A Letter from the Big Guy

I love this free printable letterhead from Santa himself.  This is the first year that Ava actually understands who Santa is and is very excited about meeting him and of course the goodies he will bring.  She is even going to write him a letter as one of her first assignments left buy our elves (more about our elves here).  This will be the perfect way for Santa to write back.  This year our lovely little elves are bringing activities for our family to do such as write a letter to Santa, drive around and see Christmas lights, make hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie.  The elves are also going to bring the occasional gift as well such as books, ornaments, etc.   It should be a nice change for out elves.

 Found this via Pinterest.  Did I mention that I'm slightly addicted :)

{Image Source:  Design Editor via Pinterest}

Cherish

Our amazing photographer is 

Ashley from 

::::::LeLe Photography::::::

If there is one thing I've realized in life, it's just how precious life truly is.  I know too many people who have lost loved ones too soon.  I know of *several* little ones fighting life threatening illnesses and even an unborn baby girl fighting for her life before she's made her entrance into this world.  I don't understand it nor will I ever understand it.  All I know is that it makes me want to kiss my little ones every chance I get.  I want to snuggle with them a little longer.  I take the moments to laugh with them and let the laundry wait for a while.  The laundry will always be there...  

With the holidays approaching, I hope you take the time out to just be with your family and enjoy spending time together.  I know that's what I'll be doing.

Gifts for 3-4 Year Olds

Hoot Owl Hoot

Image Source: Amazon

Small World Living Toys Peel 'N' Play

Image Source: Amazon

Mudpuppy Princess 42 Piece Puzzle

Image Source: Amazon

Cloud b Twilight Constellation Night Light, Lady Bug

Image Source: Amazon

Spot It

Image Source: Amazon

Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Scoop Set

Image Source: Amazon

I do about 90% of my Christmas shopping online these days, and I love it!  Most of which comes from Amazon.  Free shipping for orders over $25, no tax and 2 day shipping if you are a member of Amazon Mom.  I also love being able to read reviews of what other parents think of an item.  What could be better?  

I'm always on the lookout for games, puzzles and pretend play items for the wee ones.  I go to specialty toy stores and bookstores to scout out unique and fun items and then do my research when I get home to find out who has it the cheapest (usually Amazon).  We are blessed to have very generous family and friends who spoil our kids rotten so when Santa comes to our house he usually leaves smaller toys that mommy can store away easily :)  These are a few items for Miss Ava this year.  I think Santa has done a good job so far...

What?

"What?  I'm just sitting here reading a book with my owl hat on.  

Doesn't everyone do that?"

This kiddo gives me so many reasons to smile each and every day.  His lastest version of smiling consists of him not opening his mouth at all.  Just this little smirk, if you will.

Lack of blogging lately is do to the craziness that was kicked off by Halloween.  We've had play dates, sleepovers with Cousin Lex, outings with friends, Usborne home shows, etc. etc.  I do have a few new yummy recipes to share in the upcoming weeks.  If I can ever get around to taking pics of the finished product before we gobble it all up!  Hope life is treating you well.  Happy Wednesday all!

Printable Card

Image Source

This printable card is from Ginger & George.  So colorful, so simple and so sweet.  

Happy Friday :)

Wipe Clean Winner

Congrats to The Knapps!  I've sent you an email as well.  

I hope to do an Usborne Book Give-Away about once a month.  Check back for more fun give-aways :)

Words

Image Source

Sometimes it is so easy to just complain about things you don't like or even people you don't care for.  Be the change is something that I need to remind myself of all to often.

Cole's Infamous Hair

There are 2 things people always comment on when they see Cole.  One being his big blue eyes.  Two, his ummm, very unique hair style.  This poor child's hair just won't lay down.  We affectionately call it his bird hair, monkey hair, fuzz top, etc. etc.  He and our bun, Simon have a very similar hair do.  Maybe they've been hanging out together so much they're starting to look alike??  Just a theory :)  The only time I've ever seen Cole's hair lay flat is in the tub.  He looks like a totally different kid with normal, flat hair.  Still adorable but I'm just a tad bit biased...

Don't forget to leave a comment on this post to win one of the Wipe Clean Usborne books.

Give-Away...Yippee!!

Image source:  Usborne Books and More

It's widely known by my friends and family that I have a small obsession with books.  I love our monthly book club.  I love taking the littles to the library.  I love laying in bed with Ava and Cole and reading them story after story.  I am very easily suckered into reading just one more story before bed.  My idea of a fun night is taking the kids to a book store, grabbing a coffee and sitting on the floor to read new books.

About a year ago, a friend of mine hosted an at home book party for children's books through a company called Usborne Books and More.  I was instantly hooked.  I hosted my own party and then went to several that my friends hosted.  I love the quality of the books and the great variety of books they have to offer for all ages.  We own so many of their books that I decided to sell the books myself.  In honor of kicking off my new little book business, I'm hosting a giveaway.  

Here's what you need to do.  Just leave a comment telling me which of the above books you would love to have for the small people in your life.  These are great wipe clean books that you can use over and over to practice letters, numbers, shapes, etc.  I have one tucked away for Ava for Christmas :)  If you'd like another entry then visit here and create a wishlist of books you would like for your kiddos.  Leave me a separate comment letting me know you created a wishlist.  I'll have Ava randomly pick a name on Wednesday evening and announce the winner on the blog.  It's easy to enter...now spread the word!

Words

Happy Halloween!

We hope you and your family have a safe and happy Halloween!

Love, 

Dorothy and the Lion

Halloween Prep

Our pumpkins have carefully been selected...

Costumes are complete and have been tried on multiple times by Miss A just to make sure everything is "alright."

 All the ingredients are bought and ready to make our spooky ghost treats for friends...

Image from The Idea Room

 and the monster dough and parts are all set to go for our play date that has been canceled due to all the other littles being sick :(  Miss A will be making all the monsters on her own.  I'm sure she will still have loads of messy fun all by herself!

Image from The Imagination Tree

These holidays are so much more fun when you see all the excitement in your kiddo's eyes.  Sooo worth all the work and trips to the store.  More Halloween fun to come!

Words for Wednesday

Etsy Finds

Image via Fishstikks

Image via Artworks

When we were in Savannah last year I happened upon a shop that carried reproductions of Lori Mitchell's paper mache sculptures.  I bought the little Halloween girl above who currently has a home in our bathroom.  Miss A loves her and keeps asking for her to come in her room instead.  I also picked up one of her Christmas figurines, too.  Since then, I have been obsessed with folk art style.  I currently am drooling over Emily the Cat above.  She's the real deal too not a reproduction.  Hence my hesitation to fork out the money for her.  She is quit cute though.  Don't you think??

Red October

Our Cardinals are in the World Series and we couldn't be more excited.  St.  Louis is a huge baseball town.  It's so fun to get together with friends and family to cheer on our team.  Even the littles are getting in on the excitement.  Ava has her rally towel (wash cloth) ready to swing in the air as soon as daddy tells her too.  Even Cole is sportin' his Cardinals hat.  Here's to a win tonight.  

:::::::BIRDS!!!:::::::

Recipe: Toffee Dip

With fall comes apples and with apples comes toffee dip.  

::::::::Yahoo!::::::::  

Every year we go apple picking with my parents, and we usually  have too many apples to know what to do with.  This year I was going through my recipe binder and came across this recipe for toffee dip that you serve with apples.  I hadn't made it in years but anything with toffee is delicious in my book.  This recipe makes about 2 cups of dip which is quite a bit.  I served it to some girlfriends one night and then to our Catan friends (Hi Michelle!!) the next night.  It was a hit both nights, so I thought I would pass along the recipe in case you too have too many apples in your house or you just love toffee or both :)

Toffee Dip

Yield approx. 2 cups

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup toffee bits (about 4 ounces)
• apples

Mix together first 4 ingredients with a mixer until smooth.  Stir in toffee bits.  Cover and chill.  Serve with sliced apples.

Source: Cooking Light  How this is light I don't know...but it's darn good!

Wonder

Ava's face was so sweet the other night as she watched Toy Story 3 on Ice.  She's never been to a movie before so this was her first big show, and she was quite smitten with the whole experience.  We didn't tell her where we were going only that it was a "date" for her and mommy and daddy.  (Cole got to stay home and play with Mamaw and Papa that night.)  When we arrived outside the arena she saw the huge poster of Buzz and Woody on the side of the building so she started to put it together.  

She loved all the singing and skating.  At the intermission, she asked for cotton candy which she had never had before.  We gladly bought her a ridiculously overpriced bag of the sweet stuff and she took a few bites and said she was done.  I was expecting to have to pry the stuff out of her hands.  We stayed for the entire show and took home a very happy and tired little lady.  Out of the entire show her favorite part was when the pig fell down.  Not Buzz flying through the air or Barbie or even the cool army guys that parachuted down...no, it was when the pig made a mistake and fell.  That's kids for you!   

Cole Update

Well, the Stinker Man is 7 months old and sits up great.  No signs of crawling yet and I am TOTALLY fine with that.  He'll crawl when he's good and ready.

He never ceases to amaze me with all the faces he can make.  Most of his best faces involve drool running down his face and all over his adorable clothes that you never see because he's wearing monster sized bibs to catch all that drool.

He chews on everything like it's his job.  Let me tell you, he does his job very well.  Just look at that serious chew face with his eyebrows up and all.  That stuffed orange didn't stand a chance.

He is the happiest baby I have ever been around.  Of course I know that I'm biased because I'm his mom ;o) Rarely is the kid not smiling and I love every second of it!  

I adore this age and wish it would last longer.  I'm soaking up every moment with my handsome little man.