i’m thankful for so many things this year. i knew last year that 2010 would be good. it hasn’t disappointed. sure, we’ve had ups and downs, worries and triumphs, learning opportunities and downright terrible but fleeting moments. but i think all in all, 2k10 has been a banner year for our family and i couldn’t be more thankful for what i have.
i’m thankful for a healthy and happy husband and daughter. motherhood continues to amaze me, humble me and overwhelm me with joy. it tests me, shows me my limits in both patience and capability to love are far beyond what i had previously imagined.
i’m thankful for a wonderful mother who continues to be the most incredible person and support system for me.
i’m thankful for the special friends i have who support me, put up with me when i’m being really dumb, and make me laugh until my face hurts. as i near 30 i have really learned to keep the people close who really matter, and to weed out the people who aren’t up to par. i’ve learned sometimes it takes a while to figure this out, and sometimes i am wrong. if they forgive me for being an ass, pull them closer – they are the good ones.
i’m thankful for coffee and wine. just being honest.
i’m thankful for blogging and the people it has brought into my life. i’m thankful for my faithful readers who always give me words of encouragement, tell me when i’m wrong (nicely) and hang tight as i figure out my corner of the internet. i’m thankful for the large handful of people who sent me to BlogHer because they believed in me, and the amazing friends i made there. i will never forget that trip – it was incredible in so many ways. it solidified that this is what i’m supposed to be doing.
i’m thankful for Parenthood, Modern Family and Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
i’m thankful that i learned to realize my hopes and dreams and made steps towards making them happen. thankful for each and every person who stood behind me and continues to do so.
i’m thankful i am able to stay home with my little nugget.
i’m thankful that things like narwhals really exist. gives me hope for unicorns.
i’m thankful that things like this occur:
i hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving, and count your blessings. in between bites of the mound of food piled on your plate. and watch that video. it restored my faith in humanity and made me cry and smile and yell “omg that is so COOL!”.
this week has been off the charts cold here in the PNW. we got a good dumping of snow monday and then a wind storm that made it so icy the hubs was told to stay home from work yesterday. the perfect opportunity to go out and play. Harper completely loved it, and i loved watching her love it. having a husband that turns into a kid himself with snow and such helps.
then we told her we had to go inside…
and she was SAD. so daddy let her bring the snow inside.
Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.
it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that i adore small businesses, especially since i have recently started one myself. which is why i jumped at the opportunity to join in this blog promotion about small businesses. while i think big businesses are great, and i take advantage of many of them in my daily life, i really believe the little guys are amazing and i love tons of my local ones. people are always asking where i get Harper’s clothes whether it be here on the blog or when we are out and about. my absolute favorite place to get kids clothes in my area (yep, even more than target!) is a consignment store and boutique called Animal Crackers.
it’s located down by the water, which is the cutest little part of town. i discovered it soon after Harper was born and have been a monthly customer since then. i take Harper’s clothes that don’t fit her anymore and they are placed for sale. if the things i take in aren’t in season or not quite the style of the store, those clothes are donated to charity. a portion of the sales from my clothes go to me, so the next time i come in i can use my credit to buy things for Harper that do fit!
the front of the store has new boutique style clothing that is to die for, and lots of new toys from melissa and doug. they also have tons of new shoes by brands like see kai run, robeez, pedoodles and lots of styles of baby legs. in the back is the used clothes for girls and boys. they even have maternity clothes and used toys. most of the brands i find there are gap, old navy, janie and jack and i’ve even found a few handmade and vintage treasures that i love. lots of the clothes even still have the tags, but the prices are really reasonable. you can find a t-shirt for 1.99. i love that i can get H a bag of new-to-us clothes really inexpensively and sometimes even free if i have a credit!
kiddos grow so quickly. it’s hard to justify spending a ton of money on clothes they are going to drool on, get food mashed into, possibly have an accident on and grow out of in the blink of an eye. Animal Crackers is perfect for us because i can get a lot of “new” clothes at a fraction of the price. and knowing you can get more for your money makes shopping that much more fun! i also love consignment shopping because it’s a fun hunt – there is only one of everything so more to riffle through
Animal Crackers is in a space that used to be a a deli and ice cream shop – so during the summer they serve ice cream right of the store! i’ve even come in there before to the amazing smell of salsa – and they were making their own to sell. i love it! such a unique and fun twist to a local kids shop.
they have a full melissa and doug kitchen set up for the kiddos to play while parents shop, along with a little tv. the play area is awesome because let’s face it – toddlers don’t care about shopping. Harper sits at the table, plays with wooden food and watches some cartoons while i pick out new goodies for her. i can keep an eye on her and she loves it, too.
at the register you can pick up locally made accessories like bibs and hair clips. local business supporting other local businesses – awesome!
i really couldn’t think of any local business i love more or give my business to more frequently than Animal Crackers. i feel super lucky to have a store like this so close to me. if you’re in Pierce county i highly recommend checking it out and if you’re elsewhere, i hope you have something similar so you can give your support and business to a local small shop like this!
Mama:
Dress, Target
Leggings, American Apparel
Boots, Target
Belt, H & M
Cardi, Target
you guys. this weekend was a big fat thumbs down in my bloggy world. you may have noticed the blog was down. i’d love to tell you all about it, but honestly, i need about 18 hours of continuous sleep and 3 liters of wine before i can even go there. but i will go there because i never, ever want a single one of you to go through what i went through this weekend. not ever.
but! here we are ya’ll. and albeit late, please link up your SOS posts! i need a pick me up and going around and seeing all your posts is just what i need today. i have coffee, a snuggly two year old, and a blanket of snow on the ground (i know!). so show me the goods!
