Up up high

Living right next door to a playground has many perks. We are not yet terribly excited about bikes or scooters, but Charlotte loves to climb, all the way up to the top of the climber. Then she just stays there and chit chats. For a while.

Purim!

This year was Charlotte's (and Matt's) first Purim Carnival, and it was pretty exciting: costumes, face painting, balloon animals, singing, bouncy house, and of course hamentashen. The whole family including the twins joined as well.

Finally, Ballet

Charlotte has been waiting for this day for a long, long time! We received our leotard and shoes for Chanukah from Titi way back in December, and had to wait all the way until February to start classes at the studio down the street. Since classes are on Friday, Poppi is in charge of taking Charlotte to class. He's just a little bit excited :)

A New Year

Fully recovered from our flupocalypse, we had a fun New Year's weekend at a sweet little cabin in Gig Harbor with our friends and their kiddos. Charlotte was the oldest, so she preferred the company of the adults to the little ones for the most part. She also made great strides in her canine friendships with Rita (chihuahua) and Charlie (chocolate lab).

We also filled up vacation time with some play dates with our besties and aquarium time.

Now we're back to our regular routines of school and work, but even a regular old day with my girl is special to me. Daddy went out with the boys Saturday night, so we had girls' night at the Broiler, our neighborhood spot. Selfie!

Flupocalypse 2014

The weekend after Tday we flew to myrtle beach to visit grandma and papa. We had a fun day at the beach and lots of quality time together.

 

Unfortunately, Matt contracted the flu on the plane home and despite all efforts, all three of us went down for the count. We had to reschedule our annual Vodkas and Latkes holiday party, but we were determined to salvage some holiday fun! We managed to light the menorah every night, decorate a tree and a gingerbread house, bake some cookies, and visit Santa and reindeer. We even somehow squeezed the nutcracker in there between my illness and Charlotte's! 

Thankfully we were much better by the end of Chanukah.

Thanksgiving 2014

Everyone's favorite Jewish holiday finally arrived, and the whole family came to Seattle to celebrate. Charlotte, Sarah and  Abigail played hard for three days straight and had so much fun together. Charlotte also got some QT with Jay, Kaya, Julia and family friend David. Hattie sent costumes for the play even though she couldn't join us, so our production of Golda Lox and the Three Bears in the Fairyrale Forest went off without a hitch. Baby Bear Charlotte decided to be Tinkerbell instead, so Bubba read her lines.

3rd Birthday

Charlotte's birthday festivities kicked off with a celebration at her school. The kids made her a card and went around and each said something nice to her (I love playing trains with you; I love you; I like playing outside with you) then Mama and Daddy shared a special song we wrote about Charlotte's favorite things:

Schmoo bear the lovey and Minnie the mouse

My Little Ponies that fill up the house

Stella the baby doll, Tinkerbell’s wings

These are Charlotte’s favorite things

Sushi and pizza, macaroni and cheese

Cookies and ice cream with more sprinkles please

Raspberries, blueberries, pineapple rings

These are Charlotte’s favorite things

Jumping in puddles and balance beaming

Bird feeder watching, Daniel Tiger streaming

Dancing to ballet music, swinging on swings

These are Charlotte’s favorite things

3 years old now, such a big girl

So we’re feeling glad

To wish Charlotte a happy birthday today

With love, from your mom and dad

Then we all had lunch together and enjoyed some brownies the kids had made. 

On her actual birthday, we had a fun little party at our house- 3 friends for 3 years of age, plus of course the whole family! Daddy really outdid himself on the cake this year- blue sparkle pony lemon cake as requested. Charlotte blew out the candles with gusto and then had lots of fun playing with her new toys.