Cheers to Friday! Another week of the holiday season has flown by! Today, as usual, I am linking up  with Erika, Narci and Andrea. for Friday Favorites!  I’ll recap our week, share a few new fun finds and favorites!
Favorite Christmas Traditions
We are starting to check things off of our Christmas tradition list. This past weekend we had the opportunity to assist in the set up a Christmas shop for those in need. For a nominal charge, parents can come in and shop for Christmas gifts for their children. Local churches and community groups organized toy drives to supply all of the gifts..
It was such a great experience for our family! This will most definitely be a yearly Christmas tradition for us!
I always try to approach these family volunteer opportunities with a bit of grace with my kids. Our experience is not all perfect and sometimes it takes a few moments of attitude adjustment to realize why we are here.
I made sure everyone was well fed and rested before we got to the church because it was a solid three hours of work.  Just wanted to throw that bit of honestly out there in case you are considering some type of service projects. It’s a learning process for everyone and I just know that as they get older, they will appreciate this opportunities to help others more and more.
Local friends, if you are interested in family or individual volunteer opportunities, be sure to check out Building Hope in the City! You might remember that our family and friends served a lunch to refugees back in the summer. They have a ton of opportunities for you and your family!
National Comfort Food Day
The kids and I were treated to a very fun meal at Swensons Drive In for National Comfort Food Day. I had not been to Swensons since I was a kid. Even though I was 9 or 10 since I last visited, I still remember my visit!
It is an old fashioned drive in restaurant! Swensons has serving up house made comfort food favorites since 1934.
You park your car and turn on your headlights and the server comes right to your car!
The food comes out very quick and hot! The staff is incredibly cheerful and attentive. Anytime you turn on your car headlights a server rushes out to see you.Â
After a full dinner of hot dogs, burgers (a veggie burger for me!) and shakes, we are now hooked on Swensons. It is super cute and nostalgic place that is so affordable for family friendly dining!
Special thanks to Swensons for hosting us on National Comfort Food Day!
Stitch Fix and Kids Night in Box
This week I reviewed two subscription boxes, Stitch Fix and Kids Night in Box. This was my first Stitch Fix experience and it was fun to try a new subscription box.
I had requested all casual or semi casual tops. I did not want any pants or accessories. There were some hits and some misses in my box. Head over here for the details.
Have you ever tried Stitch Fix?
The kids and I had fun with another Kids Night In Box. The theme was Give Thanks and it was all about gratitude. We got to make a delicious treat, read a book, make a few crafts and have some good discussions of thankfulness.
We really look forward to this subscription box every month.
Wiiv Insoles Update
A few months ago, I received a pair of Wiiv insoles and I was asked to share an update on how the insoles are working. To be honest, I don’t even realize I am wearing them in my running shoes! The insoles add the perfect amount of support without being over bulky or obtrusive.
I’m considering getting my daughter a pair because she has become my running partner in the last month. We are halfway through our “Run a mile from Thanksgiving to Christmas challenge!” She would appreciate the extra cushion and support.
If you are looking for a practical but thoughtful gift for the active person in your life, consider a pair of these Wiiv insoles! These insoles are customized to your exact foot and you get to personalize the style and color!Â
**Thank you to Wiivv for providing me with these insoles in exchange for my honest review!
Two Giveaways!
Lastly, I have two giveaways over on Instagram and Facebook.
I have teamed up with Scrub Daddy to giveaway a package of FOURTEEN Scrub Daddy Sponges! You could gift everyone in the family with their very own:) I became interested in the Scrub Daddy sponges when I saw them on Shark Tank and then QVC. These happy sponges are scratch free and dishwasher safe. They are firm in cold water and soft in warm water. You can use them to clean ANYTHING! I had a really scorched pot the other day. So, I soaked with some soap and then I used one of the Scrub Daddy scrubbers. Voila! The pot was completely cleaned up.
Head over to this Instagram post for all the details! The giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 EST. It is a super easy giveaway to enter!
Cleveland Friends–I have partnered with Goldfish Swim School in Fairview/Hudson/Beachwood/Canton for a HUGE givewaway–a prize pack of Goldfish goodies included TWO FREE MONTHS of swim lessons. Head over to my Facebook page to enter!
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How are you doing on your holiday shopping? I am finishing up my shopping but it is all the wrapping and other to-dos that comes with the season. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
That drive in looks like such fun! Have a Good weekend lady!
I love this and how your teaching the kids to give back and help others. I told my family, next week is wrapping and baking week, lol. I love the olive sweater you kept, looks great on you. Happy festive weekend!
Thanks Andrea! I like that idea to designate a week for wrapping and baking. I just might borrow that:)
Love the looks of that old fashioned Drive Thru- how fun! I bet the kids loved it! Hope you have a great weekend continuing in your holiday traditions 🙂
It was a really fun place–definitely going to head back there!
I like volunteering with my kids. It’s so meaningful. The restaurant experience looked like fun. My daughter might need those insoles! She wears insoles now but they might need replacement!
I love that serve experience with your family. I also like your comment about giving everyone grace. That box looks like so much fun. I love that dinner place. What a fun list of favorites from the week!
Wow, looks like you have had a fun and busy month so far! I can’t believe you are done with Christmas shopping already! I got a head start, but now I am stressing cause I feel like I need to finish.
I bought those sponges for my little sister and she loves them
I am so intrigued by your running challenge! So you just run a mile everyday in between the two holidays? I find it hard to run this time of year because it gets dark so early, but I feel like I could manage just a mile. 🙂
I’ve finished all my shopping too and am waiting for a few gifts to finish straggling in… but yeah… wrapping. I need to get on that.