An afternoon in the mud with NanaB

Corey's parents were in town this weekend for Charlotte's second birthday party. NanaB and I didn't take Charlotte outside Friday afternoon intending to play in the mud, but it just sort of happened. I'm still shocked that the dirt came out of her jeans and jacket. Charlotte was just so happy digging in the muck. It was really sweet to see.



The new gardening set from CJ's Great Uncle Dave, Great Aunt Lisa, and cousin Ellie was perfect for digging up wormies.



NanaB and CJ pretended to plant flowers and water them.



I was carrying a sleeping Peter in the Baby Bjorn carrier, and I eventually needed to take him inside to relieve my poor back. [It's a known fact that sleeping babies weigh about twice as much as awake babies.] In my absence, NanaB watched in amusement as CJ (aka Elmer Fudd) poked a stick into the juniper bushes looking for bunnies, saying "not here -- how 'bout dis one?" as she moved from bush to bush. Poor bunnies.

Photo essay: PJ's love affair with the dangly animals on his carseat

Two-year check-up

Hijinks at the doctor's office -- first she jumped repeatedly from square to square on the floor.



CJ kept asking PJ if he wanted some "tea".



It looks like I let rats gnaw on her hair. I swear I paid a professional to do this to her!



Who's that handsome guy in the mirror? I love that hedgehog outfit (a gift from Joslyne, Zoey, & Demetri).



CJ is 2 feet, 10 1/2 inches tall (50-75th percentile) and weighs 25.5 pounds (25-50th percentile). It was the first time they measured and weighed her standing up, just like a big girl!

Wrapping up the birthday

Last night, Charlotte Skyped with both sets of grandparents so they could wish her a happy birthday. Skyping with the Stringers was uneventful. Skyping with Grandma JoJo and Grandpa Spike got a little exciting while Charlotte was opening a present. She started coughing (she is getting over a cold) and acted like she was going to cough something out. I stupidly held out my hand. She then threw up her entire dinner all over me.

Was Charlotte upset? Nope. She blinked twice and then reached out again to keep opening the present. Grandma JoJo just about laughed herself silly and Grandpa Spike chastised JoJo for her lack of sympathy. [We took Charlotte to the doctor this morning for her annual check-up and Dr. Hood opined that Charlotte did not in fact have the flu, but rather just triggered her gag reflex with all the coughing and phlegm. Thanks, kid.]

ANYWAY, once we got the puke cleaned up, we moved the present opening party into Peter's room and got back to business. Charlotte instantly fell in love with her new sleeping bag (from Corey and me) and pillow (from Grandma JoJo and Grandpa Spike).



She threw her new clothes all over the room and then started running around like a maniac.



Then, we declared the second birthday celebration to be over and started running water for bath time. Peter, undressed in preparation for his bath, decided to challenge his cousin Sonia to a sexy legs contest.

A vision of sleepovers in years to come...

Happy 2nd birthday, Charlotte!

After school, Madison swung by for an impromptu birthday lunch with Charlotte and Zoey. They left us moms behind, obviously. Here they are, heading to Mellow Mushroom for some pizza.




Charlotte kept running Madison, who was looking down at her sparkly shoes and couldn't be bothered to look up, into walls. They held hands for two whole blocks!

Charlotte's official birthday party is on Saturday. Cross your fingers for good weather so we can have it at the park!

Who needs a neck? Not me!

School girls

Charlotte finally had her second day of school (after a nasty cold caused us to miss last Wednesday), and she was joined by Zoey (who had to miss all of last week due to a nasty cold of her own). I'm sure Joslyne will write a beautiful and moving post on her own blog about the first teeny step toward Zoey leaving the nest (using much better imagery), but I'm just going to steal a few photos off of her picture share and report just the facts.

CJ and Zozo were not bothered in the least seeing us leave them alone with Miss Lola and Miss Denise (not sure of the name of the second teacher, actually). Apparently CJ grew concerned about the absence of Mommy about an hour into the two-hour class, but the teacher encouraged her to hang out with Zozo and that calmed CJ down. Both girls smiled huge smiles when we came to pick them up, and I think they are officially grown up. Well, as grown up as they can be when they still aren't potty trained.

Isn't Joslyne such a good photographer?

Babysitters in training

Zoey is a natural with Peter.



Charlotte (sporting some new shoes Zoey brought her back from South Carolina) pitched in and Zoey welcomed the help with open arms.



SMOOCH! Peter was starting to wonder whether his babysitters were really all that qualified. They seemed more interested in goofing around and giggling. Maybe they need a few more years.

Charlotte has a new audience to amuse

Charlotte's creation at "school"

CLEARLY, she is a prodigy.

First day of "school"

Ready to start my two hours a day, two days a week early childhood learning program! NanaB made me this cool bag to bring my change of clothes in and to bring home all my gorgeous artwork.



I thought it worked better as a hat though.



Come on, Mommy! Let's go already!!



Ready to head in and wreak havoc.



There were no tears when Mommy left me there. Should Mommy be offended or relieved? Just kidding. She said she is so proud of me! I'm going to have a lot of fun there.