While Charlotte is still in her 4K school program with the public school, the kids’ Montessori school recently had their last day. Can you believe how much they’ve changed???
It should be noted that both of my children want to be parents when they grow up. Little sweeties. Specifically, Henry would like to be a “dad like my other dad”… aka like Mark. haha And my sweetie Charlotte’s favorite thing is her whole family.
And here are some other cutie pie pics from the morning…
Our summer has been packed full of activity and last night was no exception. Despite being a crazy day, our evening was a perfect summer night. Mark’s sister & her kiddos are in town, so last night we all headed to a local summer carnival.
It was complete with a gymnastics(ish) show, a bounce house (my nemesis), food trucks and even a train ride! Just another great evening with the fam!
We have been having the best time this summer. The weather has been hot, sunny and perfect for playing. And, only having an afternoon nap to work around (instead of multiple naps) has made it so easy to fill our days with amazingly fun summer activities.
This week/weekend was no expection! We even got some kidless time with friends, and the kiddos had their forst non-family babysitter!
Js championship baseball game
Impromptu pool day
Summerfest
Dinner picnic & a movie on the deck
Just had a great morning at the pool near our house! The kids HAD A BLAST! It definitely felt like a little vacay.
And a few from the house before we headed to the pool…
Things have been so busy lately and it’s making me feel pretty darned MIA from here. In my attempt to catch up oh what’s been going on these past few weeks, accept this excessive amount of photos in lieu of my regular rambling blog post…
The bunny sporting my new glasses.
Charlie’s play date with Lyric (a month younger), Phoenix (a few months older) and baby Natalie
All the cuties! Charlotte, Lyric, Natalie & Phoenix
She probably deserved that…
Charlie & Cousin Gabby snuggling with Grandpa at dinner
cousin love
Charlie mowwing on pizza at a friend’s party
C loving Connect Four with Grampie and Grammie
Playing with Dad at the party
Weee! Girlfriend loves the Cozy Coupe.
Dinner time snugs.
Not totally meshing with Uncle Geoff…
Showing off her cute tush with Auntie Jess.
My sweet little messy face at work.
Giving Mommy so much love.
Checking out the garden with Grammie Amy
Visiting Gramps in the hospital again
Smooches!
Charlie giving Gramps a round of applause after her serenaded her.
Stories with Gramps
We were doing so well with that whole no screen time thing…
Learning to drive.
Decorating treasure chests at Charlie’s friend Ellie’s bday party
Digging for treasure!
Having the best time at Ellie’s party!
Sporting her new eye patch from Ellie’s bday party.
My favorite little girl in this world.
Being goofy… or pooping…
Enjoying her first banana!!! Not that she’s never tried one… but all of a sudden, she’s a fan!
Mmmmmm nanners!
TOUCHDOWN!!!
The cutest thing in green and gold!
My favorite little mits.
Garden time with Grammie Amy
This summer has been so much fun! I feel like with my June 27th… Or 28th (I can’t remember) due date and my July 16th delivery, I spent a whole heck of a lot of the summer waiting for baby to arrive and hibernating once she did.
Regardless, we are definitely making up for it now. Between the fun family activities and visiting with friends, it’s just been a blast.
Friday we had a low-key evening with my folks. Nothing too crazy, just a quick dinner at mom’s and then off to bed for the little one and some wine and relaxation (aka tutu making) for hubs and I.
Tutus are done! 
On Saturday, I went and got a mani with my mom and sis and then mom and I went to Costco… It was time to do some party shopping.
Then, Mark’s momma came over to play with C and Marky and I headed to our friend’s for her lake’s annual fire works and a fun little BBQ!
On Sunday, after some family snuggles, we met Mark’s mom at the breeder because she got a new and totally adorable new pup. She’s the cutest!
After naps, marky and Charlie went to his dad’s for their weekly visit and I went to my friend Jenna’s kiddies’ bday party! She made the cutest dang ninja turtle cakes ever. Also, I’m obsessed with her potted plants. Such a pretty arrangement.
After the party, it was time for dinner with my brosef who’s in town!
This past weekend was SO busy and wonderful! Not just busy in the “we’re new parents and don’t really go out” sense… but for real busy.
On Friday, we headed to Lake Country to visit my sweet little love of a friend, her hubby and their NEW baby girl, Bailey, in the hospital. It was such perfection to hold her warm and cozy little cutie. Charlie enjoyed the visit, too! She loves to point out the obvious… “hey momma, look… that’s a baby”… “hey momma, loook… the baby is crying”… “hey momma – waaaa – I sound like the baby.”
Yes, I “paraphrased” her grunts and pointing.
After our visit, we headed to this cute little Italian restaurant with our friends Erica and Jake. We were a little nervous because we didn’t sit down for dinner until around 6:30/6:45ish… which is Charlie’s bed time. BUT, she was very well behaved and allowed us to have real adult conversation and a really great time. She even FELL ASLEEP IN THE CAR!!!
First, we taught her to drive!
Up until about a month ago, this child has not dozed in the car since she was a tiny tot.
On Saturday, Marky went golfing with his friends while I lived out my nightmare with the animals. I will post separately about the shit storm that has been our pets these past few weeks, but to summarize, I went in to change Charlotte after her nap. Within seconds, Oliver the Cat waltzed in, strolled behind Charlotte’s glider and URINATED on her carpet with his evil ammonia pee. I proceeded to soak up pee for the next 15 minutes while Charlotte projectile sobbed in my face. It was fab.
I was desperate to get out, so after the urination game, Charlie and I met my parents, neice and nephew at Strawberry Fest for lunch (a cute little festival in a neighboring town). After the fest, Charlie and I went home for a nap.
Post-nap, Charlotte went to her Grandpa and Grandma’s (Mark’s dad and step mom’s house) for a sleepover party! Of course she was pumped. She loves them and Grampie lets her play with whatever she wants. They had an absolute blast and Charlie was very well-behaved.
While she enjoyed her slumber party, Mark and I went to a housewarming party at his friend’s house downtown. It was great! They had the cutest little setup on their driveway. Their house is great. It was a nice night amongst adults.
Then, Sunday we were up early to pick up the little one and head to Chicago to see my brosef. We were a little nervous about driving out there because unless Charlotte miraculously slept in the car, she’d be without a nap all day… which she’s never actually done before. We rigged a little cave for Charlotte in the back seat and actually managed to get her to sleep for about an hour of our 1.5 hour drive.
It was enough to keep her happy for a great day! We went to lunch and then walked through a cute little art fair! It was SO much fun to be out and hang with my brother. It was definitely the most time he’s spent with Charlotte and I have to say, it was perfect. She absolutely loved his goofy nature and he seemed to have a lot of fun playing with her. It really made me so happy.
After Uncle Matt time, we stopped by my friend Marci’s house to smooch her and her little baby who is already 6 weeks old! And of course, we had to introduce the future husband and wife!
Then, grabbed a quick dinner and headed home. At dinner, Charlie met her first ex-boyfriend! It was another little babe who was just 2 weeks older than her. The two were FLIRTING up a storm… staring at each other, chatting, showing off. It was way too cute. Notice her facing away from the table?? She was watching her new bf.
After din, we got on the road… two hours later, poor Charlie didn’t get in bed until 9 pm, but thankfully slept most of the way home. She literally fell asleep within 45 seconds of being strapped in her carseat.All in all, a busy and great weekend!
Playing House 