52:47:Learn

Claire was my date for an evening of basketball.  Unfortunately it was our "Silent Night" game which doesn't mean much to a toddler who loves yelling and cheerleaders.  Once the popcorn ran out, we were out of entertainment!  Here is Claire checking out my classroom, watching some Elmo's World, and COLORING.  Thank goodness for ample coloring supplies.  I realized after this, if a situation ever arose where I had to get Claire and bring her back to school while in session, she'd do just fine.  She commanded those desks, sat in all the chairs, sat on the couch, and drew some masterpieces for me. 

On a side note, now when we drive by the school every day on the way home she tells me how I changed her diapers there, that there are games there, and she suggests we go color.  Mind like a steal trap on this one!

52:46:Dine

Claire had the honor of gracing the "kid's" table this Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, she did not get along too well with her dinner companion.  I had to laugh out loud at this picture because they looked like a little adult couple as he's talking to her and gesturing and she's trying to watch him while also dig into her meal.  Luckily after some fights over pointing and one table-stealing episode, they got along well enough to finish eating all the yummy Thanksgiving goodness!

52:45:Investigate

For Claire's year two pictures we went to the Governor's Gardens and downtown Jefferson City.  One thing we really haven't done is taken Claire to see the trains.  A train pulled up while we were there and she was super interested.  I thought this was cute.  She ran right up and peeped through to see what all the ruckus was about.  Too cute!!

52:44:Wish

I've been so behind on my photo editing!  Great reason, of course--I have so many pictures and so many awesome Claire events!  I've just unloaded 200+ pictures that are all birthday and year two related.  I'm going through to pick pictures for our house--we are going to have to start putting pictures in the bathroom or something.  I've also been working on Claire's Year Two photo album (which by this time last year I was FINISHED with Year One's album, so I'm freaking out a little).  Not all of these pictures have been touched up, but here's a recap of Claire's awesome birthday!

The Cake.  Not as happy with this one as the last one--I tried the "fluffy" decorating instructions.  THIS is why I like to make a tester cake... ugh.

Easy to decorate for Sesame Street when we have so much Sesame Street stuff all over the house anyway!

What wonderful gifts!  We were so blessed!

Only two-year-old on earth who marvels over clothing gifts

Digging through the stash

RIP Burt.  He's not been played with since this photo... poor Burt.

Trying on her snow outfit.  Not even kidding.  She loves clothes.

Trying to put on her snow boots. Seriously, there are toys unwrapped at this point.  But shoes are awesome.

THE backpack.

Claire pushing her new baby in her new stroller using her new backpack for a diaper bag.  Where are they going?  "To the DOCTOR" is the most popular destination.  This kid.

A tricycle for a girl on the go

We are so blessed to have such great family and friends.  Of course Auntie Anne attended (thank you for the puzzles and backpack!).  Claire's little friend Clare also attended with her sweet parents (thank you for the coloring supplies!  We color non-stop!).  And of course grandparents and all your generous gifts! 

Claire had a great second birthday!  It reminds me I don't need to go "all out" when she's still more excited about sticking bows on people and ripping off tags.  We are just so lucky to have this sweet little girl and all these wonderful people to share her with.  We are blessed!