It's February!

I have been a serious slacker in the blog department lately.  It was the holidays and I had all these great pictures I wanted to share, but then I got busy.  And I wanted to do a Christmas post, and didn't get around to it, so I haven't posted anything else.

So, I'm going to start with something simple.  The girls wore these matching valentine outfits on Saturday.

I made Lucy's pants set last year, and it still fit.  That's what I love about those Monag ruffle tees. Look how much my little girl has grown since last year.

I had this red and white gingham longall in Lucy's hand-me-downs.  I meant to monogram it when she was a baby and never got around to it.  It was a perfect valentine outfit for Maggie.  She wasn't very happy to have her picture taken, so this is the best I could get.  

Hopefully, I can get back on track with blogging and share the other things we have been up to.  

Another Remake

In the fall, I posted an outfit I remade for Lucy from one of Henry's old smocked outfits.  I had a couple of these little matching sets from Castles and Crowns when Henry was three and Lucy was a baby.  Here they are in the Christmas set.

The bishop fits Maggie, so I remade Henry's top using the Bonnie Blue Riley pattern. I do find this pattern runs a little small. This is a three with two inches added to the length.  She probably could have used a four.  The pants go with another Christmas outfit.  

And here's my new little combo: 

I was thrilled with the way this turned out and the girls got compliments all day long today.  The only dilemma was how to answer when someone asked me if I made their outfits.  

So Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year.
My thoughtful, funny and smart first grader;

My lovable, kind and inquisitive three year old; and

sweet, sweet Maggie

She thoroughly enjoyed her very first Thanksgiving meal.

Add to that a husband who loves to cook, and a house full of family and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

We hosted my dad's family this year.  There were twenty-nine of us, twenty adults and nine kiddos.  Everyone pitched in to help. Here is the prep crew.

And here's the clean-up crew.  Call me crazy, but I love the camaraderie that comes from washing dishes after a meal like this.


While we were cleaning up, the kids had a great time in the back yard.

And of course, someone had to supervise.

Mollie Kate and Max enjoyed the kids table.

Finally, here's Grandma, and my Aunt Carol, two of the best cooks and hostesses I know.

Our family has been blessed beyond belief, and I am truly thankful for all I have been given.

Home from Naples

It's been a few weeks since my last post.  Around Halloween, Maggie and I were lucky enough to accompany Will to an anesthesia meeting in Naples, FL. 

My parents and my mother-in-law watched the big kids, and we got to enjoy beautiful weather and some one-on-one time with Maggie.

 

The sunsets in Naples are amazing, and this was our favorite way to end the night. 

 Maggie was an amazing traveler.  She was so good on the plane and quite the social butterfly at all of the resturants.  She loved the beach.

And who doesn't love a good heavenly bed?

You had me at a matching doll costume

When I decided to learn to sew one of the first things I thought was "wouldn't it be so much fun to make the kids halloween costumes." Then, last year as I was drawing checks onto fabric with a sharpie because I couldn't find fabric that looked like Woody's shirt, I swore I would never do it again.

When the Pottery Barn Kids catalog came, Henry and Lucy both found costumes they liked.  Then they went on sale.  Plus, there was a matching costume for Bitty Baby and free shipping.  Sold.

And here is sweet Maggie.  She wore the same costume Henry did when he was a baby.  Who doesn't love a little chick?

We went trick-or-treating at Henry's school tonight.  Will, Maggie and I are going to be gone for Halloween, but Henry and Lucy will go again on Monday night.  I am not really sure how much candy two little people need, but they are bound and determined to get as much as they can.  They did sweetly sit on the floor and sort and trade it for half an hour today.

Orange Pants

Who knew that orange pants would be so versatile? I got this corduroy last summer when we were at Children's Corner school.  I made these pants to match a top I ordered from one of my favorite home show lines, Beaux et Belles.  I used my go-to ruffle pants pattern, Bonnie Blue Jillian.

Then, I decided they would look cute with this blouse.  

I made this blouse in Lezette Thompson's class when she came to The Smocking Shop in August. We used a pattern she drafted, but it is only available as a class right now.  We learned to do bobbin tucks in the class. I really like this top and think it would be darling in a little floral.  It has tucks on the front and back, as well as on the sleeves.

Look at those hands on her hips.  I think we might be in trouble in a few years.

Finally,  I made this little halloween top.

When she put it on, she said, "Thank you for making me a friendly ghost."

Maggie's First Word

This little girl said her first word on Tuesday night.  Will sat her down on the floor in her room, and she looked up at him and said "da da." Now, she chirps "da da" all day long.  It is the sweetest sound in the world.

Never mind that "ma ma" is the one who carried her for nine months, gave birth to her, and wakes up in the middle of the night to nurse her.  She said "da da."  

Henry said "da da" first, too.  Only sweet Lucy said "ma ma" first.  I guess we know who is getting mama's jewels one day.