Did you know?

I love Shutterfly!  I have used them for years to create on-line photo-books.  It is a great way to preserve those sweet memories and create lasting books for your children.  I have made birth-story books for both my children and plan to share them when they are older.

The holiday card selection at Shutterfly is adorable, affordable and so much more updated this year.  They must have hired new designers.  The designs are so fresh and modern...just my style.

Here are some of my favorites:

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Wouldn't this be the perfect birth announcement for Christmastime?

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I love the Nordic color schemes of red, white and green mixed with darling pictures of children.

Did you know that Shutterfly is offering a little perk to bloggers this year?  Check it out here!

Thankful...

I am so thankful for the little girl who recently wore this around her neck at a Thanksgiving Feast at her school...

I love the honesty and true feelings that abound from the heads and hearts of little ones.

Thank you!

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You don't know me
 and I don't know you
 but today
 you made a big difference...

YOU, watched me juggle a sick, squirmy and unhappy babe in my arms

while holding a "to go" box, drink, diaper bag and purse

and you offered to let me refill my drink before you  in line.

YOU, held the door for me

when you saw a tired Momma with 2 girls in tow.

YOU, entertained talked to my 

little one on the elevator and effortlessly calmed a brewing mess.

YOU, watched my girl

 at the table while I ran up to get our food at the restaurant.

YOU, quickly decided it was

OK

that my girl didn't want to stand on the scale to be weighed and moved on 

not dwelling or forcing my tired girl to stand on an unfamiliar scale...

not today.

It was a busy day and YOU ALL helped me tremendously.

For that, I thank you!!

Pineapple

The Pineapple

Symbol of hospitality and friendship

What could be more beautiful than someone going out of their way to make someone else feel welcome.

In the early colonial days, the pineapple was placed on the table to welcome guests.  Pineapples adorned the wooden posts of guest beds, the finials of iron gates and was even woven into tablecloths and napkins. 

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Could there be a more appropriate symbol for the upcoming holidays?  I look forward to making guests and family feel welcome in my home this holiday season.  Perhaps I'll add a pineapple to my guest room decor...

Carefree stroll...

When was the last time you enjoyed a carefree stroll outside?

When was the last time you felt light on your feet as you drifted down the sidewalk?

Have you taken time to notice the grass and trees and their gradual change?

Have you looked up at the sky and the fanciful shapes the clouds make?

Have you taken the time to listen to your breathe as it fills your lungs with nourishing air?

Take time to enjoy yourself this weekend!

Mastery and Stair Philosophy

MASTERED:  the stairs -- up and down (WHEW!)

My little one has most recently demonstrated mastery of the staircase in our home.  This was indeed unplanned and not taught.  It merely happened one day when I thought she was playing downstairs.  Much to my surprise, I heard the pitter-patter of little feet upstairs.  At first I thought this was one of our animals but when I heard a sinister little giggle coming from the top of the stairs, I knew it was not a dog.  She also showed me that she can come down too.  Her technique is a Momma-approved safe one consisting of going down backward on her tummy.  She has become quite fast at this and seems to enjoy the thrilling ride down.

WHEW!  It feels good to know that your child can safely go up and down the stairs.

My STAIR philosophy:  When we had our big girl we chose not to put gates up on our stairway.  We decided that it would be best if she always knew what the stairs were and how dangerous they can be.  Gradually, she began to explore the stairway with our guidance.  Soon, she became a very cautious stair climber.  I think it is good to leave your stairway open because your kids will know what it is.  If you always block everything that can be dangerous, do they ever truly learn?  I also adopted this philosophy with my cabinets.  It probably takes more monitoring on your part (as parent) but I think the lessons learned outweigh the extra work.

What is your stair/cabinet philosophy?

Let me eat it, MOM!

My little one eats EVERYTHING!

I have heard of these kids but never expected to have one of my own.

Today she experimented with:

dirt from the flower pot (she has been experimenting with that for about 3 months now)

bar soap in the bathtub (yes, soap!)

leaves that are falling from the trees

the seat belt on the shopping cart at the grocery store (I know, you are probably thinking that is why she is so sick all the time)

flowers--the tiny bit that are left in our yard

It seems that most kids try all these things at one time or another but never do they keep coming back for more.  Seriously, eating soap every night in the bathtub and dirt from the flower pot any time she can.  I have my fingers crossed that this is all due to teething.

Meanwhile, my big girl lays happily in the grass lost in pepper dreams. 

 We harvested what looks like the last of the jalapeño peppers for the season.