With Thanksgiving only two weeks away, I’ve been reflecting on all that I am grateful for. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the prep for the holidays, and forget to slow down a bit and really give thanks. The toy magazines have started showing up in the mailbox, and my boys are already pouring through them circling things they want for Christmas. I am all about making Christmas lists, but I want to make sure I instill a deep sense of gratitude in my boys for what they already have. I want to make sure they learn the importance of giving back to those less fortunate.
ON ME: GREY WOOL SNEAKERS c/o TOMS | GREY JOGGER SWEATPANTS | WHITE TEE | JEAN JACKET
ON BRADLEY: GREY SLIP ONS c/o TOMS | PLAID BUTTON UP | GREY TEE SHIRT | BLACK PANTS
ON CASH: WOOL HERRINGBONE SNEAKERS c/o TOMS | SIMILAR JACKET | GREY TOP | BLACK JEANS
ON ELI: LEATHER VELCRO BOOTS c/o TOMS | SIMILAR SWEATER | JEANS
About this time each year I look around at all the toys and stuff we have accumulated. I have my kids fill up a bag of toys they no longer use and we give it to charity. It clears up much needed space in our little home, and it makes them feel good about giving to others. I’m getting ready to have the boys do it again this week.
Last year at Thanksgiving, Bradley put all of the coins from his piggy bank into a ziplock bag and had me drive around to find a homeless man that he could give them to. We found a man in a wheelchair outside of Target. Bradley walked right up to him and handed him his heavy plastic bag, filled with $15 in coins of his own money. It was all his idea, and he was beaming the rest of the day. It is one of my proudest mommy moments to date. That kid has a heart of gold, and I sure learned a lot from him that day.
My boys and I have always been big fans of TOMS. They were one of the first pairs of shoes we bought when Bradley was a baby, and he wore them completely out! TOMS has an incredible selection of cute kids shoes in styles I didn’t even realize that they made (I mean…Eli’s little leather shoes are just too much!). I am also a huge supporter of TOMS because of their One for One program. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need. One for one. Telling my kids about the TOMS One for One program was a great way to get them in the spirit of giving and thinking of others this year. With almost every minute of every day packed with to-do’s, it’s a good feeling knowing that TOMS helped me give a little extra just by getting the boys new shoes for their growing feet. What a brilliant program!
Make sure you check out the cute new selections TOMS has for babies and kids! They would make perfect Christmas gifts!
in partnership with TOMS | photography by Kendra Maarse
