Um....I Thought This Color Would Be Perfect For Me

Well, a couple of days ago we were down stairs and I was having a typical Mom conversation on the phone with my friend Laney while Charlotte was playing. However, when I got off the phone with my friend I realized that Charlotte was being exceptionally quiet. I noticed that she was intently sitting down behind the basement leather chair and suddenly realized my wallet was strewn across the floor and a lipstick was missing. Then, I looked at Miss Curious George and realized that she had dug her fingers into one of my favorite lipsticks and got as much out as possible and not surprisingly rubbed it all over her body. While it looks like yummy chocolate is instead is another belonging I have come to accept that will no longer be mine. In fact I Charlotte and I have this unspoken relationship regarding out things. What is hers is hers and what is mine is hers. Suffice it to say, I no longer buy designer clothes and thank goodness I do Mary Kay or I would be purchasing all of my cosmetics from Claire's. Oh children, you've got to love 'em!

My Sweet Little Betty Crocker

Yet again we had another fun baking experience in the kitchen. I decided to make some Banana bread and thought Charlotte would really enjoy it. And in fact, she did. This time I let her get a little more into the baking and showed her how to measure and pour the ingredients in the bowl and she even got to help use the mixer. She thought it was just great. However, I think she most enjoyed playing with the water in the sink, as you see above. She liked filling the measuring cups with water and not so carefully putting them on the counter. The mess was a little less abundant this time but she still enjoyed licking the batter. Charlotte is at such a fun age (when she's not misbehaving that is and throwing a tantrum) where she just loves to imitate everything you do. This evening while she and I were having dinner I noticed that she was trying to cross her legs like I was doing and swing her top leg up and down. She looked like a little adult. It was precious. She is also talking a lot more these days and is making clear sentences. I'm looking forward to the next few months ahead when she can really say what's on her mind...because by the looks and sound of it....she has a lot to say. I just can't seem to understand a lot of it. Although, I certainly do understand when she points to the sky and says "I see a plane." Between Caiou (I hope I spelled that right), a show on PBS, and airplanes, those are her two favorite things. Tomorrow she is headed off to a play date in the morning with her friend Kevin from down the block. I am going to take this opportunity to read through my employee manual for my new job I am starting next week.

I am going to serve at the brand new restaurant opening up in Bloomington where the old Billabong used to be. It is called Oak City and let's just say that it is a stark improvement from the last establishment that used to be there.

I'm looking forward to working at Oak City, to not only having a little extra cash on hand, but also because I really enjoy serving. I know it's not exactly what my college degree had in store for me, but I love sales. And if anyone knows me they know that. It's a fun, simple (which I like right now in my life) job and a great way to meet new people. Who knows, maybe I'll gain some Mary Kay customers too.

There is nothing to new with Kevin, except that he is gearing up for the RNC (Republican national Convention). He's actually going to be a featured speaker for McCain.....no, jut kidding. He would love that though I'm sure. Actually he's going to be working mega overtime for the convention. Since Bloomington has most of the hotels in the Twin Cities there will be A LOT of protests going on and just more crimes to be committed in general with the more people here so it should be interesting. I'm pretty sure we won't see each other much at all during those two weeks (1 prior and the 1 during).

Well...I think I have got it all out. I know it's been a while since I updated this. Well, not really I guess, but I thought I would fill everybody in on what's been going on in the Bellmont household.

Off to the Zoo

Today we were lucky enough to get a chance to go to the zoo with our friends, Bitta and her 18 month old son Kevin. Although it was a rainy and dreary day it turned out to be nice because it wasn't so hot in the morning and it also wasn't busy. It was incredible to see the Russian Grizzlys so close. It's amazing how big they are and to see how they interact with eachother. They come right up to the glass while swimming and get as close as they can to you. Charlotte had a great time playing with Kevin and lots of fun looking at all of these animals, but I think the most fun was being able to escape and make mommy chase her.
Well....as the day has gone on the humidity has gotten much worse and so we are headed off to the Bloomington Pool this evening. I am so looking forward to the fall weather, with the crisp evenings and the beautiful trees. I have had enough of summer. I'm sure I'll eat my words though when winter comes and I am forced to stay inside our house with no escape.

Hello and Goodbye

Here is a little video of Charlotte saying hello and goodbye. She loves to say goodbye, however, I'm sure you'll see she says "good dye." Today is a busy day, yet again. We are going to have some lunch with friends and baby Aidan. Going out in public now can be like playing Russian Roulette. You just don't know what you're going to get when it comes to Charlotte's disposition. Let's just hope we can get through the meal. I'm sure, as it seems to always happen, I'll be trying to entertain her and get her to eat and my food will be put in a to-go box. I'm looking for this part of the toddler years to disappear.

There are also some fun pics. above too of Charlotte taking pictures with an archaic disposable Kodak Camera that I have no idea what is on it. One of these days I'll develop it, but until then I'll let Charlotte amuse herself with it.

Going Garage Saling

Today Charlotte and I are going to enjoy the beauty of a Minnesota summer and do some garage saling. After participating in a garage sale last weekend with my friends I'm pretty sure that people just want to get rid of their crap and that if you want it, at a relatively decent price, they'll sell it to you. So....I don't know exactly what we are setting out for, probably clothes for Charlotte and a book for me, but I'm sure whatever we get we'll need it. The pics. above are of Charlotte at Grandma and Grandpa Samson's house in St. Paul. The pool, albeit the same pool as wehave , is apparently much more fun at Grandma's than ours at home. Her favorite thing to do is line all the toys up on the step and of course drink the incredibly healthy water that has surely been filtered into the pool, right?
Well...we'll have to let you in on what our garage sale finds are...but before then enjoy the rest of the week and hopefully you all have access to a pool or lake because this humidity is just wretched.

Another Day at the Beach

Charlotte and I had a lot of fun with my friend Courtney and her son Aidan at Bush Lake Beach yesterday. The water felt great and Charlotte had a great time. She wanted Aidan to swim and play with her so bad, but maybe next summer. He's only 3 1/2 months now, but it did do very well in the water. He is such a sweet little man and Charlotte really enjoys being around him and playing with him as much as she can. Here are some fun pictures of the beach. I'm pretty sure Charlotte's favorite part is put the sand everywhere and by everywhere I mean EVERYWHERE. It's like when you find pine needles in your family room 4 months after Christmas, that's the way it is with beach sand. Also, even though there isn't a picture of it, Charlotte did a great job of jumping off the dock into my arms, without me even holding on to her as she jumped in. She's pretty fearless, which can be good and bad...but I do like that she is courageous.

What an Angel.....Cake

As you can see Charlotte enjoyed helping make her Auntie Katie's birthday cake....which turned into a delicious angel food cake. Even though the clean up after baking trials like these with Charlotte can take a while it is all worth it to see her having fun. And of course, in true Charlotte fashion she certainly hammed it up for the camera.

Congratulations to Kevin!

Well, I know my husband probably wouldn't mention this to anyone but he just received a very honorable award yesterday for work. While this recognition was overlooked for far too long he finally did get recognition for saving a woman's life last September. A woman crossed the street on old Shakopee Road (extremely busy road) during rush hour and was nearly fatally hit. This woman was nearing death and Kevin came on the scene and was smart enough to know what to do and he opened he air way to keep her alive. This training no doubt came from Kevin's EMT training from years past. He would never say this, but the majority of officers would not have been able to open this woman's air way like he did. The woman was rushed to the hospital and although extremely beat up, not to mentions having a severely damaged carotid artery, survived exactly because of what Kevin did. In fact, the hospital called the police department to make sure that they knew that Kevin's quick and smart efforts are what gave this woman another chance at life. I am so proud of Kevin and have always know he has been an incredible officer but this just shows me that he truly is out there saving lives. So, congratulations Kevin for going above and beyond the call of duty and we are more than fortunate to have you protecting us......oh and I love you very much too!

I had to post one more...I just love it

This picture reminds me of my sister Lizzy. I just loe it!

Going to the Beach

It's been a bit since our last entry...but I'm starting to realize that I can't update it every day. That's a surprise, huh? Not having time for things. Sometimes I wonder what I did with myself when I was single in college.....b/c I certainly know I wasn't doing my homework all the time.

Now, I have to say that I finally conquered that daunting laundry mountain that we had creatively built on our bed. For a handful of days there I was going through the routine of determining I was going to tackle it, while of course other laundry was building up and then finding myself at the end of the day just moving the ever growing pile from our bed to the floor and then waking up and having no room to walk and the evil cycle began again by piling everything on the bed. One day, when it was just taking too much effort to continue with this charade I decided I was going to complete this disgusting of a chore. So, I made Kevin take Charlotte out for an hour and a half and I had my own folding party. By the time they got back I still had a couple baskets left to fold......you know the one with the socks that you wait until the very end to do and Charlotte's clothes that inevitably become dress up clothes later in the day and go from from neatly folded away to being sprawled on the floor. You can probably see why I was procrastinating with that load. So, I finally folded every piece of clothing away and it felt amazing......and then the dryer was done and it started all over again. I am trying to keep up some sort of healthy relationship with my laundry but I think we will always have different priorities and I'll always be expecting more from this relationship than I am getting

Once, more....I hate doing laundry!

So, we are off to the beach today and I am looking forward to that. It has been so hot and sticky and Bush Lake is just what we need. We are celebrating my sister Katie's birthday and having a BBQ and then doing some fun swimming. Honestly, the last time my family did this, since we grew up right next to Bush Lake, was probably 15 -20 years ago.

I'll make sure to post some pictures of Charlotte with her cousins and I will also make sure NOT to post any with me in my bathing suite, which incidentally is my maternity suit from two years ago that doesn't exactly make me look flattering, but of course it very comfortable.

Before I go I had to post this fun picture of Charlotte enjoying her dinner last night. She was actually drinking the sweet potatoes from the bowl and rubbing it around her high chair and body. She did actually get a lot in her mouth and now I know that Sweet Potatoes is certainly something she'll be eating again while in her diaper. I'm just glad she consumed some sort of vegetable (although I'm sure someone will tell me it's a fruit).

Charlotte's Version of Cleaning

Independence Day!

Happy July 4th to everyone. I hope you all enjoy your time with your families, being silly, having fun and taking advantage of the great weather. We are off to my brother's house in St.Paul for some huge festivities. The park by his house has a ton things to do for the kids. I am anxious to see what Charlotte thinks of the pony rides. We're going to give it a try, with assistance of course. Maybe they'll have a merry-go-round too. It will be fun for Charlotte to spend time with her cousins on the other side.
Before we head out though we have some major laundry to do. This is the absolutely one chore around the house that I do not like doing. I would rather dust and clean bathrooms. And once you do catch up on laundry you get to finally revel in it's completion and then 5 mns. later there's a hamper full of dirty clothes. It's almost like an abusive relationship that is never going to get better.....unless God blesses me with a laundry fairy.
Have a great 4th and put those Flags out!

One Last Day of Paradise

We are enjoying our last full day at the cabin. The weather is absolutely beautiful and the water is perfect. Gosh, I am going to miss relaxing and doing whatever we want to do when we want to. I am a little anxious to get back though and tend to things. I can only imagine what the lawn looks like now.

During our last couple of days we have also had fun with the doggies and practicing retrieving. They both now enjoy jumping in the lake and fetching the duck dummies. It's kind of fun to watch them swim. But, once you start something they like, as is with kids, they don't want to quite, so we have to hide the dummies after a while or they would be fetching all day.

There are some pictures here of the dogs enjoying their last days up here and of course we have to slip in some pictures of Charlotte. Off to swimming now....that's something I won't be saying for a while once we get back.

Enjoy the beautiful weather!