Fun with Nonna

Mommy and I are a little behind on the blog...so we're hoping to catch up with a few posts today! Recently my Nonna came to spend some time with us...we had such a nice visit. For a few days, Mommy and Daddy jumped on a "big airplane" and Nonna and I had so much fun together and kept ourselves busy with lots of fun activities.

There was a trip to Elephant Steps...

...an ice cream outing (yummmmmmm!)...

...a farm visit (check me out on this antique tractor!!)...

...and even a few playground jaunts. Nonna and I really got to know each other and I hope that she is able to come back soon for a visit. Or perhaps we can go to Oklahoma for a visit?!?! Thanks, Nonna, for all the fun and for taking such good care of me. Love, Charlotte

First Day of School

It's the first day of school...YAY! I couldn't wait to be there and bugged my mom and dad all morning about when we would go to school. And at 1PM, Mom and I finally made our way to the Learning Community Day School for our first day! As you can see from the above photo, I am very anxious to get inside and begin the new experience.

Though most faces are unfamiliar to me, I was relieved to have at least one familiar face in class with me: here is Alexandra! I am sure we will have a great year together.

I was very, very excited to see a dollhouse in my classroom and, with the help of my teacher Carline, spent a great deal of time exploring it.

My current affinity for babies is not limited to my favorite babies at home: I quickly found this baby at school so I swaddled her up and carried her around with me yesterday. I also had the chance to wear a name tag, too, so that my teachers and new friends would know my name. Now if only we were able to read...

And finally, we get to go outside! Mommy and I have been driving by the school on many occasions and I have seen the playground but have not been able to play there. So at the end of our school day, mommy and I spent some time together on the playground. I was very excited and got to play with some friends, too. I didn't want to leave but mommy assured me that we would have the opportunity to return today. I can't wait to get back to school...I think I'm really going to have FUN there. Love, Charlotte

First Haircut!!

Here I am getting ready for my very first haircut! This has been a difficult decision for mommy and daddy, as they have been procrastinating this task for some time.

Check out the cool, Barbie Jeep that I get to sit in while my hair is cut!!

Here is the hairdresser in action. I was very still and well-behaved while my hair was being cut, which was difficult because there were numerous distractions at the salon (TV, paparazzi, toys, etc.).

And here is the finished product! Not much of a change but I felt so happy and proud to have my first haircut. Now I'm all ready for school... can't wait to go. Check back later in the week for photos. XOXO, Charlotte

Happy Birthday Hayley!

Our final birthday celebration of the summer commenced last week with a luau at Hayley's house - Happy Birthday, Hayley and Welcome to the Club!!! Hayley's mom had lots of outdoor activities planned...including swimming!

Here are Mia and Hayley enjoying a spin in Hayley's birthday wagon...so cool!

And here we have the birthday girl lounging in the pool.

Chandler seems to be very focused on something, though I'm not quite sure what it is... he did have lots of fun at the party, though. And as an added bonus, we all spent some time with his Poppy and Gigi, who were here visiting from Tennessee.

Miss Olivia is hamming it up...so cute! Olivia came to the party with new baby brother Nate and even the babies seemed to have a good time hanging out and partying with the big kids. I do not have a photo of all of us eating cake at this party... I think you can use your imagination (or take a look back over numerous earlier posts). I can't believe that all my friends are TWO! It has been a great summer...and soon we'll be off to school! Love, Charlotte

Happy Birthday MOMMY!!!

We celebrated a very, very special birthday this weekend - it was my mommy's birthday on Friday and the family went into New York City to celebrate in style. Here are a couple of photos of Mommy and me together...we spent many hours roaming the city and enjoying the sights. I had my very first trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and enjoyed many taxi rides, even wearing my very own seatbelt like a big girl. We had some nice meals and took advantage of every opportunity to show mommy how much we appreciate and love her. I was on my very best behavior, sleeping well in my "hotel bed" (crib) and riding patiently in the stroller for many hours. We returned home today and Mommy spent the afternoon relaxing while Daddy and I played and went swimming together at our beach. I hope you had a great birthday, Mommy. I love you so much! xoxoxo, Charlotte Ryan

Who's Birthday is it today? Char Char's Birthday!!!

Well, my big day finally arrived...I am TWO YEARS OLD!!! Daddy took the day off from work on Monday and we assembled once more at our beach to celebrate my birthday. Mommy had been preparing me for many days so that I was ready to answer the question, "Who's Birthday is it today?" "Char Char's Birthday!!!" Here is a photo of me, Chandler and Mia hitching a ride in the wagon over to the beach. It was a really, really hot and humid day so we were happy we didn't have to walk!!

My obsession with Baby Hunter continues...here I am sitting in his stroller, making sure that he isn't overheating during the party. He's still too small to play in the sand and water but was well-behaved in his stroller.

Annie and Aidan are enjoying a little shade. We were fortunate to have a couple of tents to provide a little shade during the party. It really was warm and I was happy to spend most of my time at the water's edge.

Mia and Aidan are doing a little digging with the sand toys. Everyone was so nice to bring toys to share with our friends.

Here are my new friends Grace, Cambell and Hadley...so happy they were able to come to my birthday party!

Here I am offering up a big hug to Chan Chan...the poor kid never gets a break. :) We had so much fun hanging out at the water's edge. And thanks, Kendy, for taking such great photos.

The water was really the best place to be at my party. I had SO much fun going out to the dock with my dad, jumping off into the water with the big kids.

We were so excited that Aunt Susan, Carsten and Natasha were able to make it to my party. They just returned from their annual summer vacation in Denmark and so we hadn't seen them for awhile. I'm not sure what Aunt Susan is pointing at here but she looks like she sees something interesting.

I am one happy girl...what a great Birthday. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends and, especially, my mom and dad who love me so much. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the birth of Mia's new baby brother, Jonah Max, who was born on Monday and is doing great. Congratulations to the Bomback Family and I am so excited that Jonah and I will share a birthday!!! Thanks to everyone for making my birthday so special. Love, Charlotte x0x0

Aidan's 2nd Birthday

Well, my friends and I have certainly had our fill of cake this summer...but we still great each cake-eating opportunity with the same enthusiasm. Last Thursday was no different: the gang assembled at the Kavanaugh Home to celebrate Aidan's 2nd Birthday!!

Here's the birthday boy enjoying a snack...goldfish, I think. Sadly, the day was not without incident: Aidan and I both wanted a pair of scissors (silly mommy for putting them down within our reach!) and the result was Aidan's finger getting snipped. Thankfully, it is much better now!!

Aidan hamming it up with Olivia...

Chandler looking very sweet...I wonder what he's thinking??!?

Mia saying "hello!" We were all very happy to have the chance to celebrate Aidan's big day...so much fun!