First Day

We officially started a new school year today! Margie Grace enjoyed her first day in her three-year-old preschool class. She has always been so enthusiastic about school and this year was no exception. She walked right in to her classroom, hung up her backpack and immediately started playing. She was so busy that I had to beg her for a kiss goodbye before heading out the door! Once school was over, I asked her how everything went and her reply was "Awesome!" Comforting to get such a good report! I was a little worried that she might be clingy or hesitant because there is only one friend from our class last year in this year's class but she told me that she is really excited about making all new friends! Hope she maintains that confidence and positive attitude. Hope you enjoy these first-day-of-school pictures.

(I struggled this year coming up with a first day outfit since I had done crayons last year. This year we just went with fall colors instead of a school theme. I smocked Creative Keepsakes' Petal Peddlers and my Mom constructed this cute Carol pattern from Children's Corner. Red saltwaters and a made-to-match bow and MG was good to go!)

Stage Debut

Sitting in the makeup chair, getting "dirty"

MG's new friend Sarah Ann helped her on and off the stage

MG with her proud parents after her first show

Sitting on the stage following her first show -- thanks to BeBe and Poppy for the pretty flowers!


Waiting to go backstage before the performance

This past weekend Margie Grace made her stage debut in Opelika High School's production of "Oliver." She played an orphan and sat on the stage with other little orphans during the show's opening numbers: "Food Glorious Food" and "Oliver." She performed in three shows and had a great time! She really enjoyed every aspect of being involved -- everything from sitting in the makeup chair (where she got to put on her "dirty orphan makeup") to waiting backstage to go on stage to meeting all the other kids and high school students that were in the play. We got to tour the girls' dressing room and check out the orchestra pit and talk about theatre and what a live performance is. It was a great learning opportunity for her! A big thanks to our dear friend and show director Revel Gholston and his wife and our good friend Kate for thinking of Margie Grace and asking if she wanted to participate. The show was really fantastic and all the student actors are so talented that we felt truly honored to be a part of it. It was a fun experience and a wonderful memory made. She keeps asking when she can do Oliver again and has informed us that when she grows up, she wants to be an actress! Of course, when I conveyed to Neil that the make-up lady told me the West Point Community Theatre was casting for "Annie" and that MG would be perfect, he gave me quite a look. I guess we're not ready to be a showbiz family :)

Thanksgiving Feast

She's been asking for weeks for me to take her picture with the harvest display in front of her school.

Our favorite "indian!"

Margie Grace's class

Family picture

Eating lunch with our friends, Davis and Katherine.

Last Thursday we celebrated an early Thanksgiving as Margie Grace's school held their annual Thanksgiving Feast. MG had a great time eating a special meal with her friends and showing off the many Thanksgiving crafts her class has been working on this month. Can't wait to celebrate the "official" Thanksgiving this Thursday!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 118:1

The Tale of the Recycled Pajama Pants

Once upon a time, like way back in college, I had a pair of pajama pants. They were nothing special -- just cotton PJ bottoms from Old Navy -- but I loved them. I loved the colors, I loved how comfortable they were and I loved that I could wear them year-round (they kept me warm in the winter and cool in the summer). I remember wearing those pants and watching movies in my dorm room on my sorority hall. I remember wearing those pants and eating ice cream late one night with all my roommates at my college apartment. I remember packing those pants and taking them on my honeymoon (Neil was thrilled). Those pants and I have logged a lot of miles and a lot of memories. Plus, they'd been washed just enough times that the cotton was good and worn in and super soft. They were my go-to pjs and I have worn them A LOT for many years. Behold, the PERFECT pair of pajama pants:

But, sadly, just like everything else, those pants couldn't live forever. For one thing, they had become thread-bare beyond repair in the seat and crotch (I've literally worn them out) and, well, they aren't exactly as comfortable as they once were (they are, ahem, a bit snug). Because of their condition, I couldn't donate them to the thrift store or hand them down to someone else. On the way to the trash can, I decided the best option would probably be to just cut them up and use the fabric for cleaning rags. At least I'd have something colorful to dust with. But the thought was just unsettling for me. That is not how a great pair of PJs should go out. And then I was struck with a thought: what if I did cut them up but instead of rags, what if I cut them down into pajama pants for Margie Grace. I was sure that by cutting them up the inseam and opening out the legs, I'd have just enough fabric to make MG her own pair of special PJ pants! I thought the idea was genius so I got to work, laying the pants on the floor and cutting them into a new creation.

Now here's a bit of a side story to this whole pajama rebirth. In early December, Margie Grace's preschool is having a "Pajama Day" where everyone wears their favorite PJs to school. It has been on my mind exactly what to dress her in that day because I've felt like she doesn't have any PJs that are extra special enough to wear to school. I buy the lion's share of her pajamas at our semi-annual consignment sale where I can get about two weeks worth of PJs for the price of two or three pair at Target or Wal-Mart. They are fine pajamas for around the house but I wanted her to have something a little nicer and a little more special for school. A new pair just wasn't in the budget for us (the financial belt is tighter these days since I've gone to part-time) plus I couldn't justify buying a new pair when she's getting a brand new pair for Christmas (holla if that's your family's Christmas Eve tradition, too!) So, the idea to remake my old pants into something new for her couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Behold the pajamas reborn:

I was so clever, I cut the new pants out using the bottom edge of the old pants so that I didn't even have to hem them. I had some red ric rac in my box of leftover trim that I used to spiff up the bottom cuff and cute them up a bit (nothing makes me think of fun kids' clothes like ric rac!) I got a red T-shirt at Wal-Mart for $3.50 and appliqued an "M" on it using some of the leftover fabric from the pants. I just love the way the whole set turned out and I couldn't be happier that my old pants got a new makeover -- spared from the trash and reborn into something Margie Grace can use. Plus, she really got a kick out of the fact that those used to be my old pants! She doesn't know this but I added extra fabric to the waistband so in the next couple of years, I can let it out and she's got room to grow. Unfortunately, I don't think these pants will be with her through college. But, hey, they've had a good run!

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Fun Stripes

Margie Grace loves to wear dresses to school. But on Tuesdays she stays after school for gymnastics so she has to wear pants, especially something comfortable that she can move around easily in, because she doesn't get a chance to change between preschool and tumbling class. So earlier this fall I picked up a handful of Garanimals T-shirts at Wal-Mart with the goal of making cute little outfits by putting an applique or monogram on the shirts and making her a matching pair of pants for each. Monday night I finally finished the first set (any spare time that I had for sewing in October was spent making a Little Mermaid costume! So, I'm a little behind . . .). I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I found the perfect purse applique to tie the outfit together. When I was done, I thought it was still missing something so I riffled through my ribbon drawer and found just enough of my scraps to make a precious matching bow. I'm really pleased with how the outfit turned out and Margie Grace really loved her new purse outfit. Now I've got until next Tuesday to make another set!

Busy Friday

A picture for Bebe (and cousin Rachel) in front of the Theta float

I had to stop this group of Alpha Chis and introduced them to their star pledge of 2025! :)

MG and Bebe checking out the back of the AKL float (Uncle John's handiwork).

MG in front of Uncle John's float

Poppy gave MG the best view for parade watching!

Just like most weekends during football season, this past one was filled with fun and activities. This past Friday was a particularly busy but fun day for us. It started on a somewhat unpleasant note. Margie Grace had an appointment at the pediatrician's office to get her seasonal flu shot. While we were there, the nurse went ahead and gave her the H1N1 vaccination as well -- a two for one opportunity that MG wasn't too thrilled about. I talked to her in advance about the shot and what was going to happen -- I wanted to be up front -- but, even as brave as she is, it still hurt and she still cried. The big Dora sticker she got from the nurse did help soften the blow a bit, though. And, I reminded her of our post-shot plans and she quickly dried her tears. From the doctor's office, we grabbed a Happy Meal and headed to the park for a picnic lunch and play time with our moms group from church. A friend of mine in our Sunday School class has started planning casual weekly get-togethers for the other SAHMs or part-timers like me to get the kids together for playtime. Margie Grace loves playing with the other kids and I've enjoyed getting to know some of the other moms from church. We stayed at the park for over an hour and then went home to rest up with a nap before the evening schedule commenced. After nap and a quick snack, we met up with Neil and went to campus for the homecoming parade. MG's Uncle John was in charge of building his fraternity's float so we wanted to be sure and check it out. (Cuz we didn't see him for like a week as a result.) We found John's float, looked at all the others, saw Aubie and watched the "parade" -- Aubie, cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, the women's basketball team (random?) and a massive herd of sorority girls -- march on by. We then loaded up, left campus and made it to our last stop of the night. One of MG's friends was having a campfire cookout birthday party so we closed the day out with a weenie roast and s'mores! It was a very eventful and fun day!

Halloween Fun

It seems like we celebrated Halloween and related festivities for about a week or so. It started with our trip to the pumpkin patch, which has become one of my favorite family traditions. We visit the same patch each year and it has been fun to watch Margie Grace experience it in different ways from year to year. This year she spent a lot of time searching for "my very own special pumpkin." She could not be talked into anything. She definitely wanted to pick one for herself and she did a great job! A few nights before Halloween, she and Neil carved it. He let her pick out the design and she actually got to be a little more hands-on with it this year instead of just watching. I thought she would be grossed out by the pumpkin "innards" but she loved putting her hand inside and pulling out the pulp.

Then, last Saturday, Neil and I got to take our turn at dressing up at our friends the Dixons' annual Halloween party. I always enjoy seeing what other couples come up with for costumes and how creative everyone is! Luckily, we were able to borrow both of our costumes from my brother John and we wound up winning the prize for "Best Costume!" I went as a Saguaro cactus (aka a green sweatsuit with pieces of weedeater line hot glued to it) and Neil went as a Mexican Senor. I can't take credit for the cactus idea. John came up with it in high school for a Homecoming week theme day and I think it is just genius!!

Margie Grace got her turn to dress up for her preschool class party on Thursday. She wore her Little Mermaid costume to school and looked so cute! I came for her party and she had a great time celebrating with her friends. Then, that night (for some reason the city of Auburn decided that everyone should trick-or-treat on Thursday, Oct. 29 -- I guess high school and college football truly rule around here) we headed over to the Auburn campus for more Halloween celebrations. All the student organizations on campus set up little booths with games and prizes, which MG really enjoyed. Then all the dorms are open for trick or treating. We had fun walking throughout the quad to the different dorms. MG got a lot of sweet compliments on her outfit from all the college students. And she LOVED going around and collecting all that candy. After trick or treating on campus, we made some special stops in town to visit with family and friends before heading home to bed! When we finally got in, Margie Grace dumped out her pumpkin and began to survey her loot. She was really impressed with her take and began to categorize the candy and count it (which impressed me!). ("Look, Mom, I have three of these and two of these.") We've been rationing out the sweets ever since and I'm sure if you ask her, MG will tell you Halloween is her favorite holiday!

I've taken tons of pictures over the last week or so. To see more, visit here.

Spirit Day

Sweet friends: Lily and Margie Grace

Aubie, Mrs. Kim (Margie Grace's teacher) and MG

Getting ready for "Two Bits"
I'm proud to say she knows the whole cheer and all the words to "War Eagle" -- this girl is being raised right :)

Posing with the cheerleaders

Last week Margie Grace's school celebrated Spirit Day. Everyone wore their favorite team colors (orange and blue, of course!) and they ended the day with a pep rally and visit from the Auburn University cheerleaders, Tiger Paws dance team and Aubie! After the pep rally, each class got to go up and have their picture made with the whole AU group. The day before, we were talking to MG about seeing the cheerleaders and Aubie at her school and she asked if she could give them all a big hug. When it came time to walk the walk, though, she was a little more cautious. She did hug the cheerleaders but she decided in the end only to give Aubie a little pat on the head! She had a great time cheering, dancing around and yelling "War Eagle!" (and admiring Aubie from afar!)

**For my sewing buddies -- I made MG's outfit by altering Martha Pullen's A-line jumper pattern and making the pants from this Jackie Clark pattern (so simple and cute!). I found that adorable cheerleader embroidery design for free here. The material is from my stash but originally came from Hancock's (I knew two yards of orange and white pin stripe would come in handy one day!). Gotta love it when a super cute outfit comes together so easily :)

Fit for a Fairy Princess

Margie Grace blowing out her candles

She couldn't wait for her friends to sing "Happy Birthday!"

Friends jumping in the bounce house

Margie Grace and her friend Lily "flying around" as fairy princesses!

Margie Grace decorating her crown

On the occassion of her third birthday, Margie Grace celebrated in style with a fairy princess party. This is the first year that we've had a party where we've invited friends -- we usually just celebrate with family -- and I think everyone had a great time! All the girls got fairy wings and wands (gotta love the dollar tree!) upon arrival and then decorated pink foam crowns to complete their fairy princess outfits. After briefly "flying around" on the deck, they were ready to hit the purple castle bounce house set up in the backyard. Margie Grace's dad and Poppy built her a new swingset for her birthday so she was excited to also share this with her friends. We capped everything off with a purple castle cake to match the purple castle bouncer. She is still talking about her birthday party so I know she had a lot of fun!

**Special thanks to Aunt Laura for driving all the way from Tennessee to help Margie Grace celebrate and for bringing MG her very own specially adorned blue birthday-girl fairy wings!! They were a BIG hit!

She's 3!

October 6 is -- and always will be -- a special day at our house! It is Margie Grace's birthday. It seems like it was literally yesterday that I was writing this post and taking these pictures. Another year has passed and she has changed so much! For the sake of documenting, here's what she's into these days. Her favorite color is blue and she always chooses anything based on its color (and always the blue one!). Her favorite movie of the moment is Peter Pan but this is subject to change (weekly, daily, even hourly). She loves to say that things are "awesome" and "delicious!" She is a voracious reader and loves books. We read several at naptime and bedtime each night. She also loves it when you tell her a story and she is always requesting a story-telling session. She can get herself dressed totally by herself (although some garments need assistance like those pesky bouses that button in the back). She loves taking a bath, playing dress up and caring for her many baby dolls. She is quite the little mother! And she is very fond of the Disney princesses, specifically Cinderella and Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Since she has started school in August, I have noticed how many people (both at preschool and church) tell me what a sweet child she is. I think this is perhaps the best thing to hear as a parent -- especially when you hear that 2 and 3 can be such challenging ages behavior-wise. I love that she is kind and sweet to others. (She loves to give hugs too and gives the world's best!) She is a very gentle and loving child who is sympathetic toward other people and I hope these are qualities she carries with her all the way into adulthood. She does have her moments -- nobody is perfect, even in the blogosphere :) -- but for the most part, she always has a sunny disposition and a very optimistic outlook on life.

Back to her birthday -- I can't believe she's already 3! A couple of nights ago Neil said "Can you believe we have a kid?!?" To which I answered, "Where have you been for the past three years?!?" But I know what he was meaning. Time is fleeting and she is already growing up so fast before our eyes! I don't think I'm going to tell him that she asked me just the other day if she could get married when she grows up. I told her to ask her daddy :) I remember being very pregnant (and in hindsight only a few days away from delivering MG) when I heard this song on the radio. Knowing I was about to have a little girl, it was particularly meaningful to me. Every time I hear it now, I always think of Margie Grace because I think it fits her perfectly. She is lovely, she's heaven-sent and everyday I know she is a blessing from God. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

First Haircut

Before the trim

Cutting off the curls

The final result

Margie Grace and Ms. April

Last month Margie Grace got to experience another first in her short, young life: she got her first haircut! I have been debating about getting it cut for a while but just couldn't bring myself to trim off those bouncy baby curls at the end of her long, auburn mane. But over the summer I had noticed that as her hair was getting longer, the curls were getting more and more straggly. I knew I was taking a chance that once they were cut off, the curls might not come back but I finally decided, after fighting with one to many tangles, that it was time for a trim. I took Margie Grace to see April, who cuts my hair. April has a little boy who is a few months younger than Margie Grace so I knew she would be super sweet with my little one and understanding should fears arise. I happened to have my hair cut the week before her appointment so I brought MG with me to the salon to check out the process. She was a bit apprehensive but by the time her appointment rolled around, she was really excited. She did great in the chair as "Ms. April" trimmed her hair and gave her a good, professional shaping up. I think the result is a super cute cut that fits a super cute little girl :) Margie Grace did so well at the salon and ever since our visit has enjoyed playing "beauty shop" at home!

Kicking off the season

"Waaaaarrrrrr Eagle, Hey!"

We got new seats this year . . . definitely higher than last year!

Enjoying a treat

Our little cheeleader

It is hard to believe that it is that time of year again . . . another Auburn football season is official upon us! The Wilder family ventured out Saturday night to watch the Tigers take on Louisiana Tech. Hooray for a victory!! Neil and I decided to take Margie Grace to the game with us and she did much better than we expected. However, she breezed through the bag of goodies and distractions/toys I brought by half time. And, frankly, by that time Neil and I had also had enough of sitting in the heat and trying to entertain a 2-year-old. So, we packed it up and headed for the house, listening to the rest of the game on the radio. Margie Grace seemed to really enjoy herself. We watched the Spirit the eagle fly, cheered with the cheerleaders, danced to the band, sang War Eagle several times, enjoyed a frozen lemonade and beaned the lady in front of us in the back of the head with a shaker exactly three times. All in all a great start to the season!

Jesus Loves Me!

Margie Grace gave me an impromtu concert Friday afternoon and after some persuading, I got her to sing again so that I could capture it on camera. She agreed and did a great job! Too bad her mom had the camera turned the wrong way and the video is sideways. It is probably for the best, though, because as you'll see, with her twisting dance moves and arm motions, watching this full on might induce nausea! I tried my best to get her to do it again with the camera pointed the right way but if there's one thing as certain as death and taxes, it is that 2-year-olds are fickle! She consented to sing again but only while rolling around on the floor. Sadly, this sideways version is the best I've got! We sing this song at our house (and in the car!) a lot but I haven't taught her any hand motions so when I questioned her about where she learned it, she proudly told me "at church." I am so thankful for the individuals who volunteer their time each Sunday morning to be with a room full of toddlers! Margie Grace just got new Sunday School teachers in August and they have already made a positive impression on my little one. So, without further ado, I give you "Jesus Loves Me" as sung by Margie Grace Wilder. **A side note for all my sewing friends: I made MG's top this summer from this pattern. It is so cute, easy to sew and doesn't take much fabric! (Also makes a super-cute dress!)

First Day

Margie Grace and her buddy Katherine are in the same class!


Walking in with Mommy




One last picture with Daddy before we head to school


Our first-day-of-school girl

Holy blog, Batman! It's a new post. Yes, I know I am severely behind in updating this blog but it seems like life just gets in the way sometimes. Thankfully, Neil and I were able to buy a second computer -- a new laptop -- so I'm hoping that this enables me to be a little more regular with keeping folks updated on what we've been up to. Since Neil works from home, his time on the computer takes precedence since it actually pays the bills. (My computer time at home is usually just for fun.) Rest assured the delay between posts is never for lack of content! We've had a wonderful summer with lots of playing at the park, swimming at the lake, fun trips and I've even gotten to do a little sewing. But fall is definitely here and a new season has dawned for our family.

Monday, August 24, was a big day for the Wilder clan. Margie Grace and I both experienced firsts. She had her very first day of preschool and I had my first day of work at a new job. We are both very excited! Margie Grace will be attending preschool three days a week and my new position as a writer and editor for the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn will allow me to work part time -- on the days MG is in school -- and be home with her on the other two days. I think it is the perfect arrangement and it is something that our family has been praying for since Margie Grace was born. I have always wanted to be at home with her but it just hasn't been economically feasible. However, Neil and I kept praying that we could find a way to make it work for our family. Throughout this past year, the Lord has slowly revealed that plan to us. Neil got a new part time job (in addition to all the other things he already does!) that provides full benefits so we no longer have to be dependent on my full-time job to meet those needs. His new part-time salary also supplements the income that is lost from my check being cut in half.

See, I already knew this:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)

And then I remembered this:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And just this weekend I took note of this verse:

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4).

This entire time I know the Lord has had a plan. And although it wasn't what I would have initially hoped for and although it wasn't on my timetable, it was what was best for our family. Today when we took Margie Grace in to preschool there were many apprehensive and upset little ones who were likely leaving their mothers for the the first time for an extended period. Margie Grace strode into her classroom with confidence and never looked back. She was so happy to be there and to be meeting new challenges and making new friends. She gave her teachers each a big hug and was ready to take preschool by the horns. I believe that leaving her -- as much as I hated to -- while she was little has helped instill these qualities in her. She knows I'm coming back to get her and she's going to have an incredible time meanwhile. She did, by the way, have an incredible time. She played on the playground, had a snack, colored and painted a picture. She also happened to get tempera paint on the brand new outfit I made her (with mom's help!) to wear for this momentous occasion. I'm sure it is not the first time she'll come home with a little paint on her clothes. I know she had fun and that this is going to be an exciting year for her. It is also going to be an exciting new chapter for our family. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this opportunity. Now, I'm off to try to remove paint from new clothes!