Bald Baby Heads

Sweetpea is starting to grow hair. She's got two funny little tails right behind her ears and JUST enough to pull into a barrette on the top of her head - you should have seen her preening in the mirror over that barrette!

I'll admit, though, I'm going to miss her little bald head. So soft and smooth and perfectly round.

When The Princess was born that was the very first piece of information my sister passed on to me, before I even saw her.

"Don't worry Sarah, she doesn't have any hair!"
"Oh, thank goodness!" I said.

Yes, the nurse gave us a weird look.

The Princess, 1 mo old

Sweetpea, 1 mo old

But I really, really, really wanted a bald baby.
My list was: healthy, girl, bald.

I got them all, twice.

I am so, so blessed.

 

Go see Rosemary for great photos!

Cake

Chocolate cake, white frosting and lots of roses...the only way to have a birthday cake!

Elephant Song

Reasons why I love this song.

• Elephants are my favorite animal.
• The Acacia Trees shot in the middle of the video.
• The Princess was over the moon to discover the elephant song and loves it to death.
• My brother sent it to me originally.
• Dancing elephants.
• I love whimsy.
• Kenya was my paradise.
• Both girls come running as soon as this song starts playing. 
• I'm still a girl who dreams.
• Elephants on stage.
• The Princess has already requested her Halloween costume for next year.
• Sweetpea grins and relaxes in my arms while we listen and that IS paradise

Coldplay - Paradise

Snowmen

We had great success with our Advent activities although The Princess was a little unclear as to the connection with Christmas... Next year I may try for more crafts - they were definitely a hit.

Elmers glue and shaving cream "snow"

(original craft directions from oopseydaisyblog.com)

Christmas Skeleton

Last year The Princess had just one request for Christmas. One simple request that I didn't know how to fulfill...  Thanks to my mom, she got her wish. And now, every time we decorate our tree, we'll have a reminder of our funny girl.

The Christmas Skeleton

The Birds Series: The Exception

I didn't want to admit this but I have a small conflict within my bird hatred.

Owls.

I don't know why but for some reason they don't make me shudder in terror. Is it because they're wise? They can turn their ears in different directions? They really only swoop at night and I'm not usually out at night as a tempting target? They're regal?

I'm not sure but for some reason I keep being tempted by things like this.

Cute, right?

gemandmetal on etsy

Which is why I think they might be the exception.

Go here for more on the birds series or see the link on the side bar

Making It Work

The Fashionista (that should be her new name) knows how to put an outfit together... And, when a white fur coat is all that's needed to "complete" the look it doesn't matter that said white coat is actually her 15 month sister's current coat OR that the label says 6-9 months.

Size and age should never get in the way of fashion.

Runway ready!

Red Glitter

We've got a toddler proof tree this year, no breakables within reach of the child who thinks everything should be edible.

With those instructions I gave The Princess a pile of ornaments and let her loose on the tree. She especially loved the red, glittery ones. I debated on "redecorating" once she went to bed but, I should just enjoy it as is this year... She worked so hard on creating perfection.

The tree is red in the middle

Some branches got a lot of love!

Walker

Who needs those fancy walkers when you've got a perfectly good side table to use?

Multiple uses for everything.
It works as a boat too!

Christmas Tears

It's not Christmas unless someone cries while getting the tree! No, not because we hike up into the mountains, cut one down with a dangerous chainsaw and drag it out ourselves. We drive 5 miles to the Boy Scouts lot by the grocery store.

Two years ago, The Princess begged us not to bring the tree into the house. Live trees don't belong in houses...

Last year, The Princess refused to walk through the tree lot. There was no way her feet were going to touch the ground that trees weren't actually growing out of!

This year, it was Sweetpea who had issues with the whole tree thing. She was fine with everything and watched them tie the tree onto our car with interest. But, when I opened the door and she realized that she was going to have to get into the car WHILE the tree was tied to the top, that was where she drew the line.

Cue the tears...  

Crying is always more effective if you stick out the lip too.

Monthly (November) Menu Review

So, as I was mentally reviewing November, I was convinced I hadn't made even one thing on the menu...I was too busy thinking about other things like black holes, New England history, stories from coffee shops...

But, we survived the month so I must have cooked something, right?

Well...my initial thought was right - I only made ONE new thing on the menu last month! Thai Chicken Pumpkin Soup. (Didn't come out exactly right but close enough that I'm going to try it again and, if it's right next time, I'll share the recipe)

Apparently we survived on burritos, tacos, spaghetti (homemade red sauce or broccoli, bacon and parmesean) and salad. I did not hear one complaint about the lack of interest in food selection so don't feel sorry for Steve. Those are his favorite foods. But, no wonder we ran out of tortillas and refried beans!

December will be better, I promise!

The Birds Series: The Barbie

Okay, this one hasn't actually traumatized me BUT, if I opened up a box and found this inside, it might!

Are You Serious????
I DO NOT want this for Christmas!

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds Barbie

Survival of the fittest (or most desperate)

The things I do to try and survive a car trip...

Pinterest came through again and here we have a matching game - paint chips and clothespins were all I needed.

I'm hoping for a good ten minutes of quiet with this game!!!

Helping

She likes to help.

She likes to be helped.

Lots of accomplishments ahead...

Advent Planning

December is right around the corner and that means Advent planning as we prepare for Christmas. Last year I bought one of the little cardboard advent calendars with the numbered windows to open each day. The Princess thought it was fabulous.

Our "calendar" this year.
The slip of paper with the daily activity is inside each numbered roll.

This year, like other pre-children years, I'm planning a bit more. With all of the inspiration on Pinterest I had lots of ideas and resources to choose from. I've got a month of activities planned for us as we prepare for Christmas.

Here's what we're doing, with a couple of gaps that I haven't filled yet:

Veggie Tales Nativity - I found this on sale with a rebate and now I don't have to worry about my good ones breaking!
Felt Christmas Tree
Zoo Lights - free with our zoo membership!
Make Snowflakes - fun with scissors!
Unwrap Christmas Book and read it (wrapping up the ones we already have) - we'll do this a couple of different days.

KatherineMariePhotography.com

Buy a new Christmas CD
Felt Ornaments - to add to the felt tree. We'll do this a couple of different days.
Decorate Windows
Meet Daddy for lunch
Get Christmas Tree
Decorate Tree and house
Make Christmas Cookies
Make Reindeer Ornament
Deliver food to foodbank
Peacock Lane - a neighborhood street that decorates their houses as a group.
Build a Snowman

Just one of many advent activities at this site.

Make a gingerbread house
Make a button wreath ornament
Deliver socks for homeless men
Christmas Eve Service

The list looks a little overwhelming like this but I'm optimistic that it'll be fun and worth it in the end. The time spent together is better than any gift we could come up with.