Five on Friday

Happy Friday! We made it! It's time for the weekly edition of 5 on Friday! Link-up and join in the fun!

One. 

This weekend, I am so excited that we have absolutely nothing major planned! Prior to October, we have had an event every weekend! Add in the craziness of the holiday season and this Mama is tired! We can do what we want to do and have no real obligations! Thank goodness!

Two. 

Last weekend, Brian and I were both in a wedding in New Jersey. I can't wait for some of the pictures to be finalized, because I can't wait to show you. It was one of the nicest weddings that I've ever been to...and probably will ever go to! To give you some idea, Torrey Smith (wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens) had his wedding there over the summer. I can't even begin to describe it. The pictures will tell all! Stay tuned!

Three.

I received the Whitney English Day Designer for Christmas and I am loving it! So does someone else apparently!

I'm such a planner though and feeling like we need a way to organize the items for our home! I'm really loving the Emily Ley Simplified Life Binder.  

I can see Brian rolling his eye's now...like how many binders do we really need! It's an illness, I'll admit it! Yet, if something ever happened to me, he would be able to pick up right where I left off...and I'm sure he'd be thankful for that! It's a purchase that's happening in the very near future!

Four. 

McKenzie started a new class - gymnastics! We've done the MyGym routine before, but wanted to try something different. Tuesday night was her second session and was much better than the first. She completely didn't want to cooperate the first time!  Circle time - no way!  Following directions?  It was as if we were speaking a different language!

This week it was like she was a different child! She engaged, tried new things and followed directions perfectly! What a toddler!

This class is a little chaotic, but fun. They're learning basic skills - such as tumblesaults, balance and going under and over obstacles. It goes until the end of March so I can't wait to see how much more she learns! Plus, we're taking it with friends - twins, which makes it that much better!

Five.

I am not a huge reader - other than blogs obviously - but I am feeling that need to read! I just want to unwind every night with a little reading. This ultimately means it will take me months to read a book, because I fall asleep after a few short minutes! I've heard great things about The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and have just downloaded it to start tonight! Have any of you read this yet?

What are some other great read's?

Check out Darci over at The Good Life Blog and her friends for some more Five on Friday Fun!

5 on Friday | December - Week 3 - McKenzie's Favorite Things Edition

I'm linking up with Darci and friends from the good life blog for another version of 5 on Friday! This week's theme is McKenzie'z Favorite Things!  These aren't necessarily things that she's wishing for from Santa, but items that we have and love and think you should too!

ONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVE

One.
Fisher Price Little People Christmas Story!   This was actually an early Christmas present to McKenzie this year from her grandmother.  We wanted her to be able to play with the set and really enjoy it.  It was also a great time to incorporate the Christmas story in to her play-time. She loves the set and little animals and even says Jesus...well, more like Cheeze-us, but we know what she means!  If we ask her to find Jesus, she runs and gets the little baby in the manger!  So sweet!

Two.
Mr. Christmas Red Lighted Goodnight Lights Ornament!  Kenzie received this little ornament as an early Christmas present, as well.  I had never seen something like this before, but thought that it was a novel idea.   The ornament is Santa holding a candle.  It has wires running down the back of the ornament that you run through your tree.  These wires are attached to a box that you plug-in to the electrical outlet.  One you hang the ornament and run the green wires down through the tree (just as you would your light wires), you plug your lights into the box and the box into the electrical outlet.  That's when the magic happens.    The candle has a small pin-sized hole in the front of it.  If you want to turn the lights the Christmas tree lights on, you blow on Santa's candle.  If you want to turn them off, you blow the candle out.  It's adorable and McKenzie loves it.  She can't walk by the tree without pretending to blow out the candle.    She doesn't have the height or enough power, but it's fun all the same!  Plus, Brian and I love it, because it means that we don't have to maneuver around/under the tree to get the lights plugged in.   It's adorable!  Check it out!

Three.
Highlights!  For those of you who grew up in the 80's, you probably already remember this magazine.  I know I loved it!  There were stories, crafts and hidden picture puzzles.   My mom mentioned that there was a new version out for toddlers - Highlights Hello.  I was so excited!  We signed McKenzie up and she now she receives her own mail and magazine each month.  The books are amazing.  Toddler sized and printed on durable paper that can't be torn and can be cleaned!

Amazing!  Printed with non-toxic ink, the magazine's durability was even tested by being placed in a washing machine!  As good as new!

McKenzie loves the short stories, the songs and the hidden picture puzzles.  There are even tips throughout the book for parents on how to incorporate the themes, stories and songs into learning each day.  Plus, it's one of those books that's small enough to throw in to the diaper bag or purse and will keep her occupied forever!  Love!

Four.
Rileyroos!   These have been our go-to shoes since McKenzie started wearing shoes.  Sadly, her big feet no longer fit in them, so we've had to move on.

These shoes are developmentally friendly, with flexible soles and curled toes to provide leverage as your little one learns to crawl.  They are lightweight and perfect for providing the protection and traction that little ones need...all while imitating barefoot walking.  Plus, Rileyroos is  a local company from Baltimore - a win-win!  Kenzie literally had shoes to match each of her outfits.  I know...it's an obsession!

If you're looking for adorable shoes, that both you and your baby/toddler will love, check out Rileyroos!

Five.
Crochet Creations by Bibi!  Need a small gift that's affordable, yet personalized for babies, toddler's, tween's or even adults?  Then check out my mother-in-law's page!  She's working on getting her Etsy page up, but for now, Facebook is it!  She has created some adorable hats and will work to create a personalized piece just for you!  Don't see what you want?  Send her a picture with your request and she'll create it for you!  What talent!   Hats range from $7 to $18 (plus shipping) and are completed within a few days!  Check out her page and let her know that you heard about her from Heartbeats and Little Feet.  There may just be a surprise in it for you!

Side note: Bibi is what Kenzie calls her grandmother.  Both my mother-in-law and father-in-law refused to pick their Grandparent names, so we chose for them.  It was a very scientific choosing. Brian typed Grandmother and Grandfather in to Google translate.  And there you have it...Bibi and Babu - Grandmother and Grandfather in Swahili.  I bet they wish they had thought that decision through! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!