We have had a wonderful extra-long weekend celebrating when the religious zealots who helped found our nation, dined with our land’s natives.  Ah, Thanksgiving!  Charlotte loved the Macy’s Parade and was very well behaved for a two-year-old shopping on Black Friday.

This weekend it became clear there is a new man in my daughter’s life.

Sure, Daddy is great and Elmo is fun.  But, my girl has been after a man of mystery.  You know the type.  He shows up once a  year, but leaves your head spinning a few months before, wondering if he’ll really be there this time.  Oh!  The wait is so worth it!

Anywhere we see a beard or red hat, we’re sure to hear “Sana Caas!!!”  We ask her, “Charlotte, who did you see at the Christmas parade?” “Sana Caas!!!  Sit on Sana Caas yap!”  Let me remind you I showed her a picture of her on Santa Claus’ lap ONCE!  This child has remembered and has not stopped talking about when she will sit on “Sana Caas yap.”

She and I braved the mall this weekend because, if I’m being honest, I love the hustle, bustle, and bargain shopping of the holiday season.  Charlotte saw Santa through the glass as we went down the elevator.  I saw the line.  Ugh!  But, it seems my girl has a way with the new man in her life.  Yep, we caught Santa on his way to the crapper.  He was kind enough to stop for a quick cell phone stroller shot with my girl.

She was thrilled with this Santa-sighting, but still wants to sit on his “yap.”  I guess we’ll have to wait in the line with everyone else.  She’ll realize we are just commoners who don’t really get one-on-one time with the season’s hottest celebrity.

When we ask her what she wants from Sana Caas?  She shouts, “A baby!” That’s when every set of eyes in the room move straight to my midsection.  It is no doubt all pooched out since I am no doubt eating pie or something.  That’s when, between mouthfuls, I explain that she wants a “baby doll” and that I am not pregnant.

Is it Christmas yet?

Today was the coldest election I remember in a long time here in North Carolina.  Before work this morning we bundled up our girl and waited in a long line that wrapped around the local church that served as our precinct.  Charlotte was very good as she nibbled on Goldfish.  We bribed her with a sticker if she was tantrum-free as her parents did their civic duty.

I looked down at her and said, “Charlotte, who are you voting for?”  She paused for a moment, looked up from her snack and said, “Elmo.”  Greyson and I busted up laughing and promised to put him as a write-in.

Her support for her candidate didn’t waver all day.  This was the note outside her class.

I promise this is my last Sesame Street-themed post for awhile, this tale was just too good not to pass along.  Happy Election Day everyone!

Hello my dear readers!  I’ve missed you this week!  Please excuse my absence.  This has been the single busiest week I’ve had since starting my new job.  Things are busy, but good.  I have not even had time to eat, let alone blog or Tweet.  I appreciate your understanding.

I want to share this little nugget I’ve been enjoying lately.  When I catch it on TV I can’t stop smiling and giggling.  Everything about this reminds me of Charlotte and her epic, beautiful bed head.  I hope she, and all these baby girls feel this pretty their whole lives.  Enjoy!

We got Charlotte all excited for a birthday party Saturday morning. I explained how the toy truck was not for her as I put it in the gift bag. (I only wrap at Christmas. Don’t judge.) Greyson was all like, “Who’s party is this again?”

I explained it was for Harrison. He is the darling, toe-headed 3-year-old of my dear friend Beth Anne. She is my sorority sister and Internet maven. I was all like, “You know, Beth Anne. Her husband went to school with us too.” He said, “Oh, are they cool?” I was all like, “Um, yeah. I told you she is one of my sisters. We were the best chapter on campus, so yeah. I’d say they’re cool.” He reminded me that I am a 31 year-old mother and really need to let the sorority days go. (Never!)

I dolled up Charlotte in a little fall frock and off we went. We were about 20 minutes late. I figure it was cool to be fashionably late to a party. I was all like, “Charlotte, can you say ‘Happy Birthday Harry!’?” She giggled.

I rang the bell and Beth Anne stared at me like I had five heads. She was all like, this.

Beth Anne and I doubled over in giggles at my stupidity. The party is next Saturday. Greyson was all like, “Seriously, Amy?” My mistake meant I got to hug my friend and get a sneak peek of her new house.

Charlotte was all like, “I want cake!” I was all like, “Yeah, too bad. We’re gonna go get flu shots and vote early.”

In the car Greyson was all like, “She’s cool. I like her.” I was all like, “I told you.”

No surprise. I got the date at our Early Voting precinct wrong too. Guess when it opens? Yep. Next Saturday.

The family flu shots were somewhat successful. I was all like, “I want to try the new type of flu shot with the 90% smaller needle that hurts less! Oh! It’s covered by our insurance!” Greyson and I got the new shot and Charlotte got the standard pediatric dose. We tried to be brave in front of our toddler but both of us were all like, “Ugh! Hurts less, my ass!” Our arms are still red two days later.

About as red as Greyson’s face standing on Beth Anne’s steps.

See this?  I freakin’ made it ya’ll!  I am not a photographer, nor a graphic designer.  I’m just a mom trying to be all DIY and not to spend so much on the birthday party this year.  Last year I shelled it out for gorgeous 1st birthday invitations online.

This year I lined up Charlotte’s favorite toys and took several shots after the dog licked the toddler and knocked over Burt.  I’m proud to say I was able to crop Cookie Monster and Ernie back where they belong.  I’m also proud to say my child’s smile is real, and not edited.

As proud as I was of these, after I printed them all off I noticed I probably should have said “Can you tell me how to get to Charlotte’s 2nd Birthday Party?” instead of just “Birthday.”  It makes more sense.  Then I noticed my epic fail of an incomplete sentence when I wrote “This party brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.” instead of “This party is  brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.”  After printing, I lost the will to go back and correct it.  Our guests will just have to deal with my poor grammar.  Oh!  I also failed to put RSVP info on there.  But, hey, there is a Sesame Street sign with my kid’s name on it.  Isn’t that what’s important?

I won’t lie, this shindig will be a straight-up Pinterest fest.  Show me a child’s party that isn’t these days.

Enjoy the outtakes.  It shows the extent of my work.  Tell me what you think of my invites.  Happy party planning!