It's been how long since this got updated???

Hey world, looks like I've fallen behind a little bit on the updates.  So much has been going on since I last spoke to the cyberworld.  The Claire rang in the new year at Nana and Pawpaw's house and fell in love with a new snack - Pacheetos (As Pawpaw described it, "it's like a potato chip, but it's a cheeto").  Soon after our New Year began, we had to say good bye to Poppy, Claire's great-grandfather, who passed away in January. Fortunately, Claire got to spend some time with him before his unexpected passing.

The Claire began what the humans referred to as "potty training", but let's call it what it is: she's using the human's litter box. She was also able to convince them to deconsruct the cage she used to sleep in and now she's got a pretty sweet napping station that she calls her "big girl bed".  She enrolled in ballet classes and came home to try to teach me a thing or two.  I'm pretty light on my feet if I do say so myself.

She's an actual little human now.  She speaks her mind and even displays a little (read: A LOT) of attitude from time to time.  She LOVES Disney princesses and takes every opportunity she can to act and dance.  She's kind and considerate and even has some decent manners when asking for things she wants.  I don't know where she got that from.  My next post is going to feature some of the highlights from her first year of school, so be on the lookout for that later this week.  I can't put everything into words, but luckily I've got pictures and videos to help me.

I'm going to be updating the blog with a video of the week.  (Inspiration from our friends at seidenblog.com - check them out!)

 Claire's first real ballet

Ice skating with Allie and Aunt Juju

 Picking tomatoes from Pawpaw's garden

 ICE CREAM!!!

Puddle jumping

Here's your first "video of the week" - Ballet Class

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.