Share My Cupcake? NO!

Another highlight of last weekend’s bridal shower for were the delicious cupcakes for dessert. These cupcakes were TASTY and Claire enjoyed every single bite.

I made the mistake of asking for a taste - take a look at the last image (in black and white) where Claire is glaring at the camera and saying her newest word, “MINE!”

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Ever the toddler, Claire now chants “no no no” with a rolled n sound when you ask her a question. Her head shakes no at the same time, it’s rather cute if you don’t allow yourself to get frustrated!

Ahhhh…the beginning steps towards independence. Slideshow linky here, enjoy!

Dandy-lions

You might call this a weed - Claire thinks otherwise.

These funny “bubblas” as Claire called them, were her favorite toy at the outdoor bridal shower we attended Saturday (congrats to Aslan and Tanesha on their upcoming wedding!)

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If you look closely at the photos you’ll see Claire is sporting a tattoo of her favorite grocery store. Shhh…don’t tell GrandBob!

Plenty more pictures of Claire blowing dandelions here in the slideshow. I had trouble picking out my favorite but this photo below is one of the frontrunners. I love how you can see a few of the seeds flying away as she blows on the dandelion head. I’m thinking this might be a photo shop project waiting to happen…which photo did you like best?

Cinderella

It’s been a looooong time since I posted a picture of Claire helping complete a chore. Here’s Claire with her newest passion – cutlery. Don’t open that dishwasher without having a few spoons and forks for her to put away!

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Edited to Add -
For those who sent an email about the photo link - Claire is 4 or 5 days old in the photo. We had just gotten out of the hospital that morning (or afternoon because I really, really liked the food and wanted one more meal out of them!) and I was working on completing the semester interim reports. Nothing like a deadline to beat with a newborn in the house! Even funnier, it was post #6 on the blog...and I thought I was strapped for time with a newborn - HA! I'm lucky if I can write once a week now. I cheat by writing all my posts at once and set them to publish throughout the week (which is why Claire appears to wear the elephant shirt 3x this week). Believe me, I am soooo not as together as I appear to be online!

Miss Muscles

Look at Claire flexing her super strong biceps! She’s really been putting a lot of time in at the playground gym. Wowee kid, you sure are looking buff and tough!

I snapped this picture just after Claire’s attempt at blowing bubbles – what a proud moment it was indeed. Here’s another snapshot with her hands blurred from fervent flexing lol:

Ok – just one last look at that CUTE flexing kid (and another angle for her printer happy aunts to choose from :-)

Night, night!

We interrupt this busy day of errands and play to bring you…

some peace, quiet and restful thoughts! Claire and I are taking it easy this week – long days of swimming and playing outside are priority number one. Walking up the hill from the beach has been rewarding, wild raspberries are ripe for the picking and boy have we eaten our share! I think at least a pint every afternoon – delish!

If only I could transfer Claire from her carseat to the hammock! It would be a wonderful way to spend an hour, swaying in the summer breeze and perhaps snoozing too. Really, what could be better?

For now I’ll just settle on some PEACE and QUIET in the backyard puttering in the garden and reading while Claire dozes in the car.

Life. Is. Good.

Ahhhh…are you sighing with me?

Bubbles!

The word “bubbles” is one of Claire’s favorite things to say. She loves to watch bubbles floating down the creek near our house and is thrilled to play in tons of foamy bubbles in the tub. Claire squeals “BUBBLAS!” whenever she sees ‘em.

Claire was really desperate to try blowing some of her own bubbles outside. As a result, I got to see a little of that toddler frustration everyone has warned me of. Claire was trying so hard but mastering the long exhale with pursed lips proved tough for her.

Did she want her mommy’s help? Nooooooooooo!

   

So I stepped back, and let her experience some frustration as she tried to figure it out herself. With a few foot stomps later (and much flying spittle) she did manage to blow a bubble – just one. It was enough to make her happy though and I quickly filled the yard with some for Claire to chase after. Crisis avoided.

Can you say Entomologist?

The other working title I was toying with:

Regina did WHAT with a cake stand? LOL

Another rainy day has spoiled my plan for raising a nature-loving kid who spends much time outdoors swimming, running and chasing after the multitude of critters in our yard.

It has rained so much this summer! Granted, playing outside in the rain doesn’t bother me – Claire’s even got the cutest pair of little rain boots to wear (thanks Kelly!). But thunder and lightning? Yeah, two things we’re going to avoid.

Fast forward to my warped thinking – and my attempt at bringing some nature indoors. Now most people would come up with a cute craft involving flowers and grass and would weave their daughters tiara.

Me? I’m not that crafty so I brought in a couple of new pets:

Meet Millicent and Marty (or fshzzzz and zzzzz as Claire calls them). Are you cringing yet?

Yes, I brought many-legged creepy crawlies indoors for my daughter to play with. AND I put them in my gorgeous glass cake stand.

What?! Why?!

Well, because nothing else let us watch them as closely and clearly. Might be time to find a terrarium perhaps…? heehee

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Millicent and Marty are big hits over here. Claire LOVED watching them, as did Dan - and me of course! They are still on our kitchen table happily munching away at the leaves Claire collected (you wouldn’t believe how much they can eat) and crawling around. I’ll have to release them back into the wilds of our front yard tomorrow

…and run that cake stand through the sanitize program in the dishwasher.

If you’re not totally grossed out here’s the link to the slideshow: click here.

and some info on keeping giant milipedes as pets (yes, really).

The science teacher at school keeps these guys in his room and I sure miss visiting them!