Some laughs...

Here are couple of funny conversations w/ Claire this week:

As I am filling in the ovals of my voting ballot Claire keeps asking me why I'm coloring the eggs. I keep telling her that I have to. Finally after turning in the ballot she asks,
"Are you going to vote now that you're finished coloring?"

(We were talking about how powerful God is. How He knows everything. How He created everything.)
Claire: When I was still destroyed God made me.
Me: When you were what?
Claire: When I was still destroyed - you know, before I was in your tummy.

Logical language in action - the opposite of created = destroyed.

The Leaves Have Fallen

Just a Swingin'

Some Fall Fotos

I have several "top 10" posts in mind, but until then, here are some recent pics:

claire, elaine, i enjoyed a nice fall picnic.

maggie's 7th birthday!

some friends joined in the festivities

up close w/ elaine

boy sister

On Sunday Claire came up to me and said, "Maria is looking for her boy sister." "Huh? What is this kid trying to say? Oh... a boy sister would be a brother!" That's what happens when you have 3 sisters and no brothers!

Pet List

A couple of years ago I told the big girls that when both Claire and Elaine were potty-trained we would start thinking about getting a pet. Well, to my amazement that day has arrived (for the most part... there's still lots of accidents around here)! In anticipation of this glorious day I asked the girls to create their "pet wish list."

Unanimously their top choice was a dog. But the alternate list is awesome:

Maggie:
-turtle
-fish
-snake
-iguana
-chameleon

Anna:
-rabbit
-mouse or rat
-hamster or guinea pig
-frog
-duck
-lizard
-chameleon
-horse

Claire:
-kitty
-penguin
-frog
-duck
-dolphin
-horse

Elaine:
-turtle


I LOVE how this list is so stinking funny, was also so telling of my precious & unique daughters!

An Even Cuter Claire?

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

A Few Recent Fotos

This n' That

I am not a play therapist, but I think Claire is trying to tell us something every time she lines all of her toys up looking longingly at Anna & Maggie's bedroom door

Sweet Elaine turned 2 on Nov. 6th!!!!

Wes & I attended Suzanne & Memo's Boda Civil last weekend

Documentation of Why I'm Going Crazy...

At least 15 times a day Elaine asks me (thankfully in the most adorable voice) "Whatcha doin', mama?" And at least 15 times a day I answer, "Cleaning up, Elaine."

3 is a very concrete age, and their little minds are working very hard to make sense of everything. And oftentimes Claire's mind is beyond her vocabulary and ability to communicate. So I spend a lot of time having conversations like these:

Claire: "What's that?"
Me: "It's a box of cookies."
Claire: "Where's it from?"
Me: "The store."
Claire: "Why is it from the store?"
Me: "Because that's where we bought it from."
Claire: "Why is that where we bought it from?"
Me: "Because they were selling them, and we wanted them."
Claire: "Why did we want them?"
Elaine: "Whatcha doin', mama?"
Me: "Cleaning up, Elaine"
Claire: "Why are you cleaning up?"
Me: "Because the house is a mess."
Claire: "Why is the house a mess?"
Me: "Because no one puts their things away when they're finished playing with them."
Claire: "Why don't no one put their things away when they're finished playing with them?"
Me: "That, my dear, is a stinking great question!"
Claire: "Why..."

Or sometimes the conversation ends early with:

Claire: "What's that?"
Me: "It's a box of cookies."
Claire: "Why is it a box of cookies?"
Me: "Because...it's...it's... a box of cookies... because... that's what it is........."

Celebrate Good Times - Come On!

The Mag's is 6!

Yesterday Claire said:

"What is that junk in my hair?" as I was brushing the junk out of her hair.

3 Years Old

On Saturday Claire turned 3 years old!!! We cannot believe she is growing up so fast! She is such a sweet gift from God.

Claire

Here is a post on Claire about 6 months ago. She has calmed down some since that post, which is nice. But she is definitely a handful! She loves to explore and find new things to destroy. Recently I found her in the bathroom rubbing toothpaste on her legs (for it's exfoliating purposes, of course). She is always waiting for me to get occupied so she can get into trouble.

But she is also very sweet. She loves to take care of Elaine & "help" me. I am never lacking for conversation either, because she is a chatterbox! Her insights are endless (and usually hysterical). She has recently entered a scared stage. She has an incredible imagination and wakes up frightened several nights a week. The other night she wouldn't go to bed alone after I made shadows on her headboard. She is also very attached to me (or Wes) when we are around groups of people. So people tend to think of her as being shy!

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Here are a few pic's of Claire posing in her adorable princessy nightgown.

One of Our Budding Singers

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Turn up the volume and enjoy a little medley Claire created: "ABC, Twinkle Lil' Star, Jesus Loves Me, Happy Birthday To You Cake"

Happy Birthday to You Claire-Bear!

Last Friday Claire turned 2 years old! Wes took Claire, Maggie & Anna to Peter Piper Pizza (similar to Chucky Cheese) to celebrate the monumental occasion. (I couldn't make it because I had a previously made engagement) Claire has had a very eventful 1st 2 years of life. She is fearless and fast... a very dangerous combination in a 2 year old! We are so thankful for God's protection of her in numerous occasions!


Later we had cake & gifts to top off the sweet day! She really liked the "Best of the Muppet Show" DVD's we got her. She said, "I like that - the Muppet Show. I like that- Miss Piggy." when she opened it.

More Photos

Rock Star Claire- she chose the outfit & poses!

Maggie in her hated uniform