Prater Place: November 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Ongoing Cheer!

Little helper. She hung TONS of ornaments in that ONE spot!

Bingo, just hanging around!

The mantle before the stockings are hung with care.

Ta-da!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Healthy Girl

Looking stoic at the doctor's office. However, she did smile and chat with DrG today.

Margaux had a follow-up appointment with DrG today regarding a cough that she had, and today's visit also served as her 4 year-old checkup. Our girl looks good! She weighs 41.2 lbs. and she is 44 1/4" tall, putting her at the 99th percentile for height. She has a little bit of nasal irritation that a air cleaner/purifier should fix right up!

Monday, November 26, 2012

A Pair of American Girls

S.W.A.K.

American Girl Margaux

Addy & GoGo with their My American Girl dolls.

Another visit to American Girl Place today! Such a simple, yet genious idea, that American Girl empire! I get caught up in the magic when I walk through those doors even at my age! Today was a Christmas gift to my Goddaughter, Addison Joy. She picked out a doll, and Margaux chose a new outfit for her doll, and then the four of us (Melissa & I as well!) had a nice lunch at the restaurant. Well, actually six of us including the Little GoGo and Little Addy dolls! What a fun time! I also discovered that if you park at the Self Park garage off Pearson, which is basically right across the street, you can get your ticket validated at the American Girl concierge desk and the price is very reasonable!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Let's Get It Started: Holiday Season 2012


	Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning.

Heading out to find our Christmas tree!

Daddy and his little supervisor!

The personalized ornament that Margaux chose this year.

Our wreath, very similar to last year's.

Meet Bingo, The Elf on the Shelf!

Well, it was my year to work on Thanksgiving, so Patrick and Margaux headed up to his sister's in Wisconsin. They all ran a 5k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and then enjoyed a delicious dinner. We also feasted at work and I brought the turkey. I wanted something easy, so with trepidation, I bought a cajun rubbed turkey from Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits of all places! Someone recommended it, and after reading about it online, I figured why not? It was already fried, so I just had to place it in the roaster for 2 hours. It was delicious! Very tasty and juicy! Popeye's...who knew? I also managed to slice my finger open while carving a ham, so Jackie, one of our residents very quickly put two stitches in...good as new! (It can be very convenient to work in a medical setting, I tell you!)

Today we made the journey up to Richardson's Tree Farm in Spring Grove, IL. Boy, was it COLD!!! We chose a Canaan Fir again this year and also purchased our wreath and garland for the mantle. Oh, and of course we enjoyed some fresh, yummy donuts with Bex and Dale, who also love to get their tree from Richardson's. Tonight we pulled out our new Elf On The Shelf, whom Margaux named "Bingo". We read the storybook that came with him and set him on the mantle to start his holiday gig in the Prater household! We are now watching our first holiday movie of the season and we plan to decorate our tree on Sunday. I just love the Christmas season!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thankful For New Friends

Margaux enjoyed a super-fun play date at her friend Ema's today! We were very lucky to meet Ema and her mom, Sabina, at Lil Kicker's soccer this past winter. I must admit that I have found it a bit challenging to make new mommy friends, but I just love Sabina, and Margaux and Ema call each other "best friends". The girls played all afternoon and Sabina made a delicious salad for lunch with homemade crepes to follow...yum! Sabina is pregnant and Margaux keeps putting her dolls under her shirt ever since we got home! :)