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Hello Monday! – Christmas Recap

Posted on December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. A week from today, I’ll be headed back to school…but let’s not be negative, shall we?!

I feel like my two week break has been broken into two parts. The first part was all about the holidays and this week will be about having a bit more time to relax and accomplish some things on my to do list like tidying up and going through closets!

I’m linking up with the Hello Monday ladies to share about all our Christmas fun the past week or so.

Before we get started, I’m linking Friday’s post which was my…

…this is one of my favorite posts to write, but it posted late. I had scheduled last week’s posts ahead of time, and I apparently set the date for Saturday. Anyway, for me, it’s a fun look back on the year.

Now, on to Christmas…

Going all the way back to Friday, December 20th. This was our last day of school before break. Hadley and friends had their Secret Santa party that evening to kick off break, and they had lots of fun.

On Saturday I was feeling the Christmas “time crunch,” and made time to watch one of my favorite movies…The Holiday.

Sunday (the 22nd) was our Christmas morning for our family of four. In true teen fashion, the kids slept in a bit. Hayden was up first at 9:15, and went and woke Hadley up. I remember the days of telling them not to leave their rooms before 6:30! haha

Ready to open gifts.

Per tradition, they picked out gifts for each other:

My favorite gift was this necklace from Trav and the kids. It’s the kids’ birthstone.

Travis is always creative with the present tags…

Then it was stocking time, Homer got some treats in his stocking.

We said Homer looks like he’s smiling 😆

Hayden was excited for his new golf clubs and Hadley loves her new Dandy sweatshirt. (I think these sweatshirts were the #1 request from most teen girls)

That morning, I watched another favorite movie that I always watch around Christmas…While You Were Sleeping.

While we had breakfast and hung out, I used the simmer pot ingredients from one of my students. The house smelled delish!

That afternoon, my brother and his family came over, so the kids could swap gifts. While they were also going to KC for Christmas, we didn’t want to haul so many gifts back and forth.

We hung out the rest of the afternoon, and then Travis fixed steaks that one of his clients sent for our Christmas dinner.

Instead of pulling out the Christmas China (that I love), I just kept it simple with the plates from Target that I’ve had for years.

On the 23rd, we went to Louisville for Trav’s family Christmas. All the cousins are getting older, and some live out of state, but they all made it back to Louisville for Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, we continued our Christmas journey and drove to KC. Our first stop before hitting the road was Starbucks, of course. The cold brew with peppermint foam is my fave of the holiday this season.

We made good time to KC and got to my mom’s house after our seven+ hour drive. We had a few minutes to rest, and then everyone showered and got ready for Christmas Eve.

We got a good family pic!

We made our way to my dad’s cousin’s house who always hosts Christmas Eve. We hadn’t seen the Major in a few months, so it was nice to see him and our extended family.

That’s usually a late night for us after a long day, so we were ready for bed that night back at my mom’s house. The kids slept in a bit and then we had Christmas morning at my mom’s.

I got a gift from a blog reader! One of my mom’s friends reads my blog, saw this book and thought of me! So sweet. Thanks, Ann.

Then, while we lounged around, we (mostly me) watched…

…before breakfast.

My mom had baked and decorated cute cookies… (Hadley helped her make another batch later in the week)

Then, we went to my dad’s house for the afternoon. The Chiefs were playing, and won.

My dad had cinnamon rolls for us from a favorite bakery. They hit the spot.

On the 26th, we went to my Gma’s house to make waffle cookies. The kids have gotten used to making them on the 100+ year old waffle iron.

Success!

Almost too good to eat…almost…

That evening Trav, the kids, and I went to see the Plaza lights.

We hadn’t taken them there for quite a few years.

We walked around for a bit and popped in a couple of shops.

Then, we headed back towards where my parents live, and had dinner.

One of my Christmas gifts from my mom this year was an actual light from the Plaza lights. I put it on my tree as soon as we got home this weekend.

My Plaza pics don’t do it justice, but I’ve shared this professional photo before…

The Plaza lights are just a neat KC tradition, and I remember going to see them plenty of times when I was a kid.

My brother and his family got to KC that evening, and then on the 27th, we hung out with them a bit and just had a low key day.

I always make Shay‘s Peppermint Mocha Bunt Cake, but decided to make it in KC rather than for our earlier Christmas meal in Lex.

I figured more people could enjoy it that way…

That evening, we went to my Gma’s house for Christmas with her and my aunt and uncle.

We snapped a few pics.

It was a really nice evening. After that, we headed to see the Magic Tree to cap off our time in KC.

It’s just another neat little KC tradition.

The kids and GG.

My mom with my brother and me.

Glow up moment for Hadley! haha

…I apparently lied to my kids at my Gma’s house when I said those would be the last photos…

…of course, we needed one more family pic.

We headed back to my mom’s house after the Magic Tree and started to pack up as we were heading back to Lex the next day. I actually “hit a holiday wall” and was asleep almost as soon as we got back to my mom’s.

We had such a great week in Lex, Lou, and KC with friends and family. My goal yesterday was to not leave the house and stay in my pj’s all day. I, in fact, met that goal! I watched You’ve Got Mail (another fave I watch around the holidays), unpacked, did laundry, placed a grocery delivery order, so we had breakfast, lunch and dinner options, and even got a little nap in. While I’m always sad to leave my KC family, it was nice to be home and get my life together a bit yesterday. haha

The blogging world is often quiet this week, but I still have more favorite posts to share…like the books I read this year, including my top 5 faves…and a recap of 2024!

I hope you’ll come back!

2024 Blogging Recap and Fave Posts

Posted on December 27, 2024December 31, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

Well, it’s hard to believe that the Christmas season is over. I hope you had a great holiday.

As the year wraps up, I always like to share my favorite posts that I wrote in the year.

I’m linking up with Andrea for Friday Favorites…the last one of 2024!

Here’s my 2024 blogging recap.

A few stats from this year:

Posts: 242
Total words: 161K
Average words per post: 661
Best day: Friday, Best hour: 8 am
Most popular day: is still March 14, 2023 with 931 views

I’ve been blogging for over five years, and it is still such a fun hobby for me. This year, I’ve felt like I had a little bit less time to blog, but I made it work.

Some all time stats include:

Views: 475, 923
Visitors: 125, 931
Posts published: 1,186
Countries: At least one person in 118 countries has read one of posts. After the United States and Canada, I have quite a few views from Japan. Who knew I was so popular in Japan?!?

As I say every year, I’m not “here for the numbers.” This is just a fun hobby for me, a way to capture memories from year to year, and share my thoughts. It is fun to see the numbers grow a bit from year to year…even how many posts I write and the word count.

I appreciate every like, comment, and read. Truly, thank you!

A few thoughts first:

Well, a couple of years ago, I shared my top 10 favorite posts. Last year, it was my top 20 favorite posts…and this year, we’re up to 25! I need to learn to edit a bit…sorry for that!

I enjoyed starting 2024 off with the WordPress Bloganuary Challenge again.

I also did a November Gratitude Challenge too. I like blogging on smaller topics and sharing my thoughts that way.

I started linking up with Joyce for the Wednesday Hodgepodge posts when I could. It’s always fun finding a new link up.

I also enjoyed continuing co-hosting the Share Our Lives link up with some of my favorite bloggers.

We’ll be back in 2025!

Favorite posts from 2024:

1.

One of the “Bloganuary” topics was to write about colleges I attended.

2.

Pinterest ideas are always fun.

3.

Our February Share Our Lives post was about how we met significant other.

4.

I loved sharing all about Hadley’s bedroom refresh early in the year.

5.

Hadley shared a post with her favorite skincare products which was fun to read!

6.

In March, I hit a blog milestone writing my 1,000th blog post.

7.

We had so much fun in Washington, D.C. in April. I had a few posts recapping our spring break trip.

8.

This Thursday Thoughts post… if you would have told me…was a fun reflective post.

9.

In April, I wrapped up my fun “ABC of” series writing about spring.

10.

At the end of the school year, I had fun reflecting on the kids’ middle school years and then shared about the last few days of school.

11.

This summer, I really enjoyed my “Summer Sunday” series, including the one I wrote about self-care.

12.

Our trip to Oregon for the Olympic Trials will go down as one of our favorite family vacations. It was truly a great trip filled with memories.

I wrote five posts recapping our time in the Pacific Northwest.

13.

I did a few “Throwback Thursday” posts this summer too. I loved the one reminiscing about summer reading through the years.

14.

Another “Summer Sunday” post was summer craft ideas for kids. It was a fun post that was reminiscent of how I used to spend my summers with the kids.

15.

Another sweet Throwback Thursday post was when I shared about the summer of 2010. I loved that summer with the kids!

16.

In August, I had a couple of “Teacher Talk” posts…the first one, I shared about the first week of school (including before and after the students arrived)

17.

Then, I had another Teacher Talk post specifically about my schedule this year.

18.

The September Monthly Musing topic was all about fall things including back to school. I love writing about fall, so this was a fun post to put together!

19.

We’ve enjoyed fall break on 30A for the past three years. I always love writing that vacay recap.

20.

I did two “day in the life” posts recently, but they were “hour by hour” for a weekday and a weekend day. I love reading and writing those kinds of posts, so this was a different way to capture those days.

21.

I was scrolling Instagram, and saw this graphic for a Gratitude Challenge, and decided to blog every single day in November!

22.

I always enjoy recapping the kids’ birthday, and this year they turned 15! that was definitely worthy of a Friday Favorites post.

23.

Hayden ran in the Foot Locker South region race after Thanksgiving. We’d never been to Charlotte, NC, so it was fun to recap our time there as well as Hayden’s running season.

24.

I pretty much kept everything the same as last year for Christmas decorations, but I did share a few new Christmas decor touches for this year.

25.

One of my favorite traditions is baking Christmas cookies, and this year we baked cookies with my brother’s family which was even more fun.

I also love sharing the books I read this year and a recap of our year, and I will have those posts next week! While the last couple weeks of the year are typically “quiet” in the blogging world, I have more time to blog and always have post that I want to share at the end of the year.

It’s been another great year of blogging, and again, thanks so much for reading!

Holidays

Merry Christmas 2024

Posted on December 24, 2024December 20, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

I just wanted to stop by and quickly say….

Thanks to all of you who read and comment on my posts. It’s been fun getting to “know” some of my readers, and I always appreciate the kind comments.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

From my family to yours…

…we’re wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season.

I know the Christmas season can be a difficult time for some. Even for those who “have it all” or “have it all together,” it can be a stressful time. I know a few people spending their first Christmas without a loved one, and my heart aches for them.

I hope to be back later in the week to share my favorites posts of the year.

Again, Merry Christmas,

Memes

Monday Memes

Posted on December 23, 2024December 20, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

I can actually add “happy” in front of Monday because it’s Christmas break for us.

I know we still have one more Monday in December, but I wanted to share some funny holiday memes before Christmas.

Here are some memes that made me laugh this month:

Truly, if I can make it happen, I’m in my PJs by 6:00 in December!

Thankfully, I’m not in this predicament, but it made me laugh!

(Sometimes) guilty:

‘Tis the season!

I usually do laundry on the weekend, but I’ve really been slacking. Now, the kids tell me they’ve run out of socks or underwear, and I realize I need to throw a load in the wash!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a helpful elf?!

I sent this one to a friend because it sounded like something her husband would jokingly say to her. We laughed.

I’m truly at a loss… I feel like I constantly need tech support! (AKA: Hadley!)

This one isn’t a holiday meme, but I’m not sure I’ve related more to a meme than this one:

I found $1 in my winter coat pocket just this week!

It’s definitely a January “problem” at this point although I did make a goal to have my inbox taken care of by 3:00 last Friday!

My kids probably feel the same way about having a November birthday as I feel about having a January one! (Although, I can honestly say that I’ve never been “short changed” but having a birthday a few weeks after Christmas.)

Holiday memes hit different!

Friday Favorites, Holidays

Friday Favorites {#238}

Posted on December 20, 2024December 19, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

This is the best kind of Friday with only about seven hours standing between me and winter break! That’s my first favorite.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Like last week, I have a few festive favorites…

I shared earlier this week that we made Christmas cookies with my brother’s family last weekend. All the cookies turned out great. I made an additional batch of the peanut butter blossoms this week too.

Baking crew:

On Sunday, I finished wrapping presents while watching Frosty the Snowman. I don’t love wrapping presents, so I just carve out some time once or twice in December to get everything organized and wrapped. Watching a holiday show makes that task more tolerable.

I picked up some really cute wrapping paper at Walgreens!

Ok, the Cranberry Sprite is elite! I purchased a couple of twelve packs because it’s that good! This week, my hall of teachers had a Mexican themed pot luck…we ended up having enough leftovers for two days of food. It was so nice not packing a lunch…and eating with a fun group.

Last night, we went to the Horse Park to see the lights. This is at least our 20th year going. I love this tradition. The kids wanted Homer to “see the lights,” so he hopped in the car too.

A few more festive things:

This or That:

I like to write a “this or that” post during the various holiday seasons, but never got around to it. So, here are my answers to this fun one I found on Pinterest:

I love both movies, but The Holiday is one of my faves.
I chose Christmas presents only because I enjoy giving them.
I still love the garland on our mantle that I picked up at Kirkland’s last year.
I’m more apt to bake sugar cookies, but I love the Ginger People from Trader Joe’s.
I prefer more simple decor, and I really like the decorations I put out for the holidays.
We’re in such a busy stage of life it’s nice to have time with family during the two weeks we are on break. That being said, I also love time with friends for holiday parties.
Giving presents is definitely my preference. It’s always nice when you find the “perfect” gift for someone.
Again, just with us being busy and not home much, I enjoy staying home for our time off. Of course, we like visiting family too, and once we get there, we do have downtime.
Similar to what I said above, I always look forward to our family Christmas dinner. This year, one of Trav’s clients sent him steaks, so I think we’re having those for our dinner. The couple of Christmas parties we go to every year are also fun seeing friends.
I like to hang out during the day, but have a nice dinner for Christmas.

Favorite Christmas Movies:

Another Pinterest find:

These are a few of my favorite movies.

I always watch: Home Alone, A Christmas Story, and While You Were Sleeping (which just takes place during Christmas time, but one of my faves). I usually watch The Holiday and then sometimes watch the other ones.

Favorite Kid Quote:

The other day, Hadley wanted Chick-fil-A before practice, and I questioned her because she’d had Raising Canes the day before. She said, “Mom, I don’t think I will ever get tired of eating chicken.” 😂

Relatable Meme:

…but TGIF!

Favorite Mom Meme:

This one is so true. We don’t do these every year now, but when the kids were little, I just had to let go of my “type A” tendencies.

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

Christmas 2010…Christmas pj edition…

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts this week in case you missed one:

I will have a few posts next week, so come back then! I hope you have a great weekend!

Holidays, Monthly Musings, Seasonal

Monthly Musings

Posted on December 19, 2024December 18, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Patty and Holly are hosting Monthly Musings a week early due to the holidays next week. I’m excited to link up with them one more time in 2024!

This month’s topic is…last minute holiday tips/prepping for the new year…

1. What do you do about list minute gifts you forgot to buy?

Thank goodness for Amazon! Usually for me, I’m making a final list of things like gift cards and small stocking stuffers that I can pick up at the grocery store or Target.

2. Favorite last minute holiday recipe?

I love to drizzle honey over a wedge of Brie and serve with crackers. Easy and delish!

3. Favorite part of the holiday season so far?

It was nice baking cookies with my brother’s kids last weekend.

I also always love giving and receiving Christmas cards in the mail. I will share ours next week!

4. Best stocking stuffers/small gift?

I always give Trav and the kids gift cards to their favorite places like Starbucks and Chik-fil-A. I always put candy in their stockings too.

Usually, the kids get socks or underwear, and a new toothbrush. (I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom!) haha!

I also get Hayden baseball cards, gloves, something for running, Chapstick and other odds and ends.

For Hadley, she will get gloves, lip gloss, hair ties, pens and a few other little things.

I’m also known for buying too many things for the stocking –and then they don’t fit!

5. Favorite holiday sweet treat?

Cookies, of course!

6. Will you make a new year’s resolution?

No, but as December winds up, I usually commit to January for getting back on track. For the first time in quite a long time, I “fell off the wagon” in regards to working out. After fall break, I just didn’t make time for working out. Then, after daylight savings, I just loved coming home, putting on my pjs, turning on the Christmas tree and just being at home.

Thankfully, I haven’t gone off the rails with eating, but you know –’tis the season for sweet treats.

In January, I’m going to get back to a 20 minute workout plan that I love to get back in the swing of things.

7. Do you use a planner?

The only actual planner I use is my school planner for lesson plans.

I have a desk calendar at school that I use to write down meetings, bus duty, appointments and kids’ activities. I have most of those same things on my phone calendar.

I also have this magnetic calendar on the fridge, so the kids know when they have practice and also what’s for dinner! (and they can add to grocery list)

8. Stay up until midnight or asleep before the ball drops?

I shared in yesterday’s post that the past few years, we’ve joined a progressive dinner with some of our friends in our neighborhood. We start out at a house for appetizers, then have dinner followed by dessert at a few different houses.

9. What do you do on New Year’s Day?

We’re usually at home clinging to whatever rest and downtime we have until the end of break. This year, we don’t go back until January 7th, so we have a week at home before heading back to reality.

Usually, I make some appetizers and we just hang out at home and watch college football bowl games.

10. Are you taking time off in December?

I’m really grateful to have a built in two weeks off from school break. I feel blessed that I have this time off and usually try to just hang out at home as much as possible, go see a movie, do a “purge” or the house and prep for the second semester of school.

Are you ready for Christmas?

This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on December 18, 2024December 17, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

It’s been about a month since I last linked up with Joyce, so I’m doing so today.

Here are this week’s prompts:

1. What’s one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

I can’t wait to have some downtime this weekend and after the holidays., I haven’t watched a single Christmas movie yet and hope to do so during the time off…even if it’s after Christmas.

I hope to go into 2025 feeling refreshed.

2. What’s something that brought a smile to your face this year?

Going on our summer vacay to Oregon and Washington was definitely a highlight of the year. We enjoyed all of it from the city to the college town to the outdoors and more. Going to the Olympic Track Trials was an amazing experience as well.

Another highlight of the year has been seeing my kids adjust to high school. The transition from middle school to high school has gone pretty seamlessly. Now, I’m spoiled seeing them and their friends at school, and it’s been a highlight of my teaching career!

3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety?

I’m not much of a cracker girl. I usually like Ritz crackers if my stomach is unsettled or I don’t feel well. I’ve picked up the little “Balance Break” snack packs, and they have a Triscuit and cheese one that I like.

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year?

The past couple of years, our friends have invited us to their side of the neighborhood for a progressive dinner. It’s always so fun to hang out …we start at a place for apps, then eat dinner, move to another house for dessert, and end the evening toasting to the new year. So, the past few years I’ve made it to midnight. If it wasn’t for that get together, I’d be fine to be in bed my 10!

5. What are three words that describe you in 2024?

Oh…this is a good one –busy, proud, growth.

The kids keep us busy, I’m proud of them for the people they are becoming and the milestone of high school, and I’m growing professionally thanks to a new schedule (that I’ve enjoyed) this school year.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I feel like Christmas season has gone by too quickly, and we still have a few traditions/activities to do before the Christmas season is over. I know there’s still time, but it’s fleeting!

Well, the next hodgepodge will be in 2025!

School

Teacher Talk Tuesday

Posted on December 17, 2024December 17, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Tuesday!

One day down and four to go until break! But who’s counting?!

People often ask me what I teach/what we read in English 1.

Since I’ve “survived” the first semester, this post is a good reflection of the first half of the school year.

Since this is my first year back teaching in over four years, the start of the school year was quite an adjustment.

I have three classes (one Advanced English 1 and two co-teach English 1), a planning period, and two hours for academic help. It’s a nice balance from what I’ve done the past few years as well as teaching full time the years before that.

I’ve really enjoyed my co-teach classes. In almost 23 years as a teacher, I’d never had a co-teach class before. Co-teach classes have about twenty students in the class and about half of them have IEP (individualized education plans) and there’s a special ed teacher in my class during those times.

My Advanced class is a bigger class of 28, and they are a good group of kids. It took me a few weeks to get over the fact that quite a few of them are my kids’ good friends. Joking with them that I can “call their mom” brought on a whole new meaning for them. haha

First things first, I had to familiarize myself with Canvas which is the online platform we use for posting assignments and grading. I’ve had a Canvas page in the past, but it wasn’t as extensive as what I need to keep up with currently.

Once I figured it out, I really enjoy it. I don’t love students being on the computer, but this is just a spot for them to always know what’s going on in class.

I started the year with my students mostly doing paper assignments as I tried to figure out the online platform. Now, my students do about 75% of assignments on the computer and then submit on Canvas. The other 25% of their work is paper assignments, but I still enter the grade on Canvas. I really keep up with grading better with the online platform.

So, again, students aren’t on their computers 75% of the time, it just means that’s where they submit their work. We read in the textbook or use other materials and then they submit the work on Canvas.

This year, our district purchased a new English curriculum. I was very familiar with the previous one, so this was yet another thing to figure out. Students do have a consumable textbook –which I actually think is a waste. It’s so much paper! I can have students write in their textbooks, highlight and annotate, so I do like that. I usually just type the questions on a Google doc and that’s what they submit online for their assignment.

Y’all – AI is a problem. To curtail that, I just had my Advanced class write a three paragraph response last week and had them write on paper. You should have seen the looks on their faces! With my co-teach classes, I had them type their response but gave them a framework that I wanted them to follow. I can typically spot AI responses in a heartbeat — usually because they use vocabulary words that I know they don’t know…or they aren’t answering a specific part of the prompt that I give them.

The textbook has five units, but the district re-structured the pacing plan to four units which we all appreciate.

Each unit has “whole class learning,” “small group learning” and “individual learning.”

I’m still figuring out the textbook’s online platform. I do like that we can listen to texts, but I haven’t assigned much from that platform to Canvas.

Unit 1 was “Journeys of Transformation,” and I really enjoyed teaching it. The main text we read was The Odyssey which students always enjoy…especially when the Cyclops gets his eye poked out! haha

At the end of that unit, the students wrote an explanatory essay on how Odysseus was an epic hero.

To plan for that paper, I did a gallery walk with paper for each characteristics. Students jotted down ideas, drew pictures, and found quotes for each characteristic at their time at each station. Then, those hung around the room and were ideas for them to use in their paper.

Unit 2 is “Promise and Progress.” The main two texts are Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” For “Letter from Birmingham Jail” we read the “bridge” text from the online textbook in my co-teach class. For my Advanced class, I purchased a “jigsaw” activity from Teacher Pay Teachers. It’s such a long text that I assigned each student one of four sections. They read their section, took notes, and completed the worksheet for the assigned section. Then, they got into groups with three others students who had the other sections to discuss and finish the activity.

“Promise and Progress” unit is the perfect time to read To Kill a Mockingbird. My school has both the original and graphic novel versions. My Advanced class is reading the original while the graphic novel is perfect for my co-teach class.

Since we’re about two-thirds of the way through the book, we ran out of time for students to write a paper before the end of the semester. Last week, I had my Advanced class write a few paragraphs analyzing the unit’s essential question “How do words inspire change?” as it applies to “I Have a Dream” and one of the characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” For my co-teach, they just chose one of the texts to write about, and I gave them a frame work to structure their paragraph.

Even though I was overwhelmed about having classes again, I’ve really enjoyed having students again. It’s been nice building relationships and getting to know them.

I can’t believe this is final’s week! First semester always flies by!

Delish Desserts, Holidays, Seasonal

Christmas Cookies

Posted on December 16, 2024December 15, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

How was your weekend? We started ours off going to a Christmas party. It was nice seeing friends and hanging out for a few hours. Saturday afternoon we went to my brother’s house to bake cookies. Today, I’m sharing the cookies we made!

…for eating too many cookies! haha

I always make these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, but I add two teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract. These cookies are best if you make the dough ahead and put in the fridge for a bit. So, I made the batter at my house before we went to my brother’s house.

Hadley and Layla did a great job rolling the dough in the powdered sugar before baking them.

Wyatt helped Hadley with the second batch.

While they were doing that, my brother made the Spritz cookie dough. My mom always made these cookies, and my brother has a Spritz cookie press.

My brother wants everyone to know that 3 cups of flour is the key…He did 3 1/2 cups and complained about it the rest of the time! haha

When I asked him to send me the recipe, you can see he’s made a very important note for next year!

We added green food coloring to half the dough and red food coloring to the other half of the dough. So, we made green trees and red wreaths.

It takes a couple of presses to figure it out…and my brother had a captive audience.

Hayden’s turn…

While the few batches of Spritz cookies baked, we made the other cookie that I always make…peanut butter blossom cookies. They aren’t a Christmas cookie, but I only make them in my Christmas cookie batch.

Wyatt helped Hadley roll the dough balls in sugar, and then Wyatt and Layla helped add the Hershey Kisses once they came out of the oven.

Then, conveniently, everyone scattered and it was just my brother and I cleaning up!!

They did rally for a “Christmas cookie cousin crew” pic!

Let’s just say that three cookies was enough to bake for their attention spans.

What’s your favorite Christmas cookie to bake?

Friday Favorites, Holidays, Seasonal

Friday Favorites {#237}

Posted on December 13, 2024December 12, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday! (and it’s Friday the 13th…Pray for the teachers, y’all!)

How was your week? Ours was good. This has been an interesting time with not as much on our plates. Both kids have track three days a week right after school, and Hadley has volleyball two days a week. I know that still seems like quite a bit, but we have most of our evenings at home which is a nice pace for us right now.

It’s hard to believe, but a week from today, we’ll be on Christmas break!

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week…most of which are pretty festive:

Last Friday, I channeled my “inner Amy” and “broke up” my weekend a bit.

After school on Friday, some teachers went to a nearby Mexican restaurant for happy hour. I almost didn’t go because I only had about an hour before I had to pick the kids up from track, but I went…and it was such a good time.

A margarita to kick off the weekend!

Travis was sick, so Hayden and I watched the NCAA volleyball tournament Friday night. MU won, so that was neat to watch.

On Saturday morning, I met a friend at a Christmas craft fair. Again, I usually don’t have time on the weekends, but now we seem to have this downtime. I was able to pick up a few things for family members. We actually went to a second one that was by the mall, so I was able to shop for a couple of hours that morning.

Saturday afternoon, Hadley and I went to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and it was SO cute!

I had a really great Saturday!

Sunday morning, church was beautiful, and we had an orchestra for the “Lessons and Carols” service.

That afternoon, the kids went back to church to pack food boxes. They had a good time doing that and then eating pizza afterwards.

One day this week, I popped into one of my favorite places…the bookstore! I love that store year round, but it looks extra pretty around Christmas time.

I saw this Christmas “favorites” list on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to share my answers.

I will share the blank one on Instagram. I’d love to see your responses.

‘Tis the season for being overbooked and stressed! Personally, I think this has been our best Christmas season yet having some downtime, having our Christmas shopping pretty much wrapped up, and incorporating traditions when we have time.

Here’s a sweet thought:

Favorite Mom Meme:

Haha…thankfully, this doesn’t happen to me too often.

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

I think this is the first time the kids really saw Santa. We’d never taken them to the mall or anything, and this was in 2013 at Trav’s work Christmas party. They didn’t get too close to Santa that year!