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Beatrix has never had any problem letting me know what she wants, which makes it hard to surprise her! This year, for her 9th birthday, she requested a doll, a lap loom, and a dress. The dress request came just a week or so before her birthday, and I had to scramble a little to make it happen. I should have expected the request and been prepared, but sewing is always a little daunting for me and I tend to avoid it. Luckily, I had the perfect pattern on hand. (For someone who claims to not enjoy sewing, I have a decent stash of patterns!) I wanted to sew something heavier so that Beatrix could wear it this fall and winter, so I used some heavy gray linen I’ve had for awhile. The prospect of an all gray dress was horrifying to Bea, so we dug through my fabric and found just enough of a Heather Ross mouse print that coordinated with the gray and made it a little more fun. The sewing took longer than I expected, but the dress turned out so well that I ordered the adult version to try and sew one for myself (minus the mice. 🙂 )
In keeping with our unplanned mouse theme, one of Beatrix’s friends gave her a little set of wooden mice that her dad made by hand, and they are so cute I just had to show them to you.
And one last thing, a little flashback to Beatrix on her second birthday in her very first birthday dress holding the Phoebe Mouse doll I made for her. I’d forgotten about that! So there were mice on her second birthday as well…
Wait, I totally lied. I have to link back to this post of Bea with Intruder the cat since he made an appearance in the dress photos…that relationship is still going strong!
Marion says
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY BEATRIX Hope you had a good one. Wishing you a year of love,happiness and blessings. I thought the photo of 2 year old Beatrix was Mabel.
Marion and family
Karen a says
Happy birthday to bea!! I feel old because I remember when you were weaning her and the troubles in doing so. Time flies!!
Cindy in NC says
I thought you were going to say that you got Beatrix real mice, which would have fit right in with the Beatrix Potter stories. This would have made me feel like a horrible parent, as I had a firm “no rodents” (including hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs) rule. You can certainly see Mabel in two-year-old Bea.
Laura Smartt says
Oh I love that cat! I had one of those friendly chaps when I was a teen. He would love bite and spray you! Thanks for the Phoebe book recommendation. I have a Phoebe and this book is perfect. I have been following you for about two years now. Found you over at posey(Alicia). Love all your post. Hope all is well with your anxiety. I have had anxiety/depression since I was 17. Do not wish it on my worst enemy. I had a normal childhood just a bit sheltered. We lived in an old farm house at the end of a holler. My animals (I had a lot) were my friends. I have come a long way since that girl(41 now). Wish you all the best!
Ramona says
Happy birthday, dear Beatrix! Already 9 years old! ? I have a little girl so personality-resembling you, whom our tomcat seems to adore.
Nice to see old photo of Intruder. How has he adjusted to the moving of the family? Does he visit the old house as well?
Antonia says
I loved the photos from this post (Bea is so pretty!) but then when I saw the older one with the snowflakes I really like the comparison of her with the cat – you can see how much she’s grown up! Since one cannot always recognize from photos how big/small people/things are, it’s good to have something to compare it to – in the case the cat 😀
And well done with the dress, Ginny! 🙂
Richard (in Charlotte, NC) says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BEATRIX! Amazing how fast they grow. You did a wonderful job sewing her dress.
Missy says
I started knitting the Phoebe sweater for my current almost six year old when she was 3. Now I am trying to finish it up for my almost 2 year old. And I still need to make the mouse! I’m so glad you reminded me how cute it is!
Bianca says
I love the dress. Great job. I would love to make one also although it does not look easy at all. Actually, it looks hard.
Nice presents!
Liz says
Love the dress! Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Peg Graham says
Such sweet 9th birthday gifts for such a sweet girl. Hey Ginny…I’d buy those wooden mice too. Just let us know if he decides to sell some.
eva says
Oh why don’t you like the cute mice fabric for yourself? smile. It’s so an nice pattern and fits wonderful to her. Intruder the cat and her – lovely the both.
Diana Del Giudice says
I love all of your kids, but this special child of yours I totally fell in love the day she tried to shoot bows and arrows. Wish there was a ‘search’ button so I could see those fantastic pics again, and her helpful brother too.
Ginny says
Here you go! https://gsheller.com/2013/02/with-bows-and-arrows.html 🙂
Diana Del Giudice says
Thanks and tks again. Brought another big smile to my heart.
Amy Marie says
Wow. It’s all just so enchanting. 🙂
Wendy says
I just love seeing how you celebrate each of your children—I always look forward to seeing what you choose for their gifts. Just lovely! And I agree, he should sell those mice!
Ruby says
Oh my goodness, Bea at 2!!!!!! All the heart eyes!!!! Why must our little people grow so fast? She’s just as precious and beautiful today, Ginny. Happy Birthday! I love all her gifts.
Maria says
Happy Birthday to Beatrix! Looks like she had a beautiful day.
Paula Runyan says
Oh those wooden mice! I hope he makes them to sell sometime!