2 1/2

This month we registered Claire for pre-school. How did that happen? How is it time to send our oldest baby to school? She goes to an in-home daycare while we are at work where she has learned so much, and I'd like to think with my teaching skills I've taught her a thing or two, but it's still hard to believe that in August she will be at the school I've taught at the past 5 years. I love the school and know she will learn so much and have so much fun.

In the past 3 months I've seen a huge change in Claire. I think maybe because of the fact that there are two seriously helpless babies crying and napping around here. She isn't helpless anymore, she is able to do so many things on her own and wants it that way. She has a certain routine and she follows it every single day. She does get angry if something isn't going her way or if someone gets in her way of doing something, but for the most part I find myself laughing at her daily. She's sassy, hardheaded, loves her sisters, and her daddy the most.

She is a crafty little person and loves to use paint, stamps, markers, stickers, and play dough. All I have to do is open up the craft closest and she is instantly ready to create something. I love watching her get excited about using her imagination and making something for the refrigerator. We've recently explored scissors, Lord help me! She makes quick little cuts all around the paper...lets hope we don't end up with a botched haircut, clothes cut, or someone else getting hurt from the crazy scissor cutter! We've also seen her dance moves coming out! I think in the fall after our summer vacation we will go try out a gymnastics class for her. Jumping and twirling makes her happy.

Since Kennedy and Kinley were born she has had to entertain herself while we are feeding. In her playroom she likes to dress up like all the Disney princesses and the occasional pirate. She likes to put together puzzles and read books. Sneaking in on her reading to herself or feeding her baby dolls makes me so happy.

We think she's a pretty happy kid and her recent crazy vocabulary is always expanding. I love that she is able to talk so clearly now and tell us what she needs or is feeling. She still has times of being quiet around people, but I refuse to use the word shy. I don't want her growing up thinking she's shy and use that as a crutch. I want her to be a confident little person who can do anything she wants....not now because I obviously regulate that ;)

• You are able to say all your letters and sounds
• You count to 20...sometimes skipping 14 and random other numbers
• You like to pick out several books at a time to read
• You love animals and I signed you up for a summer program learning about different animals
• When one of your sisters starts to get upset you like to go check on her...and find her "pinkly" and tell her "it's okay sister, it's okay"
• You love taking glow sticks in the bath tub
• If daddy is in the garage it's the only place you want to be
• Your favorite movies are Tangled and Toy Story
• You like to watch Curious George and Cat In the Hat...mostly when it's way past your bedtime
• You love to go to the park 
• You are learning to ride your tricycle 
• You love to jump on anything and everything. Tutu and Pop got you a bounce house for Christmas and Daddy bought you a small jumper thing for the back lanai-(without telling me because I think he secretly wanted it) and if you're outside you're jumping on it. 
• You love to put Winston in his bed at night and get him out in the morning- if you don't and someone else lets him out your morning starts off horribly. 
• You love cereal, blueberries, raspberries, hotdogs, pizza, yogurt, mac n cheese, rice, oranges, cheese, pouches....and any candy. Horrible, I know.
• You like to play like you are feeding your dolls and pushing them in the stroller
• You love going to Ms. Diane's
• Your favorite friends are Bryson, Keegan, Ryan, and Jack. You love when you get to play with them.

The list could go on forever of the new things you do and say every single day. You are our biggest baby and we love your little guts too much little girl!