We officially have a three-year-old! June’s party was on Saturday, and though I hope she looks back on it fondly… it was a bit of a disaster from my perspective. Not for any logistical reasons (everything went smoothly!), but because the birthday girl herself was battling a cold and spent most of the party overwhelmed, clinging to me instead of playing with her friends (and we only invited five!).

I know this is not unusual — as my father-in-law said, probably 80% of three-year-olds are overwhelmed at their birthday parties — but it’s safe to say I don’t think we’ll be throwing a party next year. Maybe we’re an every-other-year-party kind of family :)

The details did turn out pretty cute, though! I particularly loved the individual trays for cupcake decorating. Here’s a peek:

Pro tip: the pink tablecloth was inexpensive from Amazon, so not precious, and so easy to throw in the wash versus toss like we would a paper or plastic one. I know we’ll use it for many occasions to come!

Okay — on to the things June is loving these days!

— This bead set has been a favorite many months running! (June is actually wearing one of her creations in the photo above!) She has strung and re-strung those beads a zillion times. This is one of my go-to birthday party gifts, too.
— The bee backpack is currently being used as a dance bag, but she loves packing her activities in it for car trips, too! And now that she is into playing school, it gets toted around our house most evenings, as well.
— Since Shep has taken up residence in the pack and play, June’s on-the-go bed is this inflatable mattress. We use these foam bumpers in her big girl bed at home.
— June is v. v. into matching games right now, and is WAY better than almost anyone who challenges her. The illustrations on this set and this set are both beautiful!
— If you’ve seen this cleaning set over and over again, there’s a reason — I’ve never met a kiddo who wasn’t drawn to it! I love that June can ACTUALLY help clean with it, and she loves to do so.
— We don’t have this exact play kitchen (ours was a hand-me-down from a neighbor), but it probably gets the most mileage of all of our toys, and I think it will for years to come! We have it in the kitchen so we can cook alongside each other :)
— All unicorns all the time: these unicorn sheets on her bed and this purple pony tucked under her arm (Mama love that she ticks all the little girl boxes but is not hideous!).
— Two books we’re loving right now: this sweet ballet story (I love the illustrations!) and this cool spotting book.
— This petite tea set was a Christmas gift, and along with this treat set, has provided many afternoons of entertainment already.
— We got a pink tulle dress from Old Navy as part of June’s Halloween costume, and it has been in heavy rotation ever since. It doesn’t look like it’s still available, but this one is almost identical (though admittedly more expensive!).
— June’s show of choice these days: The Star on Netflix. It has made her a very big fan of Mary.
— To end on a practical note: this little potty seat makes things much more comfortable for a small person!

Stay tuned – I have a post in the pipeline sharing Shep’s favorites from the first six months! We used and loved many of the same things as we did with June, but found a few new gems this time around :)

P.S. If you’re looking for most of my past kiddo picks in one easy place, I’ve organized them more neatly here!

Past family favorites:
The first six weeks
Five months
Eight months
One year
Fifteen months
Twenty one months
Two-and-a-half years

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At the beginning of last December, I was experiencing the lows of pregnancy – the can’t-get-off-my-couch-feel-sick-all-the-time lows. From the couch, I fretted about sending out our Christmas cards on top of all the other, more mundane tasks I had been neglecting, and ultimately mailed them without personal notes and without our customary infographic/newsletter just to get them out the door (though I included it here for you to see!).

That was painful, friends!! Though I know handwritten notes aren’t for everyone, I feel deeply that jotting a quick line acknowledging the recipient as an individual goes a long way towards our Christmas cards feeling less about us, and more about connection and Jesus. I mean, yes, the card is still a big old photo of us, and the newsletter is about our family’s doings, but I think it helps (as does hand-addressing the envelopes instead of having them printed).

So it was with a big sigh of relief that I was able to send out our cards this week WITH notes and WITH a newsletter even with more December craziness. They’ve already led to several additional connections with family and friends since then, which is the best! Here they are, if you’d like to see…

Our card, as always, is from Minted. Choosing the design was super simple this year — this one from Sara Hicks Malone couldn’t have been more perfect for our photo choice! Can’t wait to show you more from our newborn session with Graham soon!!

As our family grows, I’ve found myself including more and more text… though I love our graphic interpretation of a newsletter so much, I could see us switching to a more traditional letter style in future years! It’s a family tradition, after all :)

I can’t believe I forgot to snap a photo of the back of our card – it has a few more photos, and a favorite verse from Luke! I’ll try to share a photo on Instagram so you can see it!

Friends, I am sending you all lots of love and wishes for a cozy Christmas filled with sacred moments, delicious food, comfy pajamas, and laughing until your cheeks hurt with the ones you love. I will see you back here next week for my year in review – one of my favorite posts of the year!

Minted graciously gifted us our cards this year — so glad I can share them with you!

If your male loved one is anything like mine, he gives you little direction on gifts – but is happy with anything you choose! Here, a few favorites that we’ve either gifted or gotten in the past that might become beloved in your family, too.

A. At-home whetstone | I’m no kitchen expert, but we have one of these and it seems to do a great job sharpening our knives with little effort!
B. Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth | A cult favorite in the finance community – one of the most successful self-published books of all time!
C. Landmark tees | John loves these soft tees, and with all their sharp-looking designs you’re sure to find a national treasure your guy loves.
D. Guitar hook | I’ve written about these before – so classy and useful if there’s a guitar in your home!
E. Work bag | This was my early Christmas gift to John this year, in celebration of his new job. I think it strikes a nice balance between youthful and professional!
F. Star spangled spatula | I know at least one patriotic husband who would really enjoy flipping burgers with this.
G. Leather work gloves | Made in the USA and handsome for house projects.
H. Ring door bell | To help him feel confident his beloved family is safe! :)
I. Fruit & nut clusters | John’s parents buy these for us every year, and they are DANGEROUS. So delicious!
J. Paring knife | John’s parents also put these in one of our stockings one year, and we’ve been hooked ever since! They’re perfect to take on a picnic, since they’re compact, super-sharp, and come with a plastic sheath.
K. Stowaway chair | If you love going to outdoor concerts or movies, these low-slung, reclined folding chairs are perfect!
L. Striped tie | I never really understood why people included ties on gift guides until John started a job where he needs to wear a suit every day. Now I get it :)
M. Southern honey | We visited Asheville Bee Charmer’s honey tasting bar this fall and John thought it was pretty much the coolest thing ever. His favorites were the sourwood and acacia, but you can’t go wrong with any flavor!
N. Socks | I’ve written before that one of John’s very favorite gifts is a good pair of socks. I also like these, these, and these!
O. Bottle opener | To coordinate with his spatula :)
P. Camping cookbook | For the backyard or deep in the woods. Add these roasting sticks for a complete gift!
Q. Pennant | I feel like this would be neat in John’s office, but fear he might find it too hipster :) Maybe your guy would think differently?

Of course, I also love giving experiential gifts – tickets to a game or a show, dinner out, an indoor skydiving place gift card… the options are endless :)

I hope this is helpful!!

2018 Guides:
Sisters, Moms, and Best Friends
Parents, In-Laws, and Grandparents

P.S. I’ve written two other guy gift guides over the years and still love all of the picks – here and here!

Ah, some of the most difficult people to shop for… no extensive commentary because we’re headed for more family time, but I wanted to get these ideas your way while the sales are hot! More picks for your favorite parents, grandparents, and in-laws here!

Hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings!!

A. Floral pitcher | Adding this to my own wish list… would look so pretty with hydrangeas in the summer.
B. Photo calendar | Minted does it again! And you can get this for FREE when you save ten dates in their system?!
C. Market basket | My mom would use this for her yoga mat and water bottle or as a stylish farmer’s market tote!
D. Trekking poles | If your in-laws are big hikers like mine! Also on Amazon.
E. Moviepass | Watch 3 movies of their choice in theaters per month for $10!
F. PowerSheets | I know PowerSheets are more commonly thought of as being for 20- or 30-somethings, but I think they’re actually PERFECT for empty nesters.
G. Subscription to The Sill | This service is so neat – house plants delivered to your loved one’s doorstep every month, in beautiful pots!
H. Bell buoy bell | Have a lover of New England coastline in your family? These beauties will transport them back to the ocean with every chime.
I. USB wall charger | File this one under “things your parents didn’t know existed but will be really excited to discover.”
J. Floret puzzle | A 500-piece beauty from two of Erin’s iconic photos!
K. Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire | Would be such a fun coffee table book.
L. Butter keeper | People are evangelistic about these things. I think my parents would love one! Also this pretty marble version.
M. Tartan dessert plates | These would be an instant family classic.
N. NY Times crossword puzzle book | Pick the day of the week difficulty level – just make sure it’s edited by Will Shortz!
O. Tartan throw | Finally, a cozy blanket to bring holiday charm.

Now, back to my own Black Friday shopping! :)

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