Good Ole Rudolph

We introduced Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer to Harrison tonight. I was a little concerned about the Abominable Snowmonster but I called him a big silly and there was no fear. Harrison giggling and acted bashful when he watched Rudolph and Clarice flirt :)

Beading Drops

I love the way water beads on cabbage leaves. It's the little things in life . . .

Broc

It's been such a mild autumn, the in-laws still have broccoli growing in the garden.

Wooo Pigs

If you look closely on the left side you'll see Ryan and Harrison. It's pretty exciting meeting a 500 pound razorback in person!

Call Those HOGS! 

B-Ball Time

Basketball season has started and we're ready to roll. I'm not a huge basketball fan but I do enjoy watching the games in person. The band director is always so enthusiastic and it's great for people watching.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope your holiday was filled with turkey and tickles!

Website Wednesday - Salvaged Grace

Believe it or not, but Ryan found this week's Website Wednesday selection. After skimming it for about a minute, I decided to add it to my blog bookmark folder. Click HERE to discover it for yourself. The author is an account supervisor at a New York ad agency and her nights are devoted to reading design blogs. She would rather shop at a flea market than a mall. She get overly excited about antiques and pork belly. Salvaged Grace is her happy place. Sounds like my kinda friend :)

Holiday Spirit

I'm thinking this might make a silly Christmas card pic. Now, I just need Harrison to peak in the corner.

No Sew Blanket

Never in a million years did I imagine I would be shopping for John Deere fleece fabric! The other day, Harrison was super excited when he spotted the material in the store. I went back this week and I'm going to attempt to make a No Sew Blanket. He received one of these blankets as a baby and it was great for laying on the floor for rolling around and now he uses it on his bed.

Early Bird (as in Turkey)

We celebrated an early Thanksgiving meal with Uncle Steve and Aunt Ivana at Bob and Mimi's. Harrison was HUNGERY and couldn't wait for the rest of us :)

Open Wide

The visit to the dentist office must have made quite an impression on Harrison. At the children's museum, he spent around 20 minutes cleaning these extra large teeth. He said, I was next. Luckily, the tool won't reach too far.

Glee

Okay, does anyone else watch Glee? I've become addicted to the show. I need to rent Season One and catch up on everything. There are five episodes online at a time and they switch them out pretty regularly. I never watch it live b/c it's around bathtime/bedtime. Loved the Singing in the Rain video with Gwyneth. I heard they went through 200-300 umbrellas!

Cleaning Time

I didn't have much to post today. However, I did make the local newspaper.

Website Wednesday - Charity Vault

After yesterday's post, I started thinking about how many charities are out there and how it can be difficult to find ones in your own community. Click HERE to explore thousands of charities. You can search by categories or location. It's pretty neat, once you select your state, you can pare it down to your city. Enjoy!

Children's House

As part of the this year's sales meeting, around 125 of us volunteered to help move and set up the new Children's House. The mission of Children's House is to provide a safe, secure place for children to overcome devastating effects of abuse and neglect, regardless of social or economic background. It is a year-round therapeutic child development and crisis intervention center that serves children 18 months through five years of age who have suffered from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and life threatening neglect. 

The director told us the new facility will be able to assist 78 children, up from 22. It was such a wonderful experience to volunteer yet heartbreaking to think about these little kids. She told us of a young child who would hold her food all day in her mouth on Friday because she knew she wouldn't have much food at home on the weekend. There's kids like this all over world and we need to take care of them, they are our future. So this holiday season (and beyond) I'm going to make a much better effort to volunteer whether it be my time or money. A little difference is better than none at all.

Sales Meeting

Remember the material I showed a couple of weeks ago? If you look closely you'll see it as table runners for the snack/break area. I used the plain material to wrap boxes for added dimension. 

Oh, so many yummies! Wilson has the best taste in snacks and goodies. 

Hands and Backhoes

I've mentioned that Harrison noticed Lucy doesn't have hands. Well, he brings this up to her on a weekly basis. I think she's started to get a complex about it. Today, he was finger painting at Bob and Mimi's and Baby Kitty came over to check out his artwork. Here's what he had to say:

H: Baby Kitty, you don't have hands. You can't paint. We need to do something about that. Hmm. Maybe a backhoe could help you.

I'm not sure if he's envisioning her having two backhoe arms or what?! Pretty creative though.

Sleep-a-saurus

On the way to Bob and Mimi's, the boys decided to take an early nap. Lucky dogs, I can't remember the last time I feel asleep in a car.

Mr. Fix It and Son

I've been wanting to replace our bathroom vanity ever since I figured out elbow grease won't get it clean. After a 3 hour trip to Lowe's and Home Depot, we finally made it home. It's amazing how long everything takes with a 2-year-old. If we have to be somewhere at a specific time, I'll give us about 20 minutes to get from the house to the car.

No project is ever complete without Foreman Harrison's input. His standards are pretty high.

First Dentist Check Up

At Harrison's two-year-old wellness check up, the pediatrician informed us that Harrison may visit the dentist sometime before his 3rd birthday. I've been putting it off until I could really explain what would happen so he wouldn't freak out. You never know what kind of reaction you're going to get with a toddler.

Our stars were lined up perfectly today. In the waiting room, was a gigantic playground with a slide and cushioned stairs and walls. Off to a good start! They called us back into a room to have him weighed (32 lbs.) and verify all the normal info. Next we entered a large room with about 6 dentist chairs. Two other boys were having their teeth cleaned so I'm sure it was reassuring to him. 

While waiting, they gave him a Thomas the Train video game to play with. This was a bonus. Then I saw the teeth cleaning cap and I was a little scared for him. I was thinking they would just count his teeth and then be done. Boy, was I wrong. 

First the dental hygienist started flossing those chompers. She was VERY good with him and even sang a little bit. Then the dentist, Dr. Cooper (who H later referred to as Dr. Pooper) used that metal tool to touch each one. Apparently, he's chipped one or two of his side teeth. The doc said kids do that all the time. And we need to be extra careful with his two front teeth b/c there's not a gap in them where most kids have it. 

After Dr. Pooper, oh I mean Dr. Cooper, was finished, the hygienist came back from the cleaning. She let H feel that spinning instrument first with his finger than she said she was going to tickle his teeth with it. He was absolutely wonderful, a 100 times better than I thought he would be. Thank goodness because we'll be back in six months! 

Website Wednesday - Sarah's House

I discovered that Sarah's House episodes are now available online! Click HERE to start watching. Here's a summary of the show for those who don't know: Follow interior designer Sarah Richardson through the entire process of purchasing a house and renovating it room by room. She starts by buying the worst house in the neighborhood — a true fixer-upper that oozes with potential. Learn what to look for and what to avoid when house hunting with a renovation in mind. 

Mr. Cold

So most people enjoy a nice warm (if not hot) relaxing bath. Well, Mr. H insists on a "cold" bath. If you ask me that's about the craziest thing someone could say. Of course, I don't make it cold but it's definitely not a temperature I would ever bathe in. Maybe I have a future polar bear swimmer on my hands?

Doggie Ears

Whenever Harrison takes off this shirt, he has to pause and show me his "doggie ears." Never a dull moment!

Rustic Doors

I passed these garage doors on my walk this evening and had to snap a shot. I think they are beautiful. Hmm, those would make cool doors for our shed in the back . . .

Happy (early) Birthday Eden

Happy 2nd Birthday Eden! I don't know how you could ever top that cake!

Harrison kept circling the pig cupcakes until he received the green light.

It wouldn't be a farm themed birthday without animals. They had the perfect set up to contain all the kiddos and kids. Ha ha, get it kids?

The little, black pot-bellied pig cracked Harrison up. Apparently, when the pig was leaving the party it started squealing and Harrison thought the pig was having too much fun and didn't want to leave. He reenacted the pig for anyone who would listen.

Ra Ra Riot and The Givers

I keep forgetting to post about this concert until now. Last weekend, we attended the Ra Ra Riot concert downtown. Daniel and Andria got us the tickets and we graciously accepted them. Thanks guys! 

Have you ever seen a cello like this? It was pretty amazing. I just love cellos in alternative bands, Andrew Bird anyone?

The Givers were the opening band and the main female singer/many instrument player was awesome. Unfortunately, they sold out of their CD a couple of cities ago. If you get a chance, listen HERE to Up, Up, Up.

Grocery with Style

I'm so glad our new Kroger is finally open. It's just SO convenient to take a stroll over there for those one or two items you always discover you need during cooking. Plus as an added bonus, the building has a craftsman style look so it blends into the neighborhood.

Website Wednesday - Magnolia Creative Co

Click HERE to start (or finish) your Christmas shopping. One of my very talented college buddies, Emily has created her own business a couple of years ago and I'm so proud of her. I have the Custom Wedding Platter and I'm adding the Personalized Cookies for Santa Plate to my wish list. 

Speaking of Christmas shopping, how is everyone coming along? Me? Having started yet. I've been thinking about it though.

Voting Day

Don't forget to vote today! If you don't, you have no grounds to complain about our government! It's only been 62 years since women were allowed to vote. Crazy. Some countries would love to have this privilege. Go for it!

Busy Time

I'm be pretty busy these next couple of weeks preparing for our annual sales meeting. Here's some fabric I picked out for our break area.