Happy Birthday Charlee!

May 12, 2012

Princess Party at the Park! For all of the up and down weather we've had lately, we were very fortunate to have perfect weather for Ms. Charlee's Birthday Party! Charlee insisted on having a Tangled Birthday party this year and we were not about to disappoint. Along with the nice weather we had an awesome turnout. Pizza, pinata, balloon animals, cupcakes and presents. What more could you ask for?

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Mother's Day at Kairos

May 9, 2012

Ice cream social/Mother's Day activity at Kairos school. This proud mama was invited to a special activity at school today. Charlee sang a few songs with her class which included, 'We love Mothers' and 'Mothers are special'. Charlee presented me with a self portrait of her "clapping her hands" and a portrait of her mother "scratching her hair." I love the detail. Mrs. Winterbottom informed me that the day she drew this picture of me I had just recently colored my hair. She was sure to include the red and blond highlights. I just love this girl!!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Love this girl.

Mugger's Visit

April 26- May 4, 2012

It's been almost a year since I've seen my Madre! It was great to have her here. She was quickly thrown into my world as children were waking her between 6:30 and 7:00, whining, followed by some more whining (Van), following some crying... You get the picture. We definitely tried to make the most of her being here, rain or shine. What I mean to say is that is rained every day she was here except the last day in St. Louis. Comedy! I don't think she was too amused but I had to laugh. We spent some time in Chicago going to the Museum of Natural History, we went to Allerton Park, we also went to the St. Louis Zoo with friends Leah and Kierstin.

After some walking around in Chicago, going to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and lots of driving we wound down by taking a relaxing bubble bath. At least that was my "idea". Haha, I should know better. At least the kids had fun!

I had to work on Charlee's actual birthday, but my Madre really stepped up to the plate and designed this AMAZING castle cake. I shouldn't expect anything less... I can't help remembering the exceptional cakes she made for my birthday as a kid.

I've learned that Charlee can't stand the smell of fish. The penguins were cool in their little habitat until she realized there was no escaping the fish smell. Talk about turning up the drama with this child. She plugged her nose and whined the entire way through because, "It smells yucky in here mom!"

Charlee and Leah held hands the entire day- Yeah, that's what you do when you're best friends :)

Fairy Tale Ball

April 20, 2012

Charlee and Leah (BFF's), were able to attend this years Fairy Tale Ball at the Decatur Children's Museum. This event was a Daddy Daughter Date activity, so of course Joel and Charlee attended along with Mitch and Leah. The girls had nearly identical dresses (both Target dresses, just different years), which we weren't actually planning on. They both looked absolutely darling and were SO excited to go out with their Dads. Charlee had a difficult time understanding that a 'ball' was a dance. Initially she kept telling people that she was going to go play ball with her Dad in her princess dress. Whatever.  The nights activities included dancing the Chicken Dance and the Macarena, making princess tiaras and wands, and decorating sugar cookies.

So, You Think You Can Jump?

April 2012

We have a new favorite toy! Introducing our new trampoline! We LOVE it. So what if it takes up our entire yard from the backyard fence to the house? At least I can keep a really close eye on my kids through the window.

P.S. Charlee and Van, I want you to know that your mother is awesome. Yes, she can still do backflips and she has yet to pee herself. She truly is an inspiration.

Bicycle Riding Girl

May 5, 2012

Who in their right mind would give away a perfectly good Spiderman bicycle (with one black wheel, one white, pink training wheels and a rusty metal frame)? That question might not ever be answered. But this thrifty mama had no shame in picking it up off of the side of the road and throwing it into her awesome hipster mini-van when she saw the "FREE" sign attached. I've come to the conclusion that if you start your kids out with low expectations they're essentially thrilled to acquire amazing items such as this.

Anyway, she rides that thing with pride. She, (like her mother) has no shame.

Charlee, this is for you. So listen up. As you get older you will notice that some kids seem to get everything that they want- clothes, toys, cars, etc. You will undeniably start wanting some of these things. You will want those new shoes, you will want your hair done just like hers, you want toys just like theirs. What I want you to remember is that those 'things' will not make you happy. They might make you feel important or cool for a short time, but they will not give you happiness. When you are given less than expected, or you feel left out because you don't have what your friends have, I want you to remember how happy this little 4 year old Charlee on her Spiderman bike was. OK? OK. Good talk.