all going to my sister’s house in Kansas City because my sister-in-law will be nearing nine months of pregnancy and can’t travel. They also live in Kansas City, so for us all to be together, we have to be somewhere other than my parents house.

My family has doubled and then some since those early days at 210 West Elm. I have gained a husband, a brother and sister-in law, four babies (three of those my own) and one more on the way to spend my most favorite holiday (besides my birthday) with. 

And when I put my ‘adult pants’ on and think about it, there is no where else I would rather be than with my family on Christmas Day because my Christmas traditions started with these people. And in the end, they are what makes this the most wonderful time of the year.


XXOO,
Allyson

Chahlee, our Jersey Elf

 

Yes.

Yes, it is true. 

The Clark's are one of the millions and millions of families that take part in the 'Elf on the Shelf' every year.

If you haven't heard of 'Elf on the Shelf', you may have been living under a rock for the past eight years, which is totally fine! But your 'Elf' comes in a box with a book. As the story goes, every year, your elf, which you name, comes to your home after Thankgiving and watches over the kids and reports back to Santa at the North Pole on if you've naughty or nice. He leaves on Christmas Eve and returns again the next year.

People get pretty creative with their elves and what they are doing every day. Pinterest has LOVED the 'Elf on the Shelf' series because I can't tell you how many different pins there are of elfs taking baths in marshmallows, sipping hot cocoa, hanging from a light fixture, etc. The list goes on.

I take a look at that list every year. And every year, I never use a single one. Not because I do not want to, but totally because of my lack of effort! 

We've had our Elf now for probably five years. And we've moved, Charlie - that's our elf's name - around for five years.

Sidenote: I have no idea how we came to name the elf Charlie. But Sloane has ALWAYS said it with a Jersey accent. "Chahlee". And last night, as I was reading the 'Elf' book to Reece, I said, "Do you remember our elf's name?" And his response was, "Elf". No, but close, son. "His name is Charlie!" "Chahlee?" What is it with my kids?! It's the one word they say that makes them sounds like they came straight from 'Jersey Shore', with Pauly D and JWoww.

 

Year one with our elf was probably a bust because Sloane didn't get it one iota. Year two she started to get it and we actually had to pick our game up and move him around every night. Some nights, Charlie was in the same place for three days in a row and we said that he was tired. Or that was the best place for him to watch over her and Reece. Year three and on have been better. Sloane knows why the elf is here, what his purpose is and is excited to see him.

Reece has no idea what is going on, which is not a surprise! My guess is that this is the year he finally grasps the point of the elf and has fun searching for him.

Listen, I get it. I get why people turn away from the 'Elf' and it's purpose and how you shouldn't choose one time of the year to make your kids be better individuals.

Maybe you are a better parent than me because this is all about bribery. And it's something we use all year round with our children. Does that make us good parents? Probably not. But does it work? Sometimes.

And I'll take that sometimes over never!

We have fun with it - as much fun as we can. It's Matt's job to move the elf around every night and sometimes he fails, and I give him crap for it. But sometimes he finds great places for Chahlee to hide.

Do you see him?!

Sloane came downstairs last night after we had put her to bed and was looking for something, then asking questions and we kept telling her it was bedtime (also, it was the season premiere of 'Fixer Upper' that was I was not taking my eyes off of) and she needed to go back upstairs. All of a sudden, she finds the elf, who made his first appearance last night. Her eyes lit up, she had a huge smile on her face, we reminded her he was reporting back to Santa that night, and she high-tailed it to bed.

Now do you see him?!

Boom.

In all seriousness, this is my favorite time of year. I love the magic that comes with the season and the extra gleam in my kids eyes when we talk about Christmas. The elf is just a fun addition to the madness at our house. If we can get our kids to behave a little better because their is an elf watching, I would gladly accept an elf in my house all year long!

Found him!

I just hope he isn't watching me!


Happy Hump Day, everyone!

XXOO,
Allyson

Friday Favorites

Well friends... we made it to Friday. To say it's been a week for the ages is an understatement. Election Day in our country is such an incredible day for so many reasons, but mainly because we are SO lucky to be able to cast our ballot for who we want.

Not who we are threatened to vote for. Not who we are told to vote for.

For who we personally want to vote for.

Though the election may or may not have went as you wanted or expected, the sun will continue to rise. And as my best friend said, "This only teaches me to be a more kind and tolerant person and do better for others."

And she is right!

Be the change you wish to see in the world.  - Ghandi

Let's do some Friday Favorites!

I am on the Sephora Beauty Insiders Club (join it, it's free) and when you shop there, you rack up points and can turn them in at any time for some free sample goodies.

In one of my sample packs, I got a small version of the Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien. And I went through it WAY too quickly! The color is really, really pretty (especially for the Fall) and will look good on everyone.

 When I ran out, I tried to find a replica version via Mac and came home to see if it was close to the same color and it was sorrrrta close but still too dark. So... it's back to Sephora for me to pick this back up!

Last year at Christmas, I received a pair of Minnetonka Moccasin Bootie Slippers (and I love to support homegrown Minnesota whenever possible). And I LOVED/LOVE them! I wanted a pair of slippers that I knew would last me through a few winters. And these will definitely do that!

These are the Chrissy version and they are made with genuine suede and have a thin rubber sole so you can wear them out when you have to walk to the mailbox to grab the mail or on the back porch to tell the dog to get off of your nice porch furniture!

If you don't personally need a new pair of slippers, what a great Christmas gift idea! You'll be loved forever!

My husband is hard to shop for. I mean, if he'd let me pick out his entire wardrobe, that would be fun, but not very exciting for him and he wouldn't really love it. Because Matt has his own style. And that mainly includes blue, blue stripes, blue and white stripes and blue checks.

I love him and blue does look good on him.

But when his birthday rolled around, I was trying to find something fun to get him that I knew he wouldn't scoff at and actually wear!

Hence, these amazing New Balance shoes!

He was actually excited about them because he could wear them to work, they weren't just another sneaker and hey, they looked cool, too!

I had to send back for a different size (I'd size down if you purchase these) and just now as able to find the size I wanted (they are sold out of larger sizes on the New Balance site). But I did eventually find them again and he loves them!

Also... another possible good Christmas gift idea?! ;)

If you have been a Two Dots shopper over the years, you will know that now is about the time when we stock up on our Fleece-lined Leggings!

These leggings are amazing. And comfortable. And cover your belly. And one size fits all (truth). And are $11. We sell out of them so quickly every year so this year we have a good stock to start out with in both black and navy!

I promise you that if you buy these, you will be SO happy that you did. And will never want to take them off!

And the winner of the Morphe Eyeshadow Palette Giveaway is... Casee! I'll be in touch to get your gift to you!

Thanks to everyone who participated!


If you are in the Kansas City area, come see Two Dots tomorrow at Gift Gallery. The doors open at 7:30 am on Saturday and they will have mimosas available until 9 am, then the doors close at 4 pm! There will be over 40 vendors in attendance - and I am almost scared to wander around in fear that I will end up buying what I make with Two Dots! EEK! It's going to be a fun day!

Have a great weekend!

XXOO,
Allyson

Etsy Finds of the Week

 

                                              KSU Willie Wildcat Wall Hanging/Yard Sign

                                                                               By Dark Horse Garage
                                                                                       Price: $45

I promise to not overload you with K-State gear (though this shop also has Royals/Jayhawks/Sooners/etc.) but this popped up on my Etsy page and I had to show it!

I'm SURROUNDED by Razorbacks in Arkansas, while I proudly wave my small KSU flag in the front yard. But I love this one -- I love the old school Willie!

This can be left as is, it can be painted purple (click on the link above to see), they can also attach metal poles at the bottom so it can put in the yard.

Seller has great reviews and many options. I think the price is very reasonable and would be a great addition to my yard or a great Christmas or birthday gift for family members! GO CATS!