Upside down

She draws people.

Upside down

Starting with the legs

Working to the pants, then the shirt

Till the actual face

Then she goes back to add in all the details like....

Belly Buttons!

"You Have Mail"

Imagine coming out of the bathroom only to find your three year old daughter "nowhere in sight". you check upstairs, down stairs, and out back. Nothing. Your front door and garage door have child proof door handles around the knobs, so is it possible she was able to manage those just fine?

I run out the garage door, out to the driveway - nothing.

I run out to where the drive way meets the street and look right - nothing

Look left - nothing...... At first.

My heart is pounding harder then ever, my stomach is turned upside down, and all I want to do is cry.

Standing at the intersection where driveway meets street, my neighbor yells to me from the mail boxes.

" Umm... I think you have mail."

My clever daughter has not only found a way to escape the restraint of child proofing and get past the doors, she has also taken a liking to loitering around the mail boxes.

Or should I say, "in the mail boxes"

Bending down, and opening up the door to one of our package boxes, their she was, curled up with her brand new Penelope pea pod doll, leaving the door to this cubby closing her perfectly inside.

Needless to say now, when I hear someone at my door mention that I have mail in some sorts, I immediately start looking for my daughter.

Flowers

Charlotte woke up with a hurting ear, and a slight temp. After a little time resting on a hot water bottle and six books later, she was feeling more herself again. Unfortunately for us, we had a power outage in our neighborhood for a little bit this morning. Using this time, we ventured outside for a tad bit. Jordan, being the protective brother, and kind hearted person that he is, ached for his sisters ails.

He brought her flowers.

She loved them so much. It was so sweet to see my children run to one another for comfort. Jordan is almost a saint. I know every one thinks their child is something special, and I am definitely one of those people.

He climbed a fence in his jammies to pick flowers for his sister.

Potty training on the other hand is going very smoothly. William, though in the nude all day, has had only one accident in the last few days. He thought it would be fun to stand up in the pool today, and relieve himself.

*Sigh*

I would like to call this one "Williams Out House"

Through out the day Charlotte seemed to be in much better spirits until around dinner time. After taking her temp, and finding it to be at 101.3, we had to call it a day. A little motrin, bath, and bed. I am hoping that she can kick this bug sooner rather then later.

(Charlotte feeling not so hot after playtime in the pool today. I love it when she still needs me. I just hate it when she is feeling bad)

Critters

Charlotte has a fascination with bugs, or any critter of any sort. Once she catches them, she will hold on to them until there is no more life left in the poor little thing. Once, I caught her holding a fly trying to kiss it to death. She knows now not to kiss them. I have tried to tell her that they were yucky, but her fascination with them was to overwhelming. Today, while we were outside, my dear sweet friend took some photos of me and the children.... and a lizard.

She is a child who finds delight in anything made from mother earth. Her and her brother both have a strong love for the outdoors. They love to pick flowers, leaves, grass, snails, slugs, and lizards from the ground and make collections of all sorts. When it first started, I would take their collections, string them, and hang them in the home. That was until they started adding live critters to the mix.

I am starting to wonder if this may become a problem for when we move. Living in Hawaii, we have the luxury of having NO snakes. I would hate it if she were to come across one once we move. With her having the open and loving heart for all God's creations that she has, she might pick one to love on. She is such a dear sweet little girl who just loves to love on any living thing. Maybe we will get her a little tree frog or something for her room. She is starting to become a little tom boy in the making. She loves her dolls, pretend play cooking, and books - but would choose a ball, dirt, rain, or a critter over any of that. She is going to love it when her daddy takes her fishing for the first time. I can just picture her wanting to hold the fish once it is caught, and kiss it to death! Her loving ways always brings a smile to my face and heart. Pure innocence, and unconditional love.

Now its time for bed, a book, and a bath!

Day 20

We finally replaced "Ben" the other day when we went shopping for pants for Jordan. About seven or so months ago, Charlotte lost her bear "Ben". We thought it was in the car, but it never showed up. While we were in Gap having Jordan try on clothes, Charlotte spotted the bear and hugged him so tight. When we were checking out, I told her to give the bear to the nice lady behind the counter, and she replied "My Ben!". I never thought that she would remember the bear, but turns out she did. So now, we are working on Ben Jr. I am wondering if I should pick up another one to keep on top of our closet in case we have to find a Ben III. Let's just pray that William never looses his "Max", I don't think I can replace that one (We are on our second Max as well). I just had to share this sweet story. My Children never forget. If they have loved you once, they will love you always. This has been proven with "Ben".

Day 12

Day 9 cont...

"Wishful thinking on Moms Part"

As I was sweeping the floors of the kitchen, I noticed my sweet children fiddling around in the laundry room. When I went to check out the situation, I noticed them doing something that resembled chores. Is this wishful thinking to think that Charlotte may be old enough to start doing chores. I am sure it is, but it was a nice thought, and a nice gesture to watch. She looked so old doing the laundry! The funny part about the whole thing is that I never asked her to do this, yet she was huffing and puffing like she would rather be doing something else.

Me - "Charlotte, it's okay honey, Mommy can get this"

Charlotte - "No, no, Sissy try it, sissy do it"

Day 7

"Good Morning Sun"

Milestones

My Sweet Charlotte,

my beautiful, sweet girl found some "panties" she loved one day and wanted them so bad.

She refused for three weeks to try them on,

Instead, she carried them around in her purse with her other most prized possessions.

Today, out of all days,

She put them on for the first time, and has not made any accidents in them yet. I think we can say goodbye to diapers, and hello to the potty from now on. Way to go Charlotte!

Sitting Pretty

My sweet babies, they carry so much love for one another.

Sibling touch down!

All in the name of LOVE

She opens

he shoots

he makes his move

he scores

Touch down!

Frugal Activities for your kids

"Breakfast in the Rain"

It was raining this morning, and all through our house you could hear the sound of dozens of birds playing in its wetness. I thought it would be fun for the wee ones to eat their morning meal outside (under cover of course) with the entertainment and sounds of nature. The loved it. 

For Breakfast we had a thin toasted sandwich of butter and jam cut in fourths with a side of banana, and some delicious acai juice for complements. 

Pulling Strings

Chase's lessons have been going very well. Michael is such a wonderful teacher, and Chase seems to take to him rather well. Yesterday, during his lessons, I was able to hear how far along Michael is taking him.  

(Michael)

(Chase)

Later on in the evening, we went to one of Michael's shows at one of the downtown hotels. His music was just beautiful, and the atmosphere was so relaxed. We were able to leave both boys with a friend for two hours, and be able to take Charlotte for some (much needed for her) one on one time with Mommy and Daddy.

She had such a great time, enjoying and soaking up the full attention of both Chase and I.
She was able to have food and drink with out having to share any of it.... except when she wanted to with her daddy...
... and she loved dancing the night away to Michael's song. Charlotte and I had a wonderful time twirling together in the open space. I am sure people were just staring at us thinking we were a little silly, but I will treasure our mother/daughter twirling forever.