Christmas Wear | Little Ladies

This month is notoriously busy and I feel like there is always something to be done or a social event to be had. I, for one, am a social butterfly at heart, so the busier we are with all that kind of stuff, the happier my heart with be.  

I've said it before, and I'll surely say it again - this is my favorite time of year.  And like I mentioned when I did the fall lookbook back in September for these Little Ladies - its the clothes that win me over for best time of the year award.  Especially NOW that I have two other chicks to dress aside from myself - it gets really fun.  I am one of those that plans outfits far in advance.. we get a party invite and I'm already starting to plan plan plan what I/we are going to wear.  I've been like that since I was young.. and while I can't believe I am confessing this - I never wore the same thing twice in one month when I was in high school.  I kept a journal/calendar/obsessive compulsive document that helped me keep track.

StAHP it right now.  I know.

And while I DO NOT (do not) keep any kind of record of what Parker and Jolie wear - because, c'mon.. although, Jordan wouldn't put it past me,  I do keep in mind and 'save' outfits for special occasions. December marks many special occasions, and since there will be pictures (about a billion, you know) I want to make sure each occasion is wore by something different.

fall lookbook click // thanksgiving style click

Hey Santa 

(top / skirt / boots)
JCrew - use code GIVETHIS for 30% off 
free shipping on crew cuts and baby crew orders

Probably my favorite look of the entire bunch.  Something about the casual glam of a sweatshirt paired with tulle.  Santa would be so inspired by our look (of course), and the deep red would coordinate well for pictures with the man in the big red suit.  We have yet to successfully sit on his lap, but third times a charm?  Probably not. 

Sunday's Best 

(dress / sweater cardigan / shoes)
ZARA - free shipping on orders of $50 or more

Shift dresses on toddlers = swoon for days.  Something a little less Christmas-y, but still perfect for Christmas Service at church.  The sweater cardigan helps for the chill in the air, but can also easily be removed in the stuffy house of the Lord with hundreds more added to each service for the special occasion.

Here for the Party 

(dress / tights / shoes)
Gap - use code SHOP for 30% off
free shipping on $50 purchase

Does every toddler need a $60 holiday dress?  No.  Does every toddler look absolutely precious in a $60 holiday dress?  YES.  We don't actually have a party this season that warrants this fanciful attire - I'm thinking New Year's Eve.. but lets be honest, we would probably get a sitter IF by chance we stepped foot our of our flannel sweats and off the couch.  Having a formal party or event this would be perfect.  The tights jazz up the dress for a festive look, and matching ballet flats to coordinate.  Throw a halo band or lacey bow on top of that baby head and you are good to go.

Hashtag Snowday 

(top / leggings / booties)
Gap - use code SHOP for 30% off
free shipping on $50 purchase
Cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, toddler play-dates, tree-liting, house-looking & hot chocolate.. if you are like our little group of friends, we always do something fun for the month of December.  Since kiddos have come onto the scene we attempt to coordinate a time for just the adults and then also something to all do as families.  This would be the outfit I would choose.  I did notice this sweatshirt was sold out online in the smaller toddler sizes, but personally, I dress Parker and Jolie like I would dress myself.. over-sized sweater and tights?  Of course.  Sizing up gives the look I'm going for.  These leggings are among my very favorite right now.  A classic print, and the fabric is VERY sturdy and VERY soft.  I have a couple other pairs of her leggings, and never fails with high quality.

Christmas Eve (dress / tights / shoes)
Old Navy - use code ONSAVENOW for 30% off (online only)
free shipping on $50 purchase

Ever year on Christmas Eve, Jordan's immediate family (parents, sister, brother-in-law, and kiddos) come together for dinner out at a favorite restaurant and window shopping at one of the major malls here in Dallas.  After we usually head back to BB's house, watch a recorded Lifetime Christmas movie (she recorded ALL of them) and eat ice cream and pie (or some kind of dessert) before bed.  Since babes have come along, it had made for some change, but nothing we all cannot handle.  Last year we went to a completely different restaurant, and a completely different area to 'shop' - but the tradition is still there.  It excites me to continue this tradition with my little family.  Traditions have been one of my most favorite things about becoming a mom.  I didn't have hardly any at all growing up, and I love that Jordan and I have the patriarchal power to start them in a family of our own.  Over the last two years (because their first one they were 4 pounds of sweetness and we were SO tired, and didn't go ANYwhere) I have enjoyed finding something festive for Parker and Jolie to wear on this special evening with family - but also to be comfortable for walking around, being held on my hip, and sitting in a booster chair at dinner.  Of course this dress caught my eye because of the print, but it is so gorgeous and perfect in color for the Christmas Eve we plan to have.
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What about you?!  I want to hear your Christmas traditions!  Talking about all these things we plan to have (and the outfits we will wear) makes me SO excited for the next weeks to come!

Me and the girls have been baking cookies this week and I can't wait to share their creations - and a special giveaway from one of my favorite bow-shops!

See you tomorrow!  

Parker & Jolie's 2nd Birthday | Pancakes and Pajamas

Ever have those kind of days where, after the fact,  you continue to relive it over and over in your brain?  Just thinking over the festivities of that day and every detail that made it special.. 

The first time I ever did this was for my wedding.  I was awake all night and unable to come down from the high of the ceremony and the amazing reception. 

I did this again the day that the girls were born.  I could stop staring at them - all night.

And I did it again last night.

This weekend was one of those times.  I couldn't stop thinking about what a great time with weekend was - with our closest friends and family there to share it with our family of four, to celebrate our baby girls Parker and Jolie.

The theme started as Pancakes and Pajamas.   After scouring Pinterest, it turned into 'If You Give a Pig a Pancake".  AND then I made the transition to polka dot everything.. 

So, in the end, these 2 year olds' birthday party was a mesh of all those things.  

And I am so proud of how everything turned out:)

Invites went out the first week of November and shared the theme and colors of purple, pink, and gold - and also instructed the guests to wear their favorite jammies.  I was ELATED when our sweet adult friends showed up in their flannel pjs and slippers.

These sweet 2 year olds had a BLAST.  Last year they were overwhelmed.  Cried through eating anything.  Cried through the singing of Happy Birthday.  Cried through the 'cake smash'. Parker wouldn't leave my lap.  Jolie stayed close to her BB.  It was sort of a mess.  After everyone was gone, my girls turned into their normal selves and inhaled every last bit of food I put front of them.  

This year was much different.  

They knew this day was coming and was so excited that it was finally here!  

"Is it your birthday today??"

enthusiastically nodding and bawling some form of the word 'birthday'.

"How old are you?  Are you TWO??"

"TWOOOOOOOO" 

My little BFF's couldn't have a better partner to share this young life with.

Their actual birthday was the day of the party, so it made turning 2 extra special!

the  D E C O R 

I kept the decor and menu simple.  I found myself to be SO thankful for that at midnight on Friday night before the party. 

A real stack of confetti pancakes with cake icing to blow their two candles out while we all sang 'Happy Birthday' 

 The guests got to their choice of strawberry or vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing, confetti sprinkles, and gold glitter dust.

the M E N U 

The party was early in the day (10am), so breakfast was served!  A full Pancake Bar with all kinds of toppings to decorate your buttermilks.

Fruit salad, smoked bacon, and maple chicken breakfast sausage were also served.

 REAL maple syrup

 I had a half second thought to go IHOP style and offer several different flavored syrups.. and then I came across the idea of flavored butter after Ashley had pinned it to our secret board and I decided I loved that idea much better

 Piggie Punch was served in 16oz glass milk bottles and paper straws.

 Chocolate milk for the kiddos and mimosas for the adults

 My children were again overwhelmed, but really loving having all of their little friends and familiar adults around.  They ate a little here and there, but really.. they saved their appetites for all the sugar.

H A P P Y birthday to Y O U

 We had practiced blowing out the candles beforehand, so I knew this wouldn't be an issue and they would love it!

Jolie blew out her candle before we could even get Parker close enough.  I have pictures with Jordan's hand over her mouth!  So hilarious! 

We sang.  We jumbled their names (because some said Parker and Jolie, while others said Jolie and Parker) and then they blew out the candles with so much delight.

 Watching their joy over such little things makes my heart want to explode.  

 party G U E S T S

Our babysitter, Dana - we ADORE her!  When she walks in the door, Mom and Dad cease to exist. 

 Auntie and Uncle J

 Our sweet little friend Lucas pulling game on Parker.  She isn't buying it.  Look at that stone face.

 Our other little friend Ayla sharing her cupcake.  This little girls talked about the cupcakes from the moment she walked in the door - so sharing was huge and oh-so-sweet! 

 We decided to attempt a picture with all the babes

SO many outtakes, but all of them were my favorite because someone of doing something uber precious.

I am personally a fan of the top right.. Landon was busy busy with his cupcake and had zero interest in hopping up on that couch with all the ladies.

 Baby Juliette (the newest member of our Supper Club crew)

Jacob (just two weeks younger than Parker and Jolie)

Fridge Face Parker

 More of the stone cold.  She was so tired and coming down off of syrup, icing, fruit.. and now Smarties we were bribing all of the kiddos with to stay seated.

 Cousin Kendall (four months younger than the girls)

Silly Jolie!

 Sweet Lucas!  Love this kid

Miss Ayla

Baby CeCe (Lucas is her big brother)

Gentry (Aylas' oldest sister)

The is the best of family pictures - and I sort of adore it.  My girls are so happy.  I am so happy.. and none of us are looking at the camera. Perfection.

 A F T E R party

Everyone left about 1pm, and Jordan and I attempted every which way to get our house back in order.  The girls finally laid down for a nap - crashing hard the moment we turned on the sound machines.  I laid down and slept with them  - 4 hours later we were all awake and starving! 

Jordan and I decided to get dressed (like out of our jammies) and head out for dinner with just our family of four.  

bow / sweatshirt (similar)

 After dinner we took the girls to pick out their birthday present from Dad - a goldfish!

At least that was our intention.  We walked into Petsmart with the intention of getting 2 seventeen cent goldfish and a plastic bowl for $4.99.  After expressing our desire to the fish expert at the store, he explained that we needed 1 gallon of water for every inch of fish.. basically - unless we were setting up a 10 gallon tank with a filter, yadda, yadda, he wouldnt recommend getting the goldfish.

Okay.  So.  What do we get?

$52 later (after getting everything we 'needed') we welcomed one brightly colored Beta fish to our family. 

bow / vest / denim shirt / boots

 Super low maintenance fun and the girls really love getting to feed him:)

I still can't believe the weekend is over.  It went by so quickly.. but it only seems fit for how fast this year has flown.  My house looks as if nothing was out of the norm this weekend.  It doesn't look like there were 28 people playing, chatting, eating, and celebrating together.  

Although.  The huge number 2 balloon is still floating, and the glitter 'Let Them Eat Pancakes' is still hanging on the mirror in the kitchen.  I can't bring myself to take those down just yet. 

They match so well with our hot pink and purple Christmas tree. 

I couldn't have asked for a better celebration of life for these two.  

Happiest Birthday my growing girls! 

invitation + all printables: CKfireboots

mom + mini hair bows c/o sparkles for eden (instagram shop)

mom + mini jammies: hanna andersson

birthday hats c/o royal boutique shop

'let them eat pancakes' banner and cake picks: little dovie

tassle banner c/o project paper

polka dot garland: fanciful chaos

birthday cake pancake recipe: baked by rachel

cake stand: william sonoma (similar)

cupcakes: candy haven
gold cupcake wrappers: craft cloud

custom personalized confetti: the confetti bar

buttermilk pancakes: cooking light
flavored butter: country living

wooden scoops: sucre shop

piggie punch: taste & tell blog

glass milk bottles: webstaurant store

paper straws:  jazzy apple gal + dill pickle picnic 

stuffed animal piggies: amazon 

glitter Maple Syrup sign c/o MisMarDesigns
photo credit: Sarah