Ballard Design Keepsakes

I must confess that I love mail! I really love traditional mail that comes in the mailbox. There's always a trinket to discover in there! Last week, our Ballard Designs catalog arrived decked out with Christmas decorations! They beckoned seasonal joy.......Today, I placed a few catalogs on our coffee table since we are scheduled to be home all this week for fall break. I love to browse and shop from home as much as I do shopping in the stores. However, tonight it wasn't me that picked up the catalog but Daddy. He had made coffee late this evening and sat down with a cup. Instantly, you gravitated to it and asked if you could drink coffee with him. I said, "No!" since it was already eight o'clock-------almost bedtime even on a non-school night. I asked Daddy to come sit with you in the kitchen while you enjoyed hot chocolate and marshmallows. He did just that bringing Ballard Designs with him. I stood over his shoulder "wishing" aloud for all the items I'd love to have.....You too began touching the catalog. It became a family affair so to speak. Daddy and I always loved to look at homes and dream about what our home would look like. Often, he even took me on strolls through Home Depot to "smell the wood" after dinner dates. Now with you, we don't always have time to smell the wood or dream about what the perfect home would entail--------we have something more potent. You. As you touched the pages of the catalog, I moved on to the dishes so that Daddy and you could have that time together in the kitchen. Just moments later, you said, "Mommy, I helped Daddy finish it!" Daddy laughed. Mommy laughed. You stood proud. More laughter. These are the moments I live for now as your mom. I love you little designer----you wedge between our wants and become the center of attention! You put all the perfect touches on our dream home just being you evoking laughter when we least expect it. We love you.

I must insert that Saturday night Daddy took us out to eat "Mexican" as you noted it. Then, we stopped in at Lowe's to look over new washing machines that would make our new dryer a set. We also picked up flood lights to replace some in our backyard. And just before we left, the princess sticker books caught your eyes. It was one of those "I want it!" moments. I wanted you to have that sticker book too little one. It would have been the perfect fall break token to enjoy all week. You love Princesses, stickers, activities.....However, Mommy made you wait. Life lesson. We don't always get what we want. I promised you that when Mommy's Wal-Mart gift card arrived in the mail (I won it from scanning groceries/coupons last week!), you could pick out a sticker book from Wal-Mart with it since you patiently wait at the store sometimes when I have to scan a product! You laughed and tried really hard not to cry. You repeated my request and we made it out of Lowe's without a sticker book. I was really proud of you. Today, you asked repeatedly if the mail came and if the card was here yet. Unfortunately, it was Columbus Day and the mail did not run. However, I'll be just as delighted as you to receive it so that I can take you shopping for a special sticker book of your choice, a few art supplies, and more! I loved the fairy wings you picked out and paid for on your own today at Dollar Tree. You delighted in learning to fly tonight as you repeated, "I'm the fast fairy ever!" I love these little moments with you little fairy---the perfect Ballard Design keepsakes for our home!