Sweet little girl with a lot of sass

Friday Funny

What's cookin': Braised short ribs

P-Dub has never steered me wrong and I had success with another one of her recipes this past weekend after we enjoyed a date night "in." After last week's fail (on Mike's part) that included the smoke detectors going off not once, but twice, this was a sweet redemption, literally, as we enjoyed chocolate cream pie for dessert.

Braised short ribs

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 6-8 whole Beef Short Ribs
• Salt and Pepper To Taste
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• 6 pieces Pancetta or Bacon, Diced
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 3 whole Carrots, Diced
• 2 whole Shallots, Peeled And Finely Minced
• 2-3 garlic gloves, minced
• 2 cups Red Or White Wine
• 2 cups Beef Or Chicken Broth (enough To Almost Cover Ribs)
• 2 sprigs Thyme
• 2 sprigs Rosemary

Preparation Instructions

Salt and pepper ribs, then dredge in flour. Set aside.

In a large dutch oven, cook pancetta over medium heat until complete crispy and all fat is rendered. Remove pancetta and set aside. Do not discard grease.

Add olive oil to pan with the pancetta grease, and raise heat to high. Brown ribs on all sides, about 45 seconds per side. Remove ribs and set aside. Turn heat to medium.

Add onions, carrots, and shallots to pan and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in wine and scrape bottom of pan to release all the flavorful bits of glory. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes.

Add broth, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed. Add ribs to the liquid; they should be almost completely submerged. Add thyme and rosemary sprigs (whole) to the liquid.

Put on the lid and place into the oven. Cook at 350 for 2 hours, then reduce heat to 325 and cook for an additional 30 to 45 minutes. Ribs should be fork-tender and falling off the bone. Remove pan from oven and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes, lid on, before serving. At the last minute, skim fat off the top of the liquid. (Can also refrigerate mixture, then remove solid fat from the top.)

Serve 2 ribs on bed of creamy polenta (or mashed potatoes), spooning a little juice over the top.

Word(less) Wednesday

This is the essence of Charlotte's personality right now!

Another step ahead

Not to be outdone by her big sister, she can rock the 4-inch heels too! I love that she's channelling Flashdance : )

Galentines day

If you're not a fan of Parks and Recreation, you should check out the reruns on the Esquire channel because this show makes me laugh each episode! Although I've been celebrating Valentine's day with my friend Whitney on her birthday for years, Leslie Knope taught me about Galentine's Day. This year I spent a mimosa morning a local painting studio with my (very pregnant, thanks Jess for giving me your complimentary mimosa!) co-worker getting our creativity out (as heavily instructed) and it was the perfect start to a day that ended with the smoke detectors going off (twice!!) during our date night in : )

I cannot, for the life of me, paint words, but a Sharpie at home helped me out : )

Don't just take my word for it (a series)

And now it's Anna's turn and I loved looking back at how much she's grown and changed over the past year! As you'll read, she's an inquisitive little girl with a sense of humor, love show affection, loves books, and is timid but stands her ground. Reading notes like this confirms that a group setting is just what she needs! Her class went paperless in the fall and I've placed the daily pictures received by their note. Here's to the trees that are being saved and my Hoarders application ; )

1/27/14: Anna liked tip-toeing all around the class with her pal Avery today. They’ll make great ballerinas!

2/10/14: “Lily come back!” Anna chased after her playmate all around the gym today, those girls are too silly!

2/11/14: Anna really loved working on the clothespin heart project! It looked super neat once she’d gotten multiple clips on!

2/12/14: Anna got a little creative with her milk at lunch. Instead of drinking the other half of it, she decided to pour it into a section of her lunch place.

2/13/14: Anna got a kick out of using the parachute in the gym today.

2/17/14: Anna was such a little doll this morning! She came over to me sitting on the floor and began ‘fixing” my hair for me! Awww, so relaxing!

2/18/14: Anna cracked me up squinting her eyes to pretend she wasn’t there when I “caught” her and a pal under the computer desk. Like closing her eyes would somehow make Ms Lix disappear : )

2/20/14: Anna enjoyed carrying a baby doll just about everywhere today! She tried to even do it’s hair, and it didn’t have hair! So adorable!

2/24/14: Anna really likes the red ball in the gym! She searches it out and will stand and wait until whomever has it and is all done so that she can play with it. So funny!

2/28/14: Anna helped so nicely to put the chairs back this morning after they all had them out for a choo-choo. I will miss Anna dearly while on maternity leave!

3/3/14: Each time Anna dropped something on her lunch tray, she said “whoop-see-daisy!” So funny and sweet!

3/5/14: Anna is very creative! Our theme today was Green Eggs and Ham and she collected several green items throughout the room and brought them to me; she was so proud of herself!

3/6/14: Anna’s favorite thing today was going outside and throwing snowballs!

3/7/14: Anna saw Ms Patty on the step stool hanging pictures up and she said “be careful Ms Patty!” So sweet! She loved watching our Cat in the Hat video today!

3/10/14: Anna loved playing dress up with the play clothes Ms Lisa brought in today! She had her own very special way of wearing them and it was too cute!

3/11/14: Anna had a super fun time playing on the slide outside today! What a beautiful day it was!

3/12/14: Anna loves going to Webby dance with her friends! When she gets back she shows us some of her dance moves. So cute!

3/18/14: It was so cute to see Anna and her two friends play ring around the rosie together! They laughed SO hard when they fell down!

3/19/14: Anna drew a horse on the magna-doodle today, very cool!

3/31/14: Anna had fun having a “picnic” with Ms Patty and her friends today!

4/1/14: Anna had fun making sweet melodies with our musical instruments during circle time today!

4/2/14: After our bus adventure today, Anna asked Audrey “wasn’t that fun, Audrey?” So cute ; )

4/7/14: Anna really enjoyed the new hula hoops that we had in the gym today! She moved those little hips and got it going around! So cute!

4/8/14: Anna really loves her boos! She keeps showing her friends just how cute they are! : )

4/10/14: Anna planted her seed ever so carefully down in the soil while we were outside today.

4/11/14: Anna and Audrey swapped shoes today! I could write a book about these girls and their shoes! Super cute!

4/14/14: Anna was taking such sweet care of her baby today, she even found a tub to carry her in : )

4/21/14: Anna asked for the DJ Shuffle song before lunch and then had a great time dancing with her friends!

4/24/14: I asked Anna what super hero she wanted to be and she said “ANNA KELLY!”

4/28/14: Anna has the sweetest laugh when she gets excited! It always makes Ms Lisa laugh with her : )

4/30/14: Anna didn’t take her shoes off all morning … we’re making progress!

5/7/14: Anna told her friends that she has a blue princess dress for her Princess birthday party!

5/9/14: Anna was SO excited about the flower she made today for Mommy! She had a great time when Mommy came up for the Mother’s day tea!

5/15/14: Anna was super excited to show off her beautiful nails to all of her friends today! (On your birthday you got a haircut, your nails done, and we went to see Frozen in the movie theatre – your first movie!)

5/16/14: Anna was SO excited when Ms Lisa played the Frozen songs today! She knew some of the words!

5/19/14: Anna asked to hear “for the first time” (in forever) as soon as Ms Lisa got to school today : )

5/21/14: When I asked Anna if she likes any meat, her response was “no, I eat cornbread.” Too cute!

5/22/14: (progress report) Anna has been an absolute joy to have in the Manatee room! She has made us laugh on countless occasions with her adorable expression and hilarious giggle! Anna has been doing very well with tracing lines and even the letter in the name! Anna is a very nice friend, and is doing pretty well with sharing. Lately Anna has really gotten into dancing and listening to “Frozen.” One thing we would like Anna to continue to work on is listening and responding to teacher’s words the first time. We are sad to lose Anna in the Manatee room, but know she will do great in the Orca room and is fully ready!

5/28/14: Anna has been breaking out into song during playtime! She just loves to sing the songs from Frozen, it’s too cute!

6/3/14: Anna really liked playing our “guess which instrument is which” game! She told us that her favorite song is “Let it Go” from Frozen!

6/5/14: Anna told us that she has seen a hot air balloon and it was pink and flying high up in the sky! (pretty sure this was a fib)

6/13/14: Anna told us that her favorite thing to do with her Dad is to play dollhouse downstairs : )

6/19/14: When asked who her favorite super hero is, Anna said “Cinderella.” When asked why, she said “because I love my Mommy.” (you’re silly!!)

6/28/14: Anna really liked finger painting today, she made a masterpiece for her Mom!

6/29/14: Anna said that she went to Mommy and Daddy’s wedding. Also that she will marry Luke Bailey someday! (this is possibly the funniest note ever; I had to confirm with your teachers that you were NOT present at our wedding, and also check out this Luke Bailey … he seemed like a nice kid, but he moved up shortly after this, so your romance died before it started, sadly)

7/2/14: Anna told us that she likes to go to the park with Mommy and Daddy! She likes going up the ladder and down the slide when she’s there : )

7/10/14: Anna told us that she took an airplane ride to the beach with her Mommy and Daddy! (not true, sorry kiddo)

7/16/14: Anna told us she was feeling “excited” today because “I love my Mommy!”

7/23/14: If Anna had magic powers she would use them to turn into a frog because she likes to say “ribbit ribbit” and because frogs are cute.

8/5/14: When asked “how old to you have to be to drive a car?” Anna said “as old as Mommy and Daddy!”

8/12/14: Anna told us she felt a little sad today because she misses her Mommy, but she’s excited to see her tonight!

8/18/14: Anna told us that she’s seen a volcano before in the mountains. (another fib)

8/28/14: Anna told us she would want the school bus to take her to a castle!

9/8/14: Anna told us that her favorite part of vacation was playing in the sane with Mommy!

9/9/14: Anna told us that Mommy makes her feel special because she’s taking her to the pumpkin patch this weekend!

9/26/14: Anna told us that she has two cats at home, Milo and Daisy!

9/29/14: Anna told us that she is excited to go home tonight to see her daddy :-)

9/30/14: Anna told us that her mommy makes her happy when she is sad.

10/1/14: Today at lunch Anna told us that she is afraid of monsters! We assured her that they are not real!

10/6/14: Anna's favorite part of the day was going to the fire truck!! So fun!!

10/8/14: Anna said that if she was a police officer she would make the rule that everyone had to be nice!

10/9/14: We asked Anna what she would take with her camping and she said "a sticks and marshmallows!" Yummy!!

10/17/14: Anna wanted to look for a big stick while we were on our hike today!

10/18/14: Anna told us if she could pick any color pumpkin she woukd pick a pink and purple one!!

10/22/14: Anna was a great helper today after mealtimes. She made sure everyone had put their water cups away and cleaned up.

10/23/14: Anna told us that she is going to be a witch and her sister is going to be a duck for Halloween!

10/29/14: Anna told us her favorite thing to do at Halloween time is Trick or Treat with daddy.

10/31/14: Anna really loved having mommy come and help out with the party! Thanks again Mom!!

11/3/14: Anna told us all about her trip to see Disney on Ice! Her friends loved hearing all about it! She also told us her favorite kind of candy to get while trick or treating was the lollipops!

11/4/14: When we asked Anna what do Cowboys do she said, "wear hats!"

11/7/14: Anna told us she can't wait to go home and play with mommy and daddy tonight!

11/11/14: Anna told us if a plane could take her somewhere, she’d have it take her to the zoo.

11/12/14: Anna had so much fun riding her scooter around with her friends today!!

11/14/14: Anna told us that trains carry juice boxes in their cars and wagons! Yum!

11/14/14: (progress report) Anna has been a joy to get to know these past few months! Anna loves to play in the dramatic play center and art center and she does a really good job about visiting and completing each of her centers each day. While assessing Anna, she knew 9/9 shapes and 10/11 colors. Some goals to work on for the next assessment are recognizing numbers (1-10), recognizing the rest of her upper case letters and writing her name in lowercase letters.

11/17/14: Anna had so much fun stomping in the snow today!

11/18/14: Anna told us her favorite restraurant to eat at is School House and she gets pizza there! Yum!

11/19/14: Anna told us her favorite fruit is an apple and her favorite veggie is carrots!

11/20/14: Anna was so happy to have her sister and mommy here for lunch today!! (Thankful Feast Lunch)

12/2/14: Anna loved listening to our new stories today! Plus the special books our friend bought at the book fair!

12/3/14: Anna is a great ice skater! She loved skating around with her friends today!! (you used wax paper on your shoes to “ice skate”)

12/4/14: Anna really enjoyed the librarian visitor today! She told us her favorite book was the pop up one about a bear. (you love reading books!)

12/5/14: Anna told us when it snows she likes to play in it with mommy, daddy, and Charlotte.

12/8/14: Anna enjoyed our No David book today. We talked the naughty things David did in the book and what we should do instead and Anna had lots of answers for us!

12/10/14: Anna told us she wants Santa to bring her drums!!! Fun!

12/11/14: Anna really enjoyed our No David book today! She said she isn't getting coal for Christmas!!

12/12/14: Anna told us that David was naughty business because he ran in the hallways, oh no!

12/15/14: Anna told us she decorated her Christmas tree this weekend and put a star on top!

12/16/14: Anna told us her favorite Christmas song is Frosty the Snowman!

12/19/14: Anna asked Ms. Emily today if she liked her dress and she said "yes i love it, can i barrow it sometime?" And Anna said "no way you to big!" (Christmas program day)

12/22/14: Today Anna tasted a white gum drop and said she did not like it, it tasted not good.

12/23/14: Anna had so much fun with our book exchange today!

1/7/15: Since we couldn’t go outside today, we did some music and movement CDs in the room and Anna enjoyed it so much!

1/12/15: Anna did a great job listening to Crystal Clear, our special visitor, talk about light and rainbows today.

1/13/15: Anna told us her favorite colors are purple, pink, and blue.

1/14/15: Anna was so gentle with crushing our cereal art at first, but then she was determined to smash it in little pieces! :)

1/22/15: Anna really enjoyed Ms. Mackenzie's matching math game today!

1/23/15: We had a friend with a birthday and she brought in cupcakes to share, Anna was so excited about her mini cupcake!

1/26/15: Anna told her friend that she help mommy take care of Daddys boo boo this weekend! So sweet!

2/11/15: Anna is really starting to show a lot of confidence with her friends! She’s using her works and communicating really, really well!

2/16/15: Anna has such a great imagination! She and her friends were playing house and they kept referring to each other as different roles. Such as mommy, daddy, kitty, etc. So cute!

2/17/15: Anna had fun drawing pictures with me today! We drew mermaids, and alligators, and all sorts of things! After I would finish one picture, she would sit there and think and then ask for something else for me to draw!

2/18/15: Anna had fun helping Audrey and I redo the butterfly name tags today! Then Audrey told her my name was really Miss Feather, and not Heather and they both started laughing. (real name = Heather)

2/19/15: Anna was telling us about the fireplace she has outside at home. She said it was big and beautiful, unlike the ugly painted fireplace we had in our window : ) 

Whirlwind

One of Anna's favorite games is "running" ... and you guessed it, it involves running through the house, stopping briefly to hand out a high-five, but only if you can get your hand high enough that she has to get a good jump in to smack ya'. Sometimes you're invited (demanded) to join and other times she gets her Flo Jo on by herself. She spent a good 30+ minutes playing this game last Sunday and I was exhausted just watching her lap the house.

Friday funny

Don't just take my word for it (a series)

It's been a little over a year since I've posted any notes from school and I guess the file folder I'm storing them in is worth it's weight because they literally tripled in size when I pulled them out last night and I had no idea it had been so long. I save the daily reports that make me smile, progress reports, (some) artwork, and any pictures that are sent home in the same file bin and I'm pretty sure that if anyone ever saw it, I'd be nominated for the TV show Hoarders. But, as I'm pretty sure I've said in every single one of these posts, I never regret it. Charlotte's notes below go back to before she could stand unassisted and end with her playing Mommy to her babies and using "bless you" in (mostly) the right context. They have gone "paperless" with Anna's classroom as of a few months ago and are following suite with Charlotte's this month, so at least I'll look less like a paper collector going forward : )

1/27/14: Charlotte loved playing in the snow on the table today … she also thought it was yummy to eat :)

1/29/14: Charlotte is trying so hard to pull herself up these days! She gets all the way up on her knees, but she’s still hesitant to stand all the way up.

1/30/14: Charlotte had fun playing with her friend today! He thought she was coming toward him to “get” him and he started laughing and then she started laughing and goofing off with him. It was so cute!

2/4/14: Charlotte is getting so brave these days! She pulled herself up for just a second and plopped right back down. She’s so fun to watch!

2/6/14: Charlotte wants to go through the mini-slide so badly! Today she got halfway through and then changed her mind. Maybe tomorrow!

2/10/14: Charlotte had fun playing with the stackable rings with Ms Patty today! She’s getting good at piling them on!

2/11/14: Charlotte had fun exploring the dinosaur ball toy today. She showed all her friends how to put the balls in the holes!

2/12/14: Charlotte had fun exploring the paper Valentines! She liked the shiny, sparkly texture!

2/13/14: We caught Charlotte standing up at the foot of the slide and many other places today! She is so proud that she can pull herself up all by herself!

2/17/14: Charlotte had her head down on the floor like she was doing a downward dog pose, so I went over and put my head down next to hers, she thought it was so funny and belly laughed!

3/14/14: Charlotte had a great week! She is such a sweet little girl and I love having her in our class! (First week in your new room)

3/17/14: Charlotte had so much fun playing with puppets today. Her St Patty’s day outfit is too cute!

3/18/14: Charlotte had fun exploring with foam paint and paper today!

4/1/14: Charlotte had so much fun going outside today!

4/3/14: Charlotte had fun cuddling up with us today, she’s such a sweet girl!

4/10/14: Charlotte had fun showing off her dance moves while we played the Disney Princess CD!

4/21/14: Charlotte had fun rolling the small purple ball all around the room today!

4/24/14: Charlotte was very lovey today, she’s such a sweet girl that gives the best hugs!

4/30/14: Charlotte had fun saying “hi” to everyone that walked past the windows today!

5/1/14: Charlotte had fun clapping her hands and laughing while we sang songs today!

5/6/14: Charlotte smiled and laughed when we talked about Mommy today during social studies!

5/7/14: Charlotte had fun dancing and clapping to the “little tea pot” song today!

5/8/14: Charlotte had fun giving big hugs to her friends today!

5/12/14: Charlotte had fun coming up to me and saying “hi!!” all day! (You loved when you learned 

to say “hi!”)

5/13/14: Charlotte kept saying “Da da” and “Nana” today!

5/15/14: Charlotte had fun watching us blow bubbles today!

5/19/14: Charlotte had so much fun on the climber this morning! She also said “hi” to everyone that walked into the classroom today! Too cute!

5/20/14: Charlotte had fun blowing kisses to everyone today!

5/28/14: Charlotte had fun looking out the window today and waving to the bus!

5/29/14: Charlotte had fun saying “quack quack” while playing with the rubber duckies today!

6/3/14: Charlotte had fun sharing rubber duckies with all of her friends today!

6/5/14: Charlotte had fun at water day today and loved splashing in the water!

6/16/14: Charlotte had fun trying to tickle her friends today!

6/18/14: Charlotte had fun blowing kisses while on top of the climber today!

7/2/14: Charlotte had fun stomping her feet and clapping to the music today!

7/7/14: Charlotte had fun walking up to me today and saying “hi” and then giving me kisses and hugs, she’s so sweet!

7/21/14: Charlotte had fun playing with the lion puppet today. She’d grab it and walk around saying “ROAR!!”

7/22/14: Charlotte had fun blowing kisses to all her friends today!

7/23/14: Charlotte had fun walking up to me today and giving me lots of hugs and kisses!

7/24/14: Charlotte had fun saying “da da” all day and giving lots of hugs today!

7/28/14: Charlotte kept taking her blankie and playing “peek a boo” with me. After she’d uncover her face she’d look at me and laugh so hard!

7/29/14: Charlotte had fun using a bucket as a hat today, silly girl!

7/30/14: Charlotte took her “night night” (blankie) and wrapped it around the puppy toy today and then she started to rock him. I asked her “are you rocking puppy to sleep” and she nodded and laughed!

7/31/14: Charlotte had fun bringing me everyone’s sippy cups today, she’s such a big helper!

8/5/14: Charlotte had fun saying “more Daddy” and signing “more” as Dad drove away this morning!

8/21/14: Charlotte kept picking up anything I dropped on the floor when I was cutting out paper letters. She took them to the garbage and threw them away for me, what a helpful girl!

9/4/14: Charlotte had fun cuddling with me all day, she was my shadow! I’m going to miss my Charlotte cuddles!

9/9/14: Charlotte was too cute today! She kept hiding behind the toy shelf and each time I’d walk over there, she’d come out, walk up to me and say “tickle tickle” while she tried to tickle me!

9/15/14: Charlotte had a great first day with us! When I got her yogurt out for lunch, it sounded like she said “yogurt” – good job!

9/16/14: We let Charlotte eat her yogurt because she didn’t want to be fed, and she was covered in yogurt, but had a blast! When she’d take a bite, she’d say “ahhhh” and laugh!

9/18/14: Before nap Charlotte laud on the fl0or while twirling her hair and played with a block. It reminded me of Anna and her thumb-sucking and hair twirling : )

9/26/14: I was helping our pals eat their applesauce this morning and Charlotte came over and sat right in front of me; she was ready for hers : )

9/29/14: Charlotte really enjoyed her ride in the car outside today, she loved being pushed around!

9/30/14: Charlotte’s buddy is Zach! Today she found his cup and showed it to me and said “Zach!”

10/7/14: We got into the Halloween spirit today and listened to the kid-version of “Thriller”, Charlotte loved dancing and was super cute!

10/8/14: A pal was stuck under the table today and Charlotte pulled a chair out so that he could get out; and without anyone asking! How nice is that?

10/13/14: Charlotte was sitting behind Michael on the climber today and she wrapped her arms around him to give him a big hug! So sweet!

11/7/14: Cool! We heard an airplane outside today and Charlotte spotting it! She was running around pointing at the sky!

11/11/14: Charlotte was picking up the scrap pieces of paper off the floor during art today and threw them in the trash, such a big helper!

11/13/14 (progress report): Charlotte is the sweetest little girl! She has opened up so much since she started in the Seahorse room. She’s quiet when she talks, but she can! She loves to repeat what we say. Charlotte has great social skills. She’s so good with her pals, she rarely ever gets upset or mad. She’s just a happy girl! It’s so nice that you guys get to come back through our room, we can’t wait to watch her continue to grow with us!

11/17/14: We turned the hallway into our large motor area today and Charlotte loved running up and down the hall!

11/18/14: Charlotte is doing great at saying her pal’s names. She was saying “Michael” when I came in this morning.

12/3/14: Charlotte had fun dancing around to 60s music today. She really liked it when I swung her around!

12/4/14: Charlotte was having fun balancing on the ball! She would sit on it and lay on it with her belly, funny!

12/5/14: We were practicing for the holiday program in the gym today and Charlotte was awesome. She was rockin’ all the cool props! We can’t wait for you to see her!

12/8/14: Someone burped in class today and Charlotte yelled, “bless you!” It was great!

12/9/14: Charlotte had the stuffed seahorse toy and she was pulling its head into a bowl like she was feeding it, how cute!

12/10/14: Charlotte had a blast dancing the Frozen CD while in the hallway. What a great way to work out all our sillies!

12/12/14: Charlotte was singing to her pals “where o’ where” while they are eating, I loved it!

12/18/14: Every time we lift Charlotte up from the changing table, she smack the Snowman hanging from the ceiling : )

12/19/14: We went to practice one last time for the program in the gym today and the kids loved the decorations! Charlotte tried to hug the gingerbread man!

12/22/14: Charlotte was excited today when I got a book out; she ran right over and sat in my lap!

1/16/15: Charlotte walked around today saying “Danielle, Danielle,” love her!

1/8/15: Charlotte was looking at the animal pictures on the wall and there were two cats and one was licking the other. Charlotte was so silly, she licked the picture. I guess she wanted to be like the cats : )

1/9/15: When I gave Charlotte her spoon at lunch she went right for the ranch dip and started scooping it out. Yum!

1/14/15: They gave Charlotte ketchup with her fries today and she loved it! She ate it with her spoon. Yum!

1/16/15: As I was moving our new nametags on the wall, Charlotte would touch them and count, 1, 2, 3 … Good job!

1/20/15: We were playing with magazines and Charlotte was flipping through one, she looked like such a little grown-up.

1/22/15: Charlotte was putting shapes together and when she’d get them to match, she’d say “I did it!!” Yay!

1/23/15: Charlotte cracked me up at lunch today, she was holding her veggies out to her pals … and they took them!

1/26/15: Ms Danielle was coughing today and Charlotte would say “bless you!” How cute is that?

1/27/15: Charlotte liked picking the very tiny marshmallows out of the hot chocolate mix today. Good fine motor skills!

1/28/15: I took the scarves and put them on Charlotte’s head like a wrap and then she’d try to do the same to me, so much fun!

1/29/15: Charlotte was helping me clean up and put the baby on the play couch so she put a blanket on his and told me he was going “night night for nap too!”

2/5/15: Charlotte thought Ms Danielle’s guinea pig was cool! We let him walk around and she was one of three pals that would pet him.

2/10/15: Charlotte’s pal gave her one of the balls he was playing with and I said “what do you say?” she responded “thank you Christopher” and said it perfectly!

2/11/15: Charlotte got a paper towel and helped me wipe off the chairs today, she also loves to wear our rubber gloves, so silly!

2/13/15: Charlotte was sitting in dramatic play with a baby doll today singing the “ABC song” to it, too cute!

Learning with numbers and shapes!

Sending love and hugs

 ... and heart shaped cookies that someone was pretty proud of!

Friday funny

To piggyback on yesterday's post ...

There's uncharted territory, dark corners, and a lot of fear ...

but there's also an amazing group of women (and men) that have your back in the mother'hood'!

You're a mom, you know.

"It's why every sappy commercial brings us to tears. It's why we can't watch the news. It's why we get in the car and cry after we drop our kids off to their first day of school. It's why food allergies are terrifying. It's why our hearts ache when we hear about miscarriage or fertility problems. It's why we are up at night worrying about our teens. It's why the thought of our children eventually leaving the nest makes us weep into our coffee. It's why the death of another mother's child is so utterly heartbreaking . . ."

This essay tugged at my heartstrings and simultaneously made me feel OK about tearing up each time I've seen this Super Bowl commercial ... Thanks to all of the great Moms I've learned from and commiserated with!

Wordless Wednesday

You rang?

I vant to suck your blood

I don't know if I'm more impressed that we still have functioning vampire teeth from Halloween or that my 20-month old knows how to use them appropriately? Either way, she's the cutest vampire I've ever seen!