Ill Over Illinois

Wouldn't you know it? One of the few free moments that Mommy has had all week to update my blog and unveil my Shout-Outs, and Blogger won't upload any of her photos.

Maybe Blogger knew that the only photos Mommy got of me from Saturday would be of a sad faced, confused Nittany Lion Cub wondering what was happening to her beloved Nittany Lions.

The Shout-Outs will have to wait until Blogger decides to work again. Sorry for the delay! Stay tuned...

Seriously.

So much for our great feeling.

Michigan beat us again. Seriously.

The last time Penn State beat Michigan, Mommy still wasn't of legal drinking age. That was a long, long time ago.

Why can't we beat Michigan? They lost to Appalachian State. Appalachian State. Seriously.

I was having the time of my life in the moon bounce at Ally's birthday party when Mommy broke the news to me that we lost. Again. I was so disturbed that I stopped jumping and had to sit and wonder how JoePa could let this happen again.


Later that evening, as I got into my jammies before leaving Ally's house, I became so upset that I buried my face in shame in Bailey's tail.

Michigan is just like the ear infection I picked up the other day - they both hurt, they both make me want to cry, and they both give me nightmares.

At least the antibiotics will defeat my ear infection. I can't say the same for Penn State defeating Michigan.

Mommy and I are so distaught that we can't bring ourselves to do shout-outs this week. There really aren't any shout-outs to give. And Mommy is just too exhausted to go back and look up stats and photos for the last two games we missed. We apologize to the shout-out fans, but you'll have to wait until next week before we start those up again.



I may sound like I'm really depressed. I would be completely down in the dumps today if it weren't for the fact that I went to the greatest birthday party ever!

My good friend Ally turns 5 soon, and to celebrate, her Mommy and Daddy threw a huge celebration. Here is the birthday girl blowing out the candles.

It had to have been an incredible party to take my mind off of the fact that we were spanked by Michigan. Again. Seriously.



While my beloved Nittany Lions were being embarrassed in the Big House, I was having an incredible time in a different kind of big house.

Presenting...the most fun toy ever. Ever.

Ally's parents rented a princess moon bounce for the party. I can say with certainty that Ally, her friends and I were enjoying ourselves a lot more in this house than the Penn State football players and fans in the Big House.




I could barely contain my excitement before I entered the moon bounce for the first time. I almost missed finding the entrance because I was so excited. Daddy had to point out the opening to me!



Upon entering, I immediately knew what to do. I jumped and jumped like I was a kangaroo on a sugar high.







I felt as though I were floating on air. I couldn't stop. It was like there were springs on my feet. I jumped and jumped and jumped...


...and then I fell.

I was a bit stunned. I didn't expect to fall. I thought I was invincible.

Then I realized that when a Penn State player falls, he gets back up immediately. Even when he's pushed over by a stinky Wolverine, he gets back up. So get back up is what I did.



Then I jumped and jumped some more.



The next time that I fell I wasn't so stunned. I managed to wave at Daddy while I was lying on my back. Maybe falling on the moon bounce isn't so bad after all!


Daddy even came into the moon bounce to jump with me. I was so happy that Daddy came in to play with me, but he does need to work on his jumping height. He didn't catch quite enough air between his feet and the moon bounce.



Daddy even took the opportunity in the moon bounce to show me how the Penn State defense should have tackled Mike Hart every play.



After literally bouncing my pigtails off, Daddy brought out the cupcakes to give us all some needed energy.

I worked up an appetite in the moon bounce. These luscious cupcakes ought to give me the energy boost I need to go back and bounce for a few more hours.

I tried sticking out my tongue to boo the Michigan football team, but Mommy told me that wasn't nice. I disguised my second attempt at sticking my tongue out at the Wolverines by pretending to clean off the icing on my face. Mommy never suspected that I was showing my disgust with the maize and blue.

Thank you SO much for inviting me to your amazing birthday party, Ally. Only an event like this could have kept my mind off of our devastating loss today.

The moon bounce was SO MUCH FUN, the food and cupcakes were yummy and the necklaces you gave me to take home are beautiful. Seriously!! I'm glad that you had a fun day, too. Happy Birthday!!!

Go State!! Beat the Wolverines!!!

Mommy and I have a great feeling about today's game. It's our time to beat Michigan!! Enjoy this video that Mommy found to get you pumped up for the game.

We're off to Ally's birthday party, and then we'll be watching our Nittany Lions beat Michigan after a few hours of cake and moonbouncing. We'll report back tomorrow!!

We Are...!!!!

P.S. - Thanks for the get-well message, Drew. I plan on taking advantage of some of your tips. My ear is feeling much better thanks to the YUMMY bubble-gum medicine the doctor gave me!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Have you missed me?!?

Sorry we haven't posted in a few weeks - Mommy says we've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger!

Don't get too excited - this is going to be a quick post. I know that I've neglected my Penn State Shout Outs - I'll do a triple-game shout out this weekend. We are still celebrating the win over Notre Dame from two weeks ago, so Mommy needs time to gather stats and photos from the past few weeks.

Speaking of photos, there aren't many new ones of me, so this picture from the first PSU game will have to do for now. I know that Mommy is very busy now that school has started, but she really needs to start taking more photos of me again. I'm too cute not to be photographed!!


The one photo that Mommy did take of me recently was when I came home from school with this intricate and beautiful hair style. My teachers Vicky and Janelle are so excited to have a girl in the class (along with 8 boys!!) that they love to play with my gorgeous, silky locks. Mommy doesn't understand how I sit still for them to play with my hair, but she doesn't know that they let me sit in their lap on my favorite rocking chair while they play with it!

School is going VERY well for me. I love going on walks to the duck pond to feed the ducks, I really enjoy our art projects, I behave very well and I nap everyday. I always get good reports at the end of each day.

The biggest news - I pooped on the potty at school last week!! Mommy and Daddy were so proud of me!!!

Stay tuned for the shout-out post this weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to add some great shout-outs for a big defeat of Michigan!!!!

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

When I woke up on Saturday, I was SO excited to hear that I would be wearing my Penn State cheerleading outfit. That only meant one thing - Penn State Football was back!!! I did my happy dance all morning to mark the occasion!!

As happy as I was, Mommy crushed my enthusiasm when she told me that I couldn't watch the game. She said our evil cable company wouldn't carry the Big Ten Network, so the game wouldn't be on TV. She and Daddy drove out to Delaware to watch the game in a bar with Sean and Jessi. Mommy said I'm not old enough to go to a bar. I was terribly upset until I heard that Gramma was coming over to spend the day with me. As long as I got to wear my uniform, I was still happy!


Even though I didn't see the game, Mommy filled me in well enough when she returned so that I could begin my annual "Charlotte's Shout Outs." I know you all missed them.

I am proud to present the first edition of "Charlotte's Shout Outs" for the 2007 season. I have a good feeling about this season!!!!











Charlotte's Shout Outs - Week One

Florida International vs Penn State

1. JoePa - This was your first game coaching on the sideline since you broke your leg last year. 80 years young and still going strong!! You'll still be the coach when I'm a student at Penn State!

2. Anthony Morelli - You were quite inconsistent last year, but everyone has high expectations for you this year. You started off well by breaking the PSU first half passing record with 231 yards. Keep up the great work!!

3. Galen Hall - You are the offensive coordinator PSU has needed. Seven different players caught a TD pass or ran one in for a score. Now that is some great play-calling!

4. Jared Odrick - You tipped FIU's field goal attempt and preserved the shut out. Yay!



5. Jordan Norwood - You had 5 receptions for 92 yards. That's a lot of yards per reception!

Non PSU Shout-Out

Appalachian State - You did what Penn State hasn't been able to do in 12 years. You beat Michigan!! In the Big House, no less. We are very proud of you, but we'd like you to teach our Nittany Lions how you did it!!

Just in case you weren't already pumped up for Penn State football, here's a video to get you in the mood!!

Blog Note: This is Mommy's and my first official week of school. Mommy's students start coming on Wednesday AND she is preparing for the big RV trip to Penn State this weekend, so it will be a very busy week. It might be awhile before my blog is updated again, but there will be a "Charlotte's Shout Outs" for the Notre Dame game. It just might not be timely. Keep checking back, though! We'll return soon!!!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye - I Napped!! I Napped!!

OPERATION SCHOOL: DAY 2 (FIRST FULL DAY)

Mommy has great news to report - I had a fantastic first full day of school!!!

This morning when Mommy dropped me off, I was much less clingy. I hung onto her for about two minutes, then let go and went off to play. After Mommy left, we took a walk to a local park and fed the ducks at the duck pond. Miss Vicki said that I was so excited about feeding them I could barely contain my enthusiasm!!

When we returned, we had art and play hour. When it was time for lunch, I ran to be the first in line to wash my hands (when Mommy was with me for lunch last week, I refused to stand in line and wanted nothing to do with washing my hands!) Miss Vicky said that I stand very patiently in line, then I excitedly walk to my assigned seat and eat my lunch. I even stayed in my seat the entire lunch period today!!

Then it was time for what Mommy dreaded most - naptime. I am the world's best sleeper at home, but take me somewhere other than my crib and I refuse to close my eyes. After lunch, the boys got out their mats and started to lay down for nap. Miss Janelle tried to lay me down on the mat, but I became fussy. What princess sleeps on a flat, blue mat? Miss Janelle put on the pink sheet that Mommy had sent, but I wasn't buying it. A princess deserves better sleeping accomodations than that.

Miss Janelle decided to sit on the rocking chair and put me on her lap. That was more like it!! Between the rocking, snuggling with Pinky and Blankie, and the back rub, I could fight it no more and was asleep in about ten minutes. Miss Janelle transferred me to the mat, and the next thing I knew it was an hour later and I was waking up. The other boys were still asleep, so I just stayed on the mat resting, talking quietly to Miss Janelle every few minutes, trying to conserve more energy for the afternoon. When the boys woke up at 3, I was ready to go!!

Mommy showed up at 3:30 and couldn't believe that I had slept!! She was so proud of how well I did today. She didn't even seem to be upset when I protested leaving. I finally gave in after about ten minutes and left with Mommy. When we got home, I collapsed on the couch with the latest Toys R Us catalog and a snack (see photo). I was motionless for about twenty minutes and then decided it was time to play with Trix and Emmet.

I had so much fun today. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!!! Mommy hopes that I continue to do as well as I did today. We'll keep you posted!!

P.S. My cool cousin Drew wrote some helpful daycare survival tips for me on his blog. I thought I'd share them with you. Thank you for your words of wisdom, Drewbie!!

As my cute cousin Charlotte heads off to the world of friends and finger paint, I thought I'd pass along a few success tips I've learned.
*Don't be afraid to be the teacher's pet. I've found that a consistent program of charm and hugs works well when you want to wrap the teachers around your little finger. They also love it when you give them cuddles and hugs right after you wake from your nap.
*Share your goldfish. This is a sure way to win friends and influence in the toddler set.
*Naps are important. Who wants to sleep when there are so many new and exciting things to look at? I sure didn't; it was several months before I napped on a regular basis. So, don't worry if you're too excited to sleep at first. Keep trying, and eventually you'll be able to curl up on the mat and recharge your body for that important afternoon play session.
*Learn to defend yourself. They might be your friends most of the time, but your schoolmates still lack impulse control which could lead to the occasional whacking. My mommy is an excellent self-defense teacher; I highly recommend her.
*Don't forget about your Mommy. This will be a difficult time for her--she's spent the last 2 years taking care of your every want and need. Remember to give her a big hug when she picks you up in the afternoon--let her know she's still #1.Have a great time Charlotte!

First Day of School!!

After a few hour-long visits with Mommy, I finally got to go to school for my official first day. Well, it was only a half day, but it was still a big moment (at least that's what Mommy kept telling me)

Mommy and Daddy had to wake me up this morning to get ready. After a yummy pancake breakfast, Mommy let me put on my favorite outfit. I couldn't wear my favorite shoes, though - no Crocs or sandals at my school.

I've been practicing carrying around my new backpack for awhile now. I was so excited to use it for real today!!

My new backpack is pink, purple and has a kitty on it. Who could ask for a better backpack!!















Come on, Mommy! I'm ready to go play with my new friends (nine boys!!)


















Drop-off wasn't too bad. I was clingy on Mommy for about ten minutes, but when it was time for her to go, I gave her a hug and a kiss and then went off to play with the baby dolls. Miss Vicki said after about ten minutes I said, "Where Mommy go?" Miss Vicki explained where Mommy went and then I was off to play again.

When Mommy picked me up after lunch, there was a big sign on the classroom door that said "Welcome, Charlotte!" and there were lots of photos of me playing throughout the morning on a poster. Mommy could see that I had a lot of fun! I even got a good report card. Mommy was SO happy that I got a smiley face and a "I was SUPER GOOD today" report!


After a half day with nine boys, I was exhausted!!! Send me some energy for tomorrow - it's my first full day!!! I'll report back to tell you how it went (and if I napped - Mommy isn't holding her breath on that one!)

Mission: Matoes

Word is getting around that I am an excellent worker. Since Mommy told everyone that I assist Daddy with his work on Sunday mornings and that I am a great sous chef, my services have been in demand.

Last week, Mom Mom and Pop Pop called upon me to help pick the millions of matoes ('tomatoes' to those of you uncivilized people who don't understand Charlottese) in their backyard.

I had never picked matoes before, but I knew that was a mission that I could accomplish. This is a photo of the very first mato that I picked. I was so proud that I decided to display it along the fence so that everyone could admire its beauty.

Since there were literally a million matoes, I decided to bring along my trusty assistant, Drew. He has days of experience picking matoes and peppers in his backyard, so I knew that he would be a capable assistant.

Drew kept telling me not to pick the green ones. He's such a boy. He didn't realize that I had to pick them - they matched my outfit too well to leave them behind!


After Drew insisted that I only pick the red ones, I decided to attempt to fill more brown bags with ripe matoes than he did. I worked so quickly that Aunt Sammi had difficulty keeping up with my speed. It's so hard to find a good bag holder these days!!

Step aside - coming through with another full bag!!

Notice Drew in the background sans bag. What a slacker!!




After minutes and minutes of picking only the ripest and juiciest of matoes, my assistant and I decided to take a break and admire the lovely lawn art in the backyard. Here I am trying to explain to Drew that this isn't a real angel. Kids!


The bunnies in our yard at home always hop away when I run after them trying to say hello. This one stayed put and let me pet him.




After contemplating it for about thirty minutes, I finally decided to take the plunge and sit on the back of the famous (or infamous) Backyard Deer. Mommy and Aunts Amy and Sammi used to sit on it when they were kids, so I decided that I had to continue the tradition, sit on the deer, and hear Mom Mom yell, "Stay away from the antlers. You'll poke your eyes out!"

Backyard Deer and I became fast friends. He was a great resting spot for me after picking so many matoes.

This was me last August when I wanted nothing to do with Backyard Deer. Funny how much courage one can muster in a year!

Picking millions of matoes is extremely tiring. So tiring that I actually slept in the car on the way home. Sleeping in the car is a very rare occurance for me, so Aunt Sammi decided to capture the moment on camera.

Thanks for letting us storm through your yard, Mom Mom and Pop Pop!!

Stay tuned - I go for my first day of school on Wednesday. I'm going for a half day. The half day should give me enough time to assert my dominance over the eight boys in my class. Mommy will post photos of me on the big day. Wish me luck!!

Sous Chef Charlotte

After seeing what a hard worker I am for Daddy every weekend, Mommy decided to put me to work in the kitchen. Since I like to watch Rachael Ray's "30 Minute Meals" and since I love to eat, Mommy thought I'd make a great sous chef.

After putting on the special apron that Nana's grandma made for her when she was little, I was ready to help Mommy make her famous salsa (it's actually a Big Jim recipe, but Mommy likes to pass it off as her own!)

Aunt Sammi was coming over for dinner, so I was there to make sure that Mommy didn't make any mistakes. Right from the start, I decided the salsa needed more cilantro than Mommy had initially put into the food processor.


Mmmm mmmmmm. That cilantro does look yummy bathed with all that lime juice, that pepper that Mommy wouldn't let me touch, and that whole delicious tablespoon of sugar.



I do enjoy cooking, but this food processor is really loud. This is not my favorite part!

I'm content with the amount of onions, but I think it needs more "mato" (Charlotte-speak for 'tomatoes.")

I insist on taking the first taste. Please let my culinary debut be a success!!









The texture is perfect - not mushy, not chunky. The cilantro is not overpowering, it's the perfect amount. The sugar adds just enough sweetness to make an impact.

The verdict:

¡Delicioso y sabroso!

Watch out, Rachael Ray! My cute apron and I are about to take over the culinary world!!

As payment for a hard day's work in the kitchen, Mommy rewarded me with my first-ever ice cream cone. I've had lots of ice cream before, but never presented in such a tasty, edible package!!

Like any good chef, I will first smell this new recipe before I eat it. Smells like...cookies and cream!!

Apparently you don't need any utensils for this - just your tongue. I can deal with that!

Thirty minutes later I finally make it to the cone.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of the cookies and cream ice cream cone?!?