Now, I know how he gets all the toys!

This is the conversation that I just had with Ava.

Ava: Mommy, I have seen the Polar Express. It wasn't scary.

Me: No, not at all. It is a nice movie.

Ava: Yeah! They just go up and down and up and down on the hills.

Me: And where does the train stop?

Ava: I don't know. At the town?

Me: Hmmm....yes, but which town.

Ava: I don't know...

Me: Ho-Ho-Ho!

Ava: Santa!!!!

Me: Yep, but where does Santa live?

Ava: At the mall!

Hmmm...I guess that's what you get when you take a kid past Santa's workshop in the mall earlier that day.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We put up our new tree on Thanksgiving. I was too excited to wait this year. We hit the after Christmas sale last year and really made out like bandits. We bought the bronze/gold tree trim kit and tree from Target. I must say that I am very pleased with both of them. The kit includes everything you need to trim a gorgeous tree. The ornaments are hand painted and stunning. The tree alone is more attractive than we had anticipated with just seeing it on the box. Daniel hit Events in the River Oaks shopping center and scored our elegant tree skirt. The embroidered overlay and crystal bead fringe is so stunning in person. It is more beautiful than my wedding dress. We are hoping this becomes something the girls fight over after we are gone.

Here are some pics of the tree. I hope you enjoy it as much as we are.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Turkey Day. I just wanted to take the time to jot down a few of the things I am thankful for this year.

-I am thankful for a wonderful year with Daniel. I think we have really hit a great patch in our marriage. We are on the the same page and getting along fantastically more than ever. I could not have a better partner in life.

-I am thankful for my wonderful girls. They teach me more about life and who I am everyday. I can't imagine my life without them.

-I am thankful for their health, especially after the loss of precious Gabby in October. I think of her on days when the girls are working my last nerve. They are here to drive me crazy, and I am so thankful for that.

-I am thankful for my wonderful real-life friends. They are such a support for me everyday. They really help to keep my sanity.

-I am thankful for my wonderful, wonderful friends at Momswisdom. I could never have imagined forging such a bond with a group of woman. Most of whom, I have never met in real life. These ladies are my lifeline most days.

-I am thankful that my parents are in good health, especially with all of my dad's health issues that have come up this year. They are always there when we need them, and I could not be more appreciative.

-I am thankful that I have finished the first part of my degree, and that I have finally decided on a career path. That has been a long time coming, and I find it a huge relief to know what I want.

-I am thankful for our new home. I finally feel grounded with our family. I love that we are starting some wonderful traditions here. We put up our beautiful new tree today. As I stared at it, all I could think of was how fortunate we are to have all that we have.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Welcome to the world!!!

One of my dearest friends, whom I have known my entire life, just gave birth to her second child this evening at 9:14 EST. Little Gwenolyn Virginia joins her big sister Autumn Victoria (my 3yo God-daughter). She is a little peanut weighing in at 5lbs 11oz. Everyone is doing well. CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle, John, and Autumn. I can't wait to see some pictures.

Well, she's learning...

I came into the kitchen to find Leila's koala bear on the table. Joking around, I asked her in a stern voice, "What is bear doing on the table?". We have been working with her on staying off of it, so I thought she would giggle over me getting onto bear.

She took it to a whole other level, though. She picked bear up and immediately took him to a time out like she gets when she is on the table. She tells bear, "No, no, no!" while pointing her finger at him. She leaves him there for a minute. Then, she picks him up, says sorry (like the bear said it), and gives him a kiss to say that she forgives him.

This whole exchange was one of the funniest things I think I have ever witnessed from her. Her imagination for 18mths also blows me away.

Here are the re-enactment photos.

What a pain!

Oh, I am so mad. I went to buy more paint for Leila's room the other day. I painted it and noticed it was slightly darker. I thought that was just because it was wet. I have let it sit for two days now and no change. Grrr... I think they mixed the original paint with the wrong base. They used the ultra white on it, and the new paint was the pastel base. The thing is, I like the lighter color more. I have to go back now and complain to Home Depot. Then, I have to get more paint with the white base so I can repaint the entire room. They better not make me pay for the new paint.

Can you tell the difference?

I love the lighter color with her zebra chair.

Happy Halloween

We had a great Halloween night trick-or-treating with the girls. Ava was so excited all day to go out. Leila had no idea what was going on for the first few houses. She would tentatively allow us to take her up to doors where people proceeded to give her odd things in her pumpkin. She quickly got into the whole "game" of TOTing, though. She would hold Ava's hand, and Ava would lovingly guide her up to the door so they both could knock. She would just hold up her basket and laugh once they dropped the goodies in. She even said thank you to every person. She was so sweet. Ava was pretty happy that she was teaching Leila how to do all of this.

They came home with so much candy. Leila isn't even allowed the stuff, yet. Luckily, I let Ava watch the Charlie Brown special on Tuesday night. She was blown away by the concept of The Great Pumpkin that brings toys. I took advantage of this by telling her if she gives up her left-over candy from Halloween night to The Great Pumpkin, then she would get a toy in return. She jumped at this notion. So, I went out yesterday afternoon to purchase a couple toys. Ava was so excited to wake up this morning and discover toys in her basket in place of candy. She received Moon Sand, and Leila received a little baby doll. They have been happily playing all morning. It was a great Halloween!