New Traditions

Preface to this post: This is the earliest I have ever put up a tree and started the Christmas activities. Chip is leaving Thanksgiving afternoon to hunt ducks in Mississippi. So, I decided to be a loving wife and do everything a weekend early so he wouldn't miss any traditions and Karlee's reactions. I sure hope this tree is still alive by Christmas Day!

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Chip, Karlee, and I beat the rain on Saturday and picked out our Christmas tree. (We decided to go a little smaller rather than our usual Big Bertha in case Karlee wouldn't leave it alone and knocked it over!) We brought it home and pulled out the lights to make sure they all still worked. After much contemplation about glass ornaments and an almost two year old, I headed to purchase shatterproof ornaments to replace our glass ones. Later in the day, we started to string the lights, and it came to an abrupt stop. Karlee was picking up the entire bundle of lights and trying to put them on the tree herself. We hid the lights in our bedroom and continued the tree decorating after she was tucked in bed for the night!!

Karlee woke Sunday morning to find a tree full of lights and shiny balls. When we cut the lights on, her face was as bright as the tree. What joy it was to see a beautiful Christmas tree through a child's eyes! We then sat down by the tree and read our first Christmas book of the season.





Later in the day after Karlee had been really good with not bothering the tree, we brought out her 2009 ornament. She helped me hang it and even pointed to where she wanted it to go! She kept saying "Karlee's" and pointing to it.





We had dinner with the Spratlin's Sunday night and came home to find a visitor and more surprises for Karlee. Santa Claus had sent his elf to bring Karlee pretty ornaments for her tree.



Chip read the book that was left by the tree and we were told the elf's name was Mr. Sprinkles. Karlee looked all through the boxes and picked out which ornaments she wanted to hang. We all had so much fun putting the finishing touches on the tree.







I was so glad that we shared these moments as a family and started new traditions with Karlee that she can pass along to her children one day. Mr. Sprinkles has brought lots of laughter so far and I can't wait to see what all he does in the next few weeks! Karlee was so excited to look for him this morning we she woke and has constantly gone to make sure he is still "sleeping" in the same place! I just love to hear her say Sprinkles too!!!!!

A girl and her dog!!

Trying to climb in the window seal where Sable sits to watch us eat at the kitchen table!!

Sunday at the Park

Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous day. We spent the day as a family shopping, playing outside, and soaking up the sunshine. What better way to spend such a beautiful day than playing at the park followed by Mellow Mushroom pizza!! We let Karlee loose at Town Creek Park and let her run wild. She had a blast. She would take off, stop, turn around and say "mone Mommy, mone Daddy" then take off again.

I've been busy....

with lots of little projects.

I've appliqued several holiday shirts for friends, made hooded towels, and took sewing classes to learn to construct garments. These are a few of my latest projects. The A-line jumper and pants with ruffle were made in class. I hope to have time this weekend to sit down and see if I can remember how to make them without guided instructions!!

Karlee woke up from her nap just before I was finished with one of the towels yesterday so she joined me in the playroom. I turned around to see why she was so quiet and here is where I found her.





She is such a joy to be around all the time. Her ever expanding vocabulary still amazes me. We went to Auburn Oyster Bar for dinner last week and she pointed to the sign and said "2 A's". I was totally floored by her putting all this together. Her gentle little voice is so sweet to hear. Books are by far her most favorite thing ever. We read 5 a night before bed and I can't skip pages because she knows and makes me go back! She knows what comes next in the book and starts telling me about it before we turn the page. She then points and says "see." Just like she is saying "I told you this was next." What a little stinker! I just love her so much and have no idea what my life would be like without her as a part of it. Thank you Lord for such an amazing child.

First Tutu!!

I ordered this Christmas tutu for Karlee's Christmas card picture but it came in a day too late. So, I decided to go ahead and let her play in it. She twirled in circles and said "pretty mommy!"





The rings on her hands came as a surprise from the lady I ordered hairbows from off Etsy. Karlee had to have the rings on with her tutu and made me put them back on her when they fell off!!


I wish the diaper wasn't showing but I sure thought a 9-12 month size would fit this petite child. I was wrong!


When it came time to take it off and get ready for her bath last night, major tears flowed and I had to promise that we would play with it again today!! She held it the entire time the bath water ran and finally gave it to me when I told her the water would ruin it if she got it wet.

Some Relaxation!

Chip and I just returned from a nice trip to Savannah, GA. It was a much needed getaway for some alone time - no child, no work, no distractions. We stayed at an amazing little bed and breakfast (The Gastonian) built in 1868. The service was impeccable! We had an entire floor as our room - the penthouse suite!! It was decked out with very nice antiques, a claw foot tub, and two working fireplaces that we lit every night and morning.

We enjoyed nice strolls through the squares and historic district, nice tours of the city, a private carriage ride, and a spooky ghost tour at night. There are tons of restaurants all around the city and we had to have picked some of the best ones. I probably gained 5 pounds from all the yummy food we ate. We also walked about 5 miles on Saturday so I don't feel so bad!! Take comfortable walking shoes if you ever go there. Another neat thing that was going on when we were there was the filming of a movie called The Conspirator. We never caught a glimpse of Robert Redford because they filmed in the middle of the night. The movie people brought in loads of dirt and covered the entire street to make it look like the 1820's. Then, it was all gone by morning and the streets were open.




We drove over to Tybee Island on Sunday before heading home and toured Fort Pulaski. It is just amazing to me that parts of our history are preserved in such a fine way. The fort stood just as it did in 1862 when the Confederates surrendered the fort to the Union Army in the Civil War. Robert Redford was also filming his movie here and some of the set was still up when we were there.

Part of the movie set - a lady is hanged!!

I am so grateful to wonderful grandparents that kept Karlee for us to enjoy our weekend getaway. It was nice to come home to a smiling child that missed us so much. Karlee was attached to my leg all day Monday!!