In redecorating our kitchen we took the big hutch that was on this wall and moved it. We put a big mirror there in its place. Magnolia has loved this mirror being there. She spends a lot of time in front of it, talking to herself, making faces and well...just acting silly.

It must have been the coldest day of the year yesterday. I can't keep track anymore. It always seems cold here. Wind chills were 40 below so we decided to stay in all day. I took advantage of being in and continued my cleaning and organizing rampage. I also turned on the camera to record a day in the life of Miss Magnolia.

1. Magnolia brings graham crackers, milk, and her red screwdriver (see number 11) to my bathroom. Somehow she got into the pantry to get these out and within seconds we both stepped on them and crushed them into a million crumbs.
2. Giving her favorite dog, Clifford, morning kisses.
3. Wearing my headband, she loves to wear my headbands.
4. I can't put on lotion without her wanting to put it on too.
5. Trying to get dressed, jumping on the bed, and trying on new clothes to see if they fit. I no longer buy her things for the future because I've been so off on sizes and seasons when it's time to wear them. She grows at such a slow rate! These jeans are 18-24 months and even though they fit in length, they are huge everywhere else. Back in the drawer they go with so many other clothes.
6. Reading books in her chair.
7. Finally dressed, dusting the walls. What a great help that is!
8. Making a phone call to Santa on my cordless alarm clock. There was talk about reindeer and more toys...
9. Lunchtime. Hot dog, avocado, and apple.
10. Nap with raccoon.
11. Awake and watching her current obsession, Harold and the Purple Crayon. It's the first obsession of hers. All day long there's talk of Harold and his purple crayon. She begs to watch it all the time. She only likes to draw with purple crayons. Her red screwdriver from her tool bench set has become her purple crayon and the last scene in this show is constantly played out in this house.
12. Playing in big girl room, changing polar bear's diapers.
13. Daddy's finally home and now she can get thrown in the air and swung upside down.
14. Magnolia refers to her nighttime chart when getting ready for bed. It lists bath time, pjs, brush teeth, read books, and lights out. She loves this chart, it has kept us all on schedule and nighttime is a breeze now in her new room!

Magnolia's Big Girl Room is finished! It was easy to do once we got going. George took down the seagrass wallpaper that was on one wall, painted the ceiling white and the walls a pale pink. We used pretty much everything from her nursery as far as decor. In her little alcove we put the white chaise longue that I reupholstered a few years ago and hung a wall shelf low for her books.
We used the antique dresser I found at the second hand store on the island this summer and loved the old finish on it so much decided to leave it as is. We hung up her collection of birds I found at a fabric store in a small town in Ireland while we were waiting for her. The weathered branch they are hanging on is from the shore on the island. Below the branch is a framed copy of her arrival home announcement. The beautiful needlepoint was a gift from her Aunt Elizabeth, it hangs above her bed and is the focal point of the room. The wool felted things were made by her Nana. The dress she wore in China and I adore. The quilt on her chaise I made for her from napkins I found at Wm. Sonoma. I also made her the bouquet of paper magnolias on her dresser. These are just a few of special things that fill her room, there are so many more! I don't know if it's because of that, or because it's pink and green, or just because it brings out the little girl in me, I just love it and so does she!

(The only new things we bought for her room were these closet organizers which I highly recommend and these pillows which were a real steal!)

You have been a lovely year!

May 2009 bring us a healthy son!

Warmest wishes to all of you for a wonderful 2009!

We had such a nice Christmas at home. It was very quiet and simple and so much fun to see Magnolia get a visit from Santa! Fondue has started to become our tradition on Christmas Eve which I love. It's so easy and good. It also means eating in front of the fireplace and Christmas tree! Here are our pictures of our Christmas.

The elves have always dropped off pajamas on Christmas Eve. Usually right after dinner and just before reading T'was the Night Before Christmas. Magnolia and I heard a little jingle at the front door and sure enough a red sack was left with our name on it and brand new pajamas inside!

Magnolia's stocking was left at the foot of our bed. We had coffee cake and grapefruit in bed while she opened her stocking presents. The sun wasn't even close to rising at this point!First glimpse of what Santa brought!
A basketball hoop!

A train!

A drum! A tool bench like daddy's!

Mr. Potato Head!

And many more...

Magnolia was worn out and took her place at the table to wait for her breakfast.

Hoping yours was merry too!

And to all a good night!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

We went to a local mansion/museum on Saturday. Each of its rooms is decorated in a scene from the Nutcracker. It was beautiful and Magnolia loved playing with the old fashioned toys under one of their trees. Then we watched the Nutcracker on PBS. Magnolia was just mesmerized. I was too! It was a cold, snowy, and cozy weekend at home. Here are some pictures from our gingerbread party. We had a lot of fun and I think all the kids did too. Magnolia did more eating candy than decorating. :)

First Salon Visit

Magnolia had her first visit to an actual salon and she did really well! I gave her a candy cane but she didn't even eat it. She was fascinated by the big mirror and cape with penguins on it.

Looking pretty cute with her new haircut.

I can't believe only one more week until Christmas! I'm hosting a gingerbread party tomorrow and have been busy getting ready for that. Last Christmas while we were in St. Louis, we went to the one George's family hosts every year. It was SO much fun, I wanted to have one too! I was pretty intimidated to make 8 gingerbread houses. My friend gave me the idea of taking little milk cartons and covering them in graham crackers. That wasn't as easy as I thought either but it will work. I'm also making gingerbread men cookies to decorate so at least we'll have something gingerbread!
-I haven't taken any pictures lately so I thought I'd include these Christmas card out takes...

We've already had over a foot of snow here in the northwoods. It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I'm excited for the holidays this year, for the first time in a long time. I have a lot to be excited about. Magnolia is loving all the Christmas stuff, we have a baby on the way, and we are having Christmas at home for only the second time ever in our marriage! We have Christmas music going all day long and we've been baking entirely too much. Christmas cards went out. Now I have to finish my Christmas shopping!

We had such a nice weekend around the house. We put up our Christmas tree and other decorations. We did a some eating out and a little Christmas shopping.

St. Nicholas came and surprised Magnolia with a lot of chocolate and new pajamas. I baked entirely too much including these cookies which are heavenly. We spent our Saturday night staring at our Christmas tree and feeling the baby really kick for the first time!

My little elf has been such a good helper putting up all of the Christmas decorations. She especially likes the creche figures. She also tasted her first candy cane in which she told me a hundred times how good it was. When we go shopping she wants to see "Christmas stuff." She recognizes "Ho Ho Santa Claus" anywhere. She gasps, "Oh my gosh!" when she sees Christmas lights and Christmas trees. It's so much fun to have the holiday season with Miss Magnolia, it's so much fun to see it through her eyes. We brought a Christmas tree back with us from the island. I'm so excited to put it up with her this weekend.

Hope you're enjoying the start of the holiday season too!

So long Nani! We will miss you, we loved having you. Come back soon!
So long Island. The next time we come back we'll be bringing a new baby with us!

So long November!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving on the island complete with snow!

Hoping yours was wonderful too!