You Know Who You Like

Out in Schaumburg, Illinois, we met with our dear friend Mark who was in on a wedding trip from his home in Atlanta. Again, we realized that Charlotte knows who she likes and makes sure that she gives them the perks of membership. From the first moment Mark was given make-believe gifts, was asked to read the books that he gave her as a gift and had a new girlfriend even as his real one came down to the lobby to meet us. Without question, it is as if Charlotte knows who she likes before she gets to know them more than a moment. But, then again, it is like her Daddy's "45 second rule"...she too knows if she likes someone right away. Mark, it seems, is one of the ones she like: ALOT.

No Battle Breakfasts

David and I promised eachother that meals would NOT be a battle time. We swore that there would be no bribery, constant cajoling or heated discussion about eating. It seems that breakfast has become a battle of sorts and totally against our original plan. Today, we renew our pact and realize that she will not starve if she passes up a meal. She usually eats quite well if not too well sometimes. Charlotte's morning snack is only an hour plus around the corner so missing breakfast ain't so bad. Maybe she just enjoys the heat of battle? Maybe she is just genuinly not hungry some mornings? Who knows? But breakfast will NOT be a battle!

Choices

Learning from your parents is something that (it seems to me) most children are unaware of at a young age.
Charlotte told me that her bunnies were being "not so good" and that they needed to be given choices.
"I told them that they could have Peter Rabbit or Boppy Bunny in bed with them but they decided to have none".
"What a good mommy you are", I said to her.
"Thank you," she replied.

I'm thankful that she not only knows that choices are an important part of life but they help her bunny children to behave well too.

Ch-ch-ch-anges

Memories of Charlotte clinging to my leg at playgroup in Baltimore. They are not far distant but a clear thought of hoping she would take off on her own. And now, two days in a row visiting perspective preschools for the Fall, she does take off on her own out into the playground and classrooms to play among the children.

When wishes come true...smile and delight in them.

Rules

You're never quite sure when your child actually GETS a concept that most of us take for granted. Rules, for instance. Today at lunch Charlotte and I talked about some of teh rules of our house, car and playtime. She commented that one rule in the house is "no hitting". That is when it struck me...she really GETS this rule thing!

Too Much

When I ask David, "How much do I love you?"....the answer is expected: a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.
Charlotte has a funny answer that makes us smile. "Too much", she says.
No my dear, we could never love you too much...we love you just enough and maybe even more.

What Color is YOUR cereal?

We enjoy many kinds of cereal at our home for breakfast and the occassional snack. Usually it is what is on sale and a half/half of sugar versus healthy.
TOday at breakfast Charlotte announced that she wanted "Raisin Brown".
Well, I do enjoy the Raisin Bran cereal very much but have never dwelled on its color.
Raisin Brown it is Charlotte!

Doctor Charlotte

Charlotte's empathy for peoples' scraps, scratches and illnesses has caused her to want to help. She knows the word "nee-oh-spowen" (translation - neosporin) and discusses the falls and colds her Bunnies have had.

Yesterday evening Charlotte asked if she could put Neosporin on my scraped toe. A silly incident with our coffee table has left me with a red skinless mark. She carefully applies the ointment and tells me it will be "all better".

It is not a teachable trait but one that is passed down from parent modeling.
I hope you're all doing well!

:)

Nickname

Today we found out that our new arrival will be a boy.
Later I asked Charlotte what she would like to call her baby brother while he is still inside.

"Frog", she replied.
"I don't think he'll like that", David commented upon my retelling the story.