Cookie Party/ Dirty 30 Slim Down

 Only 5 days till Christmas! I can not remember the last time I was this excited!
But...Whoaaa Christmas time is tiring on a Mom. 

As a child it never even crossed my mind that this time of year was stressful or tiresome for my parents. Probably because I whole heartedly believed that Santa was doing all the work. Don't get me wrong I am loving it the joy in Kaels eyes looking at the Christmas tree and searching for his silly elf ' Eli ' every morning is priceless but that does not make my body less weary. So it is with tired hands { from writing addresses on Christmas cards } that I am writing you today.

Tomorrow is my sisters cookie exchange and I have decided to give Turtle cookies that I found on my pinterest a try. They look delicious and not too too complicated but also not your run of the mill chocolate chip cookies. 

Speaking of making cookies. Guys it is time. Time for me to put down the toddler food and begin my dirty 30 slim down. It really isn't just about slimming down it is more about feeling good physically mentally and spiritually. I have been carrying around a lot of clutter for a while and it is time to clean up. Clutter meaning the extra 5-7 pounds that I have been carrying since BEFORE I got pregnant with Pippa and the useless stuff laying around my house that I need to either donate or find a proper place for and stop feeding relationships in my life that don't lift me up or make me a better person. SO that is my goal and I am sticking to it. I am going about it the old fashioned way with balanced meals and working out three times a day. If you know me at all you know I can't start something like this without a cool new pair of sneakers except maybe this time I will donate my old pair instead of letting them pile up in my closer ( less clutter )

How adorable are these Nikes that are currently on sale at finish line these ought to get my booty moving.

On My Bedside Table

Happy Hump Day!! Ok so I am kind of obsessed with the Real Housewives of Atlanta this season
Kandi's Mom is um - crazy and I love it so much.
If you do not watch it do yourself a favor
the next time Bravo is playing reruns indulge a little and take a ride on to cookoo train that is
Mama Joyce

I wanted to continue the little series I was doing before I had Pippa which I called On My Bedside Table. I truly love to read even more than I love mindless trashy reality shows.
My sister recently told me about the Netflicks series Orange is the New Black which originated from the book written by Piper Kerman about her time in the Danbury Conneticut womens prison for a small drug charge that she committed right out of college. It has taken me longer to get through it because obviously I do not have as much time or energy right now to read but it is a honest read and very interesting to get a glimpse inside of the prison walls. I heard the show is hilarious and the book has its funny moments too but I can't help feeling horrified at the thought of me or one of my friends ending up in the slammer because of one silly mistake made at 18 years old.

I am almost finished with Orange is the New Black so yesterday while strolling Target with the kids one of our favorite winter activities { its awesome for the budget you should try it } I saw this book Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn the same women who wrote Gone Girl which I loved. Im excited to dig into this over Christmas break.

 Ok I am off to address Christmas cards and try to start packing up the kids for our vacation. I will be back on Friday with a fun cookie recipe, Saturday is my sisters annual cookie exchange party. Last year I was morning sick and gagging at ever single cookie on the table so this year I am excited to get into it and attempt a trickier cookie!

Weekend Getaway

Happy Monday guys!! Sorry I missed you on Friday me and Husband J decided to take the kids up to New York City for a long weekend. My Dad lives there during the week then on the weekends goes home to Charlotte so his apartment is always empty. I have to admit we were a little unsure of how this would be two babies in NYC could be a disaster but we went in with a open mind and it turned out great! We had such a nice time together and honestly the best part was watching Kaels eyes light up at all of the " Huge " buildings, riding in the taxis was a huge hit also. We had a couple meltdowns about gloves falling off feet being cold or wind blowing in his face but overall he was a happy little camper. While we were there New York got a little snow storm and it was amazing fresh snow in New York is absolutely magical. Today is going to be a short post because Husband J is still home from work and I am going to use the help to clean the house get presents wrapped and run last minute errands. I am fully in the Holiday spirit and have not been this excited for Christmas in a long long time. Here are a couple pictures from our trip. Hope you all have a great Monday!

Kael & Pippa excited to be sleeping over at Poppy's New York City Apartment

Little Miss Pippa getting ready to be bundled up for the snow 

 New York in the Snow

 FAO Swartz 

 Both my kiddos being such troopers in the cold weather

 Brunch with a old friend

 We went to a really great spot named Lukes Lobster and I tried my first Lobster Roll it was delicious I also tried out pink lips for the first time.

End of a great weekend 

Snowy Days

Does this seem like the longest week ever? I have not been out of the house aside for some frolicking in the snow since Sunday. yesterday afternoon the weather finally stopped and I can not get out of the house fast enough today. I will say it wasn't so bad being stuck in the house my 2 year old was a little under the weather { reason number 12,098,76273 I strongly dislike winter - constant colds } so we curled up and watched movies  read books and did puzzles. I also got the rest of my Christmas shopping done and ordered my Christmas cards. I was a basket case over the Christmas cards this year one minute I wasn't doing them because I feel like I just did birth announcements then the next I was but couldn't pick a card it was a mental mess. I was going to share a recipe with you all today but since I havent been able to get to the grocery store that will have to wait until Friday. We have been right outside of DC for a little over a year now and have been blessed with the best set of neighbors. We have all gotten so close and pop in and out of each others homes regularly throughout the week and even have a weekly scheduled Bravo night where we watch the housewives and drink wine, besides their companionship I am also thrilled that one of them Charlotte is learning photography and loves to practice on my children so I thought I would share some of the unedited pics she took over these snow days. I know I will cherish these forever. I be back on Friday with the recipe I promised for today and some awesome last minute gift ideas for the kiddos!