Good-bye Marie!

What a wonderful summer it has been!  I've had so much fun and a big part of it has been because of our friend Marie, who had to go back to Sweden yesterday.  We've had such a great time together and she was really like family to me, my mom and my dad.  So we wanted to give Marie a grand send off and started her party with lunch on Monday...me and my friends were there to say good-bye.

Here's Mia - she was sad to see Marie go, too, but happy to have the chance to bid a fond farewell to our Swedish friend.  Mia is turning 1 tomorrow and I know she's starting to get excited about her party this weekend...YAY Mia!

And there's Chandler and his mom - he was having kind of a tough day because he had even more teeth coming in...what a trooper!  Despite his pain and lack of sleep, he was determined to spend the afternoon with us...and to see Marie one last time (well, for now, that is...we know she'll be back soon!!!)

And the party continues into dinner!!!  Here I am with my dad and Marie at one of our favorite restaurants in South Norwalk.  We were so sad that Marie was leaving but also happy for her to be on her way to see her family and friends in Sweden again.  

Here is Marie in front of the American Airlines terminal at JFK...after many, many hours of packing, Marie and my mom hopped in the car and headed for the airport.  And then following a teary good-byes she was off...

My mom got an email from Marie today and she arrived home safe and sound - and she slept almost the entire time on the plane; this week she moves back into her apartment and goes back to work.  So we wish you all the best Marie and want to offer our thanks for a really great summer.  We really hope to see you soon, either here or in Sweden.  With love from your favorite monster, Charlotte

Happy Birthday MOMMY!!!

One really nice thing about having an August birthday - besides the warm weather and beach parties - is that my birthday is just 4 days before my mom's birthday.  So even though my mom didn't have the big bash that I had, we had a really special day together yesterday as family (just what my mom wanted).

Here I am singing for my supper...where is my spaghetti bolognese??!!?

Don't mommy and I look cute together?  Here we are at dinner, eating pasta at one of our local Italian restaurants.  We spent our day doing so many nice family activities: taking a long walk, spending time together, going to the beach, etc.  Mommy was so relaxed and happy...and I really, really tried to be on my very best behavior.

Mommy's giving me a kiss because I was a good girl in the restaurant and ate all of my dinner.

Phew!  I'm exhausted and happy to be on our way home.  We really had a special day and now everyone is tired and ready for bed.  I love you, mommy and was so happy to be a part of your special day.  Love, Your Buggy

And then she was 1...

Hello Friends!!!  We celebrated my first birthday on Sunday and, as you can see from the above photo, I was very happy to be turning one.  My mom made the icing for my cake in the morning on my birthday and let me lick off the spoon, which is why my face looks a little sticky.  I loved it so much and couldn't wait to dig into my Sand Castle cake later that afternoon...

Here I am with Daddy out on the beach...we had the most gorgeous weather for my party and everyone was really excited to spend the morning outdoors.  My mom bought me a special pink dress with a cupcake embroidered on the front especially for the occasion.  We held the party at Saugatuck Island's South Beach, just down the street from our house.  My dad put up a big tent and we had tables, chairs and tons of food (and drinks) for our guests.

Check out my Sand Castle Cake, which my mom baked especially for me!!!  I did share some of the gummy whales, lobsters and octopi that mom used to decorate...the older kids really loved them and I had the feeling that I would, too, one day.  The cake was DEE-licious though I only had a few bites...for some reason, mom feels that too much sugar isn't good for me.  I can't imagine that it's true...it just tastes TOO GOOD!

As if one cake were not enough, my mom asked the folks at Sono Bakery to make another cake for our entire group...and here it is!  It was decorated with balloons, mermaids, lobsters, beach balls and candy pebbles...and was big enough to feed everyone...and then some!  My mom told me that it was really delicious.

Here is the beach boat filled with all my birthday presents!  It was nice enough that everyone came to celebrate my birthday with me...and all the gifts...I must be a really lucky girl.  We sure do have thoughtful friends (and family, too!).

Here's my friend Sadie...she had a really nice time at the beach and I was happy that she was able to make it to the party.  

YAY - Clea, Bernie, Astrid and Louisa are back in town!  They've been in Sweden and Belgium all summer and have finally returned home, and just in time for my birthday, too.  It was so nice to see them again...I look forward to many playdates together this fall.

Here is my mom's cousin Laura, her husband Jay and my second cousins, Maggie and Katy...they are really enjoying the beach.  They drove all the way from Michigan to meet me and to celebrate my birthday.  I was so happy that I had the chance to meet them and we hope to see them again very soon.

Here are Dori and Mia...don't they look happy??  Everyone was smiling a lot that day because it was just the perfect day to spend outside at the beach.  I was so happy that Mia, her mom and her dad were able to attend my birthday bash!   I've known Mia since we were just a few weeks old...she's my first friend and I'm really looking forward to celebrating her first birthday with her and her family next week.  

Well, now we know that mom is capable of lifting almost 50 pounds!!!!  I knew she could do it.  Chandler and I are happy to smile for the camera but also look forward to getting down so that we can play a bit more in the sand before the party is over.

It was a great day and I really feel very fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family in my life.  Thanks very much to all who turned out for my first birthday - and check out the link to my Mac Gallery to see all of the great photos taken that day.  Love, Charlotte

Happy Birthday to You, Kate!

Here's the birthday girl!!!

Well, our old friend Kate turned one yesterday and was it ever a blast!  We seem to have turned the corner as far as calm and serene playdates where everyone is content to sit on the floor and play with toys: children were running / walking / crawling everywhere, climbing stairs (yes, that would be me...but in my defense Kate's house has a rather grand staircase!) and just generally having a great time.  Here's a photo of the birthday girl and her mom...so cute in her "1" t-shirt and party hat!

Here comes Chandler making his grand entrance.  Chandler's mom told us that he wasn't his usual happy-go-lucky self that day as he'd been experiencing a painful episode of teething.  I have no idea what a molar is but something tells me I'm about to find out, along with my mom and dad, who will likely suffer right along with me.  :o)  Anyhow, Chandler put in a brave face and kept up the frenetic pace alongside the rest of us.  Oh, and Chandler's mom told my mom that Chandler took his first two steps, too - way to go, Chandler!  Woo-hoo!

Here's Mia taking a lunch break...I think she's enjoying a rice cake in this photo.  Little did she know that the real cake was on its way!  

My mom did her best to feed me some yogurt and a few miscellaneous healthy items for lunch but, to be honest, I am perfectly content to munch on a roll over in the corner... and I think I may have "borrowed" this roll from Olivia.  Sorry Olivia!

Olivia is getting ready to hit the road, as she, along with the rest of us, is exhausted by the day's events.  Kate's first birthday was really, really great and we were all very happy to have been invited to join the fun.  I have fond memories of the early days with Kate...we were both cows for Halloween and, ever since, I've felt a bond with her.  And even though we don't get to see her as often, she's still one of our good buddies.  Congrats on your big day, Kate!  

Da Bronx Zoo

Greetings from the Bronx Zoo!  Today we had a family field trip: Marie, mom and me packed up and headed south to da Bronx.  The weather was a little steamy but there were lots of trees so we were able to stay in the shade during most of the day.  Mom really got a kick out of this giraffe visor and I, too, was excited about it, especially because I was able to say "hat," thereby impressing the clerks in the store and passersby.  

I'm not quite sure what my mom is pointing out here but we saw so many cool animals today: reptiles, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) etc.  I was very impressed with the attractions and tried to be on my best behavior, even though I was subject to many, many hours sitting in my stroller (note: my mom would eventually realize that paybacks are...well, you know.  I was bouncing off the walls when I returned home).

Here we are on the Bug Carousel - my mom chose the praying mantis... I wonder if there is any significance.  Anyhow, we had a really fun time on this ride - it was my third time on a Carousel and I'm feeling rather confident with myself.  I attempted to stand up several times and was promptly told to remain seated...with my seatbelt securely fastened.

Here I am with Marie on the Skyfari cable car ride.  Upon arriving at the Zoo, we decided to get a bird's eye view of our surroundings in order to figure out our game plan for the day.  It was a little daunting unpacking everything on boarding the cable car...my stroller even got to ride in its own car!  How cool is that?

My mom said I missed one of the coolest parts of the Zoo: The Butterfly Garden.  Though I resisted sleep for most of the day, I finally lost my battle just prior to our arrival at the conservatory.  Once inside, thousands of butterflies, well, fluttered by.  The atmosphere must have been quite soothing because I remained asleep the entire time...well, at least, my mom and Marie loved it.  I can't wait until my next visit!!  

Party Animal!

Well I certainly have been a party animal this summer!  Between all of my friends turning one and the barbeques and picnics, I've been on the party circuit full force.  This weekend was no exception: friends of my mom and dad's had us over on Sunday for a great party.

 There were many activities for the kids, including a balloon man, a giant bouncy (alas, I was too little to jump with the big kids) and loads of toys to play with.  The Brennan kids have so many cool things that I don't have at my house...I especially loved their Dora scooter, which I rode while my dad blew bubbles.  We had such a blast!

A Playdate at Lake Mohegan

Today my friends and I had a playdate at Lake Mohegan in Fairfield...and it sure was fun!  It was the first time my mom and I had been there and we really, really liked it.  Scarlett had been before so she wasn't afraid to jump right in and start digging!

And here's our birthday girl, Ella!  Today was her first birthday and her mom and dad brought her to play with us after their visit to the Beardsley Zoo.  We were so happy that we had the chance to see her and to wish her a Happy First Birthday.

I found myself very much at home sitting on the shore with a shovel.  I love spending time at the beach near my house and found that being at the Lake was just as much fun.

Here we are playing happily with our toys!  Well, maybe they weren't all our toys...we found a few items that had been left behind and were happy to put them to use.

Aidan enjoying a brief moment sitting in the sand!  He spent most of our time there running around in the sand, chasing after ducks and just generally exploring his surroundings.