One last trip to see Santa

This morning Mommy took me to see Santa again. He was in our neighborhood. I really didn't want to go but she told me there would be donuts so I went. I didn't really want to sit in his lap and said before I saw him up close that "that was not Santa". I eventually sat in his lap after he told me to come see him. I told him I wanted a stuffed dog and a dollhouse. Then I ate a chocolate donut and one with sprinkles.

Besides Santa the highlight of the morning, I showed Mommy that I can get on a swing by myself and PUMP all by myself. I don't need any help. She was so excited. I learned this at school and am pretty proud of myself.

Hope you all get to see Santa soon!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Carolers

Guess what? Last night Mommy came and snatched me out of bed and ran downstairs to see the carolers singing at our door! I have read about this in my scratch and sniff book. The Bear family has carolers and then serves them hot chocolate. I was a little embarrassed that their were people outside our door and I was in my pj's but it was fun anyway. They could not stay for hot chocolate but I still asked if I could have some. I had to go back to bed.

Tonight we went to look at lights with hot chocolate in hand which Mommy and Daddy have made a tradition each year plus it was supposed to be the night of the luminaries in the city where I live (but it rained so not all the luminaries were out). I really wanted to go caroling and not look at the lights. I kept asking when we were going home and my hot chocolate was too hot. I think I really just like chocolate milk. Daddy promised we would go caroling one day when other people could go with us. I really enjoyed singing to myself in the car while we drove so I tried to make the best of it. I prefer "Feliz Navidad", "Jingle Bell Rock", "Joy to the World", "Away in a Manger", "Silent Night", "Angels we have heard on High", "Rudolph", "Jingle Bells", "Deck the Halls", and "Frosty".

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

I want to sit in Santa's lap

Since Mommy knew we would miss the annual Santa party at Corinne's this year (due to visiting our family, Mommy asked me real quick if I wanted to just write a letter to Santa or go see Santa. I said I wanted to sit in Santa's lap! So she and Daddy took me early one morning to a Breakfast with Santa. I got to make some crafts while I waited my turn and then hear Granny Claus tell the story of the true meaning of Christmas about Jesus. Then I waited patiently to see Santa. Before this I had been telling Mommy and Daddy that I wanted a dog from Santa (which Mommy and Daddy interpreted as a stuffed dog since we have Bear Bear already). I have stuck with this story for weeks. So I finally got to see Santa. I have to tell you I was nervous but sat right in his lap. I blushed and wouldn't talk to him, plus all these people, some elves, were staring at me with cameras. It was a little weird to say the least. When he asked what I would like for the 3rd time, I finally blurted out "A Bear". Then he asked if I had a dollhouse (which I don't) and I said "no". I told me he would be by my house later on and I told him bye.

In the car, Mommy and Daddy asked what I told Santa I wanted and I said "a dollhouse!"

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

My Christmas Tree

Right after we got back from our Thanksgiving trip, we got down our Christmas decorations and started to decorate the house. Mommy has a really pretty tree downstairs, but I decorated my own upstairs and think I did a pretty good job. Mommy's tree is not as lovely as mine. You see, I have my own way of decorating. I put all the wise men together (see picture) because they need to be with their buddies so no one gets lonely. So I put similar ornaments together. That makes since to decorate that way, don't you think?


Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Playing by myself

Mommy says one of the best things about me being an only child (for now) is that I can entertain myself most of the time and come up with very creative was to play. For instance the other night, I got out High Ho Cherryo which Mommy couldn't play with me because she was cooking. So Big Tanner and Little Tanner played. I taught them the game and we all took turns. Big Tanner won and we were excited for him.

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Thanksgiving

Hello there! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I did! I got to see most of my family and wear them out! I went to Granny and Grandpa's for the first part of my trip. Grandpa, Daddy and I jumped in the piles and piles of leaves that were in their backyard. Bear loved to run in the leaves. I did try and help rake the leaves but it was more fun jumping and hiding in them, though I wasn't crazy about them getting on my face. I also played with my cousins, Dylan, Grayson, and Holden, but we were too quick for a picture. I didn't really care for the Turkey but loved the little marshmallows on top of the sweet potatoes. I told people that was my favorite thing about Thanksgiving.

We then went to Memie and Papa Nick's house but didn't stay long because we traveled to Aunt Francye's house to see Papa Nick's sisters and uncle Dennis - he talks like Donald Duck sometimes and is silly. We came back to Memie's house so I could play with the dollhouse - my favorite thing to do.

It was a fun trip but we were all tired by the time we got home. I am so thankful for all of my family and being able to visit them and play with them.

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

My BIG news

So most of you may know this BUT you haven't heard it from me. As I mentioned in my first entry in a while, mommy has not blogged because she has had a reason. Well, I am going to be a BIG SISTER! Can you believe it?!? I don't know if you remember but last spring, I was telling people that "Mommy had a baby in her belly" when she didn't. Then I would accuse other people of being pregnant when they weren't. I quieted myself for a while and waited patiently.

Mommy and Daddy told me in August by showing me a picture of the little baby in Mommy's tummy. I was excited, but immediately asked "Why aren't there two (babies)?" I have friends that are twins (Travis/Taylor, Marianna/Garrison, Kate/Abby) and had even asked for two siblings. Daddy said something (meaningful) to me about God giving us one baby in Mommy's tummy. I replied with "Mommy, just eat more, and you can grow another baby". Mommy and Daddy said they weren't ready to go into THAT conversation right now and we only had one baby.

Mommy immediately started getting very sick which was hard on all of us. She said she felt great with me so this was a shock to her. She and I spent a lot of days on her bed watching TV which was fun for me. I tried to be very understanding when she didn't feel good. I reminded her one day that "this baby was making her sick but that she felt great when I was in her belly". She told me not to tell the baby that when the baby was born. She was sick until a few weeks ago (hence the upstart of blogging!). As I said, the sickness took a toll on all of us. When Mommy is down for the count, we all are. The final straw for Mommy was on a Monday when we were in a hurry getting in from the grocery store and getting out the door for my dance class. Mommy said to me that she needed to go get sick before we left. I asked her "Can you go get sick in your bathroom so I don't have to hear you?" I was late to dance class (which made me cry to see the door closed) because of Mommy's sickness. Thankfully, Mommy is feeling much better these days and we are back to normal around here.

I have been asking lots of questions: Where will the baby eat? sleep? Do we have a stroller? car seat? Does the baby have to sleep near me if it cries? I also have been telling Mommy and Daddy how things will go around here once the baby comes. I will help with changing but not stinky diapers. I also will help the baby eat at the table (so as to distract them from my eating my dinner). I also will sing songs and read books to the baby and help pick out clothes. Mommy keeps telling people she was excited about the age difference since I am so independent now but is worried about this baby having 2 mommies. She asked me one day if I thought this baby would have 2 mommies, and I said "No. You're the Mommy".

We did find out the baby is a girl. I am going to have a little sister! I am excited and was excited when mommy told me. She told me when she picked me up from school one day. When we got to the car (one minute later), I turned sad and said "Why aren't we having a brother?" Tears came to my eyes as I asked this. Mommy thinks my philosophy was that I was the sister and I didn't have a brother and didn't need a sister because I was the sister. So Mommy tried to calm me down by talking about my friends who didn't have brothers - Corinne and Lindy. She told me how blessed I would be with a sister and what a special relationship that would be and that she never had that. I was still sad when she said that the next dog we got could be a brother dog. (Daddy had said as he was leaving the doctor and hearing the great news of a girl that after dear Bear dog passed on, he wanted a boy dog). I immediately asked "why would we need another dog?" Mommy said that Bear would pass away one day since he's old. Well, that made me cry and I said "I love Bear Bear!" (In Mommy's defense, she really was trying to comfort me and didn't see this conversation going in this direction.) So after I calmed down we went to get cupcakes.

I have already picked out a couple of things for my baby sister when we have been out shopping even though Mommy said we don't need a thing. I picked out a lovey blanket and a pink and purple sleeper. I am getting really excited; can you tell?!? The baby will come after my birthday.

A few other things pertaining to Mommy's belly...I saw her belly, unclothed, the other day and said "Mommy, your belly is big!" I then told her "I have a baby in my belly. It will be born next week (puffing out my belly)". I also keep telling Daddy that he has a baby in his belly since his belly sticks out too. (Mommy and Daddy have talked to me about how Daddies don't have babies in there bellies because I did think at one time that Daddies carried boy babies.)

Please stay tuned for my adventures with my new baby sister (name to be determined though I have suggested "Allie").

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

November beginnings

Yay! I have finally made it to November and I hope you are still enjoying my adventures. Daddy traveled the first part of November so Mommy kept us busy with activities every day. Memie and Papa Nick came to visit us at the first of November. They treated me to yummy meals (and desserts) and trips to the mall and park. We had fun though I think they live in a hotel since that is where I have seen them the last two times they have been here!

I also was invited to my first tea party in November. The invitation said to wear my favorite tea party dress or party hat. Mommy usually picks out my outfits and even encourage me this time to wear a dress I might wear to church. At first I picked out the dress I wore to Miss Natalie's wedding which was white and sleeveless - both of which Mommy said I couldn't wear in November to a children's birthday party. So I picked out the next best thing (reference picture below). The "dress" was Mommy's ballet costume (I call it a dress) when she was 11 or 12 years old. I then paired it with a lei headband and bracelet and a silver bead necklace. I had to wear a leotard and stockings underneath it and tennis shoes (again since I was going to a children's birthday party). I loved my outfit (and so did Mommy to some extent). I was very proud at my choice of outfit. I think personal shopping may be in my future!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Halloween!

I ended the month of October with celebrating Halloween and trick-or-treating, and this is how every month should end!

We brought the big pumpkin in one day that we brought home from the farmers market and carved it. (For the record, it was the biggest pumpkin we had ever had and Daddy said it was the easiest to carve and scoop out. It was a different pumpkin than the usual orange with ridges pumpkin.) I helped pick out the face and helped Daddy poke holes in the pumpkin - some went where they were suppose to go and some were added for extra effect. I named the pumpkin of course because I name everything but Mommy can't remember what it was. It's hard to keep up with all my names!

On Halloween night, Daddy and I met up with my friend Ava and her family because they live on my street. We trick-or-treated together all night. We were gone for almost 2 hours. Daddy said we chatted the whole way and he had to keep reminding us to keep going. By the way, I was supergirl which was Mommy's outfit when she was little. Her Memo made it. I will try and get a picture of her in it on here sometime soon. I loved that I had a cape and a crown! I got home just in time to pass out the last few pieces of candy in our bowl to trick-or-treaters. I got to stay up later that night since we moved the clocks back which was fun and I snuck a piece of candy or two.

Hope your Halloween was fun too!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Other October Happenings

Hi all! October was a busy, busy month. We finally officially celebrated Daddy's birthday at home with a favorite meal of Shrimp Creole and chocolate cake and ice cream (he would just prefer the ice cream to cake - Blue Bell Milk Chocolate to be exact). I also had my first Halloween Party at School. Mommy came and helped with a craft, snack, and trick-or-treating around the church. My whole class dressed up, and it was a fun day!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Dayschool Fall Fest

In late October I attended my school's fundraiser - Fall Fest - and brought friends, Travis, Taylor, and Perry (spiderman, policeman, and Emily Elizabeth with Clifford). I got to ride ponies, ride a train, play games, see a magician, and pet lots of animals. The magician was really funny. I got to see friends John Mark (pirate dog), Corinne (a cat), and Ava (bumblebee) at the festival too.

It was a great evening!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

More Fall Break Pictures

Fall Break Trip to see the Tigers

In mid-October we traveled to Memphis with Daddy because he had to work, to celebrate his birthday, and it was Fall break. We took Daddy to see the kick-off of the Tigers Basketball. I loved it but thought it was loud. (note - we sat second row from the top!) There were lots of lights, people, cheerleaders and dancers, music, and basketball. Daddy was so glad we made it to see them.

The next day we went to the zoo which I had been to before but got to take Daddy and show him around. The new exhibit was open and we got to see the wolves, elk,and the spot where the grizzly bears will go (they were hiding). But my favorite things to see this time were the polar bears. They were so active because it was so cold. I stood by the glass waiting for them to swim by me (see picture) and then finally they would come right in front of me. I also love the farm area and the little train which wasn't running the last time I was there. The animals outside the zoo were dressed up for Halloween. I really liked the one dressed up as a Tiger fan!

The last day we were there, Mommy took me to the Children's Museum. I got to dress up and sing, grocery shop and scan my items, play guitar in front of a screen, build things, fly a plane, be a dentist and firefighter. It was so fun.

Daddy did have a good birthday too. We made cupcakes and brought them with us and celebrated him while we were on our trip. He was glad we came along. What a great trip!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew

Visit from Granny and Grandpa

Granny and Grandpa came to see me (well, and Mommy and Daddy) in October. We had a great visit and played, played, played. We took them to the Farmer's Market and picked out pumpkins and drank the yummy chocolate milk from Hatcher's Dairy. It comes from a brown cow, you know. We also got to see people dressed in funny clothes who were in town for the burial of the unknown soldier from the Battle of Franklin. I really liked the ladies in the big, black dresses with the hoop skirts. I saw one walking down the street and told mommy "She's so pretty!" (whereas Mommy thought she looked depressing). I loved showing Granny and Grandpa all that I am in to these days.

Much Love,
Carlisle Kirk

I Love to Dance!

Hey there! I have told you that I am taking dance lessons which I love. Ms. Donna is my teacher and I am learning so much. Mommy and Daddy get small glimpses into what I am learning but rarely do they get a big performance - besides skipping which I am working on really hard. They sometimes hear my working on odd and even numbers, syllables, counting, days of the week, months of the year, looking at people in the face when I speak to them in addition to actually dancing. In October I had a dance exhibition at a fall festival and Mommy got to see what I had been doing in class up to that point. My friend Corinne and I performed together on the stage. Mommy's favorite part was watching me try to grab my toes (picture below) with my long legs. I was grabbing my toes as I was told to do; its just my legs weren't straight.

(**Mommy's note - Carlisle's dance class is amazing. I am blown away each week at what she learned and how far she's come. Her class is fun and makes her want to go every week. The class is so refreshing!)

Much Love,
Carlisle Kirk

From my point of view

I really enjoy my life and love doing new things each day. I really enjoy my Little People and love acting out life through them. They are always on the go...to school, the zoo, the farm, the circus, the fair. Lately (because its now December) they are all hanging out at the manger with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I love them so much.

As I mentioned I like trying new things (not food though unless its chocolate). Mommy says I am usually a predictable child and reliable. One day Mommy was busy trying to get us ready to get out the door and I was entertaining myself. When she reentered the room, this is what she found. I was trying out the red marker as lipgloss. What do you think? My aim was pretty good and the color was good for me.

Much love,
Carlisle Drew

Trip to Blue Ridge

Hey there again. I wanted to tell you about my family's great trip to Blue Ridge, Georgia with our friends Travis and Taylor and their Mommy and Daddy. They invited us to stay at this amazing place right on the river (that turns into the Ocoee River). Their friends own the place and they let us borrow it. It was such a fun trip. The Daddies took us to play real golf. It was my first time. I got frustrated sometimes and threw my club down in a dramatic fashion but I quickly figured out how to play my own way (see picture below). Daddy said he was proud that I stuck with it and it was good for me to see Travis and Taylor play since they have a little more experience.

We also "fished" which means we threw our lines with bobbers attached into the water and then reeled them in. That was fun. One day we also hiked on part of the AT (appalachian trail for those not so savvy). It was a beautiful day and fun to look for different things on the trail. Back at the house we roasted marshmallows and made smores. The house had these great swing chairs near the fire pit that we all loved to sit in.

Lastly, the river was right behind the house and the house had some kayaks we could borrow. Most of the time the water was running to high and fast for us to get in it with the kayaks. The last day we were there, Daddy couldn't wait any longer and told Mommy he was taking me out in the water. He took me down the road far away from the house because it was easier for us to enter the water there (but he was without another adult)since the water was running high and fast. He got the kayak in and then put me in and then as he was trying to get in, we flipped over. I got completely wet but had on a life jacket and my strong Daddy was able to hang on to me and the kayak but he lost the paddle. I was very upset and didn't understand why we fell in or why mommy didn't want to carry me (and my wet jeans, wet shirt, wet life jacket, wet shoes) back to the house. Luckily we were safe and Daddy learned to have another Daddy with him when he tries that again.

Thanks to the Arringtons for some great memories!

Much Love,
Carlisle Drew