Quit taking my picture!

Claire is ready for the paparazzi...

Fence building day

We wish we had a crew of Amish laborers or seven dancing brothers who could stay out of trouble, but we had to make do with Mark, my dad (the talent), and our neighbor Scott, who conveniently and severely broke his arm several weeks ago, but still helped, and we got our new fence up. They did a great job! The project coincided with Mother's day so it also ended up being my gift - I'll take it and I hope it comes with a free lawn. I supplied the food and had a fun time pretending to be my mother who used to feed my dad's construction crews. My avocado/tomato/cheese sandwiches can't compete with her bean/cheese/egg/potato burritoes, but I tried. All went relatively well - we couldn't have done it without my dad's help. He is a trooper and a genius, and we're grateful for all he's done to help us with our house. These are just a few pictures of that day - the finished product, the guys working, Audrey celebrating (anything and everything) and Claire signaling her concern over the loud noise of my dad's handsaw.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to Nanie and Grandma - we love you, Claire, Audrey, Mark, Melissa
And a happy day, too, for all the mothers we love.

Easter dresses

A little late, but still cute...

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, almost literally

I passed this pile of fruit several times before I noticed something was not quite right. I had a good laugh, because I have heard the same story my entire life about how I used to take a single bite out of every apple in the refrigerator and then put them back. Everybody had to eat the apples with my teeth marks. Claire has obviously inherited my apple attack strategy.

A hair-raising day at the park

I took Audrey and Claire to a park in Manhattan Beach during spring break and it had the tallest spiral slide we have ever seen. The ride was great and the static was intense.

Claire is two - but not so terrible

Claire turned two on March 22. As I struggle to reconcile myself to her leaving babyhood behind, I think about how I'd like to go back in time and hold her again when she was so tiny, but also how grateful I am that she is healthy and growing up the way children should.



Claire is at a stage where pretty much everything she does is cute. Even her tantrums amuse me, more or less depending on our location, but she is adorable even when she is angry. Most of the time she is happy, and often shows a serenity I aspire to. She seems to have found and accepted the princess inside her, but doesn't feel the need to be precious.



Wherever there is food or fun she is happy to join in. She plays a lot, likes to look at her books and also enjoys a good lounge.



She has discovered and seems to relish her role as the younger sister and understands that it is her job to annoy and mimic Audrey.



They fight over toys and their daddy, but I have high hopes that they will be good sisters and friends.



Claire likes dirt, loves water, but isn't crazy about the wind. She loves fruits and vegetables and eats almost anything else you give her. When we go to the farmer's market she wants everything and will take it for herself if I do not watch her.



At mealtimes she shows she's finished eating by dropping whatever she hasn't eaten into her cup and making a lotion she rubs all over her arms. That takes us to bath time where she has discovered bubbles and seems to be very thirsty.



She sleeps well and is so pleasant to tuck in for naps or bedtime. If you ask her if she is tired she will often say "yes" and walk to her room without pressure. A kiss and a blanket is usually all she needs, but if she is not quite ready for sleep I give her a toy. She'll play awhile and when she is finished she puts it in the corner of her crib, lays down and goes to sleep.



Some of Claire's favorite things right now are chips, candy, everyone else's shoes, Mickey Mouse Playhouse.



She has always loved to wear our shoes.



She also has a thing for Audrey's bicycle helmet and will wear it all day if you let her.



Claire cannot resist an empty laundry basket.



Claire does not like having her clothes or diaper changed - so she is nearly naked in a lot of our photos. I get tired of chasing her around forcing her to get dressed so if we are not going anywhere I don't bother. We don't put her shoes on until we have reached our destination because she takes off her shoes and socks compulsively.



Claire is talking so much and saying many three-word sentences. One of her latest words is "Dangit!" Who knows where she learned that?

Other words phrases:
Gobop = Get up.
Otay = Okay
Nuna = La luna/moon
daw = straw
All get it
Dopped it
Turn
First
Self
Doradegoboots
Whe ah you?
Tanny = candy
Care = Claire

Claire talks a lot, but also makes a lot of faces that tell us what she is thinking.











She has a teriffic "I'm about to cry" frown and heartmelting "Shirley Temple with the eyelashes" smile.



So much to say and so much to remember. She's just wonderful. Happy Birthday, Claire

Kids incognito

My kids are always in costume. Are they just playing dress up or are they hiding from their grouchy mom? Claire's a super hero impervious to threats and scolding, Audrey has got a pillow on her head she won't have to hear my lectures or see my stern looks. I'd better start saving for their therapy.

Guess who?

OK, the color of the chair is going to give it way for those who have been in our house, but if it weren't for that, isn't it tough to tell who's who? One is Audrey in July 2005 when she was 1 1/2, the other is Claire in early February this year at nearly 2. Uncanny!

Girls everywhere

Our Valentine's gift this year was a visit from two of my nieces - Chelsea and Courtney. We had a blast - went to the beach, did some shopping, saw the dumbest movie ever (Paul Blart - Mall Cop, and yes, I laughed, but only because it was so dumb) and had lots of girl time. It was a great weekend. My only gripe (besides the bad movie) would have to be the fact that no matter how many pictures I took either Chelsea or Courtney or BOTH were sticking out their tongue!