build a leaf press

Grace and Daddy built a leaf press at the Home Depot Kid's Workshop!

who needs accountability from an elf?!

I'm very excited to start the "Elf on a Shelf" tradition with Grace this year. I wanted to last year, but she wasn't quite old enough to "get it," not to mention it was sold out everywhere. You buy a cute little Elf and he comes with a book that tells his story. You place him up high in your home somewhere and he watches the children's behavior everyday, leaving while you sleep to go report to Santa. When you wake in the morning, he will have returned and will be sitting in a new spot to watch the new day's activities. You may never touch the Elf, which is why he sits so high, because then he may lose his magic.
I told the story of the Elf to Grace and told her we need to get one soon so that he could start watching her and reporting her behavior to Santa. I thought she would be all about our new Elf friend (and that it would help her behave a little better for the next couple months!)... but her response... "Mommy, I don't want to have an Elf at our house to watch me, I DON'T WANT ONE!" Hmmm, she understood better than I ever imagined... and she's not too keen on the little tattling Elf. Maybe when she sees him and all his cuteness she'll warm up to the idea, because we're still getting one! :)

santa has arrived!

Santa arrived at the Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg today. Yes, 2 months before Christmas, but not a moment too soon for Grace. She begged to go see him from the moment I told her of his arrival. I used it as a hook to help her make it through a couple hours of totally unsuccessful home decor shopping. She was thrilled to finally see him, and couldn't have been more star-struck. She told him, "I have a list. I want a playhouse and a My Little Pony that walks across the table." Santa gave Grace a special report card to fill out until Christmas and turn into him. It has some great criteria... listening to mommy and daddy, picking up my toys, going to bed on time. We didn't do pictures yesterday, and it may be a while... I'm just not sure I'm ready to dress her up in Christmas clothes yet... Thanksgiving still seems far away!
After her visited, she pretended to call everyone to tell them the news...

"We see Santa, Nana. And I tell Santa I want a playhouse and a pony. And Santa was sharing all his Christmas stuff. I got a reindeer hat... oooooh!"

school picture

Grace's 1st official school picture! She kinda has that "this is silly, but whatever!" look on her face, but still cute! :)

from the pantry door....

Grace completed her fire safety unit at school. They even had a visit from a real firetruck and Sparky the Firedog! She learned the classic, "Stop, drop and roll!"

Firetruck

Fire

Okay, this one kinda puzzled me, so I asked Grace what it was.... "a smoke thingy!"... oh, I see it now, it's a smoke detector!

A Dalmation

These are some that trickled home from circus week and are too cute not to remember!

Circus Lion

Clown

sunday in henlyfield

Sunday we visited Nana and PawPaw. Grandma Benton, Aunt Mary and Anne came out to visit too. Grace had a wonderful time!

a very pregnant mama and Grace visiting with Grandma Benton, can you believe we celebrated her 90th birthday almost a year ago?

Grace standing on top of the garden stone she made for Nana

here we are in one of the greenhouses making selections for our winter gardens

this is how you know you're in the country... a bonfire at night! Grace was slightly concerned, having just wrapped up a unit on "fire safety" at school!

sitting by the fire with Nana and PawPaw

27 weeks

10 weeks to go if Baby Marion arrives when Grace did... we'll see! Now that I have my mind set on the 37 week mark, I'll probably still be pregnant at 42!
I am feeling pretty good lately. About 2 weeks ago, I had blood drawn to test for gestational diabetes. The nurse called afterward to let me know that I did not have the gestational diabetes, but that my blood count was low, and I would need to start taking iron supplements. Hearing this was actually a relief! I had been so exhausted all the time, from morning to night, but had used the pregnancy to excuse it. Hearing that my blood count was low gave me hope that I may start feeling better soon!
I have now been taking over 600% of the daily recommended value of iron for about a week. IT HAS WORKED!! I feel so much better! I'm waking up rested and I feel much better throughout the day! Alleluia!
As for the nursery, it's really coming together. The drapes are up and the skirt and sheet are on the crib. There is still much accessorizing to be done, but it's looking good!