Charli's First School Open House:

Happy Monday friends! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

Our weekend was great and we are counting down the days until we get to see daddy again! Yesterday was a first for us and was definitely something too special that could not go without recognition...

We had Charli's very first Open House for school! 

Charli was so excited to show me (and Nana, and even bubba) everything she has been working on at school, where she sits, what she plays with, how she has been the door holder, line leader, flag holder, and where she goes every Wednesday for chapel. We even got to sit in chapel and experience what the kids do each week and the songs and prayers that are said! Can I just tell you how my heart just burst as I sat there watching our sweet girl sing along and do every hand motion to each song and say each prayer (swoon)! 

We couldn't be more proud of our little girl and everything she is learning. Her teacher has said nothing but good things about Charli. How much she loves her personality, her attitude, and her intelligence. She has been amazed at how smart Charli is and everything she already knows. Her teachers exact words... "Charli is incredibly intelligent for her age". 

Some other things her teacher said about her that I want to always remember and look back on...

"Charli is always SO happy and excited for school"

"Charli always has a good day"

"Charli is SO funny" (my response: Yes, girlfriend has jokes!)

"Charli is seriously a hoot!"

"Charli gets along with everybody in her class! All of the girls and even all of the boys! It is so funny because everyone ALWAYS asks to sit next to or play with Charli!"

Every single thing positive and every single thing a mother wants to hear about their child.

A few of the things Charli got to show us at open house...

*Top left: My First Day of School- My name is Charli; I am 3 years old; My favorite color is blue; My favorite toy is my doll; My favorite food is pasta; I like to play blocks with my family.

*Top right: Family

*Bottom Left: Who is in my family- Daddy, Mommy, Bubba, Puppy, Bogey Bear, Me (Not sure why she called Bailey "puppy" , hahaha!)

*Bottom Right (my favorite): Self-Portrait- I have blonde hair with a little bit of dark stripes and a bow, and I like to wear my fancy necklace! (this is how her teacher said she described herself as she was making it, haha!)

Charli is excelling and enjoying preschool and her daddy and I couldn't be happier! 

We are so proud of you honey, keep up the good work! 

Boys Will Be Boys:

Boys will be boys

With the things they will do

Constantly moving, climbing

And getting into...

Not just every drawer and cabinet he sees

But things like the toilet 

And even dog pee

Why must the trash can

Bring so much joy

Or playing with dog poo

As if it's a toy

Why must gross things

Bring him such bliss

We never had this problem

With his big sis 

But whether or not

He's dirty or clean

We wouldn't change our boy

For anything! 

Charli's Chapter: My First Dance Class:

From Charli's Chair:

Singing, Dancing, and Performing

Is my favorite thing to do

And now that I am old enough

My mommy just knew...

That starting me in dance

Would be the perfect fit for me

And I think it's safe to say

That everyone agrees

Some leotard & tights, ballet & tap shoes

I have a bun in my hair

And wear a pretty tutu

So tonights my big night

I'll be leaving in a few

Tonight is my official,

Dancing debut!

***

Until my next adventure...

Thanks for stopping by

xoxo charli

Official Stander Status:

Happy Friday Friends! 

I am happy to report that finally, at 13 months old, we have an official stander!

Let me back track a minute and first state that Crew has been pulling up to standing along with walking along the furniture or walking while pushing something for a couple of months now. But this week was something new... On Monday he decided he was going to go from sitting to standing all on his own! He didn't do it again until Thursday and has done it about a dozen times today and you can tell just how excited he is about it too!!

Charli started walking at 11 months but never went from a sitting to standing position until around 15 months and here Crew can go from sitting to standing before he can even walk. Just one of the many things that continues to make my two uniquely different from each other and I wouldn't have it any other way! 

I have a feeling with this new little trick, he may just start taking some steps! 

Only time will tell! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We sure will as we have a very special someone coming back home for a couple of days!! 

Our Keys Vacation:

Happy Friday Friends! 

I hope everyone had great week and is ready for the weekend and football! 

I have had a super busy week medically; between several Doctors appointments, 12 tubes of blood being drawn (and then some), a Bone Density/Dexa Scan (unfortunately there is a slight concern that I may have early stages of Osteoporosis caused by some things with my Crohn's and now surgery), and an MRI (for the internal staple that is still protruding from one of my incisions), along with still just trying to feel better and starting some new medication. 

So with that, I am just now getting around to posting about our last little Summer Vacation to the Florida Keys! 

Growing up in Florida you would think I have vacationed or visited the Keys, well truth be told, I have never been.  We almost had to cancel our trip due to the Hurricane Erika, but we decided it was worth the risk so we packed the car and made the 7 hour drive down! 

Best. Decision. Ever.

We headed down bright and early Sunday morning and in the middle of our trip got word that the storm had actually broken up as it was going over Puerto Rico!! Boy would I have been so mad had we decided against going down! ;) 

We got to Key West around Noon on Sunday 

We checked in at the Hyatt Resort located right downtown on the water. We spent the rest of the day walking around Duval Street, seeing everything there was to see, stopping into little bars along the way, and waving to Nana and Papa on the webcam! 

We ended our first day in the pool watching the sunset!

Monday morning we ate breakfast at a super cute place a block from the hotel, Charli got to feed the turtles at our hotel, and we got packed up and headed to the Naval Base. We had reservations for a 3 bedroom town home for the entire week but with canceling and re-booking/changing around our plans we couldn't get the house our first night (which was honestly fine because it was fun staying right downtown). I have to say that the lodging down there is seriously the best deal in the Navy. A 3 bedroom town home (ours was right on the water) for incredibly cheap. We stocked up on some groceries and were ready for our next couple of days of vacation! 

The rest of Monday was spent beach side

We had dinner at the house then headed to Mallory Square for cocktails, music, and a sunset.

 Tuesday was a full day out on the boat! Another amazing thing that the Naval Base offers is super inexpensive daily boat rentals. There are several types of boats to choose from such as a pontoon which is what we all really wanted! It was seriously the most gorgeous day in paradise! The bluest of blue water from here to eternity, with pops of green islands along the way! 

This was Charli and Crew's first time on a boat and they both did amazing. Crew slept in his car seat the whole ride out to where we anchored and almost the whole ride back to the dock. Little man was not a fan of the life jacket though. Charli helped daddy drive, swam until her little heart was content, and she passed out in my lap on the ride back! It was definitely a day for the books for sure! 

Boating in the Keys is the way to go!

After a full day on the water, we headed home for dinner, baths, and an early bed time for the kids. 

Wednesday was our last full day in Key West. We rented beach cruisers for the day and cruised around downtown. We did a little shopping, grabbed some lunch, and cruised around some more.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool right down the street from our house on base and ended our last night of vacation with dinner, ice cream, and some fun in the sprinkler! 

Thank you Key West for an amazing vacation. 

You will be seeing a lot more of my little family! 

***

And well, because when you have been best friends for over 20 something years you always take goofy pictures... Always!