Box of Wonder

A gift from Grandpa Schoolcraft and Pauly, this is a box of wonder. Everything inside is a different shape, texture and color. Some thing rattle like the airplane and the ball. Some things squeak like the car and the frog. All things delight my daughter when they are revealed from their fuzzy box home. It's still number one in our house and I don't think that's changing anytime soon. Thanks Grandpa and Pauly!!

My Hortons

A long time ago, before I was a mom, I was a nanny. To me it was WAY more than a job. These kids were family. Their parents were family. I have been so lucky and blessed to be an honorary Horton.

Annie Horton, my second mom and sister too. A mentor and a friend. Our relationship started when I took care of her son Jamie. I got to take care of him off and on from 9-13. Through her friendship I was connected with her brother Peter when I moved to LA. You mean I get to take care of two batches of Horton kids? Yes please!

The LA Hortons are Peter, Nicole, Lily and Ruby. I took care of Lily and Ruby from when they were 3 and 6 - 6 and 9. Now Ruby is nine and Lily is eleven! What? They are two of the coolest, kindest and funniest gals I know.

Marigold meeting Peter, Nicole and Lily. Such a surreal moment to watch Lily hold my baby. She was so great with her. It was very evident by the end of the two days that Peter had a calming and peaceful effect of Marigold. I think she was flirting.

My dear and wonderful friend Nicole with her eldest daughter holding my daughter.

Nicole wrangles the Horton ladies to entertain Marigold at the restaurant so I can eat. Now that's love and family.

Seeing the sweet, strong and ever present man that Jamie has become (far left) makes me weepy every time I see him. He is so good. He has always known just who he is.

This is a blurry cell phone picture that Lily took but it makes me cry. It really shows my two worlds meeting. My children before I had children meeting and connecting with my own child. It was a magical new year for me. Too much time had passed since our last gathering and in that time EVERYTHING in my world had changed. Everything except my connection to this amazing family. I love them deeply and dearly. I'm so happy to share them and that love with my Goldie.

Fancy

Why yes, I am always this fancy. Aren't you?

Christmas Favorites

There were so many wonderful moments this holiday season. I'm sharing just a few of the many many post worthy shots.

Meeting Santa. So excited.....

Just kidding!! Santa is so not cool!

Cousins!

Wrapping paper is awesome.

Lessons in dealing with boys from Zak.

A quiet break with Grammy.

Snuggles with Eric

Christmas teeth!

The task force!

She knows a good thing when she sees it.

No! She didn't drink any!

Do you mind? I'm pooped!

Happy holidays everyone!!!

Oh Christmas Tree..

It had to be one of her favorite things to date. Marigold loved to stare at the tree, touch the tree and lay under the tree. It may have had something to do with the lights. She also loves the Costco ceiling. I have always thought of christmas trees as magical and I'm so happy my daughter shares that wonder. She naturally touched the ornaments and the tree with one finger. I wonder if that will change next year.

See you next year christmas tree!

House Hat

Oh man, is it cold in our house. Our heat does a bad job getting to the back bedrooms and I worry about Marigold getting cold. We use the addition of a space heater for sleep time and a fireplace in our main room that does wonders. BUT, during those really cold days a house hat was in order. It's not like an outside hat. Outside hats tend to look like animals like a frog or a cow, or vegetables like an eggplant. House hat's make you look like an elf. An adorable, happy and funny elf that keeps me from worrying too much when Casey is trying to get home in a snow storm. Okay, I was still really worried but taking 150 pictures of a cute elf really helps.

First Snow

It's such a magical thing to watch your child experience things for the first time. Marigold and I spent the first snowy morning looking out our big living room window. She was so focused on the movement of the snow. She would get really excited and start jumping and then freeze and just stare. When I got her all bundled up we went outside to feel it. She was so quiet and observant. Every once in a while she would babble softly to a weed or the wind but other than that she was very still with watchful eyes. Welcome to snow love bug!

She fell over once and didn't even try to move. She just stared at me. I thought this was funny. What do you think she thought?!

A picture of Dada's favorite things. His girls and his wood pile. What a guy.