12 Days of Christmas

I told Coach that this could be the most magical Christmas for our family because Cart is almost three and Calla still believes at 8. He reminded me that this is exactly what I said last year. The truth is, I am holding on to the magic for as long as I can. He supports me in my slight over the top behaviors, because in all honesty… Christmas is his favorite. Some things I am set on: Santa visits the Sunday after Thanksgiving to review our lists and check on things at home. Our friends and family join us and it is my most stressful favorite Christmas tradition. We have started going on a family trip after Christmas to make the best memories. We ride around on the weekends looking at lights and drinking hot chocolate. I have a favorite things party with my closest friends. We have a calendar that we open each night that tells a child version of the birth of Jesus. Santa brings 3 things, (strict about that) and this year I am adding the 12 Days of Christmas with books. I did it for 2 years with Calla then I stopped. Now Cart is excited about reading books together, so it is the perfect time to bring this back.

With all of the deals going on, I am using Amazon this year to quickly grab some inexpensive reads for Christmas. We will start on December 13th and end on the 24th. I will link all of the books we have arriving this week. I am linking them now because with so many sales going on, most of them are 50-60% off. The sale will end this weekend, so you may want to grab them quickly to ensure the lowest cost. My goal is to keep this tradition below $75. When they are all in my cart I am right at $75.50. When I clicked to have them delivered in one day for less packages, I saved $5. (I also think this would be a fun classroom idea! How cute would it be to have your class open a book each day?!)

As always, thank you for the support when you shop the links. It keeps this corner of the field going.

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Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

What I Would Buy For…

Amazon has started their Black Friday deals early and I am sure they will add and update all week. I have lots of messages asking for one post for all of the things. My goal is to be done shopping this week. I know that is extremely high hopes… but if I am being honest, my goal this year is to enjoy the season with my family and not stress. I use Amazon for many things because returns are SO easy. I am also shopping small this year as I always do, but this post is just for Amazon. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE asking for passes to the zoo, aquarium, or a trip. I will ALWAYS say, “money for our next trip” if anyone asks. All that to say, we still buy a few gifts for our children and gifts for family. So here is what I would buy for……….

Little Boy:

I like games, hands on toys, building things, and crafts for Cart. Anything that will build fine motor skills and promote speech development. You can never go wrong with books. Santa brings 3 things. Mama and Daddy give a few gifts, and grandparents ask me what they want… So here are some things Cart is getting or has. As always…. REAL LIFE.

THIS is on the way for Cart. Very inexpensive. Reviews are great. He asked for a train, so this is perfect.

THIS anything that comes with a case…. I love. We are always at a field, gym, practice for Calla, so this is perfection.

THIS is currently sitting next to me. Cart plays with it a ton. Very inexpensive. I put it in his stocking last year.

THIS is something we got Cart at the last Prime Day.

THIS because we are LOVING dress up, and we only have big sister’s old things. HA. I am actually using this as a stocking stuffer.

THIS because we love anything building.

THIS is Cart’s “big” gift. I am o excited. I might save it for his birthday. Don’t worry…. it is the week after Christmas. SO FUN.

THIS. Always this. We got a set last year. I plan to add to the set with more pieces this year. Both of my children play with these for HOURS. It is how I get dinner cooked most nights.

THIS if you have to be in the car AT ALL.

THIS is the BEST for all of the things. Dr office, games, practice for older sibling, in the car…. great gift.

THISis very REAL LIFE. If I am cooking something I know Cart won’t LOVE for dinner…. I serve it in this lunchbox and he is a little more excited. I don’t know. Parent life is strange. Plus it is good for dinner at the field or lunch in the car.

THIS doesn’t bother me. Sitting at the table while I cook dinner is always fun. Plus, he plays with Calla while he uses it.

A little girl.

Calla is 8….. going on 38. Here are some things we LOVE…. .or that I would buy her. Again, real life.

THIS goes on sale and I grab a few to keep on hand for birthday parties. Calla will get this out and make things for hours. Raise your hand if Calla has made something for you…..

THIS has been lots of fun for many years. She still plays with it.

THIS is why my table looks the way it does. However slime is ALWAYS on her list.

THIS is the BEST! Crafty Calla’s Creations was born from this.

THIS was her FAVORITE birthday gift.

THIS has been years of fun. Then we have asked grandparents to add to it with more games and activities each birthday.

THIS has been Calla’s favorite pair of dress shoes. She loves changing the straps. Great quality.

Mothers.

THIS is always so good. I LOVE anything from this brand.

THIS is great for CCTM.

THIS for any woman in your life. I love gifts like this. I purchase one for our grandmother each year.

THIS is great for anyone that is CCTM vibes.

THIS for someone who loves coffee. I am grabbing a few for gifts for friends…. and possibly my favorite things party!

THIS is my most used item each week. LOVE it. Every mom needs one. I also gave it last year at my favorite things party.

THIS stays on. my stove all year. I LOVE this pot. I have the 6 qt. My parents gave it to me years ago. LOVE it.

THIS is called my recess jacket. I LOVE IT.

Husbands.

My husband is impossible to buy for… but yet really simple. He wants UGA tickets to whatever game is happening and a new quarter zip. Here are some things I have gifted him recently that he uses and loves.

THIS is just nice to have in the mornings.

THIS is perfect for freezing cold sporting events.

THIS because he never wears the real one.

THIS is Coach’s favorite pair of joggers. We tried many. I put these in his stocking last year and they are winners. We bought 3 more pair.

THIS is on the way for Coach because he needs one.

THIS is always a good idea.

THIS is something a friend was telling me about…. I may grab a pair for Coach to try.

THIS is a must for the busy dads. Especially the bus driving/ always gone dads.

Favorite Things

Every Christmas my girlfriends get together for a girl’s night before the true hustle of the Christmas season arrives. It is a glorious night of laughter, snacks, and sharing our “favorite things” of the season. Each gal thinks of their favorite thing from that year ($10 item) and brings three of that item individually wrapped. Then we all pull numbers and those are the items we take home. It really is the BEST time and I have had the honor to host five of them. It’s GREAT finding what your friends loved throughout the year and why they loved that item. Then you get to try a few different items! It is truly the BEST night. I look forward to it each year. Plus, you can grab a few for family gifts for Christmas.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite items I have given in the past. They are perfect for a gift swap/ white elephant/ or stuffing that stocking. Plus, you have time to try some of my favorite inexpensive items yourself! I do earn commission for my links, but I PROMISE to continue the Real Life way and only share my honest review on items I use and LOVE.

Let’s get started.

THIS TEA Dessert tea has my whole heart. Sadly, everyone knows it and it is sold out at my local Publix each week so I have to buy it on Amazon. I buy the big box and share with friends. It is the BEST cup of tea that you can have in your recliner while you watch TV before bed. Ask me how I know.

THIS TOOL is a MUST. While I am linking it I also notice it is 52% off. So I am actually grabbing one for a friend. I gave this one year with my favorite seasoning. Every person that cooks needs this. Plus, it is a cute stocking stuffer for your mom or mother-in-law.

EVERY WIFE needs this. It is a small, short little book of prayers to pray for your husband. I THOUGHT I loved Coach, and then I started really praying for him a few years ago, and I swear I love him more each day. And on the days I don’t, this book makes it better. Ha.

AHHHHHHH.... The best pens EVER. The price is just great. They truly are so good! I grab them for teacher gifts as well! LOVE THEM.

GEMS are popular with my friends. So everyone loves my favorite over the door gem holder. This is the BEST for anyone that loves Two Hidden Gems.

MY HOUSE HAS TO HAVE THIS Everyone checks what’s for dinner each day. Everyone writes what they need from the grocery store on this list. This little pad works great for us. I love giving it as a gift.

I AM LOVING THIS It brings me great joy to use this after the gym in the morning while I pour my coffee and sit in my recliner. For less than $5 it makes a cute gift to have to give someone you know loves skincare.

THIS. I am the last one to own one I am sure. But for $6 it is another great gift to have on hand! Plus, a great stocking stuffer for that hard to by for but you know they drink coffee person.

MUST HAVE for all of the cute teacher shoes. This is my favorite brand. I have purchased this pack 6 times.

I have already started planning this year’s event because it is my favorite night of the year. I HIGHLY encourage you planning a girl’s night to swap your favorite things of the year.

I Don’t Have Time

How often do I find myself saying that? Last week I didn’t go to the gym one time. It was fall break, I was spending time with my family, cleaning around the house, resting, reading, and dinners with Coach. I told myself, “I don’t have the time to go this week.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

I currently have two rather large tasks that need attention sitting on my to do list in my classroom. I keep telling myself, “I don’t have time to get that done.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

When we find ourselves hitting fast food multiple times a week I think to myself, “It’s fine. I just don’t have the time to cook this week.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

When I don’t call to check in on family and friends I think to myself, “They know I am busy. I just don’t have time.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

Our house tends to be filled with chaos if we don’t clean up each day and clutter fills the rooms. When we reach the point of frustration I look at Coach and say, “We haven’t had time to pick up and put things away.” Such a lie. We didn’t make the time.

When I find myself drowning in the frustrations of life and I remember I haven’t spent time with Jesus in prayer I find myself saying, “God knows my heart. I just didn’t have time.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

I am trying to shift my mindset and when I find myself saying, “I didn’t have time….” I should probably change that to “I didn’t make the time.” It hits differently.

All that to say, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. What are we making time for?

Cooking For My Family

One night we were having dinner with some friends and one of them said, “All Carley wants to do is influence you to cook dinner for your family.” Yes. That is it. Well, and influence you tøo: pray for your husband, yell praises for public schools, motivate teachers, be a mom that reads to your babies, say no to jeans and yes to pull on pants, and wash your cars on Sunday. Not too much, right?

However, my main passion in life is mastering the skill of cooking 20 minute meals with as few ingredients as possible all while writing math problems for your big kid, and holding your little kid on your hip.

Here are some things that I HIGHLY suggest to make those meals as easy as possible. Again, if you support this little corner of the field: I truly THANK YOU! I am paid for my reviews but as always, I will keep the reviews 100% REAL LIFE. (It also allows me to keep creating those recipe cards for free!)

THIS. I use LOTS of veggies in my recipes. I 100% recommend paying a little more for precut veggies from the grocery store, but this is PERFECT for chopping things super small. I honestly use this multiple times a week, especially during soup season. OH…. and it is THE BEST for those sub in a tubs I have been loving.

THIS. A good crockpot is a MUST. I have three. THIS is great for large items, chili, and soups. THIS one is great for small recipes like green beans, dips, or meatballs. THIS is probably my most used for daily dinners. We use a crockpot 2-4 times a week. Good ones are a MUST.

THIS THING. (At the time I am writing this, it is on HUGE SALE!) Game changer. I actually broke every rule I have ever had with gift giving and asked Coach for one for Christmas. Y’all. I can grill chicken and steaks on my own. LOVE IT. I use the air fryer daily. TRULY DAILY. If you don’t need all that, then THIS is a great item. You will never cook meat in the oven again. EVER. (My rule is your spouse should never give you cooking appliances for gifts. Diamonds are better.)

THIS is great for all of the leftovers. I take leftovers to lunch and heat them, so I need glass dishes rather than plastic. These are great!

As always, thank you for being in this corner! May your season be full of wins…. (unless you’re playing the Warhawks.)

Classroom Life

Happy Fall Prime Day! I think I love the fall Prime Day more than the summer one. I’m also super thankful we are on a break because my mid season meltdown was strong last week. That’s for another day.

Today I wanted to share some classroom must haves that have been amazing in my classroom this year. Again, my #1 goal for this space is to be REAL LIFE. Everything I am going to share I own and LOVE and what has been a great addition to my classroom. Plus, it’s PRIME DAY. You just might want to check out ASAP because the price changes have been insane this time.

THE PENS I USE DAILY I am going to say I love these the MOST. I usually buy them for a teacher gift as well. They are great for the price.

YOU WILL NEED THIS I always grab one when the price is low. I need 2 a year.

BEST REWARD EVER Y’all. The 5th graders are LOVING their charms and I have them earn this first. They are on sale, so I am grabbing a pack. If you have an 8 year old child…. mine has asked for a pack for Christmas. So I am getting an extra pack for her stocking.

THE CHARMS The charms are 50% off for the 50 piece. You have to pick through them to ensure they are kid friendly. I found 2 out of 200 that I didn’t love. So that is your warning.

NOTE PAPER For some reason this has been a game changer. I love showing them EXACTLY what I want their paper to look like. Note taking skills are real.

CHART MARKERS I make charts daily. I don’t know why these bring me such joy. They are on big sale.

FOR THE WINDOWS I LOVE these. When I walk in and see them in my windows, it brings my heart great joy. I LOVE my bright and colorful room this year.

ACTIVITY I always give a book for Christmas break. I think we will do these at our class party as an activity. Or maybe the day we get out for Thanksgiving. I also got one kit for Calla’s class as a gift from her.

CLASS CHRISTMAS GIFT We did this and a cup of hot chocolate for our class party. Today they are $1.14 with this deal. Order quick because this was the BEST class party activity. I promise kids talked about it all year.

NON CANDY TREATS I bought these last year and still use them.

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