Happy Birthday Pop!!

This year was pretty exciting for one of our favorite people....POP!!  He turned 60 years old!  Mom wanted to do something super special for him because he is just the best.  We had a big surprise party for him but what she really thought would be fun is surprising him for a fun trip.  He thought he had planned a couples trip to Branson, little did he know that mom had the idea to start with and you guys were going to go surprise him.  (Sure sound fun, thanks for the invite).

Off you guys went, thinking you'd nap on the car ride there.  False!  First time you've not taken a nap your whole life!.  Shockingly, you did great!  Mom said when you got there you went and knocked on the door and Pop answered, shocked to see the little 2 foot girl at the door.  He was THRILLED.

You spent the rest of the day playing by the water, skipping stones (or just throwing rocks in the lake), dad and Pop even took you on a paddle boat ride.

The next day was HUGE!  It was your first time ever going to a theme park, Silver Dollar City.  This was the most fun I think you may have ever had...for the most part.  Mom loved it because everyone loves to go on fast rides, except her.  So now she finally had someone to sit with while the crazies went roller coasting.  You actually got to see dad go on a GIANT coaster.  You still haven't quit talking about it.  They took you on a couple ride.  Clearly you're going to take after mom. One was a boat ride. It didn't even have a seat belt, that's how non-crazy it was.  You wouldn't know, because you kept your eyes closed the entire time.  You got to ride a merry-go-round, a train, and some toddler rides that definitely were not of interest to you.  I think it's safe to say you and mom will be good buddies at theme parks.  

It seemed to have been a blast of trip.  Mom and dad enjoyed playing putt putt with you.  They played.  You took the ball right to the hole.  Genius.  You also went to a campfire and had some amores and won some Halloween goodies.  Luckily you still could squeeze into the pack-n-play, which you sure loved after a day of running at a park.  It was a marvelous trip...for you.  My staycation was horrible, you can ask mom about it some time.  

Needless to say I was so happy to see you.  You guys are my favorite people so try not to leave too often.  

Happy birthday Pop!!

Love you sister,

Nelson

Trick or Treat!

Everything has become more fun with you. Holiday's are for sure a blast!  Trick or treating was a hit this year...mostly.

You and mom dressed up as cats, since we will never have one.  I didn't get to dress up this year.  I guess I'm happy about that.  So we walked two cats around the neighborhood parade.  You LOVED wearing your costume!

We rehearsed what it would be like to go to people's porch, say "Trick or Treat!" and get a treat to put in your bucket.  It's the last part that really tripped you up.  Last year you could get the snickers, mom would give you raisins real fast, and boom you thought the day was great!  This year, you sure wised up to that trick!  You've learned your candies and what their wrappers are.  So when you got the candy, putting it in the bucket seemed like an awful idea.  Why not just eat it then?? No sense on wasting.  I totally get it.  But that caused for a few tears from you and a few anxiety-ridden moments for mom who could hardly stand to see you eat all the candy with all that dye.

We had a great time on a warm Halloween with Pop, Grandma, Grandpa Bob and MawMaw.  You are one lucky girl to be surrounded by so many people who love you.

Happy Halloween sister!

Love,

Nelson

Two Minutes

You've recently started to have the ability to tell time!  In the form of two-minutes.

Charlotte, the show is ending.  "No, two minutes"

When did you get to be such a big girl?! "Two minutes"

When do you think your Jammies will come in the mail? "two minutes"

Charlotte, please give mommy her phone "ok, two minutes"

The odd thing is, none of your time telling actually lasts 2 minutes.  I'm not sure if mom and dad have caught on yet, but it seems to be your way of saying 'thanks for your suggestion on ______ but I'm going to not listen and hope two minutes will buy me some more time'

.

It's a good thing you're so cute!

Love you sister,

Nelson

Here We Go Again!

Seems like we may have jumped ahead to some big news! Well, turns our mom and dad are going to give us a sibling...a brother!! Mom was shocked to learn about a new baby in July. Seems I have dropped the ball on that announcement. Luckily you and I made a cute photo to document the news. (Shocker)

Skip ahead a few months and the big day of learning what the baby will be is here! Mom and dad decided to not find out in the doctor office. It was Pops birthday so they colored the cupcakes and we al found out together. Mom clearly was shocked. And thrilled. 

Blue it was!! Boy it is!! We are glad it's a boy, because we all agree we don't think another girl could measure up to you. So now we just need to think of a name. And make a baby room. And buy a whole new wardrobe of boy clothes. And learn how to change a boy diaper. But, at least we are 3 vs 2 now. Game on sister. 

We can't wait to meet you little brother! 

Love 

Nelson 

 

First Day of School!!

We've spent all summer preparing you for your first big day of preschool. We've read Daniel school books, talked with Ms Becky when she drives the Becky Bus around the neighborhood, and practiced wearing a backpack. All this to make sure you had the perfect 1st Day!!! And you know what, you did!! 

Mommy sure was stressed. She had nightmares the whole night before. She didn't get you there in time or forgot to feed you and had to get you Mcdonalds (which is her worst nightmare!). 

You proved us that you in fact are such a BIG girl and went to school like a champ!! 

Mommy wanted to take 249 pictures of you, and me, on the big day. You did well but were more ready to get the show on the road. After all the cheeses and "mommy had a bird on her heads" you walked inside to go out to the car, "mommy come". And off you went. 

You even got to sit in the car like a big girl on your way to school. 

It was so exciting when you got there because daddy was waiting for you!! He wasn't going to miss the big day either. More pictures and finally school was about to start!!! 

When you walked into the school you went right to your room, set your bag down, and immediately tended to the baby dolls.  

 

Although other kids were crying, you had better things to do. Mommy and daddy did the standard first-time parent lingering. And you go yet another photo taken. 

Then it was time for you to officially start school. By yourself. Without us. This would be when mom started to cry. The jury is still out on whether dad did too. They asked you for kisses and you obliged, for the 10 times they asked. Then you said "mommy, up" for mommy pick me up later. Mommy said yes, so it was safe for you to stay, and that you did. 

I have to say, it was nice seeing mom come home alone for once, but she quickly left and spent her "free" time running around. I do know that she drove by your school to see if she could spot you outside, but no luck. 

Shortly, it was time to pick you up. Mommy ran down to get you, so eager, and you were waiting at the door. "Mommy!! Up!! This!!" Mommy picked you up and you quickly showed her your treasure pick. The teachers said you were great and that was that!! Piece of cake! 

Your review of school was "good", you colored a picture, played with babies "baby's, take, mad" (mad that a little girl kept taking your babies), and played on the playground "slide, big, hands dirty, wash mad!" Meaning I think you wanted to wash your hands because they were dirty but you didn't get to and it made you and. If so, that makes mommy very proud:) 

I hope you continue to like school and are sweet and friendly to your friends. We were so proud of you and couldn't believe how much you grew up in that very special and exciting day. I look forward to walking you every Wednesday, and getting mom all to myself for a bit;)

Love you sister,

Nelson 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terriffic Twos!

To my sweet baby Charlotte,

I've been preparing you for the end of your year of ONE for a while now, and it's been something that neither of us have wanted to let go of. One has been a glorious year! A year filled of giggles, walking, running, lots of bumps on your head, talking, use of the word "no", making friends, learning your boundaries and then pushing them, snuggles, Dan Dan, dookies, purses, breakfasts in bed, cuddles, and learning how much you love your pack (me, daddy, and Nels). I could see why when I asked how old you're going to be that you would just say... "No!"

Today, two hit and you didn't miss a beat with your bubbly personality. 

We went on a family walk (dad thinks we run, we think he's slow as a snail), took you to the pool which you LOVED, and you even got to eat a hot dog for lunch. We played outside on your swing set and Pop C  loved pushing you in the swing. We then took the golf cart to get pizza with Meme and Pop! What a fun birthday! We topped it off with some cake and sprinkler time. You weren't too thrilled with the sprinkler yet, but the cake was a hit. 

You, my sweet girl, are the kindest child with a heart of gold. This is something you are known for. People enjoy being around you and playing because you are always so kind. This is the one thing I hope you keep with you your entire life. It's not always going to be easy, but I pray that you are kind to others every chance you get. And when you struggle to be kind, apologize. That shows strength. 

You are also so silly. You love to laugh and play and giggle every single day. Life should never be taken too seriously. I hope you always make time for giggles every single day. That's what makes someone so beautiful. 

I hope you continue to know how important your family is. Your perfect day consists of playing with mommy, daddy, and Nelson (and that's our perfect day too!) 

This year is one that we are going to have so much fun! Mommy will be home with you and we are going to nail this whole stay-at-home-mom thing:) 

You are my sunshine sweet girl and I love you with my whole heart. 

Love, 

Mommy