DEAR SANTA FROM ATLAS

Happy Holidays Finding Arizona fam! Guess what? Atlas, the adorable almost three-year-old has a special message for the man in red himself—Santa! Let's dive into Atlas's letter and get a peek into his toddler Christmas dreams.

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas. It's me, Atlas, I've been super good this year—ask my mom and dad; they'll vouch for me! I even wrote our Holiday Postcards this year.

I wanted to share a few of my most favorite things with you and say thanks.

First off, I love staying busy everyday. From parks, to classes to shopping I just love seeing friends!

Now, let's talk talents. I'm basically a little fish in swim class, splashing and making waves. Dance class? I’m pretty much the star on the Christmas tree over there. And in the kitchen, I'm a mini chef, can’t wait for you to try my cookies my mom and I made.

Okay, Christmas wishes. I'm all about Paw Patrol and Mickey Mouse—they're my absolute faves. Their adventures are epic, Santa! And when I’m watching, Nutrigrain bars are my snack, but only the strawberry ones, please.

Oh, Santa, can we talk about the Grinch? It's my favorite Christmas movie and book ever! His grumpy heart turning all warm and fuzzy—it's the best. I love max! Do you think he likes Nutrigrain bars too?

Santa, I'm turning three in January! So, this Christmas is like a super-duper early birthday party for me as I go visit my Papa and GG in San Diego. I'm even leaving out some milk and cookies for you there so forward all gifts to the beach. Maybe throw in a Nutrigrain bar for Rudolf.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Santa! And if you see the Grinch, tell him I said hi!

From Atlas

Isn't he just the cutest? Cheers to a happy holiday season with the ones who bring you joy.

XoXo

Britt

FEASTING, FOOTBALL & FIRSTS: OUR INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING HOSTING

Oh, the excitement of hosting our very first Thanksgiving bash. We welcomed friends and fam into our home filled with love and a touch of chaos. Grateful doesn't even begin to cover it. Thankful for the belly laughs, the warm embraces, and the simple joy of having everyone we love under one roof.

Cue the kitchen magic! Tried and tested, Sunny's Texas Two-Step Turkey Recipe became our kitchen sidekick, turning our humble turkey into the superstar of the feast. The air buzzed with the scent of success, and let me tell you, it was chef's kiss perfect! We made sure all the sides were covered: Sweet potato skewers, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, so much more but let’s not forget my signature cobbler!

Our table was a Pinterest-worthy dream- our long table became the epicenter of joy and laughter. Kiddos had a blast with activities galore. Plus, we took our living room to the patio with the three-game marathon on the screen for our football fanatics!

As we gathered round, it wasn't just about the grub; it was a about the memories. Celebrating in a place we once shared out vows, now passing gravy and coloring turkeys. Here's to many more more laughter-filled, food coma-inducing gatherings!

I also wanted to say thank you; if you are reading this you mean a lot to me. Finding Arizona Podcast has allowed me to share so much about our life + special memories, like this, with you. You are part of our family. Our doors are always open + mics are always on. Drop a message if you want an invite to Thanksgiving 2025!

XoXo

Britt

SOMETHING TO WEAR, SOMETHING TO READ, SOMETHING YOU WANT, SOMETHING YOU NEED

Merry Christmas from the Acevedo Family. We hope your holiday is filled with amazing memories with the one’s you love. Our almost two year old sure keeps us busy, so while we’re able to squeeze in a Christmas nap I wanted to share our Christmas gifting rhyme I followed this year, I mean Santa, and it was all smiles on Christmas morning.

It's called '“Want, Need, Wear, Read” according to Google. “The idea is that you only give four gifts to each child: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.” I found it searching for gifts one day and my list was set. I also like my rhyme better.

Wear: Instead of matching jammies, I opted for these Project We shirts I scored at Old Navy. Photo shoot to come.

Read: This little guy loves to read so picking out a This Little book was hard because we want them all. Presidents was our choice; learn our history and quiz dada for Jeopardy.

Want: Arts and crafts were on the list to Santa, so to keep it clean we got a waterless coloring page. Elmo and his friends come to color with the stroke of a magic marker.

Need: Atlas also enjoys puzzles so a Target dollar spot Christmas puzzle ended up being the most played with toy, so far, and most rewarding. I love seeing his brain work, practice patience and get excited for a win! Sorry nothing to tag, its now going for 4 times the price on a third party reseller. Maybe we should be careful with this gift, A.J, lol.

Also loving our Melissa and Doug Realistic wooden cleaning toys: broom, mop, etc while I am Dyson -ing my whole home, top to bottom. Its a want and need for a Virgo and Capricorn Christmas.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday with your family- off to decorate some cookies and go Suns, tonight!

XoXo

Santa Britt

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS AVOCADOS

Santa! It’s been a great year- how have you been? It is me, Atlas. Almost two now and ready for my second Christmas. I helped decorate this year and the cookies… *chefs kiss*. Hey! I saw a lot of you at the Churchill handing out candy canes; I didn’t take any because I couldn’t trust them. You’re the real deal.

Since you’re THE Santa and I have been extra good this year I know you can get me what I want….a lifetime supply of avocados. How about A year? A grove? A tree? A sprouted seed? My mom try’s with all the composted ones I provide for her but her thumb is not so green.

Also, while we’re at the big stuff can we get some extra kindness in this world. My friend H sings about TPWK and I agree. Our fam sprinkling kindness, but while you’re out delivering all those presents put some extra kindness in those stockings, would ya.

I won’t keep you much longer. I know you’re a busy man and I appreciate your time. I saw special show with Mickey and the Blues Clues one too ; great work. Tell the Mrs I said, “Hello.”

Atlas

PS My mom made my santa letter printable for you to get it into the real man just in time! She’s the best.

NON PUMPKIN PATCH ACTIVITES FOR TODDLERS

Not to say a PP isnt worth the photos, but when you’re ready for something new, no matter where you are, save this!

Year 1 we did the PP. It was cute. Mother Nature’s Farm in Gilbert, AZ. He was free- it was worth it, but to save the $15 per person this time we opted for some more budget friendly and free activities!

1. The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park- Scottsdale, AZ but if you Google “Halloween train ride in yourcity” you will get some great results.

   • Great for ALL ages

   • Buy tickets ahead

   • Bring your own food and drinks and make it a party

2. Trick or Treat in the Day- Don’t literally go ask for candy, but instead look at the decorations while the suns out.

   • Day decorations are not as scary

   • You can see all the spooky details

   • Map your treat route- which houses look like they came to play?

3. Paint a Pumpkin- Why carve, when you can paint!

   • Any age can show off their skills

   • Add to a party or just by your self / with your little

   • Pumpkins last longer without a carve or use a fake one and reuse next year

   • No pumpkin? No problem! Hand and footprint spooky crafts are just as fun

4. Make Cookies- Sugar cookie dough for now + freeze for next 2 months of holidays!

   • Decorate pumpkin cookies and skeletons using your ornament and gingerbread cutters from other holidays

   • Make lots of dough + freeze. I have an unbeatable recipe here

   • Make a spooky quesadilla- triangle cute eyes and mouth on a tortilla + burnt cheese bonus

What ever your spooky activity make it a memorable one. Creating holiday core memories have been a highlight of parenthood. Let me know if you recommend any other non patch spooky tings….. Happy Halloween!

XoXo

Britt.

ALEXA PLAY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST ATLAS HALLOWEEN

“ALEXA PLAY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST ATLAS HALLOWEEN” Do it! Tell her!

Since entering the parenting world I try and steer away from the typical children’s songs especially when the holidays rolls around. We hear enough of the classics and I know there are great songs out there- underrated.. dare we say underwraps….

Halloween 2021 I started and now this spooky season Atlas and DJ BJ are ready to reveal this amazing mix of 60 songs that anyone from 60 days to 60+ years will enjoy - it’s proven! You can play at a party, listen to on a slow morning, play in the car, and of course share with your trick or treaters.

Let us know your fave song on the list and if we left any hidden gems out. Happy listening and haunting ghouls and boys.

XoXo

DJBJ

WARM HOLIDAY WISHES

Merry Christmas 2021 from the Acevedo Family. Atlas’ FIRST Christmas and we had to make a statement for this year’s Christmas card. His face says it all. Scroll through and let me know your favorite.

I found the inspo on Pinterest. I scored the suits on Amazon #FTW ! I sourced out my parents who were visiting that week as our photogs. I edited the photos in Lightroom and used Canva to design the card from scratch. Easy-coming from this full time worker full time new mama. Don’t let the matching sweaters, fancy foil and pre-made templates scare you from creating the most perfect holiday card.

Also, while I have you. Do me a favor and watch this SNL skit about family holiday cards.

We would love to get your family holiday card and display it on our wall. Send us your warm wishes too!

XoXo

Britt

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH AND...

Admiral Atlas here and boy is it Christmas! I guess thats what they call it. We went from spooky things to holidays rings overnight. My mom even put lights, these red balls and this shiny stuff on my palm tree in my room. We’re constantly watching and reading about a guy in red suit and this white stuff that make its cold. I haven’t seen either with my own eyes, but I’ll take my parent’s word for it.

I do enjoy the music. My mom made me this playlist (like she does for every holiday). The songs are fun and I love hearing my crazy family sing. Another thing mom and dad are great at is reading me that Grinch book. Every night at bedtime I get my very own Dr Seuss performance.

Now I sit down and write a letter to this Santy Claus about how good I’ve been and what I want him to bring me. Mom went from saying, “tell Grandpa,” to “tell Santa.” So here you go mister.

I have everything I could ever need: love in my heart, food in my belly and a safe home, BUT if I had to ask for something I guess you don’t have to twist my arm. First, I would like my two front teeth. They have been pushing through for nights and days and I am ready to just have them so I can eat all the yummy things and sleep peacefully. After that I’ll take shoes. I am really learning to get around and I out grew all my baby pairs so if you want me walking get me some shoes, please.

I just want to make amazing memories with my family and take in every minute of my first Christmas! I hope you have an amazing holiday with the ones you love and I will seA you soon, eh!

FIRST MOTHER'S DAY & FATHER'S DAY

Happy (belated) Mother’s Day and (present) Father’s Day to all you moms, dad and mother/father-like figures! Jose and I talk all the time about how lucky we are to have an incredibly smart, healthy, brave, strong and handsome young man. He is five and a half months now and growing every day!

My first Mother’s Day was everything I could have imagined. Slow, full of snuggles and with a memory I can cherish forever. Jose made a delicious breakfast, we read books and crafted a hand print keepsake. My flowers bloomed all week and I dressed him in as many “Mommy’s little …” onesies that he could fit into. It was perfect.

For Father’s Day it was much the same. Staying in, making memories in the pool, delicious food, fun presents and plenty of Atlas laughs. My favorite part was recreating this photo of Jose and his father when he was nearly 6 month’s old. Do you see the resemblance?

We also finally released a new episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast Vlog! We share some amazing Atlas firsts and its a chance to see more the behind the scenes of us living our lives as a family of three now. Make sure you subscribe so you can catch all the new episodes.

Atlas, you’re such a sweet little man and there’s nothing better than getting to spend all day with you. You give my life so much meaning and I am so lucky you chose me to be your mom!

XoXo
Mama Britt

THANKSGIVING IN SAN DIEGO

Okay, before you go judging my Thanksgiving travel plans, know that I tested negative before and after, practiced social distancing, wore a mask in public and packed tons of hand sanitizer. Now we can get to sharing the love- which is much needed in this pandemic. I had not been home since January of 2020, my baby bump and puppy needed vitamin SEA, and I had to check on my 90 year old grandpa’s sharpness. All of it, plus seeing my new baby second cousin was well worth it. We ate good, looked good and relaxed good- it was a much needed recharge before heading into December.

First, lets talk food. Thanksgiving was delicious. I can almost guarantee my turkey was better than yours. My parents used this recipe which included brining and smoking. The sides were simple and perfect and the deserts were decadent. I brought green olive cheese balls and dark chocolate peppermint cremes. Very few leftovers of turkey which meant not as many after Thanksgiving turkey sammies, but I was the fullest I had ever been- a baby + stuffing = stuffed.

We brought our adorable puppy with us- Winter and took her to 3 different beaches. She loves the beach. She chases the birds, loves the sand in her paws and wades in the water. It was our first time going to OB Dog Beach and the combo of the bay and ocean was breath taking. There were plenty of other dogs for her to interact with and the mini tide pools were so fun for her to jump around. Next, Coronado Dog Beach brought a large stretch of ocean and plenty of birds to chase. Finally, our backyard, Imperial Beach, made us keep her on a leash, but with it being so close we had to take her there.

Finally, there was plenty of relaxing. We got our matching Christmas PJ’s early and stayed lounging all day in them. We watched a few movies- Free Birds (didn’t finish because stream was having issues), Doolittle (the new one with RDJ was so good) and Get Santa (British Christmas movie wouldn’t recommend). We also binged holiday baking shows and put us in the mood for baking sweets back home. In San Diego it feels like time slows down- no clock watching and no where to be, but with the ones you love.

Before we hit the road we wanted to take our holiday card photos on the beach. Each year we send out holiday cards sharing our highlights from the year- from adding a puppy, tying the knot to now expecting a little one. We saved a few fave photos on social media and had my dad play photog. We showed him angle, subject, frame and said we will stand here you point and click. They turned out amazing and I cant wait to get them in the mail and on the fridges our our loved ones to see.

Now that we are back home, more restrictions are in place, and I approach the 9th month of pregnancy, Christmas will be spent in Phoenix. We have started decorating for Santa and discussing the traditions we hope to start with our little one in the future. I hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving and plan for your Christmas to be the same. Happy Holidays and I will chat with you all soon.

XoXo

Britt