check this out

 

Our adventures took us to New York recently... see here!

What a fantastic weekend it was.

a dog's day...

... is perfect when she can lie right next to her beloved kids!

Even if that means a choo-choo train will be running past her nose every 30 seconds ;-)

o sister, where art thou?

Noah and Charlotte share a bedroom. Well, to be more exact, the mattress from the top bunk of Charlotte's bed lies on the floor next to Noah's cage. (Charlotte's room is mostly abandoned these days, except for climbing practice.) This is the best arrangement we've found for getting the beasts to sleep.

Though better than all other configurations we've tried, the arrangement is not without its challenges. Charlotte generally likes to keep little brother awake in the evening. They talk and sometimes pass loot over the demarcation zone to each other. Bedtime finally arrives when she decides it is so.

Noah awoke before Charlotte this morning. He chatted with himself for a while (maybe 15 minutes) and performed some dance moves. Yet still, big sister remained asleep. Noah thought enough was enough. He decided to take matters into his own hands, literally, and wake Charlotte himself. Still confined to his cage, he lobbed a teddy bear in her direction. Fairly effortlessly, and without appearing to be awake, she grabbed the projectile from the mattress and swept it aside. Then she got up and walked to our room without uttering a word.

Noah, bless his little heart, then began calling out "Lotte, where are you? Lotte, where are you?"

With that said, we'll reiterate: this is the best arrangement we've found.

bustin' some moves

On Friday mornings, a brass ensemble plays music near Charlotte and Noah's daycare. Charlotte particularly liked the music this week, most especially the Stevie Wonder cover. She made sure we stayed long enough for a few songs and even required mama to get more money to show our appreciation. (Here is a link to the first video if it doesn't auto-populate.)

As you can see, she really enjoyed it. (Here is a link to the second video if it doesn't auto-populate.)

Noah wasn't really feeling it this morning. But the little man also enjoys dancing. (Here is a link to another video if it doesn't auto-populate.)

what's the innocent form of stalker?

Noah has a favorite baby: baby Iona. He perks up anytime her name is mentioned and begins repeating "Ona," "Ona," "Ona." If we mention Iona's parents by name, Noah ensures we remember to include "Ona" too.

During brunch one day, after Iona had gone down for a nap, Noah was content just watching the baby monitor as his little girlfriend slept.

camouflage

Penny, avoiding the sun, in one of her favorite outdoor hiding places

happy birthday, charlotte!

How did that happen?! Charlotte is FOUR. And a princess now too ;-)

Big cuddles and kisses to our funny, smart, inquisitive and determined little girl: we love you so much.

try again, Madison Avenue

While shopping for some groceries, Charlotte came across this box of cereal. "That's silly!" she exclaimed. "Pandas don't eat cereal. They eat bamboo!" She paused, then added, "They probably put the picture there because people like pandas."

yes. no. yes. oh no.

We're experimenting with some new techniques to counter Charlotte's stubborn streak. (Yeah, yeah, it's great that she wants to be so independent. Spare me the euphemisms.)

This morning [well, at this point, several months ago], Mama decided to play a game where we count how many times we say "yes" and "no." The goal was for Charlotte to say "yes" more and "no" less. Of course, to be fair, the terms of the game applied to parents, too.

The first sentence didn't go so well for Charlotte. She was "asked" to let Daddy help her with putting on her knit hat. She said no. Minus one point. Mama explained the game again. Charlotte immediately replied "yes, yes, yes. That's three yesses." Mama explained the game again. She reiterated that the point is to say yes more, and that the game applied to us as well. Without missing a beat (literally: it was like one second later), Charlotte looked at Mama and said, "Tomorrow, can I eat popsicles? Yes?"

Game. Set. Match.

plop!

We recently [at this point, forever ago: June 21] released Charlotte from her cage. Down went the bars. Up would go the monster, we figured.

The transition has been *mostly* smooth. [One of us has had to sleep in her room as she falls asleep recently. Mama gets to squeeze into the bed with her; Daddy gets the floor when it's his turn.]

The cage contained her effectively. She's now free to spin like a top, unimpeded by walls.

The first night she spun right out of bed. This is what it looked like [more benefits of the spy cam setup]. (The event lasted about 15 seconds.)

gobble gobble, splish splash!

This year, Charlotte was excited to help Mama prepare 

the Thanksgiving meal:

The little sous chef lost interest about 30 minutes into the cooking... but was very excited about rubbing the turkey, peeling potatoes, and checking out all the ingredients. (Her favorite kitchen activity remains baking cookies though ;-)

With happy & full bellies we lounged on the couch, had some good laughs (even when they involved pulling-hair attempts from little brother...), and enjoyed doggie cuddles.

Before hopping in the tub with big sister, Noah was very excited to demonstrate how the potty gets used (and that he already knows where "Ah-Ah" goes ;-)

PS: This year, Charlotte was particularly grateful for 'lollipops, carousels, fireworks, and letters'. And note her first nail polish -- the result of a pajama party at kindergarten: purple glitter! ;-)

once upon a time

Our girl still loves brown, and spiders, climbing and puddles...

... but the princess wave has definitely reached her too!*

















So when Charlotte wanted to be one for Halloween, we didn't try to talk her into a construction worker outfit instead (not too far fetched either, though)...









Rather, we ALL played along:

A real princess has a queen mother and a king father, a prince frog and court jester -- of course ;-)

The royal family was complete!

With many kisses exchanged, times in the Kravitz Kingdom were happy...

...until little princess realized that fairy tales don't always come true and living the dream isn't sunshine all the time: he stayed a frog!!
(And princesses don't like paparazzi.)

But in the end, they did live happily ever after ;-)

* Never even having seen Frozen, Charlotte is living out her (Disney) princess fantasy as alter ego Elsa these days -- and has declared Noah to be Anna ;-) Of course, as a trusted friend and protector, Penny aka Olaf does follow the Highness's around wherever they go. 
 

herr(bst)lich

We LOVE (golden) Fall in DC - the humidity is gone, yet the days are warm (and often balmy) or with just a slight chill in the (fresh!) air, and the colors of the leaves are just glorious.

So we've very much enjoyed this Fall again, especially with a toddling Noah: pumpkin carving, checking our harvest festivals, cuddling up with a good book, but more often impatiently waiting to head outside for playing in the leaves!