Cherish

High: Claire's friend Bella came over to play :)
Low: I realized today that Claire is growing up too quickly :(


Today was one of those days. After breakfast we just sat around outside, took a few walks, and just talked while enjoying the sunshine. It was during this relaxing time that I realized something. Something devastating. Claire is going to grow up. Now I know that this sounds silly, what parent doesn't want their child to grow up?! Let me explain. While we were outside Claire wanted to know what everything was, how everything happened, why everything was the way it was and so on. No matter what my answer was, she believed me. If I sat on the driveway and took off my flip flops, Claire wanted to take off her flip flops.

If Mark leaned against the car, Claire wanted to lean against the car.

She looks up to us. She needs us. She thinks we are brilliant and funny. It was at this point that I realized this will not last forever. Claire will turn into a teenager. The "Mama come play wit me." will turn into "Oh my god mom, leave me alone I'm busy". The "Open the door mama let me in" will turn into the door slamming followed by "You just don't understand me!!! Leave me alone!!". Mark and I will no longer be looked up to. We will no longer be needed. We will definitely no longer be brilliant or funny. We will be parents...losers who have no idea what life is like. So, cherish it all now. Everything. Because before I know it I will just be another dorky parent trying to explain to Claire "when I was your age...". Until then I will cherish every second of being looked up to, needed, brilliant, and funny. I will cherish every question, no matter how many times it is asked. I will cherish every time she wants to come with me somewhere, even if it is in the bathroom. I will cherish every time she wants one more story, no matter what time it is. I will cherish every time she asks me "play toys wit me Mama", even if I am in the middle of something. I will cherish every time Claire says "uppy Mama", even if I just put her down or my arms are full. All of it, I will cherish it.....while it lasts.

OR....she could always think we are the best!!! RIGHT?!

On a much happier note, Claire's friend Bella came over to play today. They are a little less than a year apart. It is nice because they are finally playing together. They were so sweet today. Here are some pics of these hot mamas playing.

These two and their curls!

They had a blast playing "doggies".

Claire and Bella working on their art.

Closets and Bad Tigger

High: I finally got Claire's closet cleaned out and organized :)
Low: IT WAS SUPER HOT WHILE I WAS CLEANING THAT CLOSET OUT :(

So, I decided today was the day. I have been putting this little project off for awhile. Claire has a huge closet, which has been doubling as a play area. Plus, I have just been piling up all the clothes that Claire grows out of. But, today was the day. Mark went to the local hardware store and bought me some storage bins (which to my delight were pink) and I got to work!

Here is what I started with.

Here is what Claire's room looked like while I was working. It is usually at this point that I look around and think "My God what have I done?!".


Did I mention that Claire's dresser drawers were also filled with clothes that she outgrew?

THE FINAL PRODUCT:




I couldn't really get in there to show the shelves and all the details but, trust me it came out GREAT! I can honestly say though that this little project brought a few tears to my eyes. I went through all of Claire's old clothes and remembered my favorites, and ditched the ones with strange stains on them. It was kinda sad. I know I say this all the time but I cannot believe how fast she has grown!!!

After a nice dinner we headed to the playroom in the basement. Which we rarely use in the summertime, but it was sooooo hot today and I finally convinced Mark to turn the air on! So while we were waiting for the house to cool down we headed to the nice cool basement!

Mark decided it was time for Claire to start reading Shakespeare.

Then Claire decided that it was time to start reading Daddy Shakespeare.

Claire was all about the camera today. She wanted me to take this picture. "You take Cwaire's picture in the hole Mama?"

Then Claire wanted to take my picture. She didn't do too bad!!!

While in the basement Claire rediscovered Tigger. Aunt Erin gave Claire Tigger for Christmas and she loved him, but she has really not paid attention to him since then. Well, today she found him and couldn't get enough of him jumping and talking! That is until he got near her babies. I was laughing so hard I am lucky I could actually take these pictures.

Claire was sitting in her chair with her babies. "Mama make Tigger jump." she asked in the sweetest little voice. So I did as I was told. Notice her face as she scoops up her baby in fear and anger!

Then she just kept pulling her babies farther and farther away from him!


Then she jumped out of her chair......

And pushed Tigger down.

I am happy to report Tigger is recovering just fine. We are not sure if he will be pressing charges or not. We will keep you posted.

Monday August 3, 2009

High: We went swimming on this beautiful summer day :)
Low: I had a class this morning :(

I had a class this morning and I came home to the landscaping guys spraying the lawn. So, you can imagine my disappointment that I wouldn't be able to spend this beautiful day outside in the yard with Claire. So I immediately made backups plans. These plans involved going to my girlfriends house to swim.

While Claire loved the pool and had a great time swimming and playing, she was very into her hair. She loved spraying her hair with the spray bottle of water. I swear, this kid is a girl through and through.

After a morning of swimming we came home and took a nice nap (yes, I said we). Then it was all about Daddy. Claire wanted her chair right by Daddy's, she wanted to do "work" like Daddy, and she just couldn't get enough of him.


Somebody has fallen in love with corn on the cob. It is hilarious to watch Claire eat corn. She looks like a big girl when she is eating it. Adorable.

Lamb Roast

High: Friends of ours had a Lamb Roast :)
Low: Claire skipped her nap today, so she wasn't her usual self :(

Friends of ours have a Lamb Roast every year and we love to go! This year Claire loved to follow around the bigger kids.

Claire and Lexi. Lexi just wanted to help Claire with everything, it was really sweet!

Baby Riley just hung out in his stroller. This worked out nicely for us because Claire missed her nap and we talked her into relaxing like Riley.

Gabe (who is 8) loved pushing Claire around on the scooter. He was so sweet with her and of course Claire was smitten with him.

Claire just kept following him around. I told Gabe that he didn't need to play with her the whole time and that he could go play with the big kids. Gabe explained to me that it was ok because " I like seeing Claire happy." It was so sweet!!

Claire went to bed really early tonight due to the lack of nap. But before bed we played in the family room for a while. Daddy kept pretending that he was asleep and Claire did not like it one bit. She was very worried about him. I will end with a little video of Claire taking care of her Daddy.

Happy Anniversary!!

High: Pool party at Nana and Papas :)
Low: The pool was a little chilly :(

Today was my parents 39th wedding anniversary!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! So, they had us over for a pool party!! We had a great day. As soon as Claire woke up we headed over to my parents and jumped in the pool!

Here is my little Diva warming up in the sun after a dip in the pool.

After Claire was all warmed up her and Uncle Greg hit the sprinkler. Well, Uncle Greg hit the sprinkler...Claire is not a huge fan. She loves the water park but a sprinkler...not so much.

Then it was on to the water table (can you tell Nana and Papa spoil Claire a little bit).

Uncle Greg and Aunt Susie enjoyed a moment together.

It was just a moment though until MARK CAME IN!!!

Claire loves to swim but, she really prefers to just swim with Daddy (well, Daddy and her sunglasses).

Claire was lovin her new "groggles"as she calls them. She wore them for about a half an hour after we got out of the pool!

My Dad, Mark, and my brother Greg cookin up dinner on the grill.

Then Claire just relaxed with Uncle Johnny!

Today was just a really beautiful summer day. And what better way to spend it than with family?! We had such a nice relaxing day, I wish we could do it all the time!!!!! We just kept saying that if it wasn't for my parents getting married 39 years ago none of this would be here. Crazy. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

Friday July 31, 2009 More Presents

High: Grandma and Grandpa came over and brought us breakfast :) AND We spent a great morning at Green Lake :) AND Uncle Greg, Aunt Sue, and Uncle John came over for dinner and brought PRESENTS!! :)
Low: We forgot Claire's socks and sneakers so she had a rough time on the playground due to woodchips in her sandals :)

Today was a great day! Claire slept in until around 11 (I love this kid) so I got to sleep in. Then we woke up to Grandma and Grandpa bringing us Tim Hortons!! After we ate breakfast Daddy finished up the last coat of primer in the dining room and we decided to head to the park! Grandma decided she couldn't pass this up and came with us!

After running around in the water park, Claire decided to hit up the playground for awhile!

Grandma had fun riding the train with Claire.

Claire's bathing suit was wet so she kept getting stuck on the slide so, Daddy stepped in and helped out.

Then Claire worked on her chin ups! It was this point that Claire had enough of the playground. We always forget to bring her socks and sneakers with us. Claire HATES to get woodchips in her sandals. This pretty much puts a damper on the playground :(

Then we actually ran into some friends and their kids. Claire loved running around and playing with the big kids!!!

After some serious fun at the park it was time for a loooonnnnggg nap. After Claire's nap my brother and his girlfriend came over to give Claire her birthday presents. Then my other brother stopped by and we all had a nice dinner together!

Of course Pete had to be right there to open gifts. Now that his paw feels better he back in the mix of EVERYTHING!!

Claire loved the vintage Fisher Price Farm from Uncle Greg and Aunt Susie!!

And she couldn't get enough of the bowling game. Claire couldn't knock down all the pins on her own so she would just go over and kick the ones that she missed!

Then we all enjoyed a nice dinner on the patio.

Followed up by delicious ice cream sundaes!

Then Uncle Greg and Uncle John helped Claire burn off some of that energy from the ice cream sundaes!