1.  When we celebrated Diwali, I took Charlotte to a nearby mandir.  It is the first time either of us has set foot inside a Hindu temple.  As soon as the staff member led us inside, Charlotte stopped and looked around in awe.  “Momma,” she said, “what is in my nose?”  I told her that it was the smell of incense.  “Oh,” she said, “yes, I need this in Charlotte’s house, YES SIREE!”
    2.  She dressed up for story-hour in a pirate hat, cowboy chaps, fairy wings, and an apron.  When we arrived at the library one of the older kids crinkled his nose.  “What are you supposed to be?” he asked her.  “I am a clever girl,” she said proudly.
    3.  About twice a week, we paint.  Every time she sees everything set up for painting, she strips.  My kid always paints in the nude.
    4.  Actually, she almost always gardens in the nude too.
    5.  Come to think of it, our household is in a constant state of toddler naked-ness.  I honestly don’t know how people convince their children to stay clothed.  These people are clearly magicians.
    6.  Last weekend, Donald walked into the kitchen when Charlotte was eating breakfast and surprised her.  “Don’t!” she yelled then “Don’t scare the crap out of me!”
    7.  Earlier this week, the moon rose before the sun set.  On our afternoon walk, Charlotte kept stretching and jumping.  “Momma, the moon is just, is just TOO HIGH,” she said.  “I cannot reach it.  I need a ladder.”  The next morning, it was very foggy when we woke up.  “Momma!” she yelled from the living room window, “The clouds fell down!”  Then she was silent for a moment, thinking.  “Clouds are in the sky, Momma.  The moon is in the sky too!  The sky fell down!  I HAVE TO FIND THE MOON!  IT FELL DOWN!  IS IT HURT?!  OH NO MOON!”
    8.  A couple days ago we went to the park with friends whose son is still in diapers.  When he needed to poop, he went to a secluded area and squatted down and got to work.  Charlotte followed him.  “Oh no,” she said to him with a concerned look on her face.  “You pooped in your pants!  OH NO BABY!  YOU NEED TO USE THE TOILET!”  Poor kid.
    9.  Last night she came up to Donald and grabbed his face and squeezed his cheeks.  “I LOVE YOU TOO!” she yelled and then she ran off.
    10.  She always says “sing me a story” instead of “tell me a story.”  Every day before naptime, she nestles into the crook of my arm.  “Momma,” she says, “sing me a story.  Sing me the story of Little Tuppens.”  And I do.

Our painting set-up: brown paper bag for canvas, pie tin with paints and brushes, and all sorts of nature materials for her to use (seed pod, corn cob, nuts, rocks, pumpkins, etc).  She lost the dress before she got started.