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?!?

Charlie Potter

Now that Harry Potter has been put to rest, get ready for the world's next great wizard -Charlie Potter!!

Sunday Mornings

Back when I was little, Sunday mornings with Daddy were very leisurely. We'd sleep in a little, wake up, watch a cartoon or two, read the paper or the latest issue of "Autoweek" and enjoy some toast and pancakes.

Sometimes we would even sit together and enjoy a Formula One race on tv.

I always looked forward to those Sunday mornings with Daddy. It was my favorite day of the week.

Then I turned two.




Now Sunday mornings are considered 'work days' at our house. Daddy said that since I turned two years old, I am now old enough to 'earn my keep.'

Daddy hooks up my very own keyboard and hands me a 'to do' list. It's never a short list. A combine designer's work never ends!!

Instead of "Dora the Explorer" and Mommy's famous banana buttermilk pancakes, it's spreadsheets and combine engine drawings.

Daddy still takes the occasional coffee break, but I'm a hard worker - no breaks for me. I even wear a diaper so that I don't waste time walking to the rest room.

Daddy can be a tough boss, but I wouldn't want to work for anyone else!!!

Two's Company...Seven's a Crowd

Every girl has her nighttime routine.

After my bath, a good sippy of warm milk, an episode of "Elmo's World," an inning of the Phillies and a good book or two, it's time to round up the troops to hit the sack.

A few months ago, I started sleeping with my blankie and Pinky (a really cute and soft pink and white dog.) I began referring to blankie and Pinky collectively as "Ninney." Mommy and Daddy aren't quite sure why, but they go along with it.

Soon I decided that Ninney wasn't enough.

After discussing it over tea one evening, Ninney and I decided to invite Baby, Little Girl, Rosa the Build a Bear and Bunny to our nightly sleepover.

When we made that decision, we hadn't taken into account the logistics of getting everyone up to bed safely.

I tried carrying them on my own, but my little arms can only handle so much.

I decided to be responsible for getting Ninney upstairs. Mommy now has to carry the others.



I beat Mommy up the stairs everytime. She says that's because she has to carry four things and I only have to carry two, but I think she's just sore about losing the race up the steps.

Once upstairs, the kids all hang out on the floor while Mommy reads me a book on the glider. They're usually pretty quiet, but once in a while they blurt out the ending to "I'll Love You Forever" before Mommy does!

Now it's time to decide who goes into the crib first and gets to pick the best spot.

Hmmm...who behaved the best today?

Baby, you and Little Girl were great when we went to the mall today. You both get first choice of mattress space.

Blankie, you were good, too, but you did trip me in the kitchen after dinner. You don't get first choice tonight.

It takes a minute or two, but eventually we all get settled into our favorite spots.

It's so much fun sleeping with your six best friends (and Dora blanket!!)

It is a little crowded, though. Whose idea was this anyway?!

Pug Party FAQ

Q: How do you survive a whole day and night with four crazy pugs?

A: Be very patient, and grab a quick nap whenever you can!!

Last Friday, Nana and JoePa's pugs, Mimi and Wolfie (aka "Woo Woo"), came to our house for a sleep-over. Emmet was very excited to see his good buddy, Woo Woo. Trixie - not so much. It was a very hot day, so they didn't get to play outside for too long, much to Mommy's dismay.

When they were outside, Woo Woo and Mimi seemed to really enjoy having the run of the backyard (hint to JoePa: get a fence!!) When all four pugs were inside, they seemed to enjoy having the run of the house, as well. Other than one fight over food, everyone got along great. I loved having all four dogs here. It wasn't quite as fun for Mommy, who had to take care of me AND the pug four-pack on her own (Daddy conveniently was out of town for the night!!) Come back again soon, Mimi and Woo Woo!


Q: How do you entertain four pugs at a time?

A: Open the door to the backyard. Watch them do their kamikaze run around the perimeter for approx. 90 seconds. Then watch them fall to the grass in exhaustion. Mission accomplished.



Q: How do you protect yourself from a nasty fall from a tree swing?

A: Hire a 28 pound pug to lie underneath you to break your fall.







Q: Is it possible to watch "Elmo's World" in peace with three pugs in your face trying to get your attention?

A: No - and I'm still bitter about that.




Q: How do you enforce a curfew for a pug sleepover?

A: Tell the pugs you popped some popcorn and rented "Milo and Otis" for them to watch late that night. Then inform them that the popcorn and the movie are in the big crate and that they all have to get in the crate to enjoy the goodies.

They're pugs. They'll believe you.