Hello Friday! It’s so good to see you again! This was a fast fun week!! I’m linking up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea to share my favorites from the week.

Favorite 1: ZOO LIGHTS!! I loooooove everything Christmas lights so a trip to the National Zoo for over 500,000 lights was a definite favorite. We hopped in the car Monday after school to begin our trek. We were driving to Washington DC in peak rush hour so we decided to brave the metro. It was the kids’ first metro ride and they were pumped!

It was less than a quarter mile walk to the entrance. Walking through Cleveland Park was pretty neat. The restaurants looked yummy! We will definitely try one when we come back next year.

You can’t really see any animals but there are light displays of the animals. You can hear some of them and you can really smell some of them.

Favorite 2: JOLABOKAFLOD NIGHT!! I hosted a Jolabokaflod night at school this week and loved it. Families came to school at 6:30 in their coziest clothes and pjs. Everyone set out blankets and pillows and read for an hour. We served hot chocolate for everyone. I had a crackling fire on the projector and tons of lights all around. It was the perfect way to spend a Wednesday evening. There was no hustle, no bustle, no errands, just relaxing and reading with my sweet students and their families!

Favorite 3: CHRISTMAS PARTIES!! One of Jack’s friend’s family had a party for the whole family on Saturday. We discovered a fun new brand of wine, 19 Crimes, where the bottles come to life when you use the app. They also have a great white elephant exchange. I was the last one to go and had a great gift. Until number 1 stole it and gave me my gag gift back. Boo! It was pretty funny though – a beer belly fanny pack and some beer.

On Friday night, I had a few girlfriends over to hang out and relax before the holiday season busy time really kicks up. It was wonderful! I gave very specific instructions not to get fancy and everyone listened. It was just what I needed on a Friday night: friends, laughing, yummy food, some wine, and my christmas wine glasses.

Favorite 4: CHRISTMAS BOOKS!! I shared the Christmas books I’ve been reading on Tuesday evening. Check them out here.

I am also loving reading Christmas books with the kids. We love Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson, Mooseltoe, Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury, and Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner. What are your favorite Christmas books to read through the Christmas season?

Favorite 5: GYM!! We just joined a gym in our area. It has been a while since we belonged to the gym. We have a treadmill in the basement and I love to run outside too. However, I am not so great at doing anything else. I am really looking forward to taking some strength classes like Body Pump, Barre, and PiYo. It looks like a bunch of the classes line up with the boys’ swim team practices so it should work out perfectly!

Favorite 6: THE NUTCRACKER!! Jeff’s parents took us to see The Nutcracker on Sunday. We had a great time all together! It was the boys’ first time seeing The Nutcracker and seeing a ballet. They both enjoyed it, but Jack said he thought it could’ve used a little more talking while they danced. 😂

That’s about it for the week! We have a fun weekend planned with basketball, swimming, and futsol. We are going to visit my Dad’s family for their Christmas celebration and have a fun holiday party on Saturday. Have a great weekend full of sunshine and books!!

☀️ 📚 😎