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!