One of our favorite winter hang-outs is the mall. There's a lovely playground area for toddlers & preschoolers - it's a great place for Charlotte to climb and hop around, play with other kids, and burn off some energy on days that are too cold or wet to go to the outdoor parks she loves.
We gave her a special treat today and took her for a ride on the train for the first time. She is always fascinated by it and likes to go up to see it and touch it, and she waves at the kids as the train departs on its route around the mall. Last week while we were there, she even went up to the conductor and asked for a bite of the burger she was eating!!
As you can see, she enjoyed her ride! There was A LOT to take in! Ben came with us today and Charlotte sure was surprised to see him when he caught up to the train to wave at her!
Since Blogger is putting a cap on photos/videos I can insert into a single update, you'll have to click here to see more adorable pictures of Charlotte at the mall.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Let's Go to the Mall (II)
Blogger now limits the number of photos/videos you can upload?? Here are some pics from the mall!
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| Train ride with mama |
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| "Balloon!" |
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| Shaking hands with the "lady." |
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Holiday Recap
It's been a busy couple of weeks for our family. We've been blessed with large amounts of time spent with family - including just our family of 3. Ben works long, odd hours during the school year, so it's been very nice to have him home more over the break. I think Charlotte will have a little difficulty adjusting once he goes back to work full-time. She sure does love playing with her Daddy!
December 23:
We spent the day at Ben's Uncle Kim & Aunt Lori's house eating & celebrating with their family. Charlotte got to play with her cousin Deacon and open her first Christmas present! She loves the picnic shape sorter Aunt Lori got for her. She also got to open a gift from her Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Fritch.
We came home around 11:45, quickly put Charlotte in her Christmas pjs, and read "The Night Before Christmas" on the couch. Baby girl was asleep soundly at midnight and slept until 7:15 or so (any night without wakings is good for her).
December 25:
As soon as Charlotte set foot in the living room on Christmas morning, she bee-lined straight for the presents that Santa left for her! We had breakfast and coffee, then packed up for Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa's house. We had a delicious ham lunch with all the trimmings and then unwrapped more presents! We gave Ben's parents and grandparents calendars with pictures of Charlotte on every month. Then we had them turn to July, take a look at the 21st, because that's when Charlotte's baby brother or sister is due!!! Another great surprise!!
Next we made our way over to my parents' house. Charlotte loves to sit on the stairs and will pull people over to them, asking in her sweet baby voice, "sit? sit?" So of course that's where she opened her presents. She got her first LeapFrog LeapBook - basically her generation's "Speak N Spell." She also got some dress up jewelry, a ring sorter, some wooden puzzles, and clothes!! Ben and I opened newborn diapers and a baby swing that my sister sent from India. I shared our baby news with her a few weeks ago on Skype so she could be in on the surprise. I just said "Ooh, newborn diapers - these will come in handy in July!" and everyone laughed & congratulated us, except my dad. He went about his business as usual. I figured something wasn't right & after 10 minutes or so, I asked if he saw what Bobbi Jo sent & he said, "yeah, diapers." and I asked if he noticed what size. "But Charlotte doesn't wear newborn diapers!" he said. So I said, "but we'll need them in July." and he said, "you mean you needed them last July..." and I said, "No, ANOTHER baby will need them this coming July!" and a light bulb went off in his head & he gave me a big hug & shook Ben's hand. He must have just not been paying attention the first time. Ha!
December 26:
We spent December 26 at Ben's parents' house. Whew! What a day!! Charlotte LOVED unwrapping presents. She got more clothes, an overnight bag for going over to Grandma's house, a LeapPad Scout Dog (programmed with her name and everything!), and a Barbie 4-wheeler with helmet! Charlotte loves the helmet & wears it around the house often. But, she's not too sure of the 4-wheeler yet. :o)
Ben is in love with his new iPad and I am in love with my new microwave!
We're very blessed - our family has had another healthy year & we were able to spend the holiday season with the people who matter most to us. The lovely gifts we all received were icing on the cake! :o)
I hope that you had an enjoyable Holiday and that you've started the new year counting your blessings, surrounded by loved ones. May 2013 bring you joy, peace, and happiness!
December 23:
We spent the day at Ben's Uncle Kim & Aunt Lori's house eating & celebrating with their family. Charlotte got to play with her cousin Deacon and open her first Christmas present! She loves the picnic shape sorter Aunt Lori got for her. She also got to open a gift from her Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Fritch.
December 24:
My Aunt Carol hosts a big Christmas Eve lunch every year. We spent the afternoon visiting with my aunts & uncles, cousins, and some family friends. Charlotte got to open another gift - this time a cute stuffed elephant!
Later on, we went over to Ben's parents' house for dinner & to enjoy some time with the family. Then we made our way back to Bloomington for Midnight Mass at Saint Mary's. Caroling started at 9:30 (two hours past bedtime) with mass starting at 10:00. Charlotte made it through the whole service awake and (mostly) happy! At one point she got restless, so I took her back to the cry room, where she got clocked by some other toddler up way past his bedtime. All in all - not too shabby!
(My photos quit uploading for some reason, I'll have to come back & edit sometime!)
December 25:
As soon as Charlotte set foot in the living room on Christmas morning, she bee-lined straight for the presents that Santa left for her! We had breakfast and coffee, then packed up for Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa's house. We had a delicious ham lunch with all the trimmings and then unwrapped more presents! We gave Ben's parents and grandparents calendars with pictures of Charlotte on every month. Then we had them turn to July, take a look at the 21st, because that's when Charlotte's baby brother or sister is due!!! Another great surprise!!
Next we made our way over to my parents' house. Charlotte loves to sit on the stairs and will pull people over to them, asking in her sweet baby voice, "sit? sit?" So of course that's where she opened her presents. She got her first LeapFrog LeapBook - basically her generation's "Speak N Spell." She also got some dress up jewelry, a ring sorter, some wooden puzzles, and clothes!! Ben and I opened newborn diapers and a baby swing that my sister sent from India. I shared our baby news with her a few weeks ago on Skype so she could be in on the surprise. I just said "Ooh, newborn diapers - these will come in handy in July!" and everyone laughed & congratulated us, except my dad. He went about his business as usual. I figured something wasn't right & after 10 minutes or so, I asked if he saw what Bobbi Jo sent & he said, "yeah, diapers." and I asked if he noticed what size. "But Charlotte doesn't wear newborn diapers!" he said. So I said, "but we'll need them in July." and he said, "you mean you needed them last July..." and I said, "No, ANOTHER baby will need them this coming July!" and a light bulb went off in his head & he gave me a big hug & shook Ben's hand. He must have just not been paying attention the first time. Ha!
December 26:
We spent December 26 at Ben's parents' house. Whew! What a day!! Charlotte LOVED unwrapping presents. She got more clothes, an overnight bag for going over to Grandma's house, a LeapPad Scout Dog (programmed with her name and everything!), and a Barbie 4-wheeler with helmet! Charlotte loves the helmet & wears it around the house often. But, she's not too sure of the 4-wheeler yet. :o)
Ben is in love with his new iPad and I am in love with my new microwave!
We're very blessed - our family has had another healthy year & we were able to spend the holiday season with the people who matter most to us. The lovely gifts we all received were icing on the cake! :o)
I hope that you had an enjoyable Holiday and that you've started the new year counting your blessings, surrounded by loved ones. May 2013 bring you joy, peace, and happiness!
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