Mother's Beach

We spent the afternoon at Mother's Beach in Long Beach. This beach is great for Charlie because there are no waves and she can run and splash in the water all by herself (with us close by of course). Charlie had a great time playing and splashing with Jimmy in the water and sand. He taught her how to stomp on sand castles. Just what little girls should be learning how to do! And just what Daddies should teach their little girls! Well, let's just say Charlie loves to stomp on sand castles now. Today Charlie became very jealous when her Daddy was playing with Kingston (a little friend of Adelyn's). Charlie gave him mean glares, evil stares, and even hit him. She has already learned the word "sorry" and she sounds so cute when she says it. Sorry Kingston...hopefully they will invite us back to the beach with them some day!

Itty Bitty Baby Doll

Charlotte has named her "Baby"

When we got home Charlotte threw her $55 baby out of the $55 wagon and proceeded to climb into it. She had the biggest smile on her face...she wanted nothing to do with the doll. Then a little while later she picked her up and put her in her stroller and pushed her around all night. She fed her milk and pretzels and gave her lots of kisses. That night I was going to let her sleep with the baby but she did not want her to be removed from the stroller. I was a little worried she didn't really have the American Girl connection she should have to this very special doll. However, in the morning she went into our living room and let out a scream of delight when she saw her and yelled, "Baby!" Then I knew it was love forever. She was so glad she was still there right where she left her. I'm so glad she loves her baby. Thanks again Ginny.

Oh yeah...her favorite part about the doll is her eyes. She loves how the baby can go "Night Night" because her eyes shut when you lay her down. I wish it was that easy to get a baby to sleep! She also wishes she could wear the babies shoes but can only get her big toe in them. This frustrates her a lot!

An American Girl Day

Charlie borrowed this doll from the Cafe and she loved giving it kisses!

She was so tired she really wanted to sleep on the bench inside the store.

We went to the American Girl Store and Cafe today for Cassie's 10th Birthday. It was an experience for Charlotte. First, I had her open her present from Ginny from her half birthday. She made her a little American Girl book with money inside to buy a doll. She is realizing that money is meaningful lately because she sees me give it to people at the store and she saw me yell at the dogs when they snatched it out of my bag and they were licking it. (I sure hope I don't see any bills in their poop!) Anyway, at lunch Charlotte sat in her high chair for about 10 minutes. She was tired so she was a little restless...ok, a lot restless! I don't know why she was tired but she was. I thought she might take a nap on the way but Great Gramma kept on talking and talking and Charlotte didn't want to miss out I guess. After lunch it was time to see Cassie pick out her items and for the girls to find their very first American Girl doll. Ginny advised us we should get Itty Bitty Twins so Adelyn and Charlotte could each have one. Adelyn picked out the blond hair blue eyed one and I picked out the brown hair brown eyed one for Charlie. They don't make a brown hair blue eyed Itty Bitty...I don't know why not! Adelyn was not leaving the store without her own stroller with her own doll in it. Charlotte loved dragging the wagon around until she wanted the stroller that Adelyn had. Charlie is having a problem with hitting if she doesn't get what she wants right away. She is also learning to share but it is also a very difficult task! Anyway, she already has 3 strollers at home and loved the wagon before the stroller so I got her the wagon. At first she just wanted Adelyn's but when we left the store and started walking the car without Adelyn and her stroller she LOVED her wagon. As we were driving away she fed her new Itty Bitty baby doll with an Itty Bitty bottle and then fell asleep even before we left the parking structure. What an exhausting and exciting day! Happy birthday Cassie. Thanks for inviting us and thank you Ginny for her first American Girl baby doll. I know she will love it.

Love At First Sight

We went to Knott's Berry Farm for the second time tonight. Charlie did not get to meet Snoopy last time we went because he was not out. This time she did. Usually at Disneyland she will look at the characters but she is very cautious and will not smile. Well, she LOVES Snoopy. She high fived him, kissed his nose, hugged him, poked at him and ran after him. There wasn't even a line to visit with him so she got lots of time. Snoopy finally had to take a walk to get rid of us! It was funny. Three things I learned today. First, I learned never to eat dinner in front of a merry-go-round with Charlotte. You can just imagine how Charlotte acted! Second, I learned that even though Charlotte is tall enough to ride some of the rides at Knott's Berry Farm she is not mature enough to ride them without her mommy. We put her on the spinning ride with Beli but she cried that sad cry kids cry when they are scared. It was so sad. I had to go and save her before the ride even began. But it did teach her that maybe she shouldn't scream and kick to go on all the rides. We will stick to the truck ride, merry-go-round and the train for now. Third, I learned that what ever you tell Adelyn she remembers...Her seat cover was falling off her car seat and she was whining about it on the way to Knott's. To make her be quiet I told her that Snoopy will come and fix while we are in Knott's Berry Farm. Well, when we got back to the car Adelyn looked at her seat cover (that was NOT fixed because we did not fix it) and told Nicole "Noopy forgot to come and fix my seat" with the saddest little look on her face. OOPS! What a bad auntie!

Swim Lessons at Camp Footloop

The Whole Gang

Alex and Evan spent their annual week at my mom's this week. It is a week filled with cereal, swimming, video games and no showers! Just what the boys love to do! We tried out the movies with Charlie for the first time...she is not quite old enough yet. Every time an animal came on to the screen she would shout out the sound for all to hear! It was funny. She watched the first hour of Toy Story 3. The bag of popcorn she kept sticking her hand into might have had something to do with it. We also decided that it would be a great week to teach Adelyn and Charlotte to swim (or be water safe). Charlotte would rather go "Nigh Nigh" than be dunked under the water (and she is not a fan of sleeping either)! Finally on Day 7 she has begun to close her mouth and hold her breath. She still opens her eyes and shakes her head under the water and looks at me to save her. I thought atleast she was getting a little wiser about the water if anything but I'm wrong about that. Today we met Pat at Tricity Park and she wanted to jump right into the lake with the ducks. So she has really got to get water safe! Hopefully one of these days it will click...oh yeah, Charlie has a lot of bathing suits. She received 6 at her birthday party and I have bought her a few as well. I am trying to get her into all of them. We are on her 7th one so far. They are all so cute!

Thanks Alex and Evan for the fun week. Charlie really loves Alex these days. She has asked for him almost every morning. She calls him "Ale" and has a big smile every time she says it.

We LOVE Benihana

Nothing makes me happier in this world than going to Benihana. I LOVE it! It was even better tonight because I actually got to enjoy it. Charlotte had a very successful trip to Benihana tonight for Mike's birthday dinner. If anyone has been out to dinner with Charlotte you understand why this is blog worthy...eating out with Charlie isn't always that fun! I'm so proud of her. She loves rice and ate the whole bowl the entire time the chef was cooking. Then she started eating Adelyn's corn right off of her plate. Thanks Mike for inviting us to Beni and thanks Adelyn for sharing your corn with Charlie. (It's not like you had a choice in the matter - sorry!)

Laguna Beach Day

Jimmy and I took Charlie to play in the sand at the beach today. It didn't really work out as we planned...as nothing does in my world anyway so I don't know what I was thinking! 90% of the time she wanted to be in the freezing water while waves were crashing on her. She is fearless. Jimmy said she wanted to go farther and farther out into the ocean even though the water was getting higher and higher. 3% of the time she wanted to drink juice and eat pretzel fish, 3% of the time she wanted to play in the sand and the remaining 4% of the time she was on repeat..."WA WA WA WA WA WA!" She wanted to go in the water. Next time we go to the beach we need a little friend for her to play with in the sand. Adelyn, Kylie, Jaxson, Ryder, Jill, Logan, Isa, Livi, Penny, Madison, someone...please!

Happy 2nd Dada's Day!

Last year Jimmy worked on Father's Day and this year too! When we went to visit him last year Charlotte was sound asleep the entire time, but not this year. Jimmy showed her the lights on the fire engine and gave her lots of kisses and hugs. Every year I make Jimmy a stepping stone with Charlie's footprints on it. (Well, he only has one so far!) I thought it would be great when she is like 18 because then he will have a whole path with her footprints getting bigger and bigger. We also got him a child safety seat for his bike so we can go on bike rides. So far she screams when I try to put the helmet on her. I will keep you updated if we can get her to sit in the seat with a helmet on and strapped in so we can actually go somewhere! (She isn't a fan of being confined in any way!) Wish me luck...it sounded like such a great idea until you try to get the kid in it! We love you so much dada. We are so thankful to have you in our lives. You are an amazing father.

Dear Dada,

I love you so much. I love it when you take care of me all day when Mama is at work. I love it when you take me to see the animals at the pet store, when you take me to the park and I get to ride on the big kid swing (that my Mama won't let me ride) and I love it when you take me out to lunch with your friends. I love the way I fall asleep on you watching Yo Gabba Gabba. I love it when you feed me turkey out of your sandwich and all the M & Ms out of your trail mix. I love it when you hold me while you mow the lawn, let me help you wash the dogs, help me learn how to slide all by myself and pull me around the block in my wagon. I love how you dress me in outfits that you think match and I love how you try to give me ponytails. I love how you read books to me and teach me animal sounds. I love when you tickle me and I love when you talk to me on the phone when you are at work. I love that you are my daddy! I love you. I love you. I love you.
XOXOXOX,

Charlie

We also went to Great Grampa and Great Gramma's house to celebrate Father's Day. Charlie and Adelyn thought it was soooo funny to play with their cup of coasters. They were giggling and giggling. Charlotte has really taking a liking to Grandpa (my dad) and she is always so excited to see him. Thanks dad for being such a great dad to me and Grandpa to Charlie. We love you!

Happy 1 Year and 1/2 Birthday to You

Even Grandpa went in the jumper!

She clapped when we sang to her.

She would only eat it with her mouth. She has been watching her doggies eat I guess!

Yes, we celebrated Charlotte's half birthday. Charlotte was born two days before Christmas so we decided to celebrate her half birthdays instead. I hope she will find this a good thing when she is older. Christmas is a time for Christmas...not birthdays! No one should have to share their birthday with Christmas. You shouldn't even be allowed to be born in December. Anyway, we had an amazing party for Charlie at our house. It was bug themed because we call her "Charlie bug" and she likes bugs, dirt, etc. We had 2 jumpers, 2 butterfly crafts, coloring books, the water table, a variety of insect books, a snow cone machine, L & L Hawaiian BBQ, Emily's cute cupcakes, an enormous fruit salad and a bug hunt to top it all off. The bug hunt was the best part...Grandma, Nicole, Adelyn and I hid 800 squishy plastic bugs in the planters in the morning. Adelyn did not want them on her but didn't mind hiding them. Each child got a bug jar and a magnify glass to hunt for bugs with. It was the cutest thing in the world watching the kids hunt for bugs with the magnify glasses. I'm sure I will find bugs in my yard for the rest of our lives but it was well worth all the work. Charlie truly loves all the presents she received. She wanted me to open all the boxes and she has played with everything. By far, the yellow Belle plastic princess shoes are her favorite as she has to wear them 24 hours a day (even to sleep and eat breakfast). Thank you so much for celebrating her half birthday with us and thank you for all the wonderful presents.

P.S. Jimmy wants to know if I'm planning on throwing a party like that every year for her! I said, "No it will be a different theme every time!" Ha Ha!

Things I would change for next year...do Charlie's hair cuter and use a different company to rent tables, chair and a jumper! I will spare you my story about the awful company I decided to use...

Annual Tube Float Weekend

We went to the river (3rd time this year) so everyone could participate in the annual Parker, Arizona tube float. Hundreds and hundreds of people float down the river and have a blast every year! Nicole and I opted out this year due to being mothers so we dropped the rowdy crowd off and picked them up 8 hours later. They had the time of their lives and were very, very sunburned. Nicole and I had a fun day watching the girls play in water and then we took a nice long nap. We were planning on going back down to the water but then the crowd called to be picked up so we never went back. Well, at about 9:30 that night I remembered that we left all our stuff down at the lagoon. OOOPPS! All you could see was the top part of the canopy and our cooler was floating to the side. The water was so low that day but so high that night! Nothing beats last year's OOOPPS story though. Jimmy put all, I mean all, our stuff on top of the turtle raft for the night. Our chairs, table, umbrella, sand toys, floats, etc. and then pulled the turtle up the lagoon where the water doesn't rise to. Well, that night the water rose to an unusually high level. When we came back the next day out stuff was gone. It took us a while but we finally managed to come to our senses and realize that all of our stuff was floating down the Colorado River on the back of a turtle raft. What a funny, but embarrassing day!