(no title)

Bloganuary 1.14.23

Posted on January 14, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Happy Happy Saturday. See, Saturdays get an extra “happy” when it’s also your birthday.

I’m continuing on with some Bloganuary posts this weekend because I’ve really been enjoying writing about what pops up…

One of the suggested prompts this week was: has a book changed your life?

While of course some books immediately popped into my mind, overall, my first thought was: reading has changed my life…

From the time I was little, I remember reading.

Both of my parents are readers. My dad always had a stack of books on the side table by his recliner, and my mom was the one to take us to the library.

In the summer, we’d go to the library pretty often, and we’d always complete the reading challenge…

Around 4th grade, I have memories of reading in my room. I had a little cozy corner (I started making things “cozy” early on!) where I’d sit and read.

I also loved my school librarian, Mrs. Jones. She made reading so much fun. A favorite elementary school memory was when I was in the intermediate grades, some of us would get to help on our class visits and scan books out to our classmates and then tidy up the libary.

Of course, there was the school reading program…

Ahh…I remember those Pizza Hut coupons like it was yesterday.

I feel like I naturally introduced reading to the kids. Even when they were babies, I’d rock them, read them a book, and then put them in bed.

In the summer, it was always a weekly activity to take them to the library. They’d sit and listen during story time, make a craft, click around on the computer, and check out books. The library was a great way to burn a couple of hours once a week in those hot summer months.

My mom, after she retired from teaching after 31 years, worked at the public library for ten more. She even did story time with the little kids, and we’d join her during our summer visits to KC.

Just like when I grew up, during the elementary years, the kids would complete the library summer reading challenge earning free books and stickers instead of pizza.

Hayden’s my reader. I will never forget listening to him read chapter books for the first time. Most nights, I would sit with him in bed, and we’d take turns reading pages of the Magic Treehouse series. There were many nights that I thought he was sleeping only for me to go to bed at 10:00 and see his little lamp light still on. I’d encourage him to finish a chapter and then turn off his light because he needed his rest.

Hadley always preferred shorter books and graphic novels.

She was a serious reader as a toddler…haha

I wish she enjoyed reading, but I think some of it is her attention span. She’s on the go, and it’s hard for her to settle in and focus. That being said, she loves a theme…and “Character Day” in elementary school was always her fave.

Reading through the years...

I loved Madeline.
I remember asking for Babysitter’s Club books, and even buying them as they came out one by one.
In 7th grade, we read Where the Red Fern Grows with Mr. Freeman, and I cried.
My dad gave me Tuesdays with Morrie when I was in high school, and I knew it would be a book I’d read time and time again.
I bought Cliffs Notes for every Shakespearean play I read in high school. Even as a high school English teacher, I dread teaching Shakespeare.
One of my favorite courses in college when we read one “classic” young adult book per week and created a lesson plan. I remember classmates grumbling because we “had” to read one book a week…but I couldn’t wait. We read Chocolate Wars, The Outsiders, The Giver, and more.
I hadn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird until I taught it my first year teaching…and couldn’t have loved it more. (*Side note: I wanted Hadley’s name to be Harper, but Travis nixed that suggestion from the start. That being said, we did have a dog named Scout!)

As an adult some recent books that have stuck with me…

The Giver of Stars
We Were the Lucky Ones
American Dirt
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive
Where the Crawdads Sing

I feel like I said, “I remember…” quite a bit in this post, but I have such fond memories of reading, connecting with a story line, empathizing with a character, and having the best feeling of not wanting a story to end.

Reading has changed my life in more ways than I can count.

What’s a book that has changed your life?

Friday Favorites, Kids

Friday Favorites {#141}

Posted on January 13, 2023January 12, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Friday! We’ve had a good week, but I’m always ready for Friday…especially with a three day weekend on the horizon.

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

Here are a few favorites from the week:

I feel like I don’t have many pics this week, and that’s because January really is a slower month. Hayden has basketball practice every day after school, but no games yet. Hadley is still dancing a couple of days a week, and both kids are running a bit to get/stay in shape for track season. That being said, we haven’t had much going on in the evenings which has been a favorite.

Favorite food:

Michelle (@ellerydesigns)shared that she’d been eating avocado toast, and it sounded so good. I’d never had Dave’s Killer Bread, but I added it to my Kroger order along with some avocados. I’ve had this a couple times this week with an over easy egg on top. So good!

I feel like I’m always begging everyone to get to the dinner table. One night this week, I said that dinner was ready, and look who was the first one in the kitchen? I turned around and saw this sweet face. He stays begging for food.

Hadley and friends went to their first middle school dance last weekend. It was more like a “mixer” since it was informal, but there was a DJ and games, and these girls had fun. With Hadley’s permission, I worked the front entrance to check ID badges, and it was fun seeing so many kids at their first middle school dance…even the 8th graders had never had one.

Hayden opted to go to a basketball game with his friend. haha

With track season in a couple of months, Hadley has wanted to go into the season in a bit better running shape. I’ve done a good job getting back to working out. That being said, I was going to have a rest day on Sunday, but Hadley convinced me to take her to the gym. Well, if she was going to be there, then I would take advantage of some time on the elliptical. She’s apparently my accountability partner. haha

She’s actually gotten up a couple of mornings these past couple of weeks to go to the gym with Travis before school. Hayden gets up and runs a couple of mornings as well since he has basketball practice after school.

A friend of mine adopted a baby, and a few friends are collecting books for her new little one. Hadley went to the bookstore with me, and she had a great time picking out some Valentine’s Day books as well as some “classics” that she remembers having on her bookshelf when she was little.

After a doctor’s appointment yesterday, I treated myself that afternoon with a mani and some mint chocolate chip ice cream…my favorite.

Favorite Mom Meme:

This is soooo true.

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

I’ve shared this January 2010 pic before, but then…

…these pics with the kids in their first little monogrammed outfits also popped up this week.

Weekly Recap:

Well, this month has been my busiest blogging month since I’m posting on the weekends too 🙂

Blog Challenge Part 4

What are your weekend plans? Tomorrow is my birthday, and we have dinner plans. I’m hoping to go see a movie this weekend too!

I hope you have a great weekend.

Blog challenge, Me

Blog Challenge Part 4

Posted on January 12, 2023January 11, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Thursday!

Well, remember when I started writing my own “blog challenge” last month and now I’ve also started writing some of the “Bloganuary” posts on the weekend…You are really going to know me pretty well by the end of the month!

It’s very “on brand” for me to have nothing to write about and then work my way through two blog “challenges.”

So far, I’ve had three posts…one, two, three…

Today, I’m looking at topics…#8, 9, and 10

7. Old Photos of Me

I don’t have tons and tons of old photos of me which is something my kids will never have to say when they are grownups. That being said, my mom was always good about taking pictures, but of course the 80’s and 90’s weren’t the digital age!

I actually have an old scrap \book she made of my first five years as well as my baby book. Also, I’ve taken photos of photos to save as well to save.

Anyway, here are a few….

This one with my brother on Santa’s lap always makes me laugh.

This collage has a few photos through the years…

The two on the left, I believe I was four or five years old. Peep the Madeline doll in my hand while I sported a red jumper and long white socks. Whenever I see the pic of me in the blue and white dress, I always notice my sticker earrings! I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 12.

Let’s skip middle school (haha…) but really — I don’t know that I have many middle school photos…and none easily on hand. Top right is one of my senior photos…

The bottom right photo my cousin just sent to me recently. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it, and she found it at her mom’s house. I almost didn’t recognize my early 20’s self, and I’m sure that I didn’t appreciate not having to take a collagen supplement and full lips when I had them!

I just shared about our trip to Columbia to watch the Tigers play UK, and here’s a throwback to when I graduated college.

Time sure does fly!

8. Piercings and Tattoos?

Well, I finally got my ears pierced when I was twelve. For whatever reason, that was the rule…I had to be twelve before I could get my ears pierced.

Over Christmas break, Travis and I went out to lunch. He was sitting across from me and said, “Do you have two ear piercings?” I couldn’t believe that he could see the second hole in my ear. I think I was 18 when I got my second piercing and only wore earrings in that second hole for a couple of years. Over twenty years together, and that’s the first time he’d mentioned it. haha

I had always wanted a tattoo and got one on my foot over fifteen years ago. Just a simple shamrock as a nod to my Irish heritage. I also always wanted a simple tattoo on my wrist, but have never done it. Just recently I really started to think about getting one…so we’ll see.

9. First Celebrity Crush

Jason Bateman. I loved the show The Hogan Family and instantly thought he was such a cutie. *Also, fun fact – we have the same January 14th birthday…but not the same year 😉 (He was also a huge reason I faithfully watched Ozark)

Also, what girl growing up in the 80’s/90’s didn’t watch Saved by the Bell? I thought Mark-Paul Gosselaar was so cute. One time, he had a scheduled appearance at the Ward Parkway Mall near my house, and I went there with a couple of my friends. We were in junior high, and I think every teenage girl within a fifty mile radius was there too. I remember him being up on the stage, and all the girls were cheering for him.

What about you? Who was your first celebrity crush?

See you back here tomorrow for Friday Favorites!

Let's look

Let’s Look

Posted on January 11, 2023January 10, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello! I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday…and the second Wednesday of the month at that!

Shay and Erika are back with their Let’s Look link up “where we take a peek at the little things in our lives.”

It looks like this month’s topic is: scheduling/organizing a busy family.

I will always be a paper/pencil girl in some capacity. I like the visual of seeing an entire week or month laid out in front of me. I have a desktop calendar on my desk at school, and I’ve always had a weekly calendar on the fridge with activities and meals for the week.

A few months ago, I started using this meal planner with attached shopping list, and I like having everything in one place. For the Monday-Sunday part, I write down our activities and what we are having for dinner that week. We add to the shopping list throughout the week which helps when I place my Kroger order.

The shopping list is perforated, so it can be torn off separate from the other part of the page.

It’s a blessing and a curse having kids with phones. That being said, they do come in handy for me to text them to remind them of things whether it’s to turn in an assignment or what time I’m picking them up. Having that point of contact has helped us stay organized during these middle school years.

Back in September, I wrote about how this year, our family has started using the Cozi app. We are still using this, and it’s been working pretty well!

Every person has a color to represent them on the calendar. So, we have activities listed, but we’ll also put in due dates or test dates for the kids’ school work. We can all add to it, but I seem to be the only one who does so regularly. That being said, on Sundays, I remind everyone (via the family group text) to check out the Cozi schedule for the week.

Sundays are also the days that I “make” the kids “reset” their rooms. After a week of them on the go, laundry, school papers, and more…it’s just a great day to make a point to tidy up and get organized for the week.

I really do feel like it’s a lot of work to keep us organized, but I feel better having a plan and having everyone on the same page of the said plan. My “type A” personality comes in handy for the day to day life kind of things.

This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Books and Shows, Gift Ideas

Fave Gifts: Book Edition

Posted on January 10, 2023January 9, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

I received quite a few gifts that I love for Christmas, but today I’m sharing some of my favorite books that I received. It’s no secret that I love a good book, but I typically don’t buy books thanks to the library. I keep a list on Amazon to share as Christmas and birthday ideas when December rolls around.

Here are the books I received:

Brunch with Babs:

I follow Babs on Instagram, and I love all her tips and tricks. My mom bought me the Celebrate with Babs cookbook (per my suggestion), and I think I will use it quite a bit. It’s organized with recipes and tips through the year. From NYE to Easter to birthdays, Babs has you covered. (Plus, I think it will look pretty on the built in bookcase in my kitchen.)

Betty White:

This book was a pleasant surprise! My mom’s friend saw this at a yard sale, and thought of me. You know I love the Golden Girls and Betty White! This sweet little book tells about Betty’s life. I have some favorite books on my basement bookshelves, and I think this one will go there as a keepsake.

Story Worth:

For Mother’s Day 2021, my brother and I gifted my mom Storyworth. For a whole year, my mom answered the weekly prompts and was really good about adding pictures too. At the end of the year, she proofread it and received her copy. She got me an extra copy which I appreciate so much. I wish all my family members would do Storyworth.

The Queen:

This was another book suggestion I had as a gift idea. After Sarah shared about meeting Andrew Morton at an event for his new book, I knew I wanted to read this book. My aunt gave it to me along with the most regal bookmark that she made. I can’t wait to read this one. I’m already using the bookmark for my current book.

Recipe book:

This recipe book was such a pleasant surprise. My Gma gave it to me.

It’s filled with lots of recipes from the recipe.stamping club that my aunt hosted. She’s a Stampin’ Up demonstrator and has many classes throughout the year. I guess, over a period of time, different clients shared recipes, and they created these recipe books. So, my book has a variety of recipes, but it also includes some family recipes as well as a few family cooking/baking pics through the years.

It’s the perfect addition to my kitchen!

Kelly Ripa:

I used some of an Amazon gift card to purchase Kelly Ripa’s new book, Live Wire. I started it over the weekend. So far, it’s ok…which is what I’ve heard about it. That being said, I wanted to see (read) for myself. haha

I think I will go from the “Queen of Daytime” to the OG Queen’s book next.

Have you received any books as gifts recently? I’ve been spoiled!

Not Just a Mom

Posted on January 9, 2023January 8, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Monday! How was your weekend? While we were still busy, it was definitely less busy than the past couple of months. We didn’t have to wake up early either morning, and we were able to get some things accomplished around the house, run some errands, do some schoolwork, and still have some fun.

Did you catch my two Bloganuary posts this weekend?

Why I Write

Lost Treasures

Today is our first Not Just a Mom post of 2023. I’m excited to be back co-hosting with these ladies:

This month’s topic is Introduction.

I’m not sure why, but the first thing that popped into my mind was, “It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem…it’s me!” I guess not the “problem” part…just the “It’s me. Hi.” Anyway….#iykyk

…January seems like a great time for re-introduction.

I’ve shared a few posts about myself through the years…

Most recently, I shared an updated Intro with links to some previous posts…

First ever Blog post

Facts about Me

More facts & SMST

so…those are good places to find out a bit about me, but…

Hi! I’m Jen.

I…

am a wife (18th anniversary this June)
am a mom (to 13 year old boy/girl twins)
am a high school English teacher (this is my 21st year)
am an introvert (who is forced to be an extrovert during the school day)
am an avid reader
am a homebody (but I do love an ocean or mountain view)
am a dog lover
am left handed (as are quite a few in my family including my kids)
am an Enneagram 5w6 (I don’t hold tons of stock in this, but I find it interesting)
grew up in Missouri, but have lived in Kentucky for 19 years
love to watch Wheel of Fortune
am a Chiefs/Royals fan (Go KC!), Tigers fan (MIZ!), and CATS fan (because everyone around here bleeds blue)
am a blogger (since 2019)

Next month’s topic is: house rules. This should be interesting. I have rules…it just seems like they don’t get followed very often! haha

Here are our topics this year. If you have a blog, we’d love for you to save the NJAM graphics and link up with us on the second Monday of the month. We love reading other bloggers’ posts!

Tell me a fun fact about yourself!

Thanks so much for reading.

Blog challenge

Bloganuary 1.8.23

Posted on January 8, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Sunday!

I’m continuing on with another Bloganuary post.

Today, I’m writing about what is a treasure that is lost?

Well, I think this topic can piggyback off a bit about what I wrote yesterday…

Two things that immediately pop into my mind are…hand-written notes/birthday cards and Christmas/holiday cards.

I have always loved receiving a hand-written note and birthday cards. I actually have a couple of boxes that I keep notes and cards that I’ve received through the years. By taking the time to write a note whether it’s a sticky note “love you” or a lunch box note providing encouragement for a test or sending a birthday card, it shows that you took the time out of your day to think about someone else and show them that you care.

Now, my mom, Gma, and aunt send some amazing creations…

My dad always sends me a Snoopy card if he can find it. He’s so funny…he gets lots of free cards sent to him when he donates to various charities. This one, that he sent the kids, cracked us all up…

It’s been a tradition, even before we had kids, to send a Christmas card. To be honest, I know Travis and I received them when we were dating and engaged, so I was so excited to send one once we were married. That tradition has continued on through the years with the kids, and sometimes, if we are lucky, we get a family photo.

December is such a hectic and stressful month, that I actually look forward to checking the mailbox and opening the cards that we do receive. I figured out a way to display this this year.

I remember that Lauren shared that she prays for each family who sent a card as she puts them away at the end of the Christmas season. I love that idea and have kept it in mind these past couple of years.

I think social media is to “blame” for both of these kind of going to the wayside more and more. It’s easier to write on a Facebook wall “Happy birthday” than send a card. I don’t think people feel the need to send holiday cards because we all know what’s going on with our immediate friends thanks to Facebook and Instagram. Also, don’t get me started on the price of stamps. haha

What’s a treasure that you think has been lost?

Blog challenge

Bloganuary 1.7.23

Posted on January 7, 2023January 8, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Saturday! I’m not sure if I’ve ever typed “Happy Saturday” on a blog post or not.

In December, I received an email from WordPress about their January writing challenge. I clicked the link to sign up, and have been receiving daily emails with pretty simple topics including introduce yourself, what brings you joy in life, what brings you joy in life and more.

Like I said yesterday, I tend to have my Monday-Friday content planned and written and some of these topics I’ve previously covered, but thought I might pop in with a post on the weekends this month.

I liked yesterday’s topic, so I’m going to write about that.

Why do you write?

Well, I’ve always enjoyed writing. What little girl didn’t have a sparkly pink diary that locked along with a pen with a fuzzy poof on the top?

I remember having a few and jotting down my thoughts and feelings through the years. Not sure where those diaries are now.

For me, like many, writing is a way to express myself. In general, I’d say that I’m an introvert who is more reserved or quiet until I get to know someone. I’ve pretty much always been that way. I also kind of hang on the peripheral until I get the lay of the land and have something to say. I don’t jump right into a conversation. I like to have time to think before a response too. So, I think writing is a way for me to express myself, provide a thoughtful response and have my voice heard.

Also, I write to show others that I care. I love receiving a handwritten note or card, and try to do the same for birthdays and other occasions. I already miss putting notes in my kids’ lunchboxes.

In college, I most definitely preferred writing a twenty page paper vs taking a test. I think I have a smidge of test anxiety. Tests have answers that are right and wrong. Give me a few pages of writing where I can provide my opinion and back it up with text evidence and I at least feel like I have a shot at “getting the correct answer.” I earned two Master’s degrees without taking a single test. I wrote hundreds and hundreds of pages, but that never stressed me out.

As a teacher, I love teaching the process of writing to students. I love reading their final drafts of work and hearing their voices in their writing.

Now, of course, I write for fun. This blog is a hobby of mine. I love that I’ve “met” others through my site, I have pictures and memories in one place to look back on, and there’s a sense of community in the blogging world. I really do look forward to writing my posts, and engage in the readers through comments. Also, it’s fun to write a bit more informally and take off my “teacher hat” when I can.

I’m writing this right now while sipping my coffee, and it makes me happy. I’m going to proofread before posting because I can’t shake the English teacher in me, but it’s fun to just go ahead and “publish” immediately after typing out my thoughts.

I hope your weekend is off to a great start.

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#140}

Posted on January 6, 2023January 6, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Friday!

Shew the first week back after break…#IYKYK

It’s been a great week, but we are ready for a pretty slow paced weekend…which is one of the things I love about the month of January.

It’s great to be back linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some recent favorites:

When I shared my Christmas decorations, I didn’t share the cross stitch my mom made because it wasn’t back from getting framed yet. Over the past year, she made of these Santa cross stitches for both my sister-in-law and me. It’s super cute, and as I went to pack up my Christmas decor, I realized I hadn’t shared it yet.

Hadley’s volleyball photos *finally* came in right after the season ended, and I couldn’t love them more. It’s her first official (professional) photo without her braces.

I picked up this Ramen bowl at TJ Maxx as a Christmas gift for Hadley. As soon as I saw it, I knew she’d love it. Well, the night we got back from KC she couldn’t wait to use it. Insert a run to Walgreens for Ramen, and Hadley made her own dinner!

One of my favorite gifts from Travis is this cedarwood wick candle. I’ve seen them on some websites, but I didn’t know they had them at Kroger. Apparently, that’s where Travis got this one. It smells so good, and the flame flicker sound is so soothing.

I spent Christmas money on some new shoes, and they arrived yesterday! I have two pairs of Golden Goose sneaks, but have heard great things about Shu Shop. I wanted to try this Paz style and decided to try the Shu Shop. Well, I’ve only had them for a night, so I can’t give a full review…but the minute I slipped them on my feet, I knew they were more comfy (less stiff) than my GG. This is the pair I got, and I got my regular size 9.

2023 Reading

Trav’s cousin shared this on Facebook, and I think I may try it for a reading plan this year. I’m not going to be strict about it. I think I will just go with the flow and see how the year progresses. That being said, feel free to share book suggestions…especially with the bottom row!

It just looks like a great way to pick and choose books…change things up a bit.

Favorite Mom Meme:

Y’all, we’re still in the post-Christmas organization process and I’m really hoping we *all* get the house back together this weekend.

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

It’s the pinchy cute cheeks and pigtails for me!

I always love when this January 2013 photo pops up of the kids.

Weekly Recap:

The last week for the year is typically a quiet blogging week. That being said, I shared some of my favorite posts of the year:

Christmas Recap

Top 5 Books of 2022

2022 Blogging Recap and Fave posts

2022: Year in Review

Here are this week’s posts:

Bloganuary:

Well, you might receive a few extra posts from me this month. In December, WordPress shared the “Bloganuary” writing challenge, and I’ve been receiving the prompts. I pretty much have my Monday-Friday content, but I might give some of the prompts a shot on the weekends.

Since I’m always planning and taking quite a bit of time to write my regular posts, I just thought it might be nice to write a bit more informally every once in a while.

Not Just a Mom:

On Monday, we’ll have our first Not Just a Mom post of 2023!

Here are our topics for the year. We’d love for you to join us the second Monday of every month.

What are your weekend plans? I might just be in my pjs by 7:00 tonight! We don’t have a ton going on this weekend, and I’d like to get some errands run and get this house back in order.

Thanks so much for reading.

Books and Shows, Family

Family Movie Night

Posted on January 5, 2023January 5, 2023 by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

Well, I often feel like my family is always on the go and that we spend very little quality time together. Honestly, I probably don’t give us enough credit, but I thought it would be a good idea to set an intentional goal to watch at least one movie a month together as a family…so we’d have less of this:

We started the year off strong, and then you know the saying…”best laid plans…” Anyway, in general, we did spend more time together watching movies this year. I will take what I can get.

This meme is for Hayden…lol:

Obviously, the main goal was to have all four of us watch the movie, and that did happen most of the time!

Here are the movies we watched this year:

January:

On a snow day in January, the kids and I watched Sing 2. It was one of those movies that Hadley and I started watching and Hayden ended up joining us. We all loved it.

February:

We watched Home Team. It was a funny movie that we all enjoyed.

March:

The Cheaper by the Dozen remake was so good!

April:

We watched the Adventures in Babysitting movie and enjoyed it.

May:

May was a busy month. We didn’t even up watching a movie at home but we went to see the new Top Gun in the theater with friends. It was a definitely a must see movie! (especially in the theater)

June:

In June, Hadley & I watched Sneakerella. It was a cute movie.

As a family, we went with a classic: Big Daddy. I think both kids had seen it before, but it’s still such a laugh out loud movie.

One evening, I watched Goonies with Hayden. We both have seen that movie many times and love it.

July:

One night, while Hadley was at camp, I watched Jurassic Park (original) with Hayden. Again, it’s one we’d both seen before, but will watch it again and again.

Once Hadley got home from camp, she chose Family Camp for our family movie…and Hayden vowed to never let her choose a movie again! haha

It was just ok.

August:

Well the busyness of back to school got to us, and we didn’t sit down to watch a movie together.

September:

In September, we started off strong Labor Day weekend. We saw Grease at the drive in with friends, the kids saw Jaws (in 3D) with cousins, and Travis and I watched the Elvis movie at home. (Unpopular opinion: I didn’t like it.)

October:

Well, this was kind of a random viewing month with not much time. The kids watched the new Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family on fall break.

November:

On Thanksgiving night, Hadley chose Uncharted (because of her love for Tom Holland). I hadn’t heard of it, but we all loved it!

December:

Of course, December is filled with some Christmas movies. Over break, I finally had time to watch a few, and Hadley watched some with me.

One of my favorite movies is While You were Sleeping, and Hadley watched it for the first time with me. Then, we watched another one of my favorites: You’ve Got Mail. (not a holiday movie, but one I always watch on break). Hadley enjoyed both, but said While You were Sleeping was better.

As a family, we watched Home Alone one evening…

….and A Christmas Story on Christmas night.

While in KC, we all watched Glass Onion at my mom’s house, and we all loved it.

While some months, we didn’t see a movie as a family, I think we still were pretty successful carving out time to hang and view some pretty good movies.

Fun fact: my favorite movie of all time is The Parent Trap (original) I watched it over break too.

What’s a great family movie you love?