New friends

The kids have been busy with lots of new goodies from Christmas. My favorite thing to do is watch them draw & create little habitats for their new wooden animals. They change daily and range from forest to magical lands.

This morning

The kids woke up to a surprise this morning.Sitting on the couch waiting for them, was three new baby doll blankets. The kids have been playing with the dolls a ton lately. It makes me excited because it's been helping {L} get used to "baby things". Playing gently, holding babies, all that goodness. He's by nature, not the gentlest child. He's been the "baby" for almost 2 years now, so I think it's going to be a little bit of a transition for him!

The funny thing about these dolls is they are always clothes free. All the other stuffed animals and dolls in the home are routinely changed in gowns and costumes, but these 3 dolls-never! If I put anything on them, I'll find them shortly back to basics-lol. Little {L} actually took offense to his doll being covered up and quickly yanked that blanket right off!

Also on a side note: After 2 weeks, {L} is completely potty trained during the day [at home]. We've been snowed in and have not ventured out of the house lately, so I'm sure "outings" will be a different story. He still wears a diaper to bed, but undies all day! I'm keeping my fingers crossed to have him as close to completely potty trained as possible, before the baby arrives. [he'll be turning 2 years old, a month prior]. Lots of praise and potty songs have been sung this week for him! He's a proud boy, and I'm a happy, proud mama!! YAY!

Corners of Our Home

A few of our favorite things.
::The kids have their very own special artwork. The skeleton pieces above were purchased by {D} with his own money. He wanted the one on the right because he said it was a family portrait-lol ::The snow white music box belonged to my grandmother :: Books

::Artwork pulled from an old book. It had beautiful images and a torn cover. Inexpensive and repurposed. ::One of my childhood dolls, much loved by my children. :: The boys mantle. Hand painted dolls of our family with friends. Also {D}'s painting from mama :: A rare sight at our house. Things actually hung where they belong