I am 3!!!!!

Happy Birthday to me! I turned 3 years old and I tell you, where did the year go?

When I was born 3 years ago, there was an ice/snow storm. So guess what? Today there was another ice and snow storm on my birthday!

We celebrated my birthday over the entire weekend. First, we went to Oakland Mall so that I could ride the train three times! Even Charlie came along for the ride!




On Saturday night, my favorite friends and neighbors came over to celebrate with me! First, I helped Mama frost (okay, eat) the cupcakes - egg-free of course!


I played with Grace, Faith, and Hope. Charlie slept through most of the fun.


My cake wasn't fancy, but it was yummy!


Francesca and Allie helped me blow out the candles!


The next day, I got to open my presents! I got lots of cool toys and even a Maisy doll. Thanks for all the birthday wishes and presents. Mwah!






We got our first snow of the season and Papa took me for a sled ride. I LOVE walking and playing in the snow!

Happy 7 Months, Cha-choo!

Vegas Baby!

Last week, we flew on a big airplane out to Las Vegas so that we could spend Thanksgiving with Mamie, Papy, Tati Val, Uncle Dave, and of course cousin Talia!

Charlie did really well on his first ever airplane ride! We read lots of books on the plane, played with lots of toys, and watched Elmo. Like Mama, both of us had a tough time sleeping on the plane. But after 4 hours in the air, I finally passed out as we were landing.....


So Mama and Papa had to wait for everyone to get off the plane, pack up our stuff, get the stroller, and carry me to the stroller. I slept for another 30 minutes before finally waking up!


Later that night, Cha-choo finally got to meet Uncle Dave, AKA "The Godfather".


I got to play with cousin Talia a lot! She is such a cutie pie and we have so much in common. We both love Play-doh, Maisy, balls, trains, and of course Hello Kitty! Everyone at the house took turns reading Hello Kitty to us many many times. Here it was Tatie Val's turn.


Mamie's dear friend Ann was in town as well and she gave Charlie lots of love!


So....one complaint. The weather was not cooperative. On most days it was as cold as it was back home in Detroit and it even rained! The result was lots of indoor play and few trips outdoors. On one sunny but cool day, we checked out the new City Center. It's pretty cool - Papa said it reminds him of Dubai.


Riding the train was the COOLEST THING EVER!!!!!


No trip to Vegas would be complete without a visit to the Bellagio gardens.


Every season features a new themed garden.


Talia and I did our best to stay out of trouble.


The men.


Every girls dream...a chocolate fountain!!!!!


One night when Talia was sick, because Mama and I gave her our cold :-(, Mama and Papa took me and Charlie to the Ethel M gardens to see a Christmas light display. It was pretty....






Mama and Papa finally got to go on a date. They ate dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Casino.


Then they visited City Centre and Aria Hotel.


Mama fell in love with Aria. The decor is super cool (and of course talented interior designer Tatie Val had something to do with that) - modern meets ice fantasy world.

Feeding Cha-Choo!

Happy 6 Months, Charlie Bear!

My sweet little brother is 6 months old now! Here are his stats:



Height: 28.25"
Weight: 20.0 pounds

He weighs 3 1/2 pounds more than I did when I was 6 months old. Wow! His little rolls are so adorable. We thought for sure that Charlie would love baby food, but he wants nothing to do with rice cereal or oatmeal. By the way he looks at us when we eat dinner, my guess is that he wants to go right to steak!



Charlie is getting to be so much fun! He jumps so high in his jumper!


Mama and his mini-me

Halloween!

Halloween is everyone's favorite holiday in Michigan. There are so many Halloween-themed activities and traditions to look forward to. Now that I am almost 3, I understood what was going on and got the hang of trick-or-treating really quickly!

A week before Halloween, we went trick-or-treating along a trail at a park in Clawson. We went with some friends who helped make the 45-minute long line more bearable! Here I am with Abby, Aiden and Carson.


I was a giraffe and Charlie was Tigger!!!


Our house was"Ghosted". Someone left a "ghost" sign for us to hang on our door, along with a pumpkin filled with goodies like candy, a book, and toys. We had to "Ghost" two more families in return!


I had two Halloween parties to go to. Here I am with all my favorite friends Aiden, Abby, Carson, Kyle, Colin, and Avery.


Burton Elementary puts on an annual Halloween Parade. It was so neat to see all the big kids dressed in their costumes, along with the fire truck and police cars!


Kristy and he twins Alex and Hannah let us watch the parade from their yard. The twins are turning 2 this week! They are soooo cute!


Patrick and his Mom came too!


A few days before Halloween, we went to the Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo. I got lots of candy, and good practice saying "trick or treat!" It was pretty cold outside, so Charlie was dressed appropriately as a polar bear!!!!

Mama and I went through a straw maze. I made a wrong turn and came face to face with the Grim Reaper! I looked at him and said "BOO!". He said "Boo" back. Then I blew him a kiss...and I think melted his little heart ;-)


On Halloween Eve, our neighbors had everyone over for pizza. Charlie and I were spoiled once again by Gian, Francesca and Allie!




Finally....TRICK OR TREATING! Papa took me and we went with Francesca and Allie and their Dad. Joe came over and kept Mama and Charlie company while they sat outside and passed out candy.


I got sooooo much candy, and cried as I left each house because I wanted more.


Mama and Charlie


Mama feeding the giraffe some candy!


POLAR BEAR!


Charlie in the cow costume I wore on my first Halloween!


Here I was - just 10 months old. Charlie filled out this costume more than me and he's only 6 month old!!!!