Claire sings to Papa

Toilet & trouble

About a week ago, Claire discovered a toddler's toilet seat cover stashed away in one of our closets. She liked the Sesame Street characters on the rim. She also liked experimenting with possible alternative uses.

"Look, daddy," she exclaimed as she rested the atop her head like a hat. She laughed in delight of herself.

Sarah and I both walked away and left her in the bathroom with her seat. About a minute later, we heard Claire burst into tears. She let out a loud wail.

Sesame Street had her by the neck.



For five minutes, poor Claire had a pretty rough go. She couldn't get the thing off her head. Her mother was laughing at her, in her face. Her father grabbed the camera and shot away.



Mom set Claire up on the kitchen counter and tried to gain control, not only of Claire's crying but of her own giggling. Neither of them could get the seat over her cranium. At one point, amid the sobs, Claire said, "Oh...(gasp) I...(gasp) have...(gasp) a good...idea. (gasp) I will (gasp) tip (gasp) it (gasp) like (gasp) this...." She tried tipping the seat at an angle to her body. It didn't work. She cried more.



Finally, dad put down the camera, rotated the seat one-quarter turn and lifted up. Off came seat. Forwars burst more tears. Claire was wailing but relieved.



What must Paige have thought? "I'm not going to do like my sister when I grow up."

Already buddies

It's going to be 90 tomorrow

But our Claire is prepared.

More 4th

4th of July

What's a nation's birthday without a pancake breakfast and a parade? It's nice to celebrate the 4th with friends. Eric and Luca walked down from their house to join us in the park.




Claire and buddy Luca rounded the bases before downing their flapjacks. Here, Luca steals second.



Claire makes him share.



This was Paige's first 4th and she took the long line for pancakes like she'd withstood all the indirect sun and people watching before.



Later, we returned to our abode and decorated Claire's wagon.



Eric and Luca took over most of the desiging duties. For good reason.



The fire trucks, vintage cars and candy tossing drew eager glances.



Look closely in the middle of this photo and you'll see the fighter jet that buzzed the crowd.



Before long, we joined the parade and tromped five blocks down to the park where we stood in line again for food. Claire waived her flag at the crowd.




Here see more of the parade in action:

Claire quote of the week

Claire: Daddy, when I get bigger, I want to be a teen-ager.

Dad: Well, I hope you don't become a teen-ager. I like you just the way you are right now.

Claire: Daddy, you know why I eat carrots?

Dad: Why?

Claire: So one day I can be a teen-ager.