Routine

We have gotten back into our daily routine which is nice. Justin was not feeling well at the end of last week, so he stayed home with Claire and I went to work. Then over the weekend we just took it easy so we all could rest up for the work week. Sunday was great and church is such a joy for all of us. Yesterday, we all got back to our norm. Claire's teacher said that she has been having lots of good days in a row so we told her if she kept it up, we'd do something extra special, like going camping! This week is exams for my students which puts me on autopilot and lots to think about while I walk around the classroom for 2 hours while the students let their brains ooze out onto their scantrons. On the way home from school yesterday Claire asked if she got to do ballet today. I told her that today was Monday and she gets to do ballet on Wednesdays. She emphatically said, "I will never forget that again." And somehow, I believe her!

Arabesque!

Claire had her first ever ballet/tap dance class today! She has been asking since August when a few girls in her new pre-K class were involved. We thought it was just because it was new and she was trying to fit into her new class. However, after 4 months of persistent requests, pleas, and begging, we surprised her at Christmas by allowing her to start ballet. We went last night to pick up her leotard and to get her shoes/slippers. She was on cloud 9. She begged and begged to start her class right then, but it was not her age group. So today she got to go. We got there early and there was only 1 other little girl there for her class. They became fast friends and are like 2 peas in a pod. Needless to say, she fit right in. She had so much fun that she threw a fit when I told her that she couldn't wear her ballet outfit to church tonight. It took 20 minutes to calm her down. Like I said, she's just a little excited! The dance studio doesn't allow any photographs, so I couldn't take any, but I have a mind full of memories imprinted of her smiles, and her wobbly Arabesques, Position 1's, shuffles, etc. I am so glad that she is able to enjoy it and I hope she keeps it up! She's a beautiful ballerina!

Praises!

During Claire's 4 year wellness check up in October, her doctor discovered a heart murmur. She had Claire change positions, but it was still there. She wasn't alarmed, but just wanted to be safe and have Claire checked out a little more thoroughly by a pediatric cardiologist. Texas Children's Hospital had a very long waiting list for patients like Claire who didn't have an urgent issue. So today, we had the follow-up with the specialist. They took a chest x-ray and an EKG, which Claire was not too fond of, and then 2 doctors came in with their high-tech stethoscopes to listen to her heart. They listened for a long time and finally looked at each other and agreed that she has a "venous hum" which they explained is completely harmless and she'll outgrow at some point in her life. Praise the Lord that this was nothing serious or anything that required more tests. Before we went to the doctor, I wanted Claire to have a good attitude, so I took her to the mall and let her play in the play area and we ate at the food court for lunch. She was so good! She made quick friends as always and showed them how to do the most dangerous stunts on seemingly safe play equipment. She had lots of fun and so did I!

Easy Bake

Today I went back to work. I didn't want to, but I did and I'm glad. Claire had a great day at school and we went grocery shopping afterwards. Then we came home and make cookies in her new Easy Bake Oven. She was so excited, yet scared. She wanted me to do everything. I'm sure that will change with time. She did have a fun time eating them and of course sharing them with Daddy! The pictures of Daddy were taken by Claire as well...a little photographer!

Glitter Lava

Aunt Tricia got Claire "Glitter Lava" crafts for her birthday back in October. The first package were suncatchers. Claire and I did them soon after her birthday. We followed the directions and when we put them in the window to catch the sun, the lava dripped down the window, blinds, and wall and created a huge mess. We ended up throwing them away which was too bad because they really were cute. Reluctantly, Claire and I worked on the next package today. This is a butterfly garden. We are leaving them out much longer than the directions say in order to avoid the same mess as last time. I hope it works out, but even if it doesn't, we still had fun today making them.

Bounce House

For Christmas, Claire received a Bounce House or Moonwalk to play with at Memaw and Papa's house. Since we celebrated Christmas at our house, the Bounce House stayed here until we see them again for them to take it back. We pulled it out today and Claire had a great time bouncing in it. It has an inflatable basketball and a hoop to play with inside. It was a crisp day with lots of wind so most of the time Justin was chasing the basketball around the backyard.

Also, I finished a 2000 piece puzzle that Jimmy had gotten me as a birthday present. However, 2 pieces are missing, so I'll be spending some time looking for them.

New Years 2010

Last evening we went to church and spent some time with our friends learning a new domino game called 42. Justin won! Then we came home and shot off some fireworks and rang in the New Year before going to bed for the night. Today we spend the day enjoying a day of rest and our new toys. Claire and Justin played Prince and Princess with her new Princess Castle that Uncle Matt got her for Christmas. Then tonight after dinner we went outside and shot off the rest of the fireworks. Justin does a great job of picking the right ones out at the stand and then the right order for us to watch. Claire was really excited about the fireworks until the first one went off....she started screaming, FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! We had to explain to her that FIREworks contained FIRE. Then she decided she didn't like fireworks so much. After the next one went off though, she quickly forgot her apprehension and went along with it. She enjoyed them so much! Seeing her face light up was priceless! Here are some pictures to enjoy!