the month of May

Has it been a month already?? WOW! So much was happening this past month, it just flew by! Justin graduated May 18th and we all celebrated his wonderful accomplishment. My parents flew down to attend the longest graduation in Lamar's history and Claire was very good during the whole thing. Claire finished up at her day care here in Beaumont at the end of May and her friends and teachers threw her a going away party. It was so sweet, but Claire really had no idea what all the hubbub was about. It hit her on the way home how much she was going to miss her friends and she started crying. She is such an emotional gal. Gee, I wonder where she gets that from? =) As soon as we got home though, the girl from across the street came over (1st time ever) and asked if Claire could come outside and play. It was a reminder that God cares even over the little sparrow and how Claire's need for a friend could be fulfilled so quickly. A week later, I finished up the school year uneventfully (Thank you Lord!) and so now we're into summer! A few stories I want to document though so that I don't forget them later on.

Sunday, Claire and I were in a department store getting ready to check out. I was getting her a yellow shirt that said "Gymnastics" on the front since that is so Claire. She was walking through the store holding it up to her like she was wearing it already and dancing around (as usual). We were standing in line and a lady comes up behind us. The following is my best recollection of their dialogue.

Claire: Hi! How are you doing?
Lady: Good, How are you?
C: Good. Do you like my shirt?
L: Yes, it's very pretty.
C: All of Mommy's friends are going to like my shirt.
L: I'm sure they will.
C: Where do you live?
L: Thomas Road in Beaumont
C: I live in Beaumont too! That's in TEXAS!
L: Yes, it is in Texas.
C: What are you buying today?
L: (starts pulling out her things) Some straps for my luggage, and these suitcases.
C: Are you going on the ark?
L: The ark?
C: Yes, the ark is a BIG BOAT!
L: Oh.
C: That's where we used to live--the ark! It was a real zoo in there!
L: What was on the ark?
C: 2 Elephants, 2 giraffes
L: Oh. Who else was on the ark?
C: Oh this guy named Noah.
Me: It's time to go Claire. Say goodbye.
C: Goodbye. It was nice talking to you!
L: Goodbye.

I couldn't believe it! I mean, it was the first true conversation she had with an adult. She reminded me so much of Grandpa being able to just see someone in the store and strike up a conversation with them so easily. I'll admit at the time I was a little nervous. The cashiers were snickering and amused the whole time. The lady loved it (she must have been a grandma). Claire thought nothing of it. I mean she enjoyed it, but she had no idea what she'd done. On the way out to the car, I started chuckling to myself and claire asked why. I told her because she is so precious. And ya know what? She absolutely is!

Today we also took our first family trip to the movies. We saw UP. It was good. I was surprised by how moving and sentimental it was. I cried at several parts (what else is new?) But the funny thing was at one point Claire got down off my lap and buried her head in the seat next to us bawling. We asked her what was wrong and she said she missed her cousins. But it was at a really sad part in the movie, so i'm not sure if it was really the cousins that had her upset. She sure is a person who picks up on emotions so quickly and they really matter to her. I hope that doesn't change as she gets older, but I do hope that she will be able to control them a little sooner than I was.