a belated Luck O' The Irish to you

Introducing Leonie

Shortly after dinner a couple of days ago, there was a knock at the door. I opened it and there was a girl my age standing there!

"Hi, I'm Leonie!"/"Salut, je m'appelle Leonie!"

"Welcome to our house. I'm Isabelle, but you can call me Izzy or Belle for short."

She waved.

I waved back.

Then we hugged.  Just then, Mom saw us and said "Oh good, I'm glad you two are getting along so well.  Belle, why don't you give Leonie a tour of the house while I get a bed made up for her."

We ended up in the living room and - guess what, she brought her two tabby kittens (Fox and MacKenzie) with her.  She must have known how much I have been missing Tutu!! We shared some leftover Christmas cookies...

and talked and talked and talked...

Mom noticed Leonie was starting to get really sleepy. Oops...apparently her bedtime was 3 hours ago!

  

We changed into our jammies and got into bed...and giggled so loudly that we woke Mom up. Whoops!

They look so sweet when they are asleep!

Christmas 2014

"Oh Mom, it's the prettiest tree ever!"

"You say that every year, 'Belle."

"And every year it's true!!"

The tree is definitely my favourite part of Christmas! Mom and I decorated it together.

"Go to bed, Isabelle! Santa can't come if you're awake."
"But Mom, I'm all set to wait up for him. I have cookies and milk..."
"Bed, young lady. Now. We'll leave him the cookies and milk under the tree with your letter to him."
"Okay, Mom..."

Dear Santa,
I have been good this year.  All I want is a friend and a barre.
Love,
Isabelle.

Right before Christmas is Dad's birthday so he and Mom threw a party.  I, of course, had to get all dressed up for it!!

Here I am before the party...

and during the party!

Isabelle here...Mom and I are sorry for the lack of updates recently.  We have both been sick lately and, although I have been cute and photos taken, Mom has not had the time to download them or post them (she says she's busy working extra to make up for missing work).

I also overheard her talking on the phone the other night.  I asked Santa for a friend for Christmas (and a ballet barre, so I can practice at home) but especially a friend.  Anyway, Mom was talking to an old friend of hers in Quebec from when she used to live there and it sounds like she has a daughter who will be coming to live with us and study music!! I don't think Mom kniows I know this so I will have to act super surprised when she gets here.

December thrift/dollar store goodies roundup (post 3/3)

Mommy got me this adorbs shoe holder.  Each drawer holds between 2 and 3 pairs of shoes (probably only one pair of boots) and is covered in blackboard paint for ease of labelling.  I have 2 of them, but only one is shown.

(dollar store find - 3 dollars)

And last, these 2 little metal buckets

(50 cents each at a local thrift store)

More thrift store finds for December 2014

So here I am again, Isabelle, showing you all the pretty kitchen items Mommy found for me.

First, this soap dish is just the right size to be a serving platter for me:

and a pretty vase to hold flowers 

A "wish" teacup and saucer

A pitcher for juice or water

A stein 

a little bowl

Two little metal things that will make really cute pots and pans with some minor tweaking

There is also this darling little ceramic container that will look so pretty on my dressing table!