One-liners

Sally's been quite the character as of late.  She comes up with the craziest sayings.  She especially loves to change words to make them her own...it is a different language between she and Reid. 

"Just a minute Mommy, I have to text Grandma real quick"

Last night we were having sloppy joes for dinner.  Sally wanted to make sure she got her little piece of chocolate from her Advent Calendar so she said:

"Mommy, if I eat all of Grandpa, then I get my chocolate!"

Confused Mommy: "Sweetheart, what are you eating for dinner?"
Certain Sally: "Grandpa Joe!"

...sloppy joe, grandpa Joe {my dad}, same difference

"I'll be there in a minute, I'm looking up coupons for Daddy"

I've definitely been enjoying these last few days just me and my girl.  Pretty soon her world {and mine} is about to get rocked by a new baby.  I think I did a pretty good job planning ahead and preparing with household tasks and all that goes along with preparing for Christmas, so Sally and I have been enjoying lazy pajama days these past few days.  Yesterday we did a whole lot of arts and crafts.  Here's a sampling...

HoHoHo

Hand print Christmas Tree

Hard to tell, but the tree is made up of Sally's footprints.  Didn't turn out the greatest, but Sally loved dipping her feet in paint!

You've got to love pinterest for their great ideas!!  Check it out, if you haven't already!

Happy Weekend!

Friendship

Friendship can come in many different shapes and sizes.  We've got a lot of it in our neck of the woods.  Last weekend during our beautiful snowfall, our fabulous neighbor, Delores, took Sally for a sleigh ride!

Delores has been a blessing during this pregnancy as she will often take Sally when I go to my midwife appointments which are weekly now.  She is also one of our persons "on call" in case I happen to go into labor anytime soon.  Our other lovely neighbors, the Lindbergs, are just as willing to be "on call" and watch Sally during our appointments.  Like I said, lots of friendship in our neck of the woods.  We're blessed!

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us"

I am lucky to be able to have a girls night almost once a month.  Lots of wine, laughter and chatting go on at these.  Being a stay-at-home-mama, I very much look forward to these nights!

I had one to attend on Tuesday of this week.  I kept asking Liz, who was hosting, what I could bring to help, but it was always nothing, I've got it.  I was a little upset to come to find out as we got there that everyone else had brought something to share, I hate feeling like a slacker.  Well, little did I know, they were surprising me with a baby shower! I was so humbled by their love and generosity. 

A while back they had asked if I was having any showers and I said, no, you don't really have any baby showers after the first baby.  Apparently they weren't okay with that answer. 

**Blessed** {Meggers, we'll have to photoshop you in!}

Thank you ladies for loving me and my children so much! I cherish and am so thankful for each and every one of you!  My kids are so lucky to have so many extra "Aunties!"

**Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception**  Here's a link to my most favorite Christmas Song! click HERE

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

We continue to go to our same spot to pick out our real Christmas Tree.  We continue to be glad that we do.  The people there are so kind and helpful.  They are also there to truly spread the Christmas Cheer!  The prices seemed like they had gone up from last year, so out of curiosity I asked.  The guy said, no I don't think so, what do you remember paying last year?  He gave it to us for that price, at least $10 off. 

We also loved that after he helped strap the tree to the roof of our car he waved good-bye saying "Merry Christmas, God Bless You!"  It's not very often that a total stranger will say 'God' out in public anymore. 

After all, Jesus is the reason for the Season!  Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

Picking out the perfect Tree

Getting ready to bring it in

Reid and I enjoyed decorating the tree while Sally napped.  It could not have been more picture perfect, it started snowing while we were listening to Christmas music and remembering the stories that go with each ornament.

TaDa

Each morning Sally comes down excited to see the "Beautiful Tree."  Each morning she has to point out her most favorite ornaments, the ones containing Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, of course!

In the evenings we are often found in our living room with the lights out except for the Tree, Christmas music playing and dancing around!

**Looking forward to the middle of the night feedings. Just me and my newborn, snuggled under the lights of the tree, while the rest of the world sleeps...that is, if he or she chooses to arrive before Christmas!

Saint Nicholas

Today is Saint Nicholas Day.  One of my favorite traditions growing up was setting our shoes out the night before, in hopes that St. Nick would leave us treats in our shoes.  Don't know that story?  Google it :)  My mom continued on with this tradition even when we went away to college, and married.  She would send us packages in the mail.

Last night we told Sally all about Saint Nicholas and she remembered to set her shoes out before she went to bed.  She was very excited to find this morning, that St. Nick had visited her house!

If only it could always stay this easy to please, a Santa PEZ dispenser

Saint Nick even surprised Daddy!

Keeping with the Saint Nick theme, Sally sat on Santa's lap this weekend.  We weren't quite sure how she would respond.  Her first visit she was all smiles, last year we had the classic screaming her head off, this year, well, she surprised us!

Don't mind the "bowl full of Jelly" in the background.  Focus on the cute little girl who can't wait to sit on Santa's lap!  Thank you to our neighbors for the adorable hand-me-down Santa dress!

Mommy was going to ease her in and Daddy was in charge of the camera.  Except, Sally didn't need anyone to "ease" her in.  When it was her turn, she let go of my hand, walked up to Santa all by herself and gently got on his lap.  She told him she had been a good girl, asked if he would please bring her a Big Belle Doll and if she may touch his beard.  She said Thank you Very Much, Merry Christmas, and that was that!

Love her sweet innocent face in this picture

Reid and I still can't believe that's what happened.  She wouldn't even so much as touch Cat In The Hat when we went to see him.  Just when we think we've got her all figured out, she goes and throws us a curve ball.  Our little sensitive Sally is becoming a little more brave.  She's getting ready to take on the roll as the protective Big Sister!

Proud of herself for talking with Santa

Here's the Cheesy Grin again

"Show me your teeth"

Pretty sure she was the cutest little girl there!

Here's the picture our volunteer at the church took.  Sally decorated her frame!

So fun celebrating Christmas through a sweet innocent child's eyes!

Holidazzle 2011

We had a really great family weekend! 

Friday after nap, Sally and I headed downtown to meet Daddy! 

Daddy and Sally checking out the big tree outside of Daddy's work.  As well as a ride on the "alligator" {escalator}.

We went to Macy's 8th Floor Display, "A Day in the Life of An Elf." {I remember this being so much bigger and longer, or was that just because I was younger and it was more magical??}  It was great not having to wait in any lines and walk right through.  We opted out of seeing Santa as we knew we were going to visit with the Big Guy on Saturday at our Church.

shhhh Elves are sleeping

**Love**

Santa's Workshop

We then went to dinner.  I can't believe how grown up Sally is becoming.  Able to sit in a regular chair at a restaurant and use her manners.  She even uses public restrooms now...HUGE success!  After dinner we bundled up and waited in our usual spot for the parade to start!

Do you think her thumb made it in the correct spot of her mitten? :)

"Enough pictures, already, can we see the parade?"

Sally's cheesy smile of "showing her teeth"

The train with the zoo animals was a big hit

Too much to look at to smile AND look at the camera

Snuggle Bunnies

Silly faces in between floats

Craigmile, family of three, for a few more days

Can you guess who she spotted? Ho Ho Ho!

Since it is a tradition for us to go to the parade each Christmas Season, I wanted to compare back to last year's visit, check out the pictures HERE 

Pictures from Sally's first Holidazzle, click HERE

More to come this week on meeting Santa, getting our Christmas Tree and playing in the snow!

**Baby C-Mile, we're ready when you're ready! xo

Play Date with Cousins

Sally got to spend some time with her cousins Lucy and Katherine this morning.  We may have a problem when baby arrives...Sally and I will be arguing over her gets to hold the baby :) She insisted that I don't help her hold the baby and she refused to give up her turn.  We'll see if after a few days she gets bored with it!

"Hi Kafrin, I'm going to be a big sister, okay?"

Girlfriends

So fun that they actually play with one another now.  Christmas together should be pretty entertaining!

 Happy Happy Weekend! We're off to the Holidazzle tonight, wish it was a little more "white" out there!

Our Very Own Shirley Temple

I tested out the curlers again the other day. Sally loved them!  We'll have to see if I have time to do her hair like this for Christmas Mass!

It's December, It's December, the month the Baby is Due!!!