FOUR

 Good Monday morning! For me it's a big big time of celebration. Tomorrow our darling Vivian Louise turns 4!!!!

I remember when she was a baby hearing things like 'babies don't keep', 'time is a thief' and 'they grow so fast'.  They're all true however I also heard this quote as I held my 3 month old in my arms:

“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.” - Barbara Bush

This encouragement solidified my purpose for this season, to be her mother. To care, cherish and love her. I made it my intention to be present with her.  I didn't want to look back missing her or wishing she was little again. And I don't! I was attentive to each day making each memory permanent. I believe this applies to us all. 

We can't go back and experience things again so it is important to slow down and enjoy right where you are.

I was with her with all my heart and always will be. 

Dress Beautifully in All of Life's Moments

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Vivian's Big Girl Room

 

My darling Vivian is closer to turning 4 than I'd like to admit (12/28).  During this year I'd often be asked about her interests and milestones now that she's 3.  One of the most common was, 'when are you planning to transition her out of the crib and into a big girl bed?'.  My response was always something like 'uh when's she's 5!' Vivian never ever tried to climb out and absolutely adored sleeping in her crib.

Over the Summer she had a few sleepovers at her cousin's, who's only 9 weeks younger, and got to have a slumber party in her big girl bed.  She also noticed at play dates that her other friends have big girl beds. So it happened. She asked for one of her own. 

I took her on a girls weekend to the beach just her and I and my college friends and while there decided she didn't want to sleep in her travel bed but in the big guest bed. I felt the tears come up. Sigh. I let her and she LOVED it! I knew then we couldn't wait until her birthday like I had hoped.

Last Night in Her Crib

The funny thing is, once her new bed & mattresses arrived and we got her bed all set up, she refused to sleep in it and insisted that she always sleep in her crib. BLESS! After a week we took the crib down and she's been happily napping and slumbering each night in her princess bed.

BEFORE

AFTER

This dresser is so very very special! It was part of my Mamma's bedroom suit as a young girl that was passed down to me growing up, then my youngest sister and now Vivian. I am over the moon to have these heirlooms. It served as a changing table these past 3 1/2 years and now it's her place to put on her jewelry and display pretty things. All I did was add the mirror & a fresh coat of paint to it.

I wanted her new bed to be white to compliment the heirloom furniture and because there is so much color already in her lavender walls and rug. I chose a tall four poster bed because I like how grand & traditional they are. I also think they make the room seem taller.  We have one in our master bedroom and I feel like a princess in it.

I chose simple white bedding with pink trim. Personally, I'm a big fan of duvets so that I can easily swap out the covers for aesthetic and cleaning purposes. 

I took down her framed heirloom dresses from the wall and other 'baby' decor #tear. Babies do not keep!

This rocking chair is so special as I've spent time in it praying over her, singing, reading and just loving on her since I was pregnant. With each new season I pray I spend it intentionally so that I don't look back with longing and look forward with excitement.

Four Poster Bed | Bedding

Dress Your Rooms Beautifully in All Seasons

XOXO Sarah-Louise

School's Out for Summer

Gals, school's out for Summer!!! 

Last Carpool Ride

Yesterday was Vivian's last day of preschool in the 2's class for the year.

The first response to this past year seems to be along the lines of, it was a doozy. And while it was indeed, it was also full of fun, learning and growing.  I'm so grateful and blessed for her school and teachers. She attends at a local church less than a mile from our home and beyond the colors, numbers, animals etc ... they are teaching her about God and His character and His wants for us.

Gracious she's grown!

We celebrate the end of the school year with a popsicle party on the playground. Parents were invited and gifted a memory book of art work and pictures from throughout the year. I cherish these books!

so many girls!

Seeing Vivian sharing joy with her friends just arms my heart.

It really is an example of loving one another.

This morning we are packing up and headed to the beach!!!

Our last family vacation was exactly 2 years ago & Vivian's 1st time seeing the ocean.

To say I am BURSTING WITH EXCITEMENT is an understatement!!!

First time her toes were in the sand '19

I plan to soak up every moment of the water splashing her little piggies, building sand castles, hunting for treasures (seashells) and all the laughter of being together!

I'm also lookin forward to morning runs watching the sunrise and evening strolls with Ryan watching the sunsets.  There's nothing more beautiful than seeing God's art in the sky!

With that, I'll be taking time away from this space to be present with my family.

I will be back next week for my regularly scheduled pretty outfits!

In the mean time I will be sharing some memories we are making on my Instagram.

I'm not sure how I will navigate it yet, but in the past I've just used my phone for pictures and shared them in the evenings once Vivian is asleep.  I found that to be very refreshing and fun to sit back and view all that was captured at the end of day and not be disturbed and distracted while we are together.

Happy Summer!

Dress Beautifully Welcoming Summer

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Toys for Three Year Olds

 TGIF! Gals, Praise Him from whom these blessings of sunny warm weather flow!

airplane watching

My productivity has been terrible but my time outside has been joyful ... It may not be 'balanced' but it sure is fun :)

You know what else is fun?? Getting to play all over again.  I wasn't sure how I'd feel about actually playing with my child, and to be honest was quite discouraged when folks would make comments like 'if you only have one kid you'll always have to be their playmate'. Gee thanks Karen for your unsolicited opinion and I can't have more children and am completely content with our family size thank you very much! Rant over.

Back to playing ... Life as a grown up is full of responsibilities and getting to let it all go and be silly is what makes it worth living.  I will say Vivian is in school 5 days a week so I'm not her sole playmate.  She is also so precious at playing independently (I love to spy on her & eavesdrop on her chats with her babies). 

Since Christmas & her birthday are a mere 3 days apart there was a huge influx of toys in our house. She's also matured to using more advanced toys for learning and development.

Even if you don't have kids or a girl, you can use this post as a gift guide or to just awww at the cute pictures! 

Here are some of Vivian's favorite toys at 3 years old .....

She loves to be like her Mamma and carry a purse. This one came with lots of play makeup.

Her favorite is to put it on daddy!! This was her first purse.

It looks and feels real but isn't.

BOOKS! My darling girl LOOOOOVES books. It's what she plays with most ... every where! 

This set is so much fun.  The tablet reads along to each one. 

Eric Carle has been her favorite books since she was a baby.

It's so sweet to see her pretend to read just like Mamma and her teacher.

I love reading her classic Little Golden Books just like I was read to as a child.

Velveteen Rabbit is another classic story she loves.

Teepee

such a fun little tent to read and play in

This carrying case with little animals is one of her favorites.

Lakeshore learning is one of the absolute best resources!

Gracious this gal loves dinosaurs! She's named these Petey, Sister & Mamma LOL

I'm pretty sure I found these at the dollar store. 

Small figurine toys while simple are fun for them to play make believe with.

I'm the most jazzed to share with you about Maileg! This is a European company that makes very unique little mice and accessories. They are small and allow children to use their imaginations. Very similar to toy dolls. Vivian got a classic mouse in a matchbox along with a cradle & dessert tea set for her birthday. We added on to her collection with a Princess & the pea castle set for Valentines day and this baby bunny & this cot since she loves the story of Baby Moses in a basket.

I may add something else for Easter. 

If you are local to Charlotte Fable is a sweet shop in Blacklion that sells tons of Maileg & other precious things!

These toys will grow with her for several years.

They are also great to take with you to places such as Grandma's or vacation.

You can incorporate them with other toys such as a dollhouse or Barbie accessories.

PS Bandaids are fun too

Dollhouse - this was a gift and I couldn't find it online but small houses are so fun.

Magnetic dress up dolls - she can sit down and play this for an hour

changing their outfits over and over 

I wonder where she learned this?? :)

Never ever stop playing dress up!

My gal pal gave her this Elsa gown for her birthday, I love to watch her play and parade in it like it's no big deal.

I adore this set of dress up skirts (they're so easy to wear over clothes) & dress up shoes

I let Vivian wear them to the mall one day and to make wishes in the fountain.

It tickled me to let her do it ... these are the things I cherish.

Passing down costume jewelry or finding it at thrift shops is a great way to build up their dress up accessories.

BABIES!!! 

Vivian's a little Mamma to all her dolls. 

She has this ballerina, classic soft doll, small baby, and goodnight baby.

Tip: newborn clothes can serve as doll clothes. Some of her baby swaddles and accessories can also be used to play with baby dolls.

Carriages are a joy to push her babies in (along with lots of other toys and treasures)

She got her first Barbies this year. She loves to play pretend with them.

There's A LOT of tiny parts (I've organized them in these clear zipper pouches).

Vivian is now old enough to play games - we're still working on following the rules but the point is to have fun and she has a ton! Hungry Hungry Hippos is a good first game.

Bed Bugs!

When it comes to art, we use the Color Wonder markers! They don't color on anything but the special paper. I'm complete opposed to mess! This activity table has been great for art and learning. You can purchase cards for a variety of topics.

Outside is our favorite place to play! Her dolls love it too. 

Vivian's tricycle

This playhouse is the BEST! She actually received it for her 2nd birthday but the play has just grown over time. We made a base floor out of plywood and added peel & stick laminate on top to create a nice clean surface for her.

Not all toys are 'toys'.  Seashells and rocks make great pretend food.

She made me a pizza this morning before school.

We use her beach toys to play with in our garden & backyard.

Bubbles = Happiness!

Dress Beautifully & PLAY!

XOXO Sarah-Louise