A Magical Weekend in the Unicorn Cabin

Pretty much every time our little fam goes on vacation, it is with other people - family or dear friends we love. And don't get me wrong: we LOVE spending time with the ones we love! But, I also crave time with just My Lu Crew, especially as my kiddos are getting older and spending more and more of their free time with their friends. I just miss them sometimes, even though we are all sleeping under the same roof. 

So, a couple months ago, my hub and I decided it'd be nice to sneak away to the mountains for the weekend, just the six of us. I had two criteria when looking for the perfect little cabin for our retreat: (1) I wanted beautiful views, and (2) I wanted it to be near a reputable Christmas Tree farm. I did some research and discovered there was a highly rated tree farm in West Jefferson, North Carolina. I then found the best little cabin, and get this: it's called The Unicorn Cabin. Done! I booked it and eagerly awaited the weekend after Thanksgiving, when we would be making our trip. 

Only, I completely screwed up. You see, I didn't book it for the weekend after Thanksgiving. I accidentally booked it for the weekend before Thanksgiving. Oops. If you know me, you know that organization is my love language (Enneagram Type3 with a splash of Type 1 thrown in for good measure); so, I couldn't believe I had booked the wrong dates. And I quickly discovered that it wasn't available for rent the weekend after Thanksgiving. Luckily, our calendar was free from any major obligations for the weekend I had accidentally booked. All that to say...over the weekend we headed to our Unicorn Cabin in West Jefferson, North Carolina, and just had the best time!! 

We left the second our Big 3 got off the bus on Friday afternoon (did I mention we didn't tell them until that moment? I wish I had videoed their reactions! They were SO excited!!! They literally just threw down their book bags, climbed in our packed car, and off we went!). It was a little over a 2-hour drive, and once we arrived, we took in our digs for the weekend. This cabin was awesome!!! There was enough room that another family could have easily joined us, and the basement bunk beds and air hockey table were huge hits!!

Knowing that the forecast called for rain alllllllll day Saturday, we ended our first night by taking advantage of the outdoor fire pit, making s'mores with the sweet treats the house owners had left as a token of their appreciation. <3

The ONLY thing I wanted to do Saturday was visit the Christmas Tree Farm that had been the entire inspiration for this trip and the reason we had booked the cabin that we did. It was a mere 4.5 miles away and opened at 9:00 am sharp (and luckily, it was opening day!). Unfortunately, as I mentioned, it was supposed to rain all day long. But I was determined; so, we bundled up in coats and rain gear, grabbed our umbrella, and headed out the door to Frosty's Tree Farm. 

You guys. Ohmyheart. This tree farm is what Christmas dreams are made of. Even with the rain lightly falling, it was just heavenly. We pulled up right as it opened and cozied up in the quaint barn while waiting for the covered, tractor-pulled hayride to arrive. After we loaded up, we took in the sights and were immediately in awe of all of the beautiful trees! So.Many.Gorgeous.Trees. Not surprisingly, we ended up selecting the first one we laid eyes upon, and I swear it's the prettiest tree we've ever had! We watched as it was cut down and tagged and then headed back to the barn to warm up, dry off, snap a few pics, and enjoy some hot chocolate and freshly baked Christmas cookies. We shopped around, where I found a hand painted ornament to commemorate our trip as well as a handmade coffee mug (which I always love to buy when visiting new, loved places). 

Finally, it was time to head back to the cabin with our tree in tow. Once we arrived back "home," we put on our coziest clothes and spent the rest of the day playing board game after board game, watching college football, napping, engaging in a double elimination air hockey tourney, putting on shows (the kids - we parents served as the audience), and enjoying the delicious dinner my hub made with the groceries we had brought with us. It was such a wonderful day, that ended all snuggled on the couch while watching a new Christmas movie, called Klaus. 

We awoke to the most gorgeous sunrise which was made even more beautiful with, to our surprise, a sprinkling of snow that had fallen over night. It truly was such a special weekend. 

We then packed our things and headed back home, knowing full well a new tradition had been born, and feeling ever so thankful heading into this, our week of thanksgiving. Thank you for the beautiful family memories, Unicorn Cabin. We'll be back, one year from now... <3 And now, we are so thankful to celebrate with family we love this week. I'll be taking the rest of the week off to soak in quality time with our extended family but will be back next week to share our week of Thanksgiving as we await all the beauty that December has to offer. Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving family and friends. I am oh so thankful for you. <3

Cheers to the Weekend, Shhh! Surprising the Kiddos Edition

Hip, Hip, Hooray! It's Friday! And what a Friday indeed. For starters, my hub arrived back home last night after being in San Fran all week. AND we are surprising our kiddos with a secret getaway this weekend. They have NO idea, and we'll be letting them know as soon as they get off the bus today. I cannot WAIT. More on that (and the major travel snafu I made) next week, but for now, a few things we are saying CHEERS to as we welcome in this pre-Thanksgiving weekend: 

Sweet sibs. Just as it is with all other things in life, my children's relationships with one another go through various seasons. Some are undoubtedly challenging, but currently, we are in a sweet spot. As much as they each love spending time with their friends, they love spending time with one another, too, and have been so loving and kind to each other the last few months. In fact, two nights ago, while I was downstairs cleaning the kitchen, they all went upstairs to get ready for bed. When I made my way up there, I heard only Banks' muffled voice. I opened the door to Harrison's room and found all four of them piled together in Harrison's bed while Banks read them a bedtime story (and was told Raleigh had read to them all just moments before). Heart melted. <3 I am oh-so-thankful for this season with this s{quad}. 

Triple Momma Date. And because my hub was gone all week, my three bigs got to accompany their littlest sis to her dance class this week. Luckily, there is a Starbucks within walking distance; so, I got to squeeze in a Triple Momma Date with my OGs while Bellaboo did her thang in her dance class. A win for all! 

Basketball. Speaking of extra-curriculars, winter sports have begun! Banks started his basketball practices last week and Harrison is scheduled to start this weekend (which he'll have to miss thanks to our little trip away). We are so lucky that both boys ended up on teams with so many of their good buddies. It's going to be a great season for both, no doubt! Meanwhile, Rals continues to rock gymnastics while Bels continues to dance her heart out. And I continue to taxi them around - ha! 

Luton vs. Luton. I can't remember if I've mentioned on here that my hub and I have (mostly) been eating a plant-based diet after watching a documentary called Game Changers about a month ago (please hear this: all rules are out the window during Thanksgiving feasting. Sorry turkeys). Anywho, last Sunday we hosted some family for a little chili cook-off, BUT we didn't tell our guests the chilis were entire plant-based. And I must say: both were really good! I've been eating off of both of them all week and they are still quite tasty, especially during these unseasonably cold days we've been having! 

Battle of the Books. Last week, after months of reading and early morning preparation  and meetings with his team, Banks participated in our school's first "Battle of the Books." This is actually a nation-wide competition, and Friday's competition involved head-to-head assigned book trivia battles between each of the five teams. It was a double elimination competition, and Banks' team, "The Globetrotters," made it to the championship round! They lost in a close match to the "Reading Machines," but it was also to watch. Banks has already said he wants to do it again next year. So thankful for the deep love of reading our school works so hard to instill in the students. <3 

Bella's school feast. Our littlest Lu had her Thanksgiving Feast at preschool last Thursday (kids only party - not mad about that! Ha!). She started off the morning a little...*salty*...(a lot salty. Like the Pacific.), but a cracker turned that frown upside down so I could capture the totally staged "Look at my happy child!" photo. Just tryin' to keep it real, not highlight reel, here, friends. ;) My little turkey DID have fun at her party and was much happier when I picked her up. 

Alright, y'all. We are OUTTA here! I hope everyone has a restful weekend before the holiday madness begins! Be back early next week before the shenanigans take over! Stay warm, cozy, and sweet. <3

Prime Time, Take 4

It's been a couple months since I wrote one of these bad boys, and personally, I love when other bloggers share their latest favorite Amazon finds. Also, inspired by one of my dear friends, I have a goal of completing all (or at least 95%) of my Christmas shopping before December 1st this year! So, a peek at a few things I have been Amazon Prime-ing lately, with my self-set deadline just around the corner: 

Meringue powder. Holidays mean time for baking! I baked and decorated thousands of cookies as an adoption fundraiser when we were waiting for our Bella to come home. And while my current season of life doesn't allow me to take on regular orders right now, I do love to get into the kitchen and whip up a batch of homemade, hand-decorated cookies when I can! I have a super cute Thanksgiving cookie platter planned for our meal with my hub's "side" of the family, and another batch I will be baking up for a Secret Santa gift exchange; so, I definitely needed more meringue powder in anticipation of making all that royal icing. This is the kind I use and love, fellow bakers. I'll share photos of the cookie platter I create soon! 

Digital bookmark timers. Thanks to another blogger, I found the cutest bookmark timers for stocking stuffers for my Big 3. Each of my big kiddos has to read for 20 minutes every day as part of their homework, this way, they can each mark their individual reading time while saving their page when done. Love it! 

Gumball machine. All credit goes to my friend Kelly for this one. Her cutie kindergartener brought this gumball machine in to share with his friends a couple weeks ago for his Show-and-Share Day, and now Harrison wants one. Done and done! He'll be so excited to see this on Christmas morning, no doubt! 

Wireless bluetooth headphones. Whelp, after two years and hundreds (thousands?) of miles pounding the pavement, it was time for a new set of wireless bluetooth headphones. Not because my others bit the dust but because I accidentally left them on the plane when arriving home from Napa. Oops. My old pair was no longer available, but I got this pair, and they are just as good! This is a FANTASTIC gift if you have a runner/walker/jogger in your life. 

Women's wide brim wool hat. I am not typically a hat girl - I just don't think I can pull them off very well! - but I just had to have one for our Napa trip...but didn't want to break since...I'm not typically a hat girl. Thanks to an amazing fashionista friend, I found this one on Amazon at a price that didn't break the bank. AND it traveled well in my gigantic, overly-packed suitcase. Win-win! 

Bob Goff Daily Devotional. I have spoken of my love for Bob Goff's writing on here before. His book, Everybody Always will hands-down be one of my all-time favorite books, and I have gifted it to every dear friend I know for their birthday this year. So, I was OVER THE MOON when I learned he was releasing a 365-day devotional. I gifted myself with this beauty of a book and cannot wait to dive in on January 1, 2020. 

Tennis racket for kids. Raleigh was in need of a new tennis racket when she took up weekly lessons a couple months ago. Found this one for a steal and it worked perfectly for her! 

Toilet Trouble. If you have a preschool/kindergarten/1st grade boy in your life, this game will be a hit. Trust me. Think that "Pie Face" game but with a toilet that sprays water in their faces. It's a home run every time. 

Fairy Garden. And for little girls, I love gifting fairy gardens like this one as birthday and/or holiday gifts. So sweet. <3

Great books. I am planning to write up my 2019 Book Review next month, but for now, I'll share a few books I have read lately that are FANTASTIC that I Primed, either via paperback or my trusty Audible app: The Tattooist of Auschwitz (absolutely fantastic); When Breath Becomes Air; Inside Out: A Memoir; Love Warrior; What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love. I am currently reading Brain On Fire: My Month of Madness (a big hit for this neuropsychologist nerd who loves reading any and everything related to neurological functioning), and already have my next book on my bedside table and waiting: We Were the Lucky Ones. 

There you go! I hope that helps with Christmas list brainstorming! Any great Amazon Prime finds you'd like to share? Help a Christmas-shopping-momma out! :) 

Cheers to the Weekend, Why Hello November! Edition

Hello friends! I've settled back in here at home after our lovely trip to Napa and am ready for a weekend of hanging with my Crew and staying warm in these chilly November temps! That being said, a look at a few things we've been saying CHEERS to as we kick off our cozy weekend: 

Clemson football. Y'all know we are HUGE Clemson fans and go to several games a year, always taking our kiddos to one. Well, that game went down a couple weekends ago, and we had the best time cheering on our Tigers with best friends from college and sweet friends from the Mill. Here's hoping we can take down those pesky Demon Deacons tomorrow!

New bike rider. I don't think I ever shared on here that my Harrison is officially a big kid now, having mastered riding a two-wheeler at lightening speed! The other weekend, I wasn't feeling well after coming down with a nasty cold. I lay down to take a nap and when I woke up, my hub had taught Harrison to ride! He picked it up so fast!!! and hasn't looked back since. Go, Harrison, go! 

And speaking of, my little guy got a little extra momma time this week while fighting off some weird mystery virus that made one of his lymph nodes swell to a crazy big, painful :( size. Nothing a little rest, recuperation, and cake pop couldn't help. ;) 

Good times with good friends. I was able to sneak out for a fun girls dinner last night, which was much appreciated given my hub's heavy travel and workload on the horizon. Girl time is good for the soul, and my girlfriends sure do bless mine. <3 And my kiddos squeeze in as much friend time as they can these days - whether sleeping over or play-dating, friend time is good for their souls, too. <3

Generational love. While my parents were here part of the weekend caring for my s{quad} while Clay and I were drowning in wine ;), my grandma, affectionally known to my kiddos as G.Gram, came over for a visit. I was told how much they loved spending time with her, with my sweet Harrison just sitting and chatting away with her and my little Bella, well, I think the photo my mom snapped speaks for itself. So special. <3

And that, my friends, is all I've got for this week. We'll miss our daddy while he heads out for a guy's trip this weekend, but rest assured the rest of us will be holding down the fort, staying warm and cozy and cheering on our Tigers from the comfort of our couch! Have a wonderful weekend, friends. Be back soon!  And stay warm out there! :)