Running from the Law: Secret Santa Book Exchange

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Secret Santa Book Exchange

This is the second year that the kids and I participated in a little Mommy & Me Secret Santa Book Exchange with some fellow bloggers. We loved the books we received last year and we were really excited to see who our Secret Santa would be this year and what we'd receive. We hit the jackpot and were matched with the amazing (book exchange co-host) Ashley from Everything's Hunky Dorey and her two cutie pies, who sent us the best package of books (plus a bonus Sonic gift card for mama to get a cherry limeade and some tater tots!). Thank you so so so so much, Ashley! Books and tots! You know the way to my heart! 
Mac was so excited to rip into his present he could barely stand it. I got 20 blurry photos of him shredding the paper before I could get him to settle down just a bit and show me what he received - The Berenstain Bears The Joy of Giving. I have high hopes that this book will help reinforce the idea that the holidays are more about giving than receiving...it's got a big job to do. 
Mim got the cutest little board book called Merry Christmas, Stinky Face, which is a spin-off of the original book, I Love You, Stinky Face - a favorite of mine. I've already had to read this one to both kids multiple times a day, because they both love it so much. It's really cute and I have a feeling Mac is going to be asking crazy imaginative questions like the little kid in this book very soon. 
And not to be left out, Ashley sent me Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult, which is about the complicated mother-daughter relationship. I love Jodi Picoult books and I cannot wait to dive into this over the holidays! 
Thank you so much, Ashley, Wyatt and Stella!!

We also got to play Secret Santa! 
Head over to And Hattie Makes Three to see what the kids and I picked out for Jen and Hattie! 

And because I can't resist a good comparison photo, check out how much my little nuggets have grown over the last year! Bestill my heart! 

Thanks to Elizabeth, Courtney and Ashley for arranging and hosting!


What's your favorite kids' holiday book?

13 comments:

  1. What a fun swap, love all three books!

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  2. Great books! And love the comparison shot... They get me every time! You should check out gingerbread pirates... We just got it this year and it's so cute! Noah loves it!!!

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  3. Oh how I love the comparison photo!! I need to go see how small my little man was last year when we participated. Good books you guys got. I love the Berenstain Bears books. They have such a great message with them.

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  4. I LOVE Jodi Picoult books!! Hope you update on how it is?! Also, love the comparison pictures. Great gift exchange! So much fun!

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  5. We asked for Berenstein Bear's Joy of Giving too! I had the same idea with hoping it rubs off on a certain 3 year old. :) The comparison shots are adorable. I'm still anxiously awaiting my books.

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  6. So HAPPY you all enjoyed your books!! We have that Berenstain Bears book so I knew they would love it. Thank you so much for linking up with us!!

    And, can I just say, I think Stella and Mim would be the best of friends! ;)

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  7. oh gosh that comparison! Ive had the Merry Christmas Stinky Face one on Aria's book wish list since last Christmas. I may have to move it up on the priority list. The spirit of giving over receiving is a tough one. And, a sonic gift card too? Bonus!

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  8. How fun! I had a heck of a time with blurry pics too...silly kids! We love our books! Little Blue Truck Christmas on REPEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT.

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  9. Jodi Picoult writes such good books! Let us know how this one is

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  10. Man, I love all the books you got, score!!! This is my most anticipated exchange of the year, books never disappoint.

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  11. Berenstain Bears! I loved those when I was younger. I need to introduce them to my kiddos.
    I loved, loved Leaving Time! I hope you do, too.
    The comparison pic! Itty bitty Mim, and Mac looks so small.

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  12. The Bernstein Bears!!!! I love those, my godmother had a huge stack of them from her kids, and I would read them over and over again. We've gotten Sophie's the Spot collection (the dog one) and she loves them, along with Dr. Seuss.

    I wish I would have done this exchange! I can't remember if I read about this before.

    liz @ sundays with sophie

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  13. Great books..!! I love the pics of them side by side, Christmas will be SO MUCH fun at your house this year. :)

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