Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I hope you all have as wonderful a Christmas as I'm having - filled with lots of family, friends and fun (and a toy or two that you asked Santa for doesn't hurt either!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love,
Charlotte

Charlie, The #1 Quality Assurance Elf

Most of you might not know that I am Santa's #1 Quality Assurance Elf. Normally you'd find me in Santa's Workshop testing all of the toys to make sure they are fun before they end up in kids' homes. Last weekend, though, Santa sent me on a special mission. He sent me to a home in New Jersey to do in home toy testing. Avery and Evan have a lot of toys, and Santa wanted me to test them all for their fun factor. Santa expected a full fun report as soon as I returned.

This art table is great. I'm already feeling inspired to create something beautiful. The chair is comfortable, and the table has plenty of space for both Avery and I to be artistic.
Just look at this masterpiece. Only a very well constructed art table could be a Muse for art like this. I might have to put this drawing up for auction on Ebay.


This junior cornhole game is fantastic. The corn bags are the perfect size for small hands.

The junior Elmo version is just as fun as Daddy's cornhole game, and it's even more colorful. This one can be enjoyed indoors, too.

The xylophone that I bought for Evan provides hours of fun. I tested this one before we left on our trip to make sure he would like it. Luckily, there is no volume control - that means Mommy can't make it quieter. You can create music as loudly as you want!

The construction of this futon is superior. I folded it up over Avery, and it still sprang back to its bed position quickly.

This kitchen is one of the greatest toys I've ever tested. The only problem was that I wanted to play with it all by myself, but it soon attracted a crowd. You know what they say about too many cooks...OK, this is better. Let's check the microwave buttons to make sure they work properly.

Even cleaning the dishes is fun in this kitchen. This one is a quality toy, Santa.

Santa sent the #2 and #3 Quality Assurance Elves along to assist me, but as usual, I completed the job alone. It's hard to find good assistants these days!

This is my report to Santa: All of the toys at Avery and Evan's house were fun, durable and exciting. The quality was fantastic. I recommend that you give all of these toys to other kids for Christmas, especially ones named Charlotte. I think she, I mean 'they', will love them!

Charlotte - 2, Santa Claus - 0

BEFORE SANTA

You're taking me to see that fat, furry red guy again, aren't you?



Stop smiling, Drew. This is serious. Mommy threw me on that so-called jolly guy's lap last week to try to get a photo. I showed her how I felt about that - I bawled my head off until she rescued me from him. And now I think she's going to torture me again - and for what?! A picture to send to all our family and friends?

What is Mommy trying to do? Butter me up by showing me this pretty tree? She knows I love trees, but this one isn't as nice as the one I decorated at home. Nice try, Mommy.

AFTER SANTA

If you look closely at my right eye, you'll see how well this second attempt with Santa went. I know he's supposed to be this great guy and bring me presents and all, but I'd rather he just leave the presents while I'm sleeping so I don't have to see him.

I feel much safer here. This is the Rudolph area of Santa's World. Just a sleigh, some fake trees and the misfit toys. This is more my style.

Sleigh - take me over there. I think I see an Arby's. A box of curly fries will help me get over the Santa trauma.

Does Santa take personal calls? I'd rather tell him what I want for Christmas over the phone.

Mommy's note: At Charlotte's request, we did not purchase any of the crying-on-Santa's-lap photos. She asked that the photo money be put to better use - like an Elmo or Dora the Explorer toy. We will honor that request, therefore we have no Santa photos to post here. Sorry! :)

Mama - My World Premiere Video

Mommy says that I 'talk' alot, but I don't say too many actual words yet.

The following have been heard coming from my mouth:
Dada, Daddy, Nana, doggie, toga (don't ask!), Emmet! (everyone else yells his name, why shouldn't I?), Trixie (sounds more like "Tissie"), Dora and baby.

Did you notice that "Mommy" and "Mama" are nowhere on that list? I decided to make Mommy wait to hear me say her name (just like I made her wait for my arrival over 16 months ago - it's fun torturing Mommy!) Daddy finally convinced me recently to say it. Now I say it all the time. Take a look!



You'll have to excuse Mommy's amateur video skills. She's only beginning to use the digital camera as a video camera. She'll get better. Stay tuned for more videos starring ME!!!



I want to give a birthday "Shout Out" to my fellow Junior Pinks, Grace and Riley. My beautiful friends turn TWO today. I had SO much fun at your party on Saturday. Thanks so much for inviting me!!

It's A Hershey Chocolate World

Recently my good friends Grace and Riley called me up and asked if I wanted to go to Hershey's Chocolate World with them. Did I want to go to a place called 'Chocolate WORLD?!' Does Elmo laugh when he's tickled? Of course I wanted to go!
Before we got to the actual chocolate, we were mesmerized by the beautiful tree at the entrance. Why did they have to put that fence in front of it? I wanted to show the girls how well I hang ornaments. Aren't my girlfriends the cutest?!

OK, enough with the tree. Let's go find the chocolate.

30 million kisses in one day? Whew. Their lips must be sore!

They didn't put any safety belts in this ride. Think I could make the jump from here to that tray of Reese's?

The free chocolate they gave us at the end of the ride gave me some energy. I'll race you over the fence!

If we sit here quietly, smile and look pretty, can we PLEASE have another piece of chocolate?!

Who knew that learning about the production of chocolate would be so tiring? Looks like I need some more chocolate to give me a second wind. Give me a Kiss (not THAT kind - the chocolate kind!)

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your necklace is so lovely. I think I'll put your necklace on right here.

This would look so much better wrapped around me.

Not sure what these are for, but I sure do love boxes. I'll stick around and help a little bit longer.

More boxes with shiny things in them. Is it my birthday?

Mommy let me hang the first ornament. I think I'll put this photo of Trixie right here. I hope Emmet isn't jealous that Trixie goes on first!

Here's more jewelry for you, O Christmas Tree. You're looking prettier and prettier.

What the heck is this freaky thing and why is he staring at me?! And why is Mommy now spinning around the room singing that she is Mr. Snow Miser?

Look, everyone. I put this ornament up all by myself. I'm so proud!

That looks pretty high, Daddy. I'll stay right here to catch you in case you fall.

I have the tallest Daddy in the world!

I told Mommy it isn't a good idea to take photos in the dark. She obviously was too excited about the Christmas lights to listen to me.

Move Over, Jackie O

Don't I look so glamourous in Auntie Tara's sunglasses?

Please, no autographs. I'm a busy girl.

Charlotte Gives Thanks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I have so much to be thankful for this year. Of course, I'm thankful for Mommy and Daddy, all my wonderful family and my great friends.I am very thankful for my buddies Trixie and Emmet.I am also thankful for Elmo and for good books.I give thanks everyday for cows and the delicious milk they make.

I am thankful for having a space all to myself to collect my thoughts. I give thanks for all things pink.

And I REALLY am thankful for playtime with Daddy.Mommy, Daddy and I wish you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Don't forget to leave room for dessert!

Outback Bowl, Here We Come!

Penn State - 17

Michigan State - 13

Whew! We just squeaked by with that win, didn't we?

While my beloved Nittany Lions didn't have the greatest season, at least we still get a New Year's Day Bowl. The Outback Bowl might not be the most glamorous of the bowls, but now we have an excuse to go to Outback Steakhouse and get that artery hardening Bloomin' Onion.

Charlotte's Shout Outs - Week 12, final week of the regular season

1. POZ, POZ, POZ! I think you've gotten a shout out every week. You get my Shout Out of the Year award. Not only are you the best linebacker EVER, you are also humble. You are what Troy Smith, who will likely win the Heisman, is not.

No matter who you play for in the NFL, you will always be a Nittany Lion.

Offensive players in the Big Ten think their bodies are a little safer with you leaving. Little do they know Dan Connor is going to do his best to carry on your tradition of excellence.

2. OK, I guess there are other players on the team. Andrew Quarless, you had a career high 87 receiving yards yesterday and caught your first TD pass. Are we witnessing the arrival of the next Kyle Brady? (I don't know who Kyle Brady is, but Mommy and Daddy say he was one of the greatest PSU tight ends ever.)

3. Nittany Lion - You are so powerful - you can get almost 110,000 people to chant "We are Penn State" at your whim. Maybe someday I'll have that kind of power. Until then, though, I will continue to love you and hope to meet you in person someday.

4. Seniors - Even though you gave Mommy and Daddy some headaches over the last four years, we all still love you and thank you for giving us something to look forward to every Saturday in the fall. And we will never forget your defeat of the OSU Buckeyes that great night in Beaver Stadium a little over a year ago. You wore the uniform proudly. Good luck in the future! ONTO THE OUTBACK BOWL!

On another note, Happy 1st Birthday to my partner in crime, Noelle. This is a bit of an old picture, but it's the most recent I have of the two of us.

I hope you feel better and have a WONDERFUL birthday!!