*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congratulations to Christine whom survived a toddler + dog + food coloring incident. I can’t even imagine.

*Thank you everyone for sending love and well wishes to our family yesterday. It was so comforting to read your similar experiences and know I’m not alone in my feelings of guilt and gratitude. Everett begged to return to school today so I think the worst is behind us.*

The fabric circles chandy I made for the nursery didn’t stand a chance against Toddler Mabrey. The minute she was big enough to grab it from a sitting position on the changing pad, it came down. I tried rehanging it but the very next diaper change it fell to its demise again at the hands of one very curious toddler.

So when the kind animal lovers at White Faux Taxidermy offered to send a mini Templeton my way, I had no shame in accepting. I knew just where Templeton should live. {Do you remember me mentioning WFT here? Well, they have their own site, too!}

I hung the resin deer head with a drywall anchor and screw. The back of the deer has a built-in hanger and protective pads to make hanging a cinch. In memoriam of the fallen chandy, I stitched a few of the fabric circle strands together to make a larger, single garland and draped it across the deer’s antlers. The faux deer head only extends ~5″ from the wall so it’s out of Mabrey’s reach when I’m changing or dressing her. Which is a good thing. Mabrey wants to manhandle the deer every time she sees it.

The other good thing about the mini Templeton is…

…you have the chance to win one for yourself! See entry details below.

PRIZE: one mini Templeton {$45 value}

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old and have a shipping address {no P.O. boxes please} within the U.S. One entry per email address.

TO ENTER: “Like” White Faux Taxidermy on facebook then leave a comment on this post proclaiming “OH DEER!”

DEADLINE: Enter before 9:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, September 15th. One random winner will be announced Monday, September 16th.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: Since we’re talking curious kiddos today…is there anything decor-related in your home that has been assaulted by the lil’ people in your house? Crayon drawings on the walls? Paint on the rug? Markers on the sofa? I shared Mabrey’s assault of the mobile I made for her but I’ll share another. About a year ago, Everett found a thin metal rod and used it to scratch up our stainless fridge. Kids. Gotta love ’em.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congrats to Sally who has an expectant friend in need of a cute-sy elephant bookend.

I’ve always said my favorite age to experience with kids is the 16-24 months range. As most of you probably know, Mabrey was a completely unexpected addition to our family. She is the best surprise life has thrown our way. I feel so, so, SO fortunate that I am witnessing another little one as a young toddler. It is such a fun age! Of course, there are things with every age that I want to hold onto forever, things I could do without, things I worry about, things I laugh about and things I learn from. But watching my babies develop into bona fide little people does it for me. It’s fascinating to watch.

This girl doesn’t go anywhere without her Berry. My cousin gave the stuffed strawberry to Mabrey for Christmas last year and it hasn’t left her side since. She drags it around by one arm, props it up on the table while she eats, squeezes it when she realizes she hasn’t been holding it for the last five minutes, nuzzles it when she’s tired and spoons it while she sleeps. Mabrey gets very upset when Berry goes in the wash. Oh my! At our house, Berry is the bomb.

Mabrey loves books. Upon waking, it never fails, she asks for a book before she’s left the crib. She pretends to read but my favorite is when she backs her little bootie up to me, sits in my lap and hands me a book. This is why I can’t get anything done. I would much rather feel that little girl in my lap than paint brick.

I love when Mabrey looks me dead in the eye and then erupts into a full-fledged jabberfest. I nod like I know what she’s saying and she will emphatically bob her head around as she “talks” to get her point across. She initiates wrestling matches with her brothers. She eats everything I put on her plate and then signs for more. She rarely cries when she gets hurt – just picks herself up, bloody knees and all, and keeps on going. She will say ‘dada’ all day long but only says ‘mama’ when she’s not feeling well. When I’m cleaning house, she’s at my side with a rag wiping up invisible messes. I have to keep the bathroom door shut or she plays in the toilet – something neither of my boys did. She likes to take things {dishes, toys, books, etc.} out then put them back, over and over. Mabrey LOVES to be outside. She hands me fallen leaves to put back on the trees. She has such a pure and innocent way of looking at the world around her. She excitedly points out every single dog, cat, bird and squirrel on our walks like it’s the first one she’s ever seen. She can spot an airplane in the sky as soon as she hears it. Girl has a lot of hair. It hangs right in her face. I can’t bring myself to cut it. Not yet.

She can make a toy out of anything. Give the girl a stick and some dirt and she’s happy as can be. She prefers to be missing at least one piece of clothing at all times – either her bottoms or her top. When she’s tired, Mabrey grabs Berry, asks for her ‘bah-bah’, hurries to her room and stands next to the white noise machine waiting for me to turn it on. She knows the routine.

Mabrey’s favorite time of day is right after lunch when Everett catches the bus to kindergarten. She stands in the driveway waving to him as he gets on and the bus pulls away. She’s happy when she wakes from her nap to find her brothers back home from school. She likes to steal Layne’s iPod and hide under the dining room table with it. She can turn it on and slide the arrow across but, so far, hasn’t figured out the password.

So, yeah, I love this girl. Especially at this age. We are lucky indeed.

I want one of you to feel lucky, too. I’m giving away the elephant bookend seen above. Thanks for sharing this house-to-home/family-of-four-to-family-of-five journey with me. You’re pretty awesome.

PRIZE: one Zuny Abby the Elephant {retail value $50} This post is not sponsored. I just love ya!

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old and have a shipping address {no P.O. boxes please} within the U.S. or Canada {!} to enter. One entry per email address.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “LUCKY ME!”

DEADLINE: Enter before Sunday, August 25th at 9:00 p.m. EST. One random winner will be announced Monday, August 26th.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: What’s your favorite age to experience with kids? I already shared mine and, I have to say, I’m kinda sad this will be our last go around in the 16-24 months range.