James is usually a nut-job at Annabel’s weekly dance class. It helps that there are other younger siblings in the waiting room, but I’ve still spent the majority of every class trying to settle James down. This last week, however, he seemed to have turned a corner. He normally has no interest in playing with Cait, my friend Tara’s daughter (her daughter, Molly, takes the class with Annabel), but when he saw her this week he ran right up to her and said, “HI CAIT!” They played together the entire class, and she even got him to sit down and enjoy a snack. Basically, I need Cait around James 24/7.
Around The ‘Net
~End the Gun Epidemic in America
~What It Feels Like to Cover Gun Violence in America
~Birthright: What’s next for Planned Parenthood?
~How Cyndi Lauper Wrote Her First No. 1 Hit, ‘Time After Time’
~How Mark Zuckerberg’s Altruism Helps Himself
~Frat Brothers Brighten Hospital Room For Brave Little Girl
~The Truth About Adults Who Love Disney
~Kim Kardashian Had Her Baby, But We Shouldn’t Forget Her Pregnancy
~Adele’s ‘Hello’ As Sung By Movie Characters Is What The Internet Needs Today
Decorating Our Home
~We’ve decided this is the year we’re going to get an inflatable Christmas decoration for our yard. A bunch of our neighbors have them, so we’re joining in! Mike wants the Gingerbread Helicopter, Annabel wants Santa’s Pirate Ship, and I’m leaning toward the classic Santa and his sleigh…although I’m secretly hoping that when we go to Home Depot later there will be something totally outlandish and ridiculous that I can talk everyone into!
Gift-Giving Ideas
I think of all sorts of gift ideas when I’m in the shower – random, I know. But it’s fun to think of what I’d get for different “personalities.” I hope these ideas help you!
For the Cozy Pal – to her, snuggling is an Olympic sport.
~Comfy leggings and a top she’ll love to lounge in.
~A fuzzy blanket to curl up under.
~Warm slippers that keep her tootsies toasty.
~A heated toilet seat because LOL.
For the At-Home Spa Lover – every day is Treat. Yo. Self.
~A cute shower cap because you gotta look goooood.
~High-intensity lotion literally amazing.
~A pedicure kit and nail polish so she sparkles.
~Teddy Bear Bathrobe FOR ADULTS YOU GUYS.
For the Music Lover – this person has a life soundtrack.
~Musical Ornament for that holiday playlist.
~Sound-focusing headphones technically geared to gamers but the sound is incredible.
~A subscription to Spotify assuming they don’t already have one.
~A Rolling Stone subscription to keep up on music and culture.
For the Lazy Cook – the person who wants to make a nice dinner, but doesn’t have a lot of time (aka me).
~Pressure cooker cook meals in a fraction of the time.
~Pressure cooker cookbook because obviously.
~Herb scissors genius!
~An immersion blender I am obsessed with mine.
For the Creative Kid – encourage that glorious imagination.
~Stop-motion animation set I know a little girl getting this…
~Aircraft Engineer such a cute book and set.
~Literally anything from Seedling they have such cute, clever products
~An origami kit to help with those fine motor skills.
Amazon Giveaway
Don’t forget to enter our annual $250 giveaway to Amazon! You can enter once a day by leaving a comment on the original post.
Happy Sunday, everyone!
twingles says:
*sigh* my daughter is terrified of blow ups. She’s almost 12. Going into a store this time of year is treacherous for her!
Anna says:
I bought an inflatable Darth Vader with kaleidoscopic Death Star that also plays the Imperial Death March this year. It is the best and I’ll never be able to top this with my husband!
Cierra Boyer says:
Happy holidays!
Cyrille Donlan says:
Love my immersion blender..
Lorrie says:
Good gift ideas!!!
REK981 says:
Thank you for posting this weekly link roundup. I too am firmly in the pregnancy sucks camp. I only did it once for that reason. Fun gift ideas!!
theresa says:
Great child gift suggestions!
Auntie_M says:
I LOVE the articles you share and inevitably reshare many via Facebook! So, thanks!
Lauren says:
Great big girl gift suggestions!!!!!
April says:
You should encourage your dance studio to have classes for younger siblings (of any gender) at the same time. I feel pretty strongly that all kids should have the opportunity.