Wednesday, March 21, 2012

March 21

What can I say? We had a fantastic day today. A few bumps along the way but overall just wonderful. Clara was outside from 10:30 - 4:30 with only a couple quick trips inside to go potty (I was inside a little longer to get food, new clothes, etc.). Here she is during lunch, soaking in the sunshine, resting from the morning and recharging for an afternoon full of fun!


This morning we walked to the soccer field where we kicked her blue ball, she walked on the bleachers (a favorite activity!) and then played for a long time with the rocks in the parking lot. She was making up long, elaborate stories about the rocks and how she was "soaking cow hides." Her imagination never ceases to amaze me! We took frequent breaks in the shed for water and snacks and at one point, as we were sitting on the picnic bench facing each other she scooted over to me, put her head on my chest and exclaimed, "I like you a LOT Mommy!" I hugged her and told her I like her, too! Then she stood up, put her arms around my neck and squeezed tight as she said, "I love you!!" Talk about melting my heart! I think she told me 5 or 6 times today that she loved me, and it was just so sweet to hear her say it unprompted. We had lots and lots of hugs, giggles and fun in the sun. The weather was perfect - almost 80 and beautifully sunny with just a slight breeze.

Once home I headed inside to refill our water bottle, leaving Clara riding her "tractor" on the driveway. I came out to find her in the backyard, shoes kicked off, "making a sandbox" in the dirt (= piling dirt up with her shovel). She played in the dirt for the longest time while I played with her and then worked some on prepping the new garden beds I'm adding this year. ("You work in your garden, Mommy, while I'm working in my garden.") At one point she came around front and told me, "I was just coming to check on you."

Once she was good and dirty, we got out her kiddie pool and filled it up. Although it was a little cold she had a blast splashing around and playing in the water. After a long day of fun, we curled up on a blanket in the backyard and looked at her new Baby Animals magazine until Daddy came home. Then she had a real bath before eating homemade pizza and homemade chocolate-peanut butter ice cream for dinner. A little Winnie-the-Pooh before bedtime almost finished off our wonderful day. As I was putting her to bed she told me, "Snuggle close to me, Mommy!" Then she took my face in her hands and said emphatically, "You're BEST Mommy!" Oh, how I love that little girl. As I was walking out she reached toward me and said, "I need to hold you tight and keep you here so you'll be safe!" So then we talked about how we're always safe because Jesus watches over us and sends special angels to watch Clara, and special angels to watch Mommy, and more special angels to watch Daddy. "And angels for Sadie?" she wanted to know. Considering all that dog has survived, I think I was correct in telling her yes, Sadie has special angels that watch over her, too!

March 20

Working with Daddy on their "cabins" just before dinner. This girl badly needs a sandbox!


After Bible study this morning the weather was so beautiful and all the kids were heading up to the playground. Clara wanted to go up to, so we did for a little while. As we were walking up I told her, "We can only stay for a little bit baby, because Mommy's head is hurting."
"Aww, I'm sorry Mommy. It will be okay."

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

March 19

My little garden helper! She was "building your birthday cake" in the dirt.

March 18

Waiting on a picture from Daddy since I was gone at a food swap most of the afternoon...

March 17

Bare feet!

March 16

"Sleeping" in her pack'n'play with my old teddie bear Jija.

March 15

Playtime at her friend Callan's house! As you can tell, they were having a blast.

March 14

More outside after dinner time! "Riding" Horseshoe the cow (she named him tonight!) while Daddy roped.

March 13

Riding on the driveway after dinner - loving the sunshine and warm weather!


During quiet time she was in her room singing at the top of her lungs, "We're going on a safari, we're going on a saFARi!" Over and over and over...

Monday, March 12, 2012

March 12

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. Sunny, clear and calm with temps around 60. We took advantage of the day and I pushed Clara down to the soccer field in our jogging stroller, where we played for over an hour and a half. We enjoyed a picnic lunch, kicking and carrying Clara's ball, climbing on the bleachers, throwing sticks for Sadie, running and just exploring and soaking in the sunshine. When we got home we investigated all the daffodil bulbs that are starting to push up through the ground! We're looking forward to more mild weather the rest of the week.


After quiet time Clara wanted to go visit our elderly neighbors. We haven't seen them in quite awhile and it was so sweet to see Clara's smile and laughter light up their faces.

March 11

Mama and Clara, loving the warm weather and being back on our own horses! We loved riding Tuffy and Jubil at Grandma Pat's but we missed Logan and Paladin! What a gorgeous day it was for a ride, and SO wonderful to be reunited with our Niles friends after some long, rather tumultuous months for all of us.


One of the best parts of the day was in the morning, though. Due to the time change Clara slept in til 8:20! That's the longest she's slept in months and months. It felt lovely to really sleep in!

(Photo credit to Lauren Niles ~ thanks for sharing with us Laurie!)

March 10

My little pirate, getting baby Aiden ready to go outside.


Clara got out of bed after snuggles this morning, walked out of the bedroom and closed the door behind her. I called after her, "What are you doing?"
"Closing the door for you, so you can sleep Mama!"
If only it were that simple...I chose to get up instead, I wasn't sure what she might get up to if I actually did go back to sleep!

March 9

Snuggling on Gramma's mattress on her last day here. Oh, what a wonderful time these two special people had together during her visit! I love the smiles on both of their faces!

March 8

Ice cream date with Gramma at Stewarts! (and yes, there was lots of sharing going on...)

March 7

Some days, it's all just too much... went into her room about 30 seconds after she quit calling "MamamamamaMAA!" during "quiet time" only to find her completely conked out like this!


Loved hearing Gramma, Papa and Clara singing "If You're Happy and You Know It" in their tent today.

March 6

Fun at the soccer field!

March 5

Clara woke up to find not only Gramma, but Papa here as well! Before we could even get breakfast off the table she decided they should paint together.


At bedtime, Luke heard a noise from Clara's room and went to investigate. Found the light on, two books on her bed and Clara standing up next to it "changing" her doll who was "very stinky." She had also pulled her rocking chair over to the dresser, gotten the Aquaphor down and smeared gobs of it all over her own face and hands, her mirror and the doll's hands, legs and face. Ohh my. As Gramma says, "She's a mess!"

March 4

We moved home today! Here's Clara, breaking in her new bed with the special purple sheets she picked out at the store!

March 3

Today we took a bunch of things home and got Clara's new mattress at the furniture store! She had a blast trying out all the mattresses and even told us one felt "sparkly." This is the one we ended up getting...


Tonight at dinner, Gramma was telling Clara how I was born in Narobi, Kenya. Clara turned to me and said, "And then you came back, and got me!"
"Yes, I did! Do you know where Daddy was born? He was born in Montana."
"Oh! And then he came back. And got you and me!"
Love the way her mind works!

March 2

Gramma arrived today!!! It didn't take her and Clara long to settle in for some good books.


March 1

We had snow!! Clara and I had a wonderful time playing in the snow, making footprints and snow angels and sledding. We started halfway down the hill but it wasn't long before Clara was asking to "go all the way to the top, Mommy!" Here we are, just before sledding down from the tippy-top of the hill.


Clara also renamed herself today: Josie Sadie Annabelle Clown. She will correct you if you call her Clara.

February 29

"Helping" the cleaning ladies - she discovered the warm air venting out of the vacuum and was having a blast with it! She and Meghan couldn't stop giggling!


File under "things I never thought I'd hear:" Luke to Clara, "Your underwear is in the dog bowl."

February 28

Helping Daddy and Mommy clean up the paddock!


Clara, as we were pulling out of the church parking lot this morning: "Can you drive your car REALLY FAST Mommy??"

February 27

"Sit on my lap, Mama!!"


Daily snippets:
Clara, halfway through her pajama morning: "Mommy, can you help me take my jammies off?"
"Why?"
"Because I want to be naked!!!"
Clara decided to go outside all by herself in her slippers with no coat. I convinced her to come back inside for some proper footwear. She assured me, "I don't need a coat Mommy, I'm not cold, I'm warm." She didn't want a sweatshirt either, but I when I asked if she wanted her (fleece) poncho she replied, "Well, yeah!" "Do you want your sneakers or your black boots?" "Well, I don't really care."
"Mommy! This {neon pink, fuzzy, with velcro hands and feet} monkey is kind of like a baby tiger!" Hmmm, not sure about that one...

February 26

Saying goodbye to her crib...

February 25

Serving Daddy tea while he put down the new floor in the laundry room. Can't say she was exactly "helping" but she sure did want to be involved.

February 24

Trying to hold the guitar and play all by herself... she eventually decided it was easier to let Daddy hold it while she played.


Clara's latest word inventions: "mew-owing" and "mah-glasses." The first is what cats do, the second is a sweet, brown liquid.

February 23

Cookie-making! We found a new favorite. Sugar, flour and egg-free! Which means tasting the dough is completely okay!

Clara and I had a blast at the Clark Art Museum today. The look on her face when I told her we were going to a museum was priceless - all awe and joy and anticipation. And then she wanted to know, "Mommy, what's a museum? What do we do there?" Ha! Love that little girl and her exuberance! She loved the paintings, especially all the ones of "mamas and babies" (mostly Madonna with Christ, but a few others as well), but her favorite part was going up and down the multiple stair-cases.

February 22

Giving the horses "marshmellows!"


Daily snippet: I walk into the den where Clara is sitting on a chair surrounded by sticky notes she has pulled apart in all different shades of pink. "What are you doing?"  
"I'm exercising my job. For Aunt Kay and Thomas the Tank Engine. You can sit here and exercise your job too!"

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

February 21

Playground time! It's so fun to watch my big girl master the playground equipment. She slipped and fell a little once on this dinosaur but tried again until she mastered it! She was a little nervous about the big slide at first too, but then she tried it and LOVED it. We probably spent half an hour or more just on the slide and she didn't want to quit.


Then, when she went to bed she wanted to snuggle with our arms around each others necks. Doesn't get much more terrific than that!

February 20

Playing Daddy's guitar while singing "Good Old Boys Like Me" together.

February 19

Hiding!


After having "ravaloli" for dinner and just before Daddy sang her to sleep with Don Williams "I Believe in You."