Today I’m sharing ideas for Valentine’s gifts for teens! Sharing Hunter (17) and Hudson’s (14) tried and true favorites below! For more gift ideas for your teens, you can always check out my holiday gift guides, as they work year round for all types of events.
Hunter + I have tried multiple lip masks and this Tatcha one is our absolutely favorite! It’s the perfect self-care gift for Valentines Day! Snag one for yourself as well!
: JACKET
This sherpa jacket from Amazon is a Free People dupe! I have the Free People one and absolutely love it! But the dupe is less than half the price and comes in a ton of fun colors!
: PERFUME
My girls are obsessed with the Sol De Janeiro perfumes so you can’t go wrong gifting one of their perfumes! All their scents are so yummy!
Hudson has been obsessed with these sticky glow balls! Even Joe, haha! It entertains them for hours and is something fun that all my boys love to do together.
: FIERCE COLOGNE
Hudson has worn this Fierce cologne for years. It’s his absolute favorite and the bottle lasts him forever!
: STANCE SOCKS
You guys have heard me rave about these socks for months, but they are the absolute BEST! The quality is unreal. It’s all my boys wear so they’re always needing new pairs.
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Hopefully this blog post gave you some good ideas for your teens! I love hearing from you. Let me know in the comments below some of your favorite Valentine’s gifts for teens.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a life update, so we have a lot to cover today. In just a few weeks, we will celebrate our one-year anniversary of moving to St. George. This year has flown by, and despite all the ups and downs, the unknowns and the hardships it has by far been the absolute BEST thing for our entire family. And I would hands down go through it all again!
OUR LIFE UPDATE
: HOUSE UPDATE
The biggest question is when we are moving into the house!! The date keeps changing, but the builders are trying to be very cautious as to not get our hopes up. So right now, the date is the middle of March. Honestly right now I think it will be sooner, but you never know because different things can get held up.
As of today, cabinets are in so basically, we’ve got countertops, appliances, lights, and finish work, including carpet. They also need to do the retaining walls so that we can finish the yard. But other than that, it is looking amazing! Every time I go over to the house, I get so excited just about the extra bathrooms and storage. Honestly, nothing else really matters right now, even though it is a beautiful house! Haha.
: WHAT ABOUT OUR LOT?
Another life update most of you are asking for is, what did we do with the lot we bought next to my parents. We still have it and we will eventually build on it!! When? We’re not entirely sure. The fact that we will soon have a house that fits our family better and will allow us to entertain family + friends there’s now no rush. We will just take it month by month. The plans are done and ready to go but we want to be in a better position financially before we start.
: JOE’S NEW JOB
Joe officially started work on January 1st and it has been smooth sailing since then. To be completely transparent, it has been an adjustment for all of us. Having him home for eight months with such a blessing and the kids and I absolutely loved having him be a part of every single minute of our day. The first week was a little rough as we all missed him. But he is thriving and absolutely loving his job which we are thrilled about.
Harper just turned seven and it actually wasn’t as rough as it has been in past years. She’s our baby and the last one to have a birthday as all of the birthdays are in the fall. For some reason it’s been a trigger as I realize everybody is a year older, and we are getting further and further away from the baby stage. I personally have always loved having babies, so to close that chapter of my life has been very emotional for me. I continue to find the blessings in the good. Every year I get to watch them grow older. And that’s the most important thing.
: KID’S UPDATE
The kids are all doing great and thriving. Hunter has too many friends that she never knows who to hang out with, currently has two jobs, and is still doing soccer. Hudson is practicing with the high school baseball team as an eighth grader which has been such a cool experience for him. Hayden is thriving and cheer and in full-blown competition mode! Houston actually isn’t in a sport right now (which is nice), but should be starting baseball and soccer in the next few months. He is our little smarty-pants and has just learned all of his multiplication as a second grader. Harper is still in dance and gymnastics. She will have her very first dance performance later in the spring, and she is so ecstatic about it!
This year has been full of family parties, reconnecting with old friends, Sunday family dinners on both sides, so many cousins, and opportunities that we have missed out on the past 15 years. I find myself cry multiple times a month because I am just so beyond grateful to be here surrounded by so many family members and memories. The fact that our kids get to grow up where we grew up is something that is not lost on me.
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We’ve been doing this blogging/online thing for 13 years!! It’s wild that some of you have grown up with us! You’ve watched us move a million times, been here when we lost so many babies, and also had our last 3 little people. We are so grateful for the friendships over the years, the daily support and the sweet messages + moments you share with us. We are all in this together and we love connecting with you!!
Today on the blog I’m sharing the top 10 sellers of 2023 including my favorite pillow, sneakers, mixing bowls, and more! And I’m so happy you guys love these products as much as I do! Keep scrolling to see the other best sellers of 2023!
These items are in no specific order, but this Ninja Creami was BY FAR the top seller of the whole year! It went viral all through social media! My family + I have LOVED our Ninja Creami because we can finally make healthy homemade ice cream! AND this one is on sale right now for $169!! Run!!!!
: ADIDAS SAMBAS
I am obsessed with my Adidas Sambas because I can pair them with anything! They are always my go-to. Seriously such a good closet staple! They fit true to size for reference!
: CARILOHA PILLOW
This pillow is always a top seller, and it doesn’t surprise me! We’ve had these pillows for years and they are amazing. They are fully customizable so you can adjust how much fluff you want inside! So many of you have told me that it’s been a game changer for your sleep and that makes me so happy! Don’t forget to use code KAILEE20 for 20% off!
: GOLD HUGGIES
You guys went crazy over these gold hoops, and I don’t blame you! Me and all my girls wear them 24/7! They are the best live-in earrings and such good quality!
: DYSON V11
This Dyson vacuum is a top seller every year! What more could you want than a cordless vacuum?! I swear it’s the best invention out there and makes cleaning much more enjoyable + fast!
: HAIR MASCARA
This hair mascara was a life saver for me this past year- and I’m so glad you guys loved it too! It’s used to tame fly-a-way hairs which has been amazing for my hair and the girl’s slicked back styles!
: MAKEUP BAG
Everyone needs a good makeup bag and this one is IT! It holds so much, and you can’t beat the price! Comes in a ton of colors and makes a great gift too!
: MIXING BOWLS
These are the only mixing bowls we have, and they are perfect! If you’ve ordered them, then you know how good they are! They come with 5 bowls with lids, 3 grater attachments, measurement marks, and they have non-slip bottoms! Just trust me on this one!
: PORTABLE CHARGER
This portable charger was one of my favorite purchases last year and I know so many of you ordered and loved it too! It charges my phone 2-3 times fully and is only $19.99! Definitely recommend!
: GOLD BEADED BRACELETS
I always get asked where my gold beaded bracelets are from. You guys- they’re just from Amazon! They are the perfect accessory to add to any outfit and only $15.99!
MORE TOP SELLERS
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If you missed it, I shared my goals for this year on the blog last week! Hope everyone’s new year + goals are off to a great start!
I always get asked questions about my hair routine, hair formula, etc, so I wanted to put that information all in one place that we can all refer back to! I’ve done hair for 20 years and am passionate about having a hair routine that keeps your hair healthy and strong. Sharing my hair routine and favorite products below!
Shampoo– I wash my hair once a week! This shampoo has been a go-to for years. I switch off with this K18 shampoo as well. Both are so hydrating and have been my favorites for years.
Money Mask– Every 3 washes, I use this hydrating hair mask and it is MONEY! No pun intended. It’s truly that good. (When I use this mask, I don’t use a normal conditioner).
: AFTER THE SHOWER
Paddle Brush– After the shower, I comb through my hair with this paddle brush starting with my ends! Starting at your ends helps not damage your hair + prevents tangle.
Leave in Conditioner– This is the first thing I put on my hair after the shower (if I use the K18 shampoo). I leave it in for 4 minutes before applying any other product to my hair, so make sure you read the instructions. I have been using this one for over a year now and it is AMAZING!! I promise I’ve tried so many, and nothing works like this one.
Hair Oil– Before drying, I add this oil throughout my hair. It helps add moisture (goodbye frizz) and has been a game changer for helping to repair my damaged hair and keep it hydrated.
Blow Dry Cream– I put this cream in my hair while it’s still wet! It’s a heat protectant so I use it before I blow dry my hair!
: STYLING
Paddle Brush– Again, this paddle brush works wonders for dry or wet hair. It’s a salon-quality brush!!
Blow Dryer– I’m sure you’ve heard all the hype about the Dyson hair products, but I will tell you, the blow dryer itself lives up to all the praise and 5-star reviews. It cuts your dry time in HALF and is basically a dream come true. Again, it is an investment, but one you will thank me for later!
Heat Protectant– I use this heat protectant once my hair is dry and I’m about to use a heat tool! Been using it for years on me and my girls.
Curling Iron– I’ve used this curling iron for over 8 years! I swear by it. I use it on the second heat setting, but Hunter even uses it on the lowest setting, and it gives the perfect curls that actually hold! I use the 1.25in barrel.
Flat Iron– This flat iron is amazing; I’ve used it for years. I just bought Hunter the T3 flat iron and she loves it! So I highly recommend either of those!
Hair Oil– Last but not least, I go through and add a little more of this hair oil to the ends of my hair to set the overall look!
… When I do my hair curly, all I use is this Bumble cream right when I get out of the shower. And that’s it! A little goes a long way. Hunter and Hudson also use it for their natural curls.
: MY HAIR ROUTINE AT NIGHT
Scalp Brush– Before bed I use this scalp brush because it helps stimulate hair growth and get the blood flowing to your head for healthy hair!
Hair Oil– I always put more hair oil in the ends of my hair to help prevent frizz and keep my hair hydrated.
Slip Scrunchies– Lastly, I throw my hair up in a bun on the top of my head using these silk scrunchies. They are a must have. They help my curls last all night and don’t cause any kinking or breakage.
: MAINTENANCE
Nutrafol– I’ve taken these pills the last 4 months and I’m starting to see some results! My hair and nails have been growing quick. It takes 3-6 months of consistently taking them to see the improvement! You can use my link for $50 off your first 3 months or $106 off your first 6 months!
: MY HAIR ROUTINE HAIR FORMULA
This is exactly what my Hairdresser Evan sent to me….
Color: Shades eq
Highlight: Lightener + 10/20 volume + bond builder
Lowlight: 7nb/7g/7n equal parts + processing solution
Root tap (if needed): 7na/7nv/7n equal parts + processing solution
Gloss: 9G/9aa/clear equal parts + processing solution
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Hopefully that answers every single hair question you’ll ever have. You’re always welcome to message me on Instagram if you have any other questions. Thank you for being here!
Today on the blog I’m sharing my goals + intentions for 2024! I’m keeping my 2024 goals pretty simple and just giving myself grace. With so many things and changes going on currently, and over the last 10 months, I’m just trying to get used to Joe going to work again after 8 months off and finding my groove again with this new house and organizing! You know I preach simplifying all the time… and that’s because it has made a huge difference in my life. So instead of these HUGE crazy goals, I am sticking with a few small, simple goals because I know that over time these small and simple things will become great things!
I really want to finish the Book of Mormon. To be honest, I have never finished it all the way through. I’ve started it a million times and this year is the year I am going to finish it!! Houston (since getting baptized last July) has been reading his scriptures almost every day and it has been so inspiring to me. So, we have started reading them together when we can. I truly feel like this will help me know Christ more and become closer with Him, which is always my ultimate 2024 goal.
I’ve never been much of a reader, but I do love learning. So, I’ve decided to try and read at least 3 books this year. I have so many friends that have recommended good books and so instead of scrolling on my phone I’m going to pick up a book. I know 3 books isn’t that many but with my scripture goal and this being new for me and want to keep it simple.
: FINANCIAL GOAL
Right now, we just want to save as much as we can to eventually be able to build our final house. With interest rates so high and the price of building, we have put that on hold and are buying the house across the street. We’ve decided to travel a little less this year and pour that money into savings.
: PHYSICAL GOAL
My main goal is to get back to working out 4 times a week. I used to think if I didn’t work out for a whole hour, I was doing nothing. Now my goal is to just move my body for at least 30 mins. I really would love to put on some muscle so lifting heavier weights is at the top of my list. I use both Cara Loren’s Burn workout app and Aubrie Edgington’s app. Both are amazing and I totally recommend!
I want to get back to eating more frequently throughout the day. Higher protein snacks and meals to help accomplish my goal of putting on more muscle. This past year with moving and selling, I’ve really let a lot of health goals go.
: WORK GOAL
This last year with Joe not being able to start his job till now, I really increased my work hours. I am so grateful for my job and absolutely love it. But now with Joe working I really want to be able to focus on my kids and have set work hours. That has always been my problem…. I just never stop working. So, my 2024 goal for work is to be done at 2:30 pm when Hayden gets home and then not work again until the kids are in bed.
Another goal is getting my mornings to run smoothly + be more efficient with my time. Because I don’t “go into work ” at a certain time, it’s VERY easy for me to get distracted. I’ve been trying to wake up at 6:20 and have my work out in and shower before I need to help the kids get ready for school. Then somehow after school drop off, I lose track of time and its NOON and I’ve accomplished nothing.
Lastly, I want to take one day off a week to focus on projects or go to lunch with my mom or girlfriends or just sit and read a book. I feel like I never have down time and I don’t want to feel guilty about it so I’m going to schedule that in my week.
: FREE PRINT-OUT
I also wanted to share this goal sheet with you! If you are anything like me, having a place to physically write things down makes all the difference in tracking and keeping myself accountable. I searched for hour and found this one I really like over at Saturday Gift.
If you would like to use it, you can click here to download the pdf or just save this image! From a computer just right click on it and save image. From your phone, just long hold down the image and then click add to photos.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been sharing some of my favorite Walmart winter staples under $25. Today, I have decided to consolidate them all in one place. Walmart has become my go-to for basics lately, and we can all agree that they are seriously stepping up their fashion game.
If you know me well, you know I hold a special place in my heart for comfort. I prefer must-have staple items I can mix and match with other pieces in my closet. I favor versatile outfits that can be dressed up or down and worn in multiple ways for their cost-effectiveness and closet simplification.
FAVORITE WALMART STAPLES
: $8 MOCK NECK
First on the list is this mock neck top, a steal at only $9. It comes in 17 different colors, and the fit is excellent. The fabric, with a subtle ribbed texture, feels surprisingly luxurious. I’ve styled it with jeans and sneakers or elevated the look with a sequined skirt and heels.
: GREEN LOUNGE SET
Moving on, the green jogger and sweater set in this collection doesn’t feel like your typical sweatshirt material. Crafted from a softer rayon, it imparts a more elevated appearance than your average sweats. I opted for a small in the top and XS in the bottom, although an XS top would work just as well.
: GRAY SWEAT SET
Lately, I have practically lived in these joggers and hooded sweatshirt. I loved them so much that I recently added both the brown and black sets to my collection. They’re unisex, and even my teens are obsessed with them. Priced at only $??, the material is super soft inside, and they wash like a dream. In the photo, I’m wearing a small top and XS bottom, but I did order the XS top since both pieces are naturally oversized.
: $10 WAFFLE KNIT TOP
Lastly, Walmart has introduced these gorgeous waffle knit sweaters, Madewell look-alikes, at an unbeatable price of $10! I snagged them in a few colors, and I’m impressed with the quality. The longer sleeves and the not-too-big knit loops prevent any see-through mishaps. For size reference, I’m wearing an XS.
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Walmart’s winter staples have been both cute and affordable lately, making it easy to curate a comfortable and stylish wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Time for another life update! I swear time is flying by and I’m just trying to soak it all up! Thank you for everyone’s support and excitement as we’ve been making house decisions and all that fun stuff! I’m sharing all the house details below along with an update of the kids and Joe’s job below!
We are in full-blown busy season again with the kids’ sports. This past weekend we had a split up the family and half of us headed to Salt Lake for Hayden‘s cheer competition and the other half went to Vegas for Hudson’s baseball tournament. I love watching my kids do things they love. This is honestly the first time we’ve ever had to split up as a family. Which kind of stunk. Hunter is working two jobs and focusing on her soccer skills! She’s been having a great junior year so far, enjoying dances and having fun with friends.
: HOUSE UPDATE
They’ve officially started to rip up the wood flooring! And hopefully we will start laying tile in the next week or so. The move-in date got pushed back four weeks, but we think in the end it’ll be worth it. All the kids seem to get more excited every single day as they watch progress on the house.
We have been in limbo for the past year and a half with moving, selling, buying, bulding not building and for me mentally I am so ready to just know we will be staying in one place for a few years.
I know there’s been a ton of questions coming in as to if we are going to build on our lot . So here is the answer…we bought this speck home as a steppingstone to build our final home. We currently still own our lot next to my parents that we will eventually build on. But we aren’t holding ourselves to a schedule. I think we’re so exhausted from the past year and a half that we’re just happy to be settled soon. I know eventually we will build our finally house as we still have our amazing house plans but it’s just not the right time. So it will be on the back burner until we are ready.
: JOE’S UPDATE
Joe officially starts his job at the hospital January 1st. And to be completely honest, I’m not sure I’m ready for him to go back full-time. It’s been such a blessing to have him not work as much these past nine months. I think the kids and I will really struggle having him gone more. But we are so grateful for his job and he is excited!!
: HOW I’M FEELING
Everyone came to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving, and we actually found out my middle sister is pregnant and having a boy! We are so excited to add another little person to the mix. I seriously can’t wait for everyone to come home for Christmas! I love having everyone together.
It’s such a crazy time of year. I know all you mamas know exactly what I’m talking about! I’ve been debating this year during Christmas break to just take off work the whole time my kids are out of school. I’ve gone back-and-forth as I’ve never done this for a full three weeks but I’m thinking we all need a break.
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Hope everyone is having a fabulous December! If you missed it, I shared what I actually bought all my kids for Christmas here, so be sure to check that out!
Can you even believe it’s December?! This whole year has flown by! Life has been so busy with house decisions, holiday preparations, and all the kids activities! But I’m just soaking it in! Today on the blog I’m sharing what I ordered from Amazon last month! I ordered a ton of gifts for the kids for Christmas off Amazon… which you can see here. So I’m sharing the random buys from last month!
I ordered a small in this blue top and I love it! I’m all about basic tees, especially layering in the winter! Comes in a ton of colors and is under $25!
: EYEBROW GEL
This eyebrow gel is AMAZING! And only $6! I bought a different $20 eyebrow gel a few months ago and this Elf one is seriously way better. Adding it to the girls stocking!
: HAIR MASCARA
Ordered more of our favorite hair mascara so I can put it in the girls stockings for Christmas!
: HAIR CREAM
We had to stock up on our favorite hair cream! Hunter, Hudson, and I all use it for our natural curls! It’s the only product we put in after the shower and it works wonders.
: BLACK DRESS
This dress is a knockoff of SKIMS that I’ve been wanting to try it! I got the extra small and it fits great!!
: KNIFE
Joe ordered this knife because he loves to barbeque and everything, so he needed a new knife to cut up meat! He really likes it so far.
: BLACK SKIRT SET
I needed a good church outfit for winter and I’m so happy I found this set! It’s a soft ribbed material and fits perfect! It’s true to size and comes in tons of colors!
: WRAPPING PAPER SLICER
I saw a friend share about this wrapping paper slicer, so I had to buy it! It’s a game changer for wrapping gifts and is only $19.99!
: STANCE SOCKS
Joe and Hudson are obsessed with these Stance socks. I ordered some more to put in Hudson and Houston’s stocking for Christmas! They come in different color patterns too.
: FRAME TV
We bought TWO of these frame tv’s (the 55 inch) for our new house when they were on sale! We’ve had ours for a few years and absolutely love it. So we had to get more.
: DOG FOOD
Nothing exciting, but we had to stock up on our favorite dog food for small, bred dogs. We’ve used it for years and the dogs love it!
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Have you seen my gift guides yet? I also shared some great stocking stuffer ideas- so check those out here!
Today on the blog I’m sharing what I’m actually buying all my kids for Christmas!! I’ve shared my gift guides that are our tried true favorites, but I thought sharing what I’m buying my kids for Christmas this year would be helpful too. We like to keep Christmas simple and only buy things they truly want and need. Below you’ll see the ages of my kids too- so hopefully that helps!
Hunter always has a main item she wants each year that is always so hard to find. These UGG boots are so popular right now! The chesnut color is sold out everywhere, so I opted for the green color.
: SWEATS
She is always obsessed with sweats and wears them constantly, so another pair was a must!
: CLOTHES
Clothes is all Hunter ever wants! So I bought her this striped shirt that she can mix and match with everything! Also bought her some new Lululemon leggings and pullover!
: COSMETICS
Hunter is obsessed with this Sol De Janeiro body spray so I got her another bottle! Also got her this $6 eyebrow gel… it’s amazing! Way better than the $20 one I bought a few months ago. I decided to let her try out the new Dibs highlighter/blush in the color Aura duo since she doesn’t wear a ton of makeup. So I’ll add it to her stocking.
All Hudson really wants is “cool” shoes and a bunch of clothes. I was able to find a green pair of Nike dunks still in stock so if you have a kid like Hudson, run before they sell out!
: NIKE CLOTHES
Hudson doesn’t really branch out on clothes. He loves anything black or gray. So I decided to finally grab him a green t-shirt to go with his new shoes. He lives in hoodies and these cargo sweatpants 24/7, so I figured he needs another pair of the cargo sweats!
: BASEBALL GLOVE
His main sport is baseball and we wanted to get him a new mitt since he’s grown out of his other ones. Joe did the research on this one, so I know it will last!
: STANCE SOCKS
Stance socks are the only socks I’ll buy Hudson because the quality is fabulous! If you didn’t know, you can buy they infinity stand so if they get a hole, you can take it back to the store and pick out a brand-new pair. So that’s totally saved us in the sock department.
Hayden has been playing the piano with her grandma (joe’s mom) the last few weeks and has really wanted a keyboard. I found this super minimal keyboard that comes in a few fun colors! Also bought her this learning book to go with it.
: NIKE JORDANS
Most of my kids always want an expensive pair of shoes. These ones are the exact color combo Hayden wanted. They are pricey, but this is usually our kids’ main gift.
: COSMETICS
Hayden just turned 12 and is starting to be interested in hair, makeup, and nails. So I got these $8.99 hair bows for her stocking! And our favorite hair mascara!
: NAIL KIT
This nail kit is under $20 and has been such a fun activity for the girls to practice on each other. So I wanted to get another set with some more colors.
Houstin is a simple kid and doesn’t ask for much. He started flag football this season as the quarterback and has really wanted to perfect his throw, so we got him this training net!
: NIKE SHOES
Just like the older kids, he’s asking for a cool pair of Nike shoes. We have spent money on Jordans before, but the shoelaces are a pain in the butt so we found these velcro ones and they’re half the price of Jordan high-tops.
: REMOTE CONTROL CAR
This remote-control car was another one of his asks. Joe did the research on this item, and it has really great reviews! Only $44.99 too!
: STOCKING STUFFERS
I like to do practical items for the kids’ stockings. Things they will actually use after a day or two. Houston is our book and game lover, so we got these dog man books since they are right at his level. And I did branch out on the Play-Doh, but I’m one of those moms that absolutely hates slime! The consistency of the cloud Play-Doh is different so I’m hoping it won’t be as sticky as normal slime.
Harper is always our most surprising one. This year she asked for a gumball machine. I found this darling one on Amazon for under $20!
: MOUSE BONUS ROOMS
Harper already has the Maileg mouse house, but wanted to add on 2 bonus rooms. So I bought this one and this one. I love this open-ended gift because the girls can imagine and play for hours!
: MAILEG MOUSE
Along with the 2 bonus rooms, of course she needed a new mouse and some accessories! I love the quality and love that they are an heirloom, item that we will pass onto our grandkids.
: WATCH
She also wanted the popular Shark watches. I read the reviews on these, and they seem to be wonderful! They come in a ton of different color combos and are waterproof!
: DR. MARTEN BOOTS
Like the big kids, we try to get every kid a new pair of shoes. She really needs a shoe that can be worn for church and school. My older girls wear their Doc Martens everywhere and they’ve lasted years. So I finally got a pair for Harper!
Today on the blog I’m sharing ideas for STOCKING STUFFERS. Stocking stuffers are what my kids look forward to the most! So I wanted to be very intentional with what I added to these stocking gift guides and add items that your kids are sure to love! Scroll down to see stocking ideas for your toddlers, little and big kids, and your teenagers!
Harper’s Tonsillectomy was last week. Everyone has been so sweet to check in on Harper and ask how her recovery is going! She’s doing really well, besides some ear pain. But she’s been a champ! I’ve gotten lots of messages from other moms who have kids getting their tonsils removed soon so I just wanted to share some things that have helped Harper’s Tonsillectomy recovery go smoothly!
WHAT’S HELPED WITH HARPER’S TONSILLECTOMY RECOVERY
: MEDS
Make sure you stock up on the meds!! We ran out a couple times which was not good. Get the flavors your kids will like drinking. And be sure to alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen every 3 hours! With boogie and Harper, I just set an alarm so I wouldn’t forget. If we didn’t miss it, she was fine but if we missed it, she was in a lot of pain.
: STUFFED ANIMAL
Our kids have always wanted a stuffed animal or blanket with then when they go into surgery. It helps comfort them as they go back into the surgery room. This bunny has been Harper’s favorite for years.
: NUMBING SUCKERS
If your child is getting their tonsils removed, you HAVE to get the numbing suckers prescribed from your doctor. They are a lifesaver! They provide instant relief so that they can take their medicine or eat. They’ve seriously been a game changer for Harper.
: STANLEY WATER BOTTLE
We’ve made sure Harper’s Stanley is always full of some liquid so if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she can drink it. We’ve made her carry it around with her everywhere to make sure she doesn’t get dehydrated.
: CRAFTS
Harper has been bored out of her mind, but my mom got her this unicorn craft kit and she’s loved it!! It comes with 8 different crafts so it’s keeping her busy. She’s also loved her stick-on nails.
: ENSURE PLUS
We learned about Ensure Plus years ago from a doctor. It has a ton of calories and protein that has helped Harper not lose a ton of weight while recovering and not eating as much. The chocolate flavor actually tastes really good. She drinks one to two of these a day! They’ve really helped Boogie gain some weight too.
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Good luck to all the mamas going through this right now! You aren’t alone!
I’m sure you’ve all heard of the very common Christmas tradition of getting Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve. I love pajamas and thought it was the sweetest tradition, but we put our own spin on it and we’ve loved it alllll these years later! While I loved the idea behind the tradition, I didn’t love the timing. I am a sucker for Christmas pajamas! I wanted to be able to wear cute pajamas all season long! So we had the idea to open our pajamas on Thanksgiving night instead! It has become one of our very favorite traditions for 13 years now! Sharing a ton of pajamas options for the whole family below!!
