Ballet

Today was the first day of ballet class. Claire had 3 weeks off after her summer sessions and she went back today without missing a beat. So so cute. She is great at following directions from the teacher. It really amazes me to watch her grasp all the concepts. It's especially amazing since listening to me seems to be so hard for her right now! =) Awe, the joys of parenting. I am really having to dig deep right now for patience because Claire has a will like none other. She is so bright and full of personality. At the same time she is so easily frustrated. I guess patience doesn't run in the family! Just another learning curve we will all get through. I just keep reminding myself of her silly side and all the kisses she gives us. It's worth it's weight in gold.

These pictures aren't great because I am taking them through the door. The girls play "dress up" at the start of class and Claire was really into her jewels!

It's all about the ears

Big day today...Claire got her ears pierced!!! She was a trooper. She cried for a minute, got a sucker, and moved on. I truly thought I would pierce them before she turned 1 but a part of me just couldn't put anything on her yet but today that changed. Two of my friends are piercing their daughter's ears and that's all I needed to get the nerve and go for it! It's an adjustment to see her with earrings but I am glad we did it. I really feel when she is older she will thank me for just getting it over with! Growing up I was so happy my mom pierced my ears when I was about 7 months old. I only wish I had done Claire's sooner because every time I have cleaned them so far she tells me, "no no Mommy" in a very calm but matter of fact voice. She cracks me up.

I figure God gave us 2 ears to listen with and only 1 mouth to talk with so why not adorn those precious gifts!

Pretty Ballet

Claire starts ballet next Tuesday again. We are so excited. In the meantime we have been dressing up in the new black leotard with built on skirt, tights, and shoes! She actually loves to put on the tights and shoes. This sassy little pose she is doing is something she learned in class. She just put her own spin on it! So cute.

Gold Canyon & more cheesy smile

A few weekends ago we went to my bro and sis in law's new house in Gold Canyon, AZ. Much to Carol's dislike the lazy boy made it into their living room. =) Thought I'd get a few shots of her doing a little reading in the chair! Teehee!

On the way home Claire found 3 pair of sunglasses in the car and as you can see all 3 are on her face.

Birthday party fun was had today for Claire's buddy, Kailyn. I love that Claire has her own friend Kailyn just like I do!! CHEESE!

A Texas summer

Just a few pics of our TX trip. We had a great week.

Saw the family,
saw friends,
went to a great wedding,
ate popsicles,
ran through the sprinkler,
had a fun dinner at Benihanas,
and enjoyed it all!

Traveling with Claire wasn't nearly the drama I was expecting. I packed well and had lots of new goodies! It was smooth flying for us. We had lots of fun at Grandma's house. We were able to go out 2 nights in a row while Grandma babysat for us. Very nice! Although I don't miss the Houston weather it is always bittersweet to come home from seeing my family and friends.

Olympic hopeful?

I really hope the heart attack she gives me everytime she does this will make me a stronger mom for when I am sitting in the stands of the Olympics someday rivaling the likes of Michael Phelp's mom! It's actually quite fun to see how ambitous she is with swimming but scary when both parents aren't there to help her jump off the side. She would prefer to jump about a foot back from the edge. That's the scary part. We just keeping working on "toes on the edge" like we did in swim school.

Have mercy!

It's been awhile

I have been so consumed it seems with Stella & Dot....online shopping, playing with the jewelry, preparing for my first party, having my first 911 scare with Claire....that I haven't even sat down to blog anything. It was an eventful week though. While cleaning the house the other day I had left a bottle of cleaner on the kitchen counter. I went upstairs and left Claire downstairs playing for a minute. She pushed a chair over to the counter and climbed up and grabbed the cleaner. She then came upstairs to tell me she was "all wet!". I went downstairs to find the empty bottle. My heart just dropped. I called 911...calmly...and asked what I should do. I spoke with Poison Control and they reassured me that she would be fine (the product was very mild and did not contain harsh chemicals). The paramedics had already been alerted and even though Poison Control canceled the call to the EMT's they came over anyway just to make sure we were okay. Go Gilbert Fire Dept! What nice guys (and not ugly either!). Note to self....do not look like crap when cleaning the house. You never know when accidents may happen! Just kidding. I was so relieved that the product I left out was gentle and not the other stuff I had out only moments earlier. God had his hand on us. On a lighter note, I had a great first party and sold lots of fun stuff! Looking forward to sharing more of the jewelry with friends and hosting more parties. I am ready!

Contrary to the picture, Claire is not potty trained or even trying really. The trainer toilet is a novelty at the moment. She seems to like it though. I dreaded the purchase of a trainer potty more than I dreaded the ABC floor in my living room. I would prefer she sit on the regular toilet. Then I read that when they have their feet on the ground it can help them go potty better. So I gave in. I think she is starting to show me that she is ready and after our trip to Houston I think I may get serious with her. We have had to move on to pull-ups during the day because diaper changes are too hard. If we can get a regular diaper on her we will but the fight is too much for us anymore. All part of her independence I am sure! If she can't put her own shoes on, her own diaper, her shorts and shirts...she's not happy!

Claire made herself a little crafty project and she was quite pleased with her new crown. I think it's time we start doing more arts and crafts in the afternoons. Pre-dinner can be a tricky time with moods around here and having a project the other day sure did make our whole evening happier!