Hola, me llamo Charlotte

Charlotte began preschool last week at a total immersion Spanish school. She is very excited about it and we are excited too. We feel that it is important to expose her to new things and exposure to Spanish at this early age will, in our minds, give her a better perspective of the world and of herself.

She has shown interest and LOVE of Dora, the Explorer, and, of Dora's famous cousin, Diego. Charlotte likes repeating words in Spanish after they say them on the cartoon. We hope this love will continue in her classroom.

She had a great first week and we're on to the second. A little timid in the mornings going in the room, but I think it's because she doesn't want me to leave her. The director and teacher say that Charlotte quickly adapts to my absence and today, they reported, sang and danced to the Spanish music being played during music time.

Her love of music is also very evident....

Summer Recap, part 2

This summer has been adventurous. Below, are more summer memories we created.....

Hurricane Harbor with Jason, Cami, and Abbi.

We had fun HOT day. Charlotte thought the water park was pretty cool. She got to play in the lazy river, wave pool, and the kid's play area. Aunt Cami was really kind to play with Charlotte while us big kids (Jason, Abbi, Justin and I) went down slides and tube rides. It's always also fun people watching..... we were definitely the minority because none of us had tattoos. And, that's OK with me!

Gram, Pater, and Celia Hays

We drove down to The Woodlands the end of July to meet Celia Hays. She is my biological great-grandmother and Charlotte's great-great grandmother. She's 92 years old and very spunky. She really enjoyed watching Charlotte run around and play. We met at Rupert's sister's house, Ellen Troup. Rupert's other sister, Janice, met us there too. We had a fun day filled with great food, wine, conversations, and pool time! Charlotte even napped in a big bed. It was a long day because we drove down and back all in the same day, but totally worth the trip!

Our trip to the Butterfly House

Texas Discovery Gardens, Fair Park

Charlotte enjoyed picking a butterfly on her map and then trying to locate it in the garden. There was some really beautiful butterflies. One was very bright blue named, Blue Morpho Butterfly. We had learn about that particular butterfly earlier that morning watching Diego. See..... cartoons can be educational.

Dallas Museum of Art, Jazz night

Charlotte had loads of fun dancing and twirling to the live music. She was the only child there, but that only made her feel bigger. Others loved watching her energy and joy and she danced the night away.

Pizza and play with the Zonas

Kermit!

Charlotte and I took advantage of one of the MANY opportunities we have in Dallas and went to a children's movie. They were showing Muppets from Outer Space. She thought it was really cool!

Still LOVES ballet with Ms. Holly.

Soon, she will graduate from Mommy and Me and attend her own class.

Popsicle Princess

Yes, it's already started....... Catalog shopping

She found something on EVERY page that she liked. I guess I know where she gets that. Plus, who doesn't like Boden??

Aquarium

I hadn't been to the aquarium in a while, but Charlotte had. Nana & Granddad took her, Aunt Haley took her, and Kabe & Grammie took her.... so, I thought it was time that I finally took her too. It was fun having her show me around. She had her favorites and loved showing them to me. She acted so big and mature.

In the process of organizing the pantry, I had a little helper pull things out and put in the backpack. She said she was shopping and needed to pack her lunch.

Couldn't resist this adorable picture of her long pony tails. They're growing! It's Charlotte's favorite way to wear her hair right now.

Summer Recap, part 1

We've had a very exciting a fun filled summer! Each day is a wonderful adventure. We can do anything that a 2 1/2 year old mind can dream up. I LOVE that I can be home with her and enjoy even the littlest moments. Often, those are the best ones.....

Ice cream date with our friend Bennett

Summer swim lessons

"reach and pull" - "kick, kick, kick"

Ready to get in and swim. Charlotte loved jumping off the side of the pool and into our arms. She called them, "big girl jumps".

Galleria play

Story time with Daddy

Annual Block Party, with best friends Spencer and Harrison

Watching intently as the bounce house is being blown up

She loves bounce houses

Kabe's 60th birthday weekend at the Gaylord

His favorite present was from Jacque

Chill'in at the Gaylord pool

Playing princess fairy

Getting nails done at the salon is a new favorite that Nana started in March while we were in Paris. Charlotte now request to have them done after they're "broken", or in other words, the polish has come off.

Helping Mommy at VBS

Trying corn-on-the-cob for the 1st time

More pool time

We went the the Zoo with friends, Catherine and Presley, to see the new Safari exhibit

The giraffes were so cool

more ice cream.....she prefers cones now to cups, but doesn't yet understand that you can eat the cone too. I think she just likes the look of it for now.

Shopping and playing with Spencer

4th of July, Bebe the bear is dressed up too!

Ready for the parade

1st baseball game, we went with Justin's firm

Learning to go potty, while watching Elmo's Potty Time

And SUCCESS!!! We're POTTY TRAINED! She did a fantastic job. It was so much easier than I had thought. For 2 days we didn't leave the house much. I set a timer every 30-45 minutes and we would go potty when it dinged. She got the hand of it real fast and began telling me when she needed to go or not. We are so proud of her!

She got a guitar for her potty present. She worked hard for it and it was so fun going to the store together to pick it out. Of course, she chose PINK!

Our little Rock Star!