Speaking of Charlotte (2.5)

I alternate between thinking Charlotte is at the most fun or the most frustrating age.  I'm either super impressed with her rapidly developing sense of independence, humor, and imagination or exasperated at the many creative ways she finds to push my buttons.

Speaking of independence-

She's totally potty trained!! She earned another trip to the "zoo, zoo, zoo" by deciding to stay dry at night all on her own.  I'm glad I don't have to supervise hardly at all.  She loves to tell me, "Mommy leave!  I do it!"  It took just a few days for most of the training and about a month to not be scared of going #2, and then a couple more months to stay dry at night (without me pushing the last one).  I hate to say it for fear of jinxing it; but now that that month is over I have to say it wasn't as bad as I was dreading it would be.  Hooray for only 2 kids messing in diapers!  (ha ha!)

Speaking of messes

I thought a miracle had occurred when I hadn't heard from Charlotte for the last 20+ minutes.  Then I remembered 

Mom rule #5: a silent child is almost always a child getting into something they shouldn't.  

She's done this three times.  I told her if she felt the need to take ALL of her books off the shelf again, I would feel the need to remove them from her room.  But look how happy it made her!  

Speaking of happy

Her current favorite topic of conversation.  She has to show her nails to everyone.  "Pity (pretty) nails!"

Click on the picture to make it larger.  I had to do Abby's toenails too!

Speaking of pretty

One day Charlotte woke up and decided she cared about clothes!  She still lets me pick most of her clothes or at least give her a choice.  If her current outfit isn't very exciting she will accessorize it throughout the day.  Usually a skirt out of the laundry basket, shoes, and a crown or purse will suffice.  She was quite excited to find her new swimsuit.  

Speaking of swimming

We signed her up for swim lessons this summer.  I think she is totally ready for the water part; she already holds her breath and has no fear of water. I'm more worried about her screaming at the teacher and kids.  She has no fear of water but is terrified of most people and has a HUGE personal space bubble.    We've seen some improvement in this area recently but we still have a ways to go.  She knows it's bad, "I hurt feelings- screaming.  I sorry" but it's like a knee jerk reaction.  I can almost see the thoughts form in her little blonde head, "Stranger, shouldn't scream, but I MUST!" It's worse with strangers, other kids who scream, men, and people who try to interact with her before she's ready.  Just call her Miss Congeniality.

After about 5 months of band-aids (we should have bought stock) her chin finally healed for keeps.  She would NOT stop picking at it!

Speaking of accessories-

I've always had a thing for umbrellas myself- so I get why they're a favorite toy.  We've had a few fun rainy days here.  One afternoon we walked to the mailbox in the rain and then Charlotte splashed in the puddles by the curb for a good 20 minutes.  I figured it's a rare occasion around here and we might as well take advantage of it.  It was worth the soaking clothes to see how much fun she had splashing with the big kids.

Love the new mittens from the winter clearance!

Speaking of fun

Let the sibling interaction begin.  Since the twins are now crawling they have been playing with Charlotte more and more. This  picture looks sweet right?  10 minutes before this was taken I look over to see that Charlotte had colored all over the top of Abby's bald head with a pink crayon. It came right off but I think we need to get rid of our kid's books that talk about painting/coloring on yourself.  Abby didn't make a peep- she's too good natured for her own good.  Charlotte really is a great big sister and when she does make them cry it's almost always out of fun- not trying to hurt them.

A rare trip sans babies (thanks Auntie Kori!) to the Youth Museum with some friends.  The kitchen area was a big hit!  She loved pretending to cook.  I'll have to look into getting her a play kitchen soon.

Tutu on top of princess panties!  Pure bliss!

Speaking of pretending

• Mom and Dad are favorite people to pretend to be.  "I going store to get food.  See ya later!  Miss you so much!"  
• Lots of things are her baby.  
• Magical people are her characters of choice.  
• She loves to pretend to be Santa- using a blanket for her sack of toys or my favorite- she puts a bubble bath beard on her face and dives under the water to get toys to give to me and her siblings. 
• She also pretends to be the fairy godmother from Cinderella, "Bad sisters rip dress.  I make new one!  Bippity boppity pop!"  She uses a drumstick for a wand and she must have her crown on to make the magic work .   She twirls around singing "Cinderella, Cinderella, day!" at the top of her lungs.  

Speaking of singing.  Most often heard are ABC's (with many gaps), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I'm a Little Tea Pot, Alligator SNAP!, Popcorn, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Rock a Bye Baby, Beauty and the Beast Time (Tale as Old as Time).  There's nothing quite so funny as hearing her sing to herself on the toilet.

Charlotte in a nutshell at 2.5 is an independent, happy, pretty, accessorized, pretending, singing, swimsuit-wearing bundle of fun!