I absolutely love Christmas, it is fascinating to me. Christmas has become one of the most magical seasons and loving on those dearest to my heart while learning more about them is so special. Most importantly, it’s a powerful time for reminiscing on the miraculous gift of Jesus!
Years ago, I established an ample amount of Christmas traditions that my family cherishes! Some of our traditions include:
On Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, we host a party and cook everyone’s favorite appetizers. I get everyone (including our guests) matching Christmas pajamas and we play music, games, and have deep dialogue.
The kids participate in a Gingerbread house competition where they each build and decorate their own Gingerbread house. But don’t worry, everyone’s the winner!
Demario and I always sneak away at some point during the night for a special surprise. He dresses up like Santa and I dress up as his elf. We give everyone in the house a gift and then slip away, returning as ourselves again. The entire crew loves it and it is prosperous for us to make everyone’s eyes twinkle.
Before bed, we bake cookies to leave as snacks for Mom and Dad when we are working on getting gifts out!
On Christmas Day
On Christmas Day we begin the day by reading the birth story of Jesus. I want to make sure that my little ones understand what we are really celebrating. We exchange gifts, followed by a mouthwatering brunch. We end the day with a delicious Christmas Dinner!
Although we celebrate all the normal Christmas traditions, I DO tell the kids that Santa is a character (like Mickey Mouse), and he’s not capable of all the things we sing about. It is very important to me that they know the real history and facts about the reason for the season!
The Giving Manger
A couple of years ago, we added “the giving manger” to our Christmas traditions. This practice teaches the kids to serve others, be intentional about kindness, and prepare for baby Jesus to go on display in the manger. We read the book and lay out the manger. Each day they are able to add a piece of straw after doing an act of service for someone. Once we’ve added all the straw from serving others, we get to place baby Jesus in the manger.
This is a great Christmas activity because it reminds the kids of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving back to others in Jesus’ name.
We did let go of the elf on the shelf. It was just too much to remember to move those things every night. But I may add them back this year!
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!
School… this can be a dreaded word even in “normal” times, but these days, it is especially daunting since many of us have found ourselves navigating school at home. Frankly speaking, school has recently become something I dread the most, and this is definitely true after the holiday break.
As a recovering perfectionist, when I don’t master certain goals easily, I avoid pursuing them altogether. So now you’re either thinking “I’m not alone!” or “Why am I taking homeschool advice from this looney?!” Well, perhaps my own trial and error can shed some light on getting back into the swing of homeschooling after the holidays!
Here are a few simple, yet helpful tips:
Find Balance
Like everything in life, passion and drive will go up and down. While some days are wonderful and others aren’t as great, balance means looking at the overall average, taking small steps, and focusing on the big picture. As you seek balance in homeschooling after an amazing socially distanced holiday and welcome into 2021, trust that God has already paved the way.
Bring God into Your Lessons
It doesn’t matter how you do it – whether it’s VeggieTales, Superbook, a simple prayer, or an in-depth study of a book in the Bible – invite God into your homeschool. He is essential. Good luck attempting to handle it all without Him! Bringing God into your lessons will not only set a strong example of faith, perseverance, and patience for your kids, but it will also help you to feel a sense of peace and hope as you face each day and new challenges.
Give Yourself Opportunities to Fail
The thing about failing is that it offers us a chance to learn and do better next time. As long as you’re breathing, there are endless opportunities to dust yourself off and try again. Homeschooling inevitably comes with some struggles along the way, but don’t let fear of failure stop you from feeling confident in your abilities as a teacher and as a mother. I encourage you to know that you are doing just what God has called you to do during this season of life.
Avoid Comparisons
Comparing your kids to others, or even to their siblings, will lead to setbacks and frustrations. Kids excel at different things, and not everyone learns at the same speed. To be honest, I’ve fallen short on this countless times. In these moments, it’s helpful to take a step back and identify your kids’ unique strengths. Help them to grow these skill sets and use them to their advantage to improve in other areas.
As we all embark on the return to homeschooling, it is important that we remember to seek balance, include God in our lessons, find freedom in failure, and embrace our kids’ unique potential!
Feel no shame if you’re shopping for gifts at the last minute! As many of us are so busy during this season, finding time to land the “perfect gift” can be a challenge. If you have a few last-minute grabs on your list — whether planning to take a quick trip to Walmart or glide through Target the night before Christmas, no worries!
I’ve put together a list of easy, can’t-go-wrong Christmas gifts, perfect for every member of your family!
Take a look:
For the Moms in Your Life
I like to consider myself especially qualified to make suggestions in this area (we hard working moms need a little R&R too!)
Ember Temperature Control Mug
This temperature control mug will stop you from having to reheat your mug 1000 times a day, so you can enjoy your coffee on your schedule.
Robe
If you know me, you know I love robes. They are classic, they are simple, and they are essential for the amount of time we are spending at home these days.
Self-Care Gift Cards
We all could use a “treat yourself” moment. Whether it’s a giftcard for Lush, a mani-pedi, or even a massage, it’s an indulgence that feels special.
For Your Mans
Why is that your husband can sometimes be the hardest person to shop for?! I love to keep things simple by getting gifts that I know he will use.
Luggage
Nothing can beat a quality luggage set. If you invest now, this gift will have mega lasting power and will be his go-to on every trip.
Planner
Help your man keep track of his plans by getting him a classic planner. Secretly a gift for you too, he won’t have to rely on you to let him know when he’s got an appointment on the books!
Docking Station
Make it easy for your husband to charge all of his electronics in one place. It will help cut down on clutter and make everything readily accessible for him!
For Your Little Girls
Shopping for my girls is truly one of my favorite parts of Christmas!
American Girl Doll
These dolls are a wonderful educational tool for getting your daughters interested in a historical time period and diverse ethnic backgrounds. (Plus they are so dang cute!)
Books
It may seem simple, but books can be some of the most wonderful Christmas presents. Take your little one on an adventure anywhere with a carefully chosen story.
Tea Set
This is the perfect gift in our family with three little girls; it’s something they all can share and a treat for you to sit in on, too!
For Your Little Boys
Does it roll, build, or make loud noises? Then your son will probably love it! But in case you still need some hints, here’s what I think:
Bike or Scooter
Get him up and moving! Having something he can race around on (preferably outside the house) will add so much fun to his day.
Train Set
A culmination of everything I recommend, a train set will let your son build the perfect track, roll his train at high speeds, and don’t forget that train whistle! Choo-choo!
Video Games
This one is a no-brainer! Finding an educational or problem solving video game is a great way to keep your son developing while also having fun.
I love the Christmas season, and while it certainly isn’t all about the gifts, hopefully these ideas will give you a little help putting presents under the tree this year!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love a good deal! And nothing satisfies my sale needs quite like Black Friday. Forget the rush and rumble of holiday shoppers storming the stores, this is the perfect year to bag great purchases from home. So what steals am I shopping for this year? Let me show you!
For My Kitchen
You better believe I am stocking up on all my kitchen essentials. I want to head into the holidays ready to serve up some fabulous feasts!
At 50% off, now is the time to buy this pressure cooker. With 9 different settings (including baking, steaming, slow-cooking, sauteing, and more) the Instant Pot is like a kitchen miracle. It’s an all-in-one appliance that will meet your every cooking need and help you have dinner on the table in no time.
While I love a high-tech kitchen gadget, I am still a classicist in some ways. This gorgeous cast iron piece may seem like a pricey purchase, but with $120 off you’ll be glad you invested during Black Friday. With this in your arsenal, you’ll be cooking soups, stews, and casseroles that will make your mama proud (and maybe even a little jealous).
This Le Creuset masterpiece will pair perfectly with your new cast iron sauteuse. I love stoneware because it moderates temperatures so your food cooks evenly and easily, no scorch marks here! Not to mention it’s dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe (talk about versatile).
Now at 50% off, this blender is your one-stop-shop for all of your chopping, dicing, and pureeing needs. When it comes to smoothie making, there is simply nothing better for breaking down fruit and veggies and even frozen ingredients (those blades will stop at nothing!). If this blender still seems out of your price range, check out this Oster Blender. Also at 50% off, its price can be a little easier to swallow and comes with a smoothie cup so you can take your drinks on the go.
Air frying is the new frontier, my friends! Save $70 on this new kitchen essential and transform your fried meals into a healthier alternative without losing any of that crisp and crunch. Like the Instant Pot, this appliance offers multiple cooking settings and with a five-quart non-stick pot, you’ll have plenty of room to fit dinner for the whole family.
I love using Black Friday to get a jump start on Christmas presents for my kids. It’s a great opportunity to add a few more treats under the tree, without breaking the bank.
I don’t know about you, but with four kids, we go through Legos like crazy in my house. I can never have enough. This toddler-friendly set has a great variety and best of all… comes with its own storage box! No more piercing my foot on waylaid Lego bricks!
Okay, okay, I know this seems like another kitchen appliance, but hear me out! This waffle maker makes it easy to get my kids in the kitchen with me. With a non-stick tray and a one-step set-up, breakfast can become fun and accessible for my kiddos with an easy clean up for me.
Of course, treating yourself to a few Black Friday deals doesn’t hurt! I wouldn’t go overboard, but every working mama needs a little something special for herself (and at a discount, I might add).
Buttah Baby is one of my favorite wig shops because they offer quality virgin hair wigs and weaves. They offer a wide range of textures, lengths, and colors, ensuring I never have a problem finding what I’m looking for. With markdowns on the entire site and free shipping on orders over $75, now is the time to buy.
They had me at 50% of EVERYTHING! With prices as low as $5, I can refresh my wardrobe just in time for winter. Even better than that? Old Navy is known for family-friendly styles, so I can stock up not only for myself but for my kids and husband too. Would matching holiday PJs be too much? Nah!
I hope my suggestions have helped prep you for your Black Friday shopping bash. Let me know if any of these products made your holiday just that much brighter, and don’t forget to share your favorite sale steals in the comments and on social!
RECIPE #4: BBQ Ribs that will have you licking your fingers and going back for seconds and thirds! I saved a tasty favorite for the final recipe of our Recipe Week. I hope you’ve enjoyed the flood of recipes.
Ingredients
2 slabs of ribs
1 lemon
4 teaspoons of seasoning salt
2 tablespoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 onion, thickly sliced
1 large bottle of BBQ sauce of your choice
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Wash the meat thoroughly, then rub it down with the sliced lemon (or the juice of the lemon).
Combine all the spices (seasoning salt, paprika, chili powder, pepper, garlic powder) in a small bowl, and then sprinkle the mix over the ribs.
Slice the onion into thick slices and place them over the ribs.
Cove the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Remove ribs from the oven and add the BBQ sauce on top.
Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until ribs is tender to liking. Pour off access liquids, slice and serve.
Here’s RECIPE #3! You’ve had cornbread. But have you had “Mexican” Cornbread? If not, it’s a must-try. For this Thanksgiving, give the family a little something different… something you can bet on tasting flavorful!
Ingredients
1 box of cornbread mix
1 Jalapeño pepper
½ can of cream corn
½ cup of shredded cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat an 8-inch pan on the stovetop with a tablespoon of oil or butter and a tablespoon of dry cornmeal.
Whisk together cornbread mix, milk, melted butter, and egg until moistened (Follow the box instructions!!) Stir in shredded cheese, corn, and jalapeños.
Pour mixture into the prepared pan. If desired, sprinkle with more cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let sit 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy a space to connect, be empowered and educated to seek Jesus wholeheartedly, identify blind spots, seek growth, learn to love, forgive, laugh, cook amazing food, and understand that living the in the spotlight is not always roses & candy.
