Bathing Beauties!!

This afternoon we had an invitation to go to Alexandra's house for a swim in their new swimming pool - it was so wonderful!  Alex and I - and our moms, of course - splashed on the steps, frolicked on "Kermit Island," cavorted with the Big Yellow Duck and lounged on the landing in the pool.  What could be better than whiling away the late afternoon hours poolside??!  I hope, hope, hope that I was on my best behavior today because I really want to be invited back to Alex's for a swim one day very soon.  Here are some photos of Alex and me bundled in our towels after our swim!  Thanks again, Alex and Julie!!! Love, Charlotte

 

Boating Guests

Yesterday we had our great friends Mia, Dori and David as guests on the boat...it was such a great afternoon.  We took a nice spin on the boat, played, attempted to take naps (HA!) and enjoyed brunch together.  Here is a photo of Mia and me looking out the porthole in search of fish, a favorite activity.

Snack time!  We didn't eat much but did manage to consume a few cider donut holes...and they were yummy!  Check out our Abby Cadabby plates, too.  Mia definitely appreciated them - I knew she would!

Can we drive the boat?  Mia and I are comfortably at the helm, looking forward to taking the boat out for a spin in a few years.  In the meantime, we are happy to have Daddy take us for a ride.  What a fun afternoon with the Bombacks - we can't wait to have them back again soon. Love, Charlotte

Outdoors once more!

Can somebody say "HAPPY??!?"  I've jumped in the wagon as I am ready to head off to a beach playdate with the gang: Chandler, Mia, Scarlett, Hayley, Aidan, Baby Emma and Baby Rocky and their moms all met here on Friday and we headed for our beach to play.

As I head straight for the water, Chandler is wondering if he should follow suit...his hesitation did not last long and before the end of the playdate we were both rolling around at the edge of the shore, completely waterlogged and having a fantastic time.

Hayley is totally immersed in shell collecting here, content to pass the time seated next to a pile of shells.  Our moms spent much of the time chasing after one child or another..."never a dull" as my mom always says.  I wonder what that means??!?

Stopping just long enough to refuel, Mia and I are trying to get our food and drink in quickly before returning to the task at hand: getting as much time as possible outdoors before the rain returns.  We were fortunate to have had a 3-hour stretch at the beach before the skies opened up.  But I only heard about that from mom, as I was napping blissfully during that time.

That is one happy Scarlett!  We are so happy to have Scarlett back among the "regulars" at our playgroups.  Scarlett's mom is on summer vacation and both are eager to get back into the swing of playing and catching up.  We can't wait to see Scarlett again this week!

What a great playdate - and a fantastic start to the weekend, which ended up being much nicer than we expected.  Mom, Dad and I spent time on our own out on the boat and hosted our friends Mia, David and Dori today (pix to follow).  We can't believe that Sunday night is upon us already... Love, Charlotte

Tribute to Daddy, Part II

Mommy and I went out for a walk this Father's Day morning.  It was our intention to feed the ducks over by daddy's boat...but we had much more fun splashing in puddles instead.

But I digress...the real reason for this post is to wish a Happy, Happy Father's Day to the number one daddy in the WORLD!  Daddy, I love you very much and I know how lucky we are to have each other.  Big hugs, kisses and all my love, Charlotte Ryan

Tribute to Daddy, Part I

It's Father's Day Weekend and I wanted to take a little time to tell the world what a wonderful daddy I have: he's the BEST!  Daddy works so hard for our family...and he never complains about it.  OK, well maybe he gets frustrated from time to time but he always has a smile and a hug for me (and, of course, for mommy!).

Daddy loves to spend time with the family!  We've amassed so many wonderful family memories over the last two years.  The above photo was taken on Easter Morning 2009 as we are on our way to brunch at The Dressing Room...such a great day.

 

I am always by my daddy's side...where I love to be.  Daddy and I are enjoying lunch in Ridgefield last fall.  Where has the year gone??!

WOW!  Look how small I am here!  Daddy and I are together in December 2007 picking out our Christmas Tree.  I think daddy was so happy and proud to start this family ritual of chopping down our very own tree.

One of my favorite spots: sitting atop daddy's shoulders!  I've enjoyed this position since I was a little tyke (as you can see from the photo above) and daddy still carries me this way.  

I really, really love daddy and hope he has a wonderful Father's Day!  Check in tomorrow for more of my tribute to the World's Greatest Dad.  Love, Charlotte

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my daddy's 35th birthday!  I am so happy to have the chance to spend the day with him and to celebrate this milestone.  I wished him "Happy Birthday Daddy" numerous times and everyone seemed very excited that I was able to communicate this.  Should they really have been so surprised?  I'm talking like a pro lately... :o)

Mommy and I baked this cake for daddy from scratch earlier today while daddy was still out on the boat.  As soon as it was frosted, I was ready to eat it though exercised a tremendous amount of restraint as I was reminded that we had to wait for daddy before the cake eating could commence.  As you can see, daddy was quite appreciative of our efforts.

It looks a little lopsided from this angle but no matter...it could have been turned upside down and it still would have been just as delicious.  Daddy, mommy and I dived right in as soon as daddy came home.  Daddy then opened his presents, we went to the playground together and then the whole family walked over to the beach.  I think daddy had a really nice birthday.  I love you, daddy!

Farewell, Music Together

Chandler, Mia, Aidan, Ella, Hayley, Hunter and I said goodbye to Music Together today.  I've been taking music for over a year now but I think we've reached the end of the line, at least for now.  Summer is here (though you wouldn't know it from looking out the window!) and we're keeping our schedule open and activity free.  In September, the gang will be starting school and we probably won't have enough free time for activities.  We'll miss getting together on a regular basis but I know we'll all see each other soon enough.  Love, Charlotte

Any day with Chan Chan is a great day!

Kisses!

I love this car!

Pretending to rest for a moment...

Mmmmmm....yogurt!

"I'm just too cute for words!"

Today I had a playdate with my great pal Chandler...he came over to my house to play and have lunch.  We had so much fun running around, riding in the car, chasing each other, hiding in the tent and learning the finer points of sharing.  I'm always so excited to see Chan Chan and I hope to have him over again soon.  Love, Charlotte

Sag Harbor Bound

Mom, Dad and I had an amazing weekend adventure out on our boat - we took a trip out to Sag Harbor on Long Island.  We woke up Saturday morning, made a few phone calls, dropped off Bucky and G at the Puppy Spa and were on our way.  The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed the trip - especially the time we spent in Sag Harbor, which is a beautiful town.  We all slept on the boat on Saturday night and I was very well behaved.  I look forward to many more weekend boat adventures this summer.  Love, Charlotte

You've got a friend...

I have been very focused on friends lately...it is a common topic of conversation at home.  I speak of my friends often to mommy and thought I would share them with you.  So here goes...above is my canine companion and good friend, Gryffin, or just plain "G" as he is known.  G and I have been friends for some time and he is happy to put up with my ear grabbing and tail pulling (even though mommy is quick to remind me that this is NOT acceptable).  I love G and he is a good and loyal friend.

Here I am with Natasha and Carsten, who are Aunt Susan's kids and also my friends.  I don't get to see them as often as we would like but I am confident that they will be ever present in my life and I am glad to know them.

And here are the 3 Musketeers: Mia, Chan Chan and Me.  I couldn't ask for better friends and I hope that I will know them for many, many years to come.  I'm pretty sure that our moms will stay friends so I think I have a great shot of keeping them around.  Love ya, Mia and Chan Chan! (PS - These days we are a bit more focused on the music and a little less on putting the sticks into our mouths.)

WOW!  This really takes me back!  Mia, Hayley, Aidan and I on a very early visit to the Maritime Aquarium.  Mom told me that this was taken on April 1st of 2008 so we were all just 7 months old... I guess that's why we're still posing for the camera and not running halfway across the room to the seal tank!

Another blast from the past!!!  Where is everyone's hair??  A younger Scarlett, Mia, Hayley, Ella and me meet up at Starbucks in Fairfield for a playdate in early 2008.  This gang has been friends since we were just weeks old...and we still get together to this day.  I really, really adore my friends and hope they know how important they are to me.  Love, Charlotte