9th day of Christmas...

...and i should be all dolled up w/ my hottie hubby for his work's Christmas party...oh sorry, they call it "year end celebration," :/ but w/ childcare up in the air and a FULL day that is getting us out before nine in the morning tomorrow, i decided...pass.  honestly, while we ran errands today it was nice thinking i didn't have to be back home by a certain time, figuring in time for dressing up (in who knows what), and having the girls all situated.  we had such a great day running around getting things done and having a yummy lunch at one of our fave mexican restaurants.  call me loca but that is one of my favorite things to do as a fam.  just getting in the car, running here and there, stopping for a bite and just being together :)  and when we got home sophia was wiped out for a good nap and mr. dandy and isabella put the lights up outside...hooray!  twinkling lights are like glitter.  glitter makes me happy :)  and you know what else makes me happy?  jewelry that sparkles.  sparkles are like glitter.  glitter makes me happy.

tribute bracelet

stella & dot

-i'm loving the rose gold!-

silver bardot spiral bangle

stella & dot

-i actually have this in gold and absolutely love it!-

so, mr. man...add this to my wish list!  and any of you who might be interested in these beauties for yourself and/or someone else, contact my girl mary.  keep this in mind...every piece comes wrapped in a cute box (no need to giftwrap), it comes straight to your mailbox AND if you order by december 21st, you can still get in time for Christmas!!!

and some more happiness, my sweet isabella...

me: isabella, do you know what Christmas is all about?

isabella: yes.  it's when baby Jesus was born

phew!  seriously, since my post about the seven santas around my house, i've been a little worried!  later, when we were out and about, i asked her to tell daddy what Christmas was all about and she said, "it's a big birthday party for baby Jesus!"

HUGE GRIN ON MR. & MRS. DANDY!

so bring on the glitter, the sparkle, the twinkles...we have something LOVELY to celebrate :)

8th day of Christmas...

...and i'm working on my list for mr. dandy :)  i've been thinking how awesome it would be to have one of those cricket things...cricut, i mean.  it cuts letters, shapes and designs out of paper, vinyl aaaand fabric!?  omgoodness, the crafting possibilities are ENDLESSSSS.  and then upon researching this nifty gadget, i discovered the silhouette (i italicize this to give the impression of my voice making a passionate and fancy sound, lol).  this thing hooks up to your computer and you can use fonts and designs that you already have rather than a bunch of cartridges!  yup.  the silhouette is going on the top of my list!  and mr. dandy, you wrap that up and there will be no need for anything else!  in fact, let's hop in the car tomorrow and make this purchase...no need to wrap...just hand it over and say, "MERRRRRRY CHRISTMAS LOVELY WIFE!" :)

if not, i will ask santa and take comfort in the fact that i've been good rather than naughty this year...unlike some other burkhalter girls in this house :/

yesterday, i find this...

thank you little miss sophia...b/c we don't already buy enough wipes!

strewn (and i know this isn't the best photo) goldfish crumbs on the bathroom floor (please note the italicization isn't meant for a passionate and/or fancy voice)

and then this...maybe isabella found this cash, stuck it in her pocket and was going to the nearest convenient store for loads of candy?  okay, prob not.  i'm guessing it was left in the dryer from the previous load of laundry and then found it's way in the girls' clothes.  i found this while folding their laundry!  maybe they're tipping me?  let's go w/ that and get them back on the GOOD list ;)

gotta love 'em

silhouette, mr. dandy, silhouette.

7th day of Christmas...

...and we have seven santas...is that bad?  funny thing is i was talking to mary about the whole santa claus thing today.  she had read a blog about one family's decision to exclude santa from Christmas (after raising their first child w/ the whole "you better be good if you want santa to bring you presents" game) and solely focus on the birth of Jesus.  my opinion is moderation.  i see no harm in some good ol' st. nick fun as long as mr. dandy and i responsibly remind our girls "the reason for the season."  as i started taking pics around the house of our santa collection, i'm wondering how responsible i'm being...

my very first santa (gift from mom)...he shakes his groove thing to alan jackson singing "holly jolly Christmas"

santa gourd (gift from sis)...i need to glue this poor guy's hand back on!

santa on a journey (gift from mom)...he is always traveling through snow :)

cool beard santa (gift from mom)...i love how tall and whimsical he is!

"baby it's cold outside" santa OR old timey st. nick (gift from mom)

this guy sits on my stove, which now to think of it, maybe that's not the best place for a wooden santa, lol.  i just thought it's funny b/c it looks like he's eyeing the food, ha!  (gift from an old coworker)

now here is a new addition that i actually bought.  i was super excited about this one (and half-off at hobby lobby:))

so, after all that santa mania i would like to point out these lovely decorations...

my first "nativity scene" that actually stays out year round.  this is one of my favorite pieces in our house!

three wise men

peruvian nativity my sweet friend juliana gave me :)

hat box...looking at this right now, i'm thinking how cool it would be to hang this box top on the wall!

honestly, with all the santas around and gifts under the tree, my little isabella sings of baby Jesus and has mary, joseph and Jesus in her dollhouse...so far so good, right?

6th day of Christmas...

...and i'm allllmost finished w/ the decorating the house!  and it's been so wonderful seeing isabella's eyes light up w/ every decoration!  the girl is her mama's daughter for sure!  i went away on a girls shopping weekend and as soon as i walked in the door isabella ran up to me w/ a huge hug, kiss and one question, "can we put up more Christmas decorations!?"  yes!  and today i hung garland in the breakfast room while she was at school.  when she arrived home and saw the windows all decked out she lit up w/ a gasp, "where did you get that mama?"...SO FUN!!!  why wouldn't you want to deck the halls in celebration of the birth of Christ?!

lots of mercury glass, glitz, white and silver :)

actually had to take down wall decor down in order for this special piece :)  some fake snow and a mama and baby polar bear set.  sophia points at them and says, "brown bear, brown bear,"...one of her fave books ;)  i'm on a mission for new stockings...

so, i know i'm on day 6 and i really wanted to start on day 1, but my nausea sicky feelings was replaced w/ horrible back and chest pains!  my birthday was december 1st, and it was the first birthday that i was actually feeling OLDerrrr.  i actually spent most of the day visiting the doctor and taking xrays :/  thankfully it wasn't anything serious and just muscle pains...too much zumba???  lol!  i was prescribed something for the pain and that pain went away...only to now have neck and shoulder pain.  WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME!!??  33 and falling apart...falling apart...

the 5th day of Christmas...

and i bring to you a dandy special ;)  think gift giving...think gift-receiving and thanking...

custom designed thank you cards w/ matching address labels/envelope seals

**25 folded cards w/ envelopes & 33 address labels for $27.50**

to order email me at sdburk@gmail.com