8 Crazy Nights....

The family celebrated the festival of lights last week. Eight nights of presents and candles and you know the Claire LOVED every minute of it.

Claire and Daddy light their menorahs.

The Claire opening her first present.

BROBEE BACKPACK!!!

Daddy needed help lighting the candles on the 5th night.

No Hanukkah/Christmas is complete without a dance party!

Here she is with my good friend Buddy Levine!

The final night.

Time to clean up!

2 is so much fun!

Update on the Princess (yes, I am still the Queen):

The Claire has a lot to say. So much, in fact, I haven't been able to update her blog because she's been talking my ear off. I'd like to share a few of my favorite quotes with you:

Mommy: "Claire it's time to brush your teeth."

Claire: "I brushed teeth earlier!" (AKA Yesterday)

"I don't need medicine, I feel better now."

Her first response to any question is now "Well,"

"Kippah, Hamotzi, Amen, Challah."

"Oy vey Dada, oy vey!"

"I must have it"

"Bigger Mommy, BIGGER!" (bigger has become the default word for more)

"Truck going too fast, slow down truck! Slow down!"

"I go in street? Cars in street, not safe."

and my favorite

After Daddy told her no (seriously, how do you say no to that face?), she replied, "Daddy, go in the office and think about it."

She's pretty wonderful. Even on the days that are only kinda wonderful. Don't let the humans know I like her this much. She's got a sassy little attitude I find quite appealing.

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2 year olds get to do lots of fun things.

Trick or Treating in a ballerina costume is just the tip of the iceberg.

She's also learning to tickle the ivories.

She "rode the rails" at the train exhibit at North Park Mall.

She loves her Daddy.

Sometimes 2 year olds need to be restrained when shopping.

Trust me on this one.

Being 2 is exhausting.

I've taught her to sleep in the car so she doesn't miss out on any really good play time.

Today the sidewalk, tomorrow the Tour de France!

"C'mon Mom. Not in front of my friends."

At the end of a long day, two year olds get to relax with a cold drink and brownies...pretend brownies.

Claire's 2nd Birthday Party 'American Clairelines'

Saturday marked the two year anniversary of The Claire.  I've learned a lot from her, and I'd like to think she's learned a thing or two from me too.  The humans celebrated her with a big party, gifts, and yummy treats.  They don't do that for me, so I guess I know where I stand now.  I've been working with her a lot recently and she's getting more and more vocal as the days go by and putting those words into sentences.  She also loves to sing.  She serenades me with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" on a daily basis.  Even though I wasn't invited, I was able to secure some pictures from her party.

Oy, what to do with all these toys?

Claire is growing up!

She's smart and sweet and ready to take on the world. The past few months we have really seen her grow up.  She's been spending her days at Levine Academy really getting in touch with her Jewish roots.  She can say the Hamotzi by herself, although, sometimes she goes with the shorter version "Hamotzi. Amen. Challah."  

Another thing we've worked hard on is sharing.  She can recite her book "I Can Share" from cover to cover, but putting it into practice is sometimes a challenge. She does have excellent manners though.  During her 2 year check up she was able to fight through the tears after getting her shots and thanked the nurse who administered them.  We've got a tall little child on our hands. She measured in the 80th percentile in height, but as you know a lady never reveals her weight.  

Off to school....

Claire's first day of school at Levine! She's leaving the comforts of home for a place of higher education.  It's going to be so quiet now that she is going to be there five days a week. 

It's a good thing she's decided to stay in state.  I don't know if I could handle the humans without her.

She's got attitude, doesn't she?  I do love my little protégé.  

Well, that place looks nice.  There's a great kitchen there for The Claire to make delicious foods for me.  I wonder what she's going to major in.  

Um, her professor looks nice, but she better not replace me with that doll.  I can't wait to hear stories from The Claire about this place.  Maybe it's time I go back to school and finish my degree...in food studies.

Claire is 22 months old!!!

The Claire heard about this thing called "the circus" and demanded the humans take her there. Claire hasn't stopped talking about it! 

She was so into everything that was happening, she wouldn't even pose for a picture.  The Daddy and Claire decided to recapture the magic by making their own circus! 

BRING IN THE CLOWNS!!!!!

"Clown Nose!" is now one of her favorite sayings

Every good clown 'nose' how to juggle...see what I did there?  Nose - knows...oh never mind.

Claire has watched her mommy make a grocery list on the chalkboard one too many times it seems.

Hey Baby, don't let Brownie throw you!

Claire recaps the events of the day with Robert.

She's always willing to listen to other people's problems.

Claire beats the heat by licking an ice cube.