Friday Favorites: Santa Visit, Winter Break and Plans for NYE

I am SO excited for the weekend! This week has flown by and have to admit I am a little sad that the Christmas season is going to be over soon! But, it has been a fun season. Today, I’m linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea for Friday Favorites. This week I’m sharing details about our Santa visit, winter break and plans for New Year’s Eve.

Santa Visit

One of the highlights of our week was a visit Santa made to our house! Our visit with Santa is a yearly tradition that I hope doesn’t end anytime soon. Several years ago we heard about a Santa that made house calls in our town. It is a perfect way to see the big guy on our own turf. The kids are always happy to see him and we are able to get cute photos of the kids in the pajamas!

The love for Santa runs deep for this 5 year old.

This eight year old believes in ALL things Christmas.

Is an almost 11 year old too old for Santa?! I think not!!

Until next year Santa…we will miss you!

Winter Break

The kids have only be out of school since Tuesday and yet we’ve already packed a lot in! We’ve made cookies, we went to see the movie Coco and we finished up items on our Christmas to-do list! Has anyone else see Coco? My daughter and I loved it but, if I’m being honest, my five year old was a little scared by the characters.

I shared my to-do list on Instagram this week!

In case you might be curious, I want to explain the Candy Cane Dash that is listed on our Christmas to-do list. Every year, the kids and I get in our pajamas (and elf hats) and drive around town dropping off candy canes and little notes on strangers’ cars in parking lots. The kids absolutely LOVE this little way of spreading holiday cheer and they feel like ‘secret’ elves. We plan to go tonight–so if you live in my town you just might end up with one on your car!

Plans for New Year’s Eve

Earlier this week I shared our New Year’s Eve traditions!  I offered up some fun family friendly activities that will keep your kids and the adults entertained. We take turns hosting with dear friends of ours (that live in another state). This year it is our turn to host! So I’ll be sharing even more ideas for throwing a New Year’s Eve party on Instagram and Facebook–stay tuned next week!

I found a lot of New Year’s Eve supplies at Target and Amazon. I can’t wait to set up a photo booth with this backdrop and use these balloons for the countdown!

When I was digging around for New Year’s Eve pictures from the past, I found these fun ones from a Hawaiian themed New Year’s eve party our friends hosted several years ago! Because who doesn’t like to think about warm weather in the middle of a Midwestern winter?!

Seriously I love New Year’s Eve! It is a great way to celebrate the end of the season and think about plans for the following year!

Christmas Breakfast

Finally, I wanted to leave you with one easy idea for a Christmas breakfast! Every year we make these Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer pancakes. I hope the kids are still requesting these when they are in college!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Pancakes

Pancakes (Favorite Recipe from the Secret Ingredient Is HERE)

Red Candies

Bacon

Chocolate Chips

*Make extra large size pancakes (for the head) and then some mini pancakes (for the nose)!

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Well, I’ll be signing off until after Christmas! Hope you all have a wonder holiday and Merry Christmas! Thanks so much for supporting this little blog of mine. Hugs and love to you all!!