Smarty Mom and new to the CSP Team: Cheryl Perry

Smarties, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Cheryl Perry. As you know, we reached out to Smarty Charlotte as we are expanding our sassy little pink & green site. Cheryl came to us with a yearning to write and we couldn’t be more excited to add her to our Smarty family.

Cheryl is a native Charlottean, which is a rare gem here in the QC. I’ve known her through preschool and now elementary school and I’ve always admired her calm demeanor as she wrangles her four precious children. She never breaks stride and has a sense of style like no other mom – just look at that fab photo! So when Cheryl told me she could write, I knew this would be a great fit for us!

Smarties, meet Cheryl Perry!

Smarty Mom Stats:

Married to: John, just celebrated 10 years
Years in Charlotte: All my life!
Mom to: Ava (7), Hunt (6), Mac (4), and Smith (16 mo)
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom and now blogger!
Original Home Town: Charlotte
‘Hood: South Charlotte

What are some of your top gift picks for your children this year?

A Rip-Stick is on the top of my son’s list and an iTouch is on the top of my daughter’s. I don’t know if she is old enough for an iTouch – I wish they made an iTouch “Lite” that was cheaper with some of the same capabilities for this age group!
I think Santa will bring Hoppity Hop balls in various sizes (www.jumpingballs.com). Great outdoor toy and I can see some family races in the future! I am also going to get the 2 middle boys some football trading cards – they are obsessed with football and would love something to “trade.” Plus that doesn’t clutter my house too much. The baby is getting some “recycled” gifts this year – there are several toys that have been in our attic long enough that the older kids have forgotten about them. Is that bad?

Tell us some of your family’s Christmas traditions.

We love to hit McAdenville then the Open Kitchen for dinner (one of my parents’ first dates was there, and they love to reminisce!). We also go Uptown every year to see the Singing Bears in Founders Hall. And after church on Christmas Eve, we tour around Charlotte looking at all the fabulous Christmas lights. Now that my kids are getting a little older, I want to start an ice skating tradition – not sure what it will be yet but I just think that would be so fun to do as a family!

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

I’ve lived here all my life, but I was actually born in Atlanta. My parents and sister were moving back to Charlotte from Florida when my mom was about to have me, but she didn’t have an OB/GYN here. She ended up staying with my grandparents in Atlanta, had me, then moved into our house in Charlotte right after. So I was born there but never lived there!

Who is your celebrity crush?

Male: Ryan Reynolds or Justin Timberlake; Female: Reese Witherspoon. I am constantly trying to imitate her style, and I can never keep up!

Best book you’ve read lately?

I love to read, and I constantly have two or more books going at once so it’s hard to pick just one. But recently I really enjoyed Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka. It was so uniquely and beautifully written but educational at the same time.

Favorite movie of all time?

“Steel Magnolias” – although I must say it’s harder for me to watch now that I’m a mom. I still constantly quote it, though – some people get it and some people just laugh nervously.

Minivan or SUV?

Definitely minivan. Cool or not cool – I can’t imagine living without sliding doors! And that rear-camera has become my crutch!

What is your favorite phone app?

I just discovered CardStar – you can scan all of your customer cards (like the HT VIC, library card, etc.), and the cashier just scans your phone. It definitely lightens up your keychain and wallet! Now if they could do the same for credit cards and insurance cards maybe I could carry around a cute clutch instead of a huge hobo bag!

What is your favorite CSP article?

I loved Jen’s recent Taylor Swift blog. TOTALLY different experience then we had in the nosebleeds and SO COOL!

I could not live without my…

Besides the obvious to me – husband and running shoes – I would have to say I couldn’t live without family nearby. My parents live very close to us, my mother-in-law isn’t far, and two of my brother-in-laws and their families live here. John and I try very hard not to take advantage of our parents as “babysitters” but they are very generous with their time. They come to all the kids’ sporting events, school functions, and dance recitals. We also have Sunday night dinner every week with my parents. And my mom helps with carpool when I am in a pinch, which is HUGE for me. She even got a mini-van for herself! It’s so nice to know that our kids are growing up with grandparents and cousins so close by and that they will all know each other so well. I always wished for that as a kid!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we introduce you to the rest of our new team members!