Advent Anticipation

We've got the tree up and decorated, the Christmas lights hung, and the other decorations spread around the house. Every morning I come out of my room to find a delighted little boy sitting amongst all the Christmas cheer. He turns the fireplace on, plugs in the Christmas tree lights, and pulls a chair over to the mantle so he can peek in all the Advent calendar doors to see if the chocolate has arrived. I love all his joy and anticipation. Christmas starts tomorrow little buddy!

Speech

A few days ago I sat Ike down and gently told him we were going to see the "speech teacher." I let him know that she wanted to talk to him to see if she could help him talk better. He had a few questions and seemed fairly uninterested.

So the other morning I was trying to tell Ike something when he turned around and said, "I can't hear you. There's something wrong with my voice."

Advent Activities

Here is my list of 24 Advent activities for this year. It sure does add a lot of hype and build up to Christmas day. Here is my list in no particular order (I just pick the one that suits what I'm up for that day).

1- Christmas jammies
2- Decorate little Christmas trees (Target has little trees for $2.50 and mini ornaments). I think Ike will really love having a tree in his room.
3- Make paper snowflakes
4- Christmas books
5- Hang candy canes on the Christmas tree
6-8 We are doing small gifts every Sunday
9- Make Christmas ornament
10- Watch the Grinch
11- Jammie ride (these are WAY more fun when you pick up your ice cream and go to Grandma's house)
12- Family game night
13- Movie date w/Daddy
14- Bubble bath in the garden tub w/Christmas music (I don't know why, but these are a BIG hit)
15- Hot chocolate for breakfast
16- Visit the reindeer
17- Bake and decorate Christmas cookies
18- Deliver cookies to Grandma and Papa
19- Make Christmas cards
20- Decorate the dinner table
21- Extra bedtime story
22- Eat a candy cane off the tree
23- Cinnamon rolls for breakfast
24- Read the Christmas story

Final Bedroom Design?

Kate

Kitty at Play

Kitchen Curtains

Snuggles for Daddy

Caring for a Puppy

It's always good to be prepared. You never know when Daddy might say "yes."

Bedtime Story

Baby P's Quilt

The widget tells me I have 89 days to finish this . . .

Muscle Men

Ike adores working out with Daddy and Bill enjoys having a workout buddy. I don't mind as long as the "working out" stays in the garage. NOT so cute when my towel bars get used as the pull-up bar. *Ahem*

Baby's Wardrobe

Don't worry. Ike and I checked it out and we've confirmed that the White Witch does not dwell inside:)

Dreaming of Christmas

Ike and I went to the mailbox the other day to find a Target toy ad. "Look, Mom!" Ike exclaimed. "It's a magazine for me!" He's been toting it around everywhere and dreaming of Christmas. So cute.

Kitty is dreaming too!

Preparing for Baby

I haven't done much of anything in preparation for baby. Does unpacking a house count? What about taking it easy? Wrapping up a lot of unfinished projects? Grandma Linda, however, has been VERY busy and sent us home with a stack of blankets and burp cloths (it's good to spit up on decorated fabric these days).

Thanks, Mom for all the blessings of blankets and burp cloths. You are the most productive woman I know:)

Tea Towel Time

After weeks and weeks of planning on going to the craft store, I finally made it. My main motive was to get tea towels to embroider for an extra winter project. After all, with my expanding waistline all I want to do is snuggle up on the couch and enjoy the crackling fire. Okay, so it's a gas fireplace that I turn the switch on and the only noise it makes comes from the fan. Whatever. I am just really happy to have a fireplace. Anyway, here is my stack of tea towels just waiting to be embroidered. Sadly, they are going to have to wait. Right now I'm just enjoying having something in my house that is folded, clean, and tidy. Housewiving duties are going to have to come first before I start pretending to be ambitious . . . Well, we'll see . . . That couch looks so cozy.

Design Plans

Inspiration Piece?

I am thinking of using this vintage painting as my "inspiration piece" for our master bedroom. I just can't decide if it will take the "master" part out of "master bedroom." Hmmm.

Sweetie, don't you think this would look great over a vintage door headboard?