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!

Stylish swimwear and a brand new bishop

Each spring, I strike out in pursuit of the perfect swimsuit and cover-up combo for Margie Grace. Said pair must rate equally high in the durability and cuteness categories but without breaking the bank. I'm so excited about this year's find. I happened upon this precious brown polka dotted suit at Target but was disappointed that they didn't have a cover-up to match. I considered not getting it but am so glad I changed my mind. Most children's suits are light colored and I prefer one that won't show the dinginess that often comes from a summer filled with weekends at the lake. I snagged this green cover-up, although it was pretty plain, because I thought I could always spruce it up later with a monogram. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I got home and found this scrap of brown fabric with my applique supplies -- a near perfect match to the polka dot print on the swimsuit and just right for jazzing up the cover-up. MG loves her new suit and cover up and can't wait to wear them!


I started this lovely bishop last summer and like a lot of things, had put it away unfinished when fall came and I got busy with birthdays and holidays. I decided to get it out again this spring and finish it so that Margie Grace could wear it to all the weddings we attended/are attending. I am so pleased with how it turned out! I think the color combination will allow her to wear this into the fall and because of the length, I am hoping she can get some wear out of it next year too! (For anyone who is interested, the smocking plate is "Ruth" by Little Stitches.)

MG loves her new dress -- here's a shot of her tearing up the dance floor at cousin Nick and Julie's wedding in Birmingham in April.