Philosophy and Photography

Another month is nearly gone, so as usual I'm back with some funny bits I want to remember about my Chuckles:

* I was buckling Charlotte into her carseat when she looked at me and said, "Is this real?" I asked "is what real," to which she responded, "all this," motioning around her. Through our conversation I learned that she wants to make sure our planet is real and her idea of how to do that is to go into outer space to see it. She says she'll go to school to become an astronaut first and then she'll come back and be a firefighter. Okaaaay...

* Charlotte loves Hearty. Like really loves her. She dresses her just so for every occasion and gives her lots of hugs and love. And she always knows where she is. Except for one morning when she was left on my bed. Charlotte was searching for her and finally spied her from her position at the foot of the bed. So, because I'm sure this makes sense to a 4 year old, she climbed on the bed and leapt from the foot of it up to the head of it to grab Hearty. I was still in bed at the time. And nearly had a heart attack.

* As much as Charlotte loves Hearty, I love So You Think You Can Dance. It's easily my favorite show. We were watching the finale the other day (yay Eliana!!) and listening to the judges critique Chehon's performance. Charlotte looked over at me and said, "I like the Eliana. You know Eliana and Cyrus, when he was a robot and she was a ballerina." I was floored that she got their names right and remembered the details of a routine that aired weeks earlier. Like a sponge. (Check out the routine here if you haven't seen it before.)

* Charlotte's been potty-trained for a long time now, but we still struggle with hand washing. She knows she needs to clean up after and will remind you to as well if you don't head to the sink immediately. That said, she tries to get out of "needing" her hands cleaned all the time. She thinks if she doesn't touch the potty or wipe (ie. gets Mark or I to do those things), she can get out of handwashing. Not gonna fly baby.

* I mentioned in my post about The Color Run that we bought Charlotte a waterproof camera a while back. We haven't put the waterproof feature to the test yet, but that thing has lived up to it's shockproof claim. It's been dropped from several feet high a million times over with no damage to it and no change to the quality of the photos. It's not the most fantastic camera out there, but Charlotte loves having a camera of her own to use. Here are some of her captures:

The Birth of Hearty

I told you yesterday about our colorful run through Richmond. I didn't mention what went on for the rest of the trip - a lot of driving, a lot of shopping and a lot of eating. Basically, the most boring trip imaginable for Charlotte. So when we happened upon a Build-A-Bear Workshop during one shopping outing, I know we had to stop in. She has a reindeer from there, but it doesn't fit into most of the clothes, so we've never spent much time in the store. Until this weekend. I think we were in there for about an hour. Eeek!

Our bear-building started with her picking a pale pink bear and helping Allison (the worker at the store) get her stuffed and fluffed. Charlotte decided to name her bear Hearty, after the heart patterned fabric on the bear's paws. We all got a good laugh at the super obvious name, but Charlotte stuck with it. Here she is, captured by the same junky waterproof camera that I used on the race:

After Hearty was sufficiently bathed and brushed, we got to shopping for clothes and accessories. One thing is for sure, my girl knows how to shop. Mark, my mom, my sister and I all helped (steered) and she ended up with quite the mix of daywear, pajamas and princess dresses. The amount we spent was a bit shameful, but my girl doesn't get these sort of shopping sprees often (ever, really), so it was fun to be able to spoil her.

She spent the rest of our trip changing Hearty's clothes for every occasion - bedtime, dinner out, the drive home. And she's been playing with and sleeping with Hearty since our return. I have a feeling this bear won't have any shortage of love.

Prima Ballerina

Charlotte started dance class on Saturday, so prepare for a photo overload!! I was not ashamed to be the mother standing there with DSLR in hand (everyone else was using their phone), taking photo after photo of my little cutie. In the waiting area. In the classroom. In the parking lot. She's lucky I didn't take any photos of her in the restroom. ;)

The day started like this. Goofy faces and a silly attitude. Which I was actually quite thankful for. A while back (last summer, I think) we signed Charlotte up for a toddler gymnastics class that our county's parks and rec program was offering. We went to two classes before we called it quits. She was super clingy and cried a lot. She just wasn't prepared to be separated from me at all. With her going to school a few days a week for the past six or so months, I knew she wouldn't have that attachment. But I still worried that she'd be in a cranky mood and wouldn't want to participate. Shockingly enough though, she seemed just as excited as I was.

Having taken dance classes for years (about 15 or so), and having taught for the last few of those years, I had pretty high expectations of how the class would be conducted. I wanted her to be learning at a studio that stressed the fundamentals (ballet) and had a lot of variety available should she really want to focus on dance. And I really wanted it to be a place that wasn't quick to make little girls grow up (ie. doesn't dress them in hoochie mama costumes). I did what research I could online, and then just hoped for the best. Things seem up to my standards so far, so yay for that!

Sorry for the not so stellar in-class shots (had to take them through a window), but is she not the cutest little ballerina you ever did see? She twirled and jumped and marched every which way. And was talking a mile a minute after class was done about the new things she learned. The photo below is her sweet smile after the class. Love it! A while back my mom found a small ballerina trophy at a thrift store and we gave it to Charlotte after we got home from her class. She was amazed that she was good enough to get a trophy of her very own. So, so cute!

Thanks for taking a peek at my little cutie!! Now, how about clicking on over to the room makeover giveaway at Vintage Revivals and voting for me -- number 126. Thanks a bunch!

September Goals

Last month I put together a short list of things to accomplish during the month. Between working full-time, running, and spending time with family, I've found it increasingly difficult to get things done. I did manage to make progress on, and in some cases complete, the items on my list. Maybe I'll snag some photos of the results soon. And yet, I still end each month feeling like I haven't gotten much done. What do I do all month? I certainly don't have a lot to show for it. Hmmm... I'll have to think more on that and be more intentional with my time. That said, here's the plan for September:

* Make and hang curtains for Charlotte's bedroom. Quite frankly, it's pathethic that these aren't done yet. I first posted my plan for them over seven months ago. Yes, that said seven months. See, here's the proof. Ugh. Gotta get on that.

* Swap furniture in Charlotte's room. I found a huge dollhouse for her a while back and we gave it to her for her 4th birthday. It's been in our family room ever since. I haven't been comfortable leaving the Barbies and accessories that go with it out because other little people use that room and many of the items are too small for them. So it's time to move it up to her room where she can play with it to her heart's content.

* Get some stuff on the walls. In Charlotte's room, of course. I have a fair amount of artwork that was already purchased with her room in mind. I just need to get them in frames and figure out what other items I'll need to round out the space. Should be pretty simple.

* Work on a way to showcase some of her artwork and family photos. I have a plan in mind for a display solution that will allow for easy swapping as I find new favorite photos and she makes new painting/drawing/cutting masterpieces. Now to just put that plan in place.

So, as you can see, the focus for this month is mainly on Charlotte's room (#4 on that list will actually be in the hall outside her room). My girl has been nothing but spectacular for her whole life, and she deserves a room that is pretty and special. And complete. So the plan is to give her one.

Technology, Aging and Bouncing

Another month is nearly at its end and, shockingly, I actually remembered to jot down email myself some of the things I want to remember about Charlotte. Do you do that to? Email yourself things you need to remember? Maybe it's just me. Anyway...

* Charlotte has a newfound love for my Kindle this month. Every morning she wakes up and asks for it. She lounges in my bed, playing Where's My Alligator, Angry Birds or one of the millions of matching games I have loaded on it until it's time for her to head downstairs.

* In keeping with her affinity for technology, she loves the phone. Well, her play phone. She has pretend conversations with people all day long. Sometimes for 10 minutes at a time. Her longest conversations are with Gramma, Chrissy or her cousins.

* We (Mark, my mom, my sister and I) take Charlotte shopping with us regularly. She prefers to go with Mark since he takes her to toy stores, whereas us girls always go to "junk stores" (aka thrift stores and Goodwill). If you ask her what she thinks of them, she'll tell you she hates them. I guess the apple doesn't fall from from the tree.

* My mom shared about a conversation she had with Charlotte a while back about wrinkles. She described that people get wrinkles as they age because their skin isn't as stretchy. That explains why she was looking at Mark one day and said, rather emphatically, "You have wrinkles on your hand, Daddy. That means you're getting old."

* Charlotte has a few chores around the house (picking up toys, sorting laundry, etc) and we added making her bed to that list not that long ago. Funny because my version of making the bed typically involves throwing the covers in the general direction of the headboard. But she's learned that you need to smooth out the blanket and put your pillow on top. She also thinks you need to jump on the bed to get out wrinkles. I can't imagine which parent (ahem, me) was part of the bouncing spree that put that thought in her head.

S'mores

I bet you can't guess what we ate the other day. I'll give you some hints... they're gooey. And delicious. Any ideas? You can make them over a campfire. Or in the microwave. Still can't guess? Alright, alright... we made s'mores!!

Charlotte has never had them before, which is why this little treat made it to our summer fun list. She was with me when I picked up the supplies at the grocery store, but really didn't know what what is store for her. She just knew that, individually, she liked each of these items and was happy to see them make it into the cart.

We made ours in the microwave (she really wants to roast marshmallows outside some time though) and she was beyond excited to see the marshmallows puff up with just a little heat. She wasn't nearly as excited about the thought of biting into a s'more. Mark and I had to take one for the team (yeah, right) and try ours first before she was willing to give it a go.

Even after a bite, she wasn't that into it. Until she discovered the stretchiness of the marshmallow. She spent the rest of our dessert time pulling every bit of marshmallow out of the s'more and gobbling it up. And then snagged a couple more from the bag to eat on their own. And Mark and I have been doing our part ever since, using up the remaining supplies (go me, buying a six pack of chocolate bars)!

So go ahead and pick youself up some graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate and make a few. You know you want too.

Ladybug

Back when my brother and his family stayed with us (more on that here), Charlotte was introduced to her cousin's ladybug nightlight that casts stars onto the ceiling and walls. And she was enchanted. She couldn't stop talking about it and said she'd like one of her own, in pink. As luck would have it, they do make a pink one and my girl was super excited when it arrived at our door in a package marked specifically for her.

It's the little things, right!?

Firefighting, Cutting & Dancing

I probably said it last month, and if not then than probably the month before, and I'll say it again... I have got to start writing down the things I want to remember about Charlotte during the month instead of trying to come up with a list at the end. If for nothing else than to save my own sanity. Anyway, here goes...

* If I remember correctly, Charlotte has never before indicated she wanted to be anything in particular when she grew up. That all changed when she passed by a house near my parents' that had been on fire and was surrounded by fire trucks and ambulances. Now, she talks about wanting to be a firefighter all the time. But, she doesn't want to go in burning buildings - just use the hose and ladder. You know, the fun stuff.

* Given her avoidance of fire I suppose it's no surprise that she avoided sparklers on the 4th of July. She liked the fireworks we watched, but didn't want much to do with the sparklers that my brother bought for the group. She used a couple and then was done, content to sit and watch Penelope play with them. Ah well, at least she looked cute...

* And it's a good thing she's cute because the more she's in school the more unattractive habits she seems to be developing (I'm sure it has more to do with getting older than with school). Lately it's "But so-and-so started it..." that we hear all the time. In situations that make no sense, of course.

* But school is also teaching her loads of stuff. She knows way more songs than I think I've ever known, she thinks of all sorts of role-playing games and stories and she can cut like no other. Seriously, she'd sit down with with scissors and paper all day long if you let her.

* I'm hopeful that she's equally as excited about the dance class I've signed her up for. It starts in the fall and I'm so pumped about it. Having had 15+ years of dance classes myself I'm really interested to see what she thinks. She already dances around our family room and does some of the moves she learned on her ballet video, so I think she's gonna be a fan!

I'll be back next month to share some more about my monkey, although truth be told I'd be happy if she just quit growing right now. Seriously, look at that face. When did she become a legit little person instead of just a wee baby?!

At the Carwash

You might have thought it a little strange that 'carwash' made it on our Summer Fun List. In actuality, there was real purpose behind that inclusion. Our regular gas station has a glass-enclosed car wash, and the people around here must love a clean car because we almost always see one getting a wash every time we go to fill up our tank. Charlotte has been asking to use it for months, and we figured it was finally time to oblige.

First, just so you understand the rationale behind what you're about to see... I usually let Charlotte choose her own clothes. And headbands, shoes, etc. So don't be surprised that a big, red bow on a Snow White headband is paired with a Peter Pan shirt and flowered flip flops. It is what it is.

Now, on to the actual car wash photos. Which were all taken with my cell, so mind the photo quality.

It was a bit loud in parts, but overall Charlotte really loved it. She was especially fond of the multi-colored soap (blue, green and pink) and the dryer. I'm fond of the clean car that no longer has bird poop on the door handle. Yeah, that was a fun discovery.

Blowing Kisses, Bacon and Biking

The month is nearly done, so it's time again to share some funny anecdotes about my monkey.

* After Charlotte's birthday she got moved to a new class in school. Neither she nor I have learned all the kids' names yet. That didn't seem to matter when a little boy came running as I picked her up to give her a hug. She sort of halfheartedly hugged him, but then turned around and blew him a kiss. Whaaaat?!?

* Charlotte has spent her fair share of time apologizing for being naughty, sitting in timeout and missing out on treats lately. She knows the drill now whenever she's bad. So much so that the other day when I jokingly slapped Mark's hand she looked me dead in the eye and said "Did you hit Daddy?" I cowered a bit and admitted I did. She put me in the corner, made me apologize and told me that nice people don't hit. Lesson learned.

* One of my favorite games to play with Charlotte is the "let's see who can be the quietest the longest" game. You know it, right? Well she does too and normally doesn't fall for my trap. But she was pretty worn the other day after running errands so when I suggested the game she said we could also play "who can keep their eyes the closed-est and be still" game. Count me in! Her she is, all zonked out after winning the game:

* Charlotte gets haircuts at the same salon I do, every 3 to 4 months (I go more often). After the last visit she told me she wants to grow her hair long. I asked how long and she said like Rapunzel, so people could climb it. I suggested that maybe Merida from Brave was a more realistic princess to model her hair after.

* Charlotte is so wishy-washy with her marriage plans (go figure that a 4 year old isn't decided on that yet). After saying the other day she wasn't going to marry Oliver, yesterday she told Chrissy (Oliver's mom and Charlotte's nanny) that she is and they're going to have a baby named Bacon. It's like a food, she explained.

* The summer is filled with fun activities at Charlotte's school. They're already had Splash Day (another one today actually) and Bike Day, with Zumba Day, Cowboy Day, etc planned for the rest of the summer. After Bike Day, Charlotte is a cycling expert. She helped Oliver put her helmet on yesterday so he could ride around my living room and said "That's how you do it son!" Thanks to my sister for teaching her that gem!

Out of Control

If your volume is up loud enough you can hear her cackling the whole way down. Love that girl!! I suppose the guy in the video is pretty good too, after all he did do this with her about 15 times, pushing the stroller up the hill between each run. ;)


This was from our trip to Longwood Gardens last week. If I get my act together, I'll get a post together tonight so I can share more of the fun we had with you tomorrow. But first up, dinner at Outback. Yummy!!

When Life Hands You Lemons

Life hasn't been handing us lemons lately (it's actually been pretty peachy - haha), but we did make lemonade recently. I was making a grocery list the other day and asked Charlotte if there was anything she wanted to add to it. I didn't expect her answer to be lemons. But with her Nana headed our way, I figured it was the perfect time to indulge Charlotte's wishes (if you count a whopping $5.60 spent indulging) and pick up some lemons to make lemonade.

You can find great recipes all over the web, but the one Charlotte and I used most closely resembles this one, from the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook. We skipped the lemon zest part, and just made a simple syrup with 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water, which we later combined with 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and enough water to fill our pitcher. It was delicious! And we had a great time to boot!!