What Goodies!...

When I first saw Casey through the doorway of her classroom this afternoon, I could tell her hair was differently styled than when I dropped her off this morning. It looked so cute from the front, but the real surprise came when she turned around, touching her hair and lovingly saying "Emily" (giving credit to her beloved teacher, who gave her the hairstyle), and showed off the two most adorable first-ever braids a little girl has had!

Seriously, I've never even THOUGHT about braiding any portion of Casey's hair - errrr... rather, I didn't think it was possible to do so yet. But man, did I love it!!!

We remembered to grab some quick pics in the tub before suds and water washed her braids away:



To add more excitement to the evening, a package was awaiting us when Casey and I arrived home (Tee Jay having been patient and leaving it unopened - even though it was technically addressed to him). It was from my Granny and Gogron in West Virginia, and ohhhhhhh... was it ever good!

First off, how totally awesome is it to get mail???? (We had also received our first photo holiday card of the season - super cute, Owen!!) But mail in the form of a brown paper package filled with goodies from West Virginia lovies? THE BEST! I won't list every little gift the box contained, but let's just say that we three Philly Bous exclaimed each step of the way, and Casey is already loving her little "look and find" book.



Tee Jay and I whole-heartedly agree that the pièce de résistance is this super hip and oh-so-sentimental "cake taker" which once belonged to my great-grandmother Stella. The cake taker is much older than I am and graced my Granny and Gogron's home on McQueen Boulevard the many times Stella brought a cake there. (Tear jerker! Family heirloom!)


Thank you, thank you, thank you, Granny - for packaging up such wonderful gifts! We love you and Gogron more than words could ever say!!