1st Trip to the Emergency Room

School called me today to say Charlie had fallen and bit his tongue. They were able to stop the bleeding, and Charlie didn't seem too bothered by it as he gobbled up his lunch and went down for his nap. Based on the report, I assumed he was ok and that I would pick him up normal time.

When I arrived for pick up he was walking around with his tongue sticking out. I took a look at it and was a bit shocked at how deep it was....so I quickly made the call to take him to have a Doctor look at it. I was worried it would get infected and wasn't sure if he would need stitches.

The entire Leu crew converge on the pediatric ER, only to find out that he was just fine. Gave us an antibiotic and a 'you won't even see it in a week.'

Whew.

Happy Halloween!

This past few months Charlie & Maggie have just fallen in love with the movie Ponyo. So in an effort to put them in coordinating costumes, Maggie decided to be Ponyo and Charlie was Soscai. Grandma Leu made Maggie's costume - it was beautiful! Here they are at Charlie's Halloween party at The Crayonbox Preschool.






Charlie's Halloween artwork.



And the never fail entertainment of bubbles (with his buddy Jack in the background)!



But, at the end of the day the back-up plan went into action for trick-or-treating on Halloween. He was a FIREMAN...who was more into the idea of going up to houses & getting candy than eating it.

A Summer Vacation in Minnesota

I took the kids to Minneapolis for a week to soak up that much needed summertime-midwest-warm weather-ice cream truck-giggles with cousins goodness. It was Charlie's first time visiting my home town, and I am pretty sure he looooooved every single moment. Some of his highlights: the ice cream truck, bowling for the first time, feeding Grace's geckos crickets, roasting marshmallows over the fire, watching the cow milked at the zoo, jumping on the 'jumpoline', POPSICLES (Aunt Red spoiled him with 2 each time!), chasing the girls, napping at the pool, and belling up on the kitchen bar stool for snacks! Several weeks later and he still keeps asking for Grace, 'Mommy, where Gracie???'

He adored the trampoline, and in his excitement combined the word jumping with trampoline. So, by the end of the week all he had to say was 'jumpoline' and we knew.



Charlie had his glory moment after we filled the pool in the backyard and got to splash the girls. The more he splashed, the more they giggled & screamed. A very happy 20 minutes!!!!



We rode several rides at the Mall of America - this one was Thomas the Train, which he threw a complete fit once I tried to literally peel him off of at the end. Driving home I asked him which ride he loved & he said the School Bus - which was funny because that was the ride he literally spent tucked into my bellie shaking from pure terror!



Filling the pool (or watering the grass) was a favorite.



His first ever banana popsicle brought many smiles!



The upside-down show with Mommy NEVER disappoints!



Oh Minnesota. How you treated my little Charlie Bear right! A giant thanks to Aunt Red & Uncle Dave for introducing him to so many new and exciting things. We can't wait to return next summer.

4th of July - Lake Tahoe

We spent the week up in Tahoe, enjoying the summer warmth & a little time together as a family!

At Kings Beach...







Pool time...







Of course all Tahoe journeys are not complete without a ride on the Gondola. We ventured up the mountain, picnicked & hiked around.





Air time at the condo...



We took a sunset cruise on Lake Tahoe - here is Charlie enjoying a lollipop.

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

We spent the weekend exploring our own backyard and finding little adventures here & there in the city. First thing Saturday morning I pulled out our tent & set up camp in the backyard. All the blankets, dolls, trucks...and random toys deemed 'needed' while camping by the kids found their way in the tent.



Lola & Vivi spent the morning with us on our camping adventure. Soon after the girls had finished up their tea party Charlie moved in. Quiet happily he sat gobbling up the homemade lemon poppy muffins (or rather licking off all the frosting).



While Maggie headed out to a movie with her buddies, Charlie & I spent some time hanging out in the tent. A highlight from the weekend as we both laid there looking up at the sky talking about airplanes, the stars & finding the humor in just about everything.



Sunday was a beautiful day so we headed to Crissy Field with a bunch of people to soak up the sun and WARMTH! Charlie of course stuck to what he loves about the beach, eating sand. Although, he is a little less obvious these days. Instead of handfuls he just isn't bothered when his watermelon piece drops in the sand - perhaps on purpose? No need to wipe it off!



A quick peek through his sun glasses. Not a fan of wearing them, but conceptually thinks they are super cool!

Trip to Fond Du Lac.

Our trip to Fond du Lac this year got pushed up to the Spring upon the news of Grandma Evelyn Leu (Grandma Grandma) passing away at 98 years of age. One of my favorite Charlie moments with Grandma was on our last visit when they snuggled up in her bed and both of them talked and talked away. She was such a loving and beautiful woman who will be greatly missed.

Charlie snoozing during the funeral....



Grandpa giving Charlie a ride on the lawnmower. At first he was elated to jump on...but soon after they started cutting the grass he got a bit freaked out & had to get off quickly. He LOVES to look at the big trucks, but isn't so sure about riding them yet.



Charlie met his cousin Eloisa - sweet sweet Ellie. She is 3 months old and adorable!!



Charlie a bit fixated on the lawnmower, still. Watching Grandpa finish mowing the lawn...



Since Charlie's 2nd birthday was days after our visit we had a family gathering to celebrate. Charlie adored his cake that Grandma Leu made!!!

Charlie's 2nd Birthday

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet sweet Charlie. May the next year ahead be full of new adventures, nonstop happiness, and of course - lots and lots of trucks in every size!!! I love you like crazy Charles Thomas Leu - you mean the world to me.

A birthday breakfast...



Because of his obsession with trucks, we went with a Firetruck theme for his birthday party. Hosted at home, we had an old retired Firetruck swing by & take us on a few rides around Noe Valley.






I very proudly made his cake!










It was a giant success with everyone BUT Charlie.

Chloc-let.

HAPPY EASTER!!! The Easter bunny dropped off a few things to our house, even a note!



Their Easter Baskets. Charlie got a book all about vehicles, a new rake to help Mommy in the backyard & a truck - of course.



On our way to the Easter Parade down in the Marina, Charlie ate a BLUE Chloc-let egg and LOVED every bit of it!



Walking around looking for easter eggs at the hunt & hanging out with sister Maggie.






First time drawing. A TRUCK coloring book from Grandma & Grandpa Leu!

OBSESSED with garbage.

An understatement, actually. Monday morning his ears perk up at the faint sound of the garbage truck making it's way up the street...and he DASHES to the front window and won't move a muscle until they have finished their route & are completely out of sight. One of his favorite 'games' right now is to get you to give him bits of garbage so he can toss them for you. And I won't even get started on his love for wipes (pro-nounced YIPES)....and the need to flush every single last one of them.

And then the actual garbage cans. He has to make eye contact with you every time he points one out, just to ensure he knows and can confirm you saw it too. If the lid is swung open then we HAVE to stop & close it. Luckily there are 3 garbage cans per household so we are REALLY good at counting to three these days. Ahhhhhh. I love it. I so incredibly love it.

Our favorite part, how he pronounces garbage - BARGAGE.



In the last few days he has really amped up his chatter and is now speaking in 3-4 word sentences. It sprouted out of what seemed like no where. There is nothing like waking up to his little voice yelling, 'Mooommmmmmmy! I hungry.'





His 2nd haircut at a little place by our house. It took all of about 4 minutes.



Last night Charlie came in to say goodnight to Maggie. He gave her a kiss and then said 'I love you Maggie.' Joel & I were both taken back, and I of course totally teared up. He hasn't said I love You before...and to say it first to his sister....AMAZING! I will forever remember that moment. They both love each other so much. I love it.