More white stuff?

Three to five inches of snow forecasted for today. We'll believe it when we see it. So far, just rain.

Christmas revisited

Christmas started at the bathroom sink, passed without a nap and ended quickly with a record conk-out in bed.

That's right, we had to woo Claire away from a running faucet -- one of her favorite experimental places in the house -- to get her to come to the Christmas tree. That's where Santa had left a second-hand-store-bought dollhouse, an Ikea train set, a homemade stocking hung by the fireplace and mounds of wrapped gifts.




The candy canes and lollipops in her stocking became major distractions, the first of many to lure her away from the tree. In fact, distractions were so frequesnt and so lengthy, we still have a half dozen unopened presents in her name under the drying tree.




Books demanded immediate readings, usually for more than one time through.




Gifts themselves became window dressing for the ... window dressing. Grandma and grandpa gave Claire some stacking blocks, pictured here in the background. Notice, it's not the blocks holding her attention. It's the enclosed toymaker's catalog.



Later, blocks finally got stacked.





A Playdough set stole her away from the tree for 30 minutes. The parents took advantage of the break to grab a snack and open our own few gifts. When we invited her back in, she replied from the kithcen, 'I busy."



Other hits: Bubble wrap, her existing baby doll, the old playdough, Post-it notes

There. Now you have next year's Christmas list. It's sure to be economical.




It was all worth it when, this morning, as I was leaving for work, Claire said: "Daddy, you want play with my dollhouse?"

The doll house/train

White Christmas

A first! Wow! Not in the forecast!





Merry Christmas!

An elf's work

And presents under the tree

On Friday, while Claire was at the babysitter's, we unpacked a bunch of presents sent by the various grandparents/relatives.

When Claire came back into the house, she noticed them immediately. For several moments, she said nothing. She scanned the floor quietly. I set her down and removed her jacket. Then she said:

"What's going on in here?"

Since then, she's not torn into any packages or even asked to open one. Instead, she hands them out one by one, or stacks them up on the couch, or deposits a few in a bag and carries them around the house, unpacking and repacking them.



Just goes to show, it's all in the giving.

Frostier

Granny and grandpa sent a CD with a version of Frosty on it. Much dancing ensued....

Frosty the Snowman

Nana gave Claire an illustrated Frosty book. This is the net result.



A reprise

More trimming

Tis the season

In between repeated singing of Frosty the Snow Man, we dragged out non-breakable ornaments and decorated the Christmas tree, first established when nana and papa were visiting.





Now, for a little idea on what Clare might get from Santa.



Two of her current faves: Blocks and a choo-choo train. The blocks hold her attention for a long time.

Thanksgiving

Delay, no more. It's practically Christmas, and I've not posted photos from nana and papa's Thanksgiving visit. Most of these need no narration. So, here they are....

Two's a party

This posting has been much delayed by the holiday and other distractions. These photos depict the actual events of Claire's second birthday, from her discovery of her new kitchen to a visit from friend Jude to her helping "make" her own birthday cupcakes. The pictures sort of speak for themselves, so I'll spare you wordy narration.

More fun with grandparents

With the other pair of grandparents on the way, I figured I'd best get more photos from our visit with Granny and Grandpa.

Claire had a great time making pudding with Granny while mom and dad got a rare night out.



In case you didn't know, this is what you do with a spatula before you're finished mixing the bowl.




Claire and her grandparents also got to meet Bill, who owns the organic farm in which we've bought a share. Here, Claire helps select some pumpkins for the fall.

More trouble for mom and dad

Conversations overheard (several weeks ago, actually):

Dad: "Ah, gees! Get out of there CeeCee! Sarah, CeeCee tipped over the garbage can in Claire's room and got into the poopy diapers, dad-gummit!" (That's not exactly what I said but close enough)
Claire: "Why CeeCee do that?"

Later, at bedtime...
Mom: "Let's talk about what happened in your day."
Claire: "CeeCee get Claire's poop."

Next day
Mom: "Maybe we can go to IKEA this after noon and then to that New Mexican restaurant."
Claire "Claire go restaurant too, maybe ice cream, too, and momma, too, and daddy too... CeeCee stay home."
General laughter/moaning by parents
Claire: "Claire go restaurant in car."

Two

Claire turned two last week and the growth from a year ago is, of course, mind boggling. Photos from that grand day to come. For now some observations:

Our daughter is well into forming seven-word sentences and her own ideas. Two weeks ago we told her, "We're oging to the beach this weekend." Her response:
"Claire go beach, too, maybe restaurant, too. Eat ice cream."

Her memory is deeper than I realized a 2-year-old's would be. Last time we went to the beach, in May, Claire's cousins were along. This month, when we started talking about going to the "beach," Claire said, "And Gracie. And Hailey."

If that weren't enough, on Nov. 1 she suddenly started carring the melody to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It's about the only tune she can sing, but it's a start.

She notices more and more things. One night last week, Claire and I walked past a parked transit bus. She pointed to it and asked why it wasn't moving. Then she asked, "Why no people in it?" Pretty perceptive.

Twick or Trrrrrrreat!

Happy Halloween! Protect your tail.

Claire + grandparents

Granny and grandpa visited two weeks ago and boy did Claire enjoy having them Just look at these smiles...




It wasn't an action-packed weekend. We grilled burgers and steak, ate BBQ, pulled the stroller to the farmer's market and hung out.




Grandpa helped dad replace a rotted fence post. Claire inspected the cement work.



I'd say Claire was quite relaxed in her grandparent's presence.



More photos to come.