Clara at 4

boisterous, dancing, girly-girl, pretend-player

37 lbs
41 1/2 inches tall

Favorite Quotes:

• This is going to be the best (insert whatever we are about to do) ever!!! I.e. snack, swim lesson, party, school day
  
• I just very very love you.! OR I just very very want to!
• Why?!? (Usually in the context of "why not")

Newborn Clara

Favorite Activities:

• Drawing
• Hide and Seek
• Dress-up
  
• Board Games with Mom and Dad
  
• Swimming
• Library books
  
• Any kind of pretend play (especially involving planning and throwing a party)

Funny Quote: I asked her if she wanted French Braids, and she said, "No, I want toast braids." Get it?... French Toast, ha!

1 year old Clara

Interview (question ideas stolen from Andrea... thanks friend!)

What's your favorite treat? blow gum (sucker)

What's your favorite game to play? Candylane (Candy Land)

What scares you the most? ghosts

2 year old Clara

How tall do you want to be when you grow up? as tall as Dad

What job do you want to have when you grow up? to make nachos

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Macaroni and Cheese

If you could choose a different name, what would it be? Tinkerbell

3 year old Clara

Favorite color: pink and blue and red and orange and white
Favorite TV show: Cat in the Hat
Favorite movie: Cinderella
Favorite pastime: bouncy castles
Favorite animal: doggy and kitty-cats
Favorite book: my science journal (way to go, Ms. Shelley!)

4 Years Old!

Milestones achieved over the last year include:

• learning to swim
• learning to read/sound-out/spell (straightforward 3 and 4 letter words)
• learning to write the letters of the alphabet and the numbers 1-10
  

Clara's 4th Birthday

A Flower Fairy Party:

the invites

the decorations

the party
1st- dress up like fairies... including wings, wands, a crown of flowers, and pixie dust (glitter)

2nd: Games
fairy paper dolls
a magic show (by Daddy)
fairy dance freeze
musical chairs
catch the butterfly (bouncy ball)

3rd: A Treasure hunt - make your treasures into jewelry

4th: Lunch!
flower PB&J
pretzel wands
parfaits
fairy punch

Last: The Cake (made by the lovely and talented Anitra Simpson)
Good Night!

Sisters

Sarah-Jane is growing up! Yesterday she walked down the stairs- standing- all by herself. She also sat in a regular chair at dinner. I'm a little sad that her babyhood is disappearing, but my grief is tempered by the joy I get when I see these two big girls play together. They utterly love each other. I love to see the games they come up with and I love to hear them giggle.







For the most part, they get along really well. I am amazed at Clara's patience and tenderness with SJ. It is great to see her mature in that way.