My Dearest Clara,
You're seven and I don't know how. I'm about to be 38 and I don't know where the last decade went but it certainly flew by too fast. You're such an amazing kid. You give and share with all, even strangers at the park. You share your candies and always think about your brother and alternatives for him when he can't have what you have. You protect him and love him bigger than any love I've seen outside of my love for you both. You're so super smart, we had you tested for gifted and performed in the 99th percentile and have a very high IQ. I'm not surprised, you show your intelligence all day in different ways. You'll likely join the gifted class, although I know you'll be a little apprehensive. Change is hard for you and I get it, you remind me a lot of me when I was a kid, in some ways. I'm so thankful you're still at school with me and you love your teacher, Mrs. Ress. You tell me each day that you cry because you miss me. I miss you too and I remember missing my mommy just that way when I was little. I became a teacher for that reason alone. I cherish all my time with you at work and home and I'm excited for you to get into Madeira Beach with Bubby but it won't be the same without you, it's already so hard without our boy. You ask so many questions each day and ask daddy and I all day, "So, what do you want to talk about?" You like attention and get tons. We love being with you and your dream would be for us to play Barbie's all day long. We're trying to get you to be more independent, you are a natural leader and delegator and that'll serve you well one day, right now we're pushing you to take care of you a bit more and you fight us on that. You have some sass and have some massive mood swings that keep daddy and I on our toes. You have some sensory issues and don't like the way your clothes fit you or the way your shoes or hair feels and can get quite upset, Kristin says she can relate and I know your daddy is like that too so I blame them. You have endless energy, you never stop...talking, moving, asking, playing...I blame that on Ana. I wish I could ask your grandma but I'm pretty sure you have a lot of her qualities. You're loving and love to snuggle. You like daddy and I to watch you and things you do all day, we love watching you grow and adore the little human you're evolving into. You do the right thing in school and make lots of friends easily. This year, your new friend Liam is someone you talk about a lot. I think his mom wants a play date so that's something we need to do. Your favorite thing to do is play with Julia and Tyler at home. You're not comfortable going with others and have trouble with a change of plans but you manage and I'm a-okay with being the house full of kids and hosting all your play dates, it gives me such joy. You have all E's in school and that's the best you can get. Your testing scores in are in the 99th percentile and you're reading at a third grade level as a first grader. You fight me on reading sometimes but when you get into it, you're hooked. The rate at which you learn new things amazes me and your vocabulary is such a strength. You do not like to be taught, by your parents at least. You like to know it all and hate to "fail" and we talk a lot about the opportunity for growth if someone beats you at something, it's a chance to grow your skills or your brain. You don't really care about that. You're super creative but don't take your time with your penmanship or coloring, you rush. Your body and brain work super fast and I often have to have you go back and slow down on HW and take your time. After you read third grade level books you take a quiz on the computer and get 10/10 with no help at all. You could be reading long chapter books but don't have the ambition but you love to be read to, we're currently reading, "Indian in the Cupboard". You're sensitive and do NOT like sad things...movies or stories. You cry your heart out at sad parts and need lots of love and we hold lots of conversations about topics that make you sad. I accidently had you read a sad book, I didn't know it was sad and you were very mad at me and confused why I'd allow you to read something so sad. I love that you have such a sensitive heart. You're doing gymnastics with Julia on Monday and starting soccer in a few weeks. You're very competitive and I can't wait to start watching you play something competitive. I think, I hope you're a good sport. We went on a really long bike ride for my birthday weekend and you did such a great job hanging in there the whole time and are one strong girl. Your big heart and brain make daddy and I so proud. We love you with everything we've got and somehow I think Bubby loves you more. You're his favorite person and he is as successful as he is because you care so deeply for him and help him so much each day, you're a natural teacher and so patient and kind and I love you with every ounce of my being.
More Halloween Decor
An example of you getting hooked on a book.
You're super goofy.
Lisa's baby holding my baby, take me back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Uncle Jeremy
Thank you Aunt Pinny, Uncle Zimmer and Trinkle
Bringing Barbie's to school
Miss Lulu spoils her at school
7 year old checkup - I'm so thankful for a very healthy girl and pray it stays that way!
Cousin sleep over
Clara's bday party & Borat Watch Party
A request for the park.
Clara gave a toy to a little girl that kept playing with them, I love your heart.
Uncle Jeff got your Jumanji and even stayed to play and help with the rules of the game. YOU LOVE the book and movie.
With some key lime pie
These are my children, they have Lang blood, they love cheddar horseradish dip
Kensligh is now at Doe and Michaels each day and Everett, Clara and I are obsessed. This is Kingston, her big brother. He is Everett's age and has "grown up" with both my kids and is a sweet kiddo that looks out for my boy. I'm sad that they aren't at the same school anymore but they still see each other at Doe and Michael's.
There are so many reasons I want another looking at my kids with a baby, my heart says Hell Yes! and my brain says Hell NO!
Playing Legos from the Porcellos
Clara and I matched and I forgot to get a pic of us until the end of the chaotic day when we're all a mess. Ugh. Thanks tiffy for thinking to ask to take a pic, disheveled or not.
Barbie Dream House time!
I love when she is excited.
The girl puts it together with daddy.
SNEAK attack by "Boy Boy" - he got her good. He used to not be able to blow out his own candles and now he is blowing out others!
I picked up Julia after school and she came to play for the night and we skipped gymnastics.
Take me back
I snuck in her class because I can and I won't be able to for long. She was so cute and I got to be a part of the bday song and I know so many parents don't get this opportunity. She clung to me, I love that feeling. You can stay attached to my hip forever, Clara Maria. Oh, and that's Liam behind her. Also, she earned "stinky feet" in class which means she doesn't have to wear socks or shoes for the entire month, so fun, and gross. I love her teacher!
One pic together.
I asked what she wanted for her bday dinner, bacon and steak. Bacon and steak it is!
I love the anticipation
This cute boy in school!
This is his ESE teacher.
Attempt number two, she held him off this time.
Her reaction after he blew it out, I screen shot the pics from my video.
My fav
She has no clue he is coming.
I burnt my hands so many times on this crown, sooooooooo many sequence, one at a time. Never again will I choose sequence but she loved it, well worth the time and burns.
She is just like me when it comes to soft things, she LOVED her new bunny and blanky. Bunny from her Bubby
Off to school. She had her snackeez cup which holds a snack in the top of the drink. She was obsessed.
We went to Ana's lake house the weekend before her bday when daddy needed to clean out the garage. It was so much fun!!! Fishing, kayaking, and golf cart riding.
Everett fell in, he loved it.
It was quite the night of attempting to sleep, Everett ended up in bed with T and Ana, oh, and Tybee. Hahah, one day we will get this sleep in the same room thing down!
The night I want into labor, I was at Gabby's homecoming here.
We did a small amount of work, by us, I mean Ana. Clara helped for a sec. We hung out and played with Clara's new toys while Ana did some work before we got busy playing.
We even visited Aunt Juliane since she moved, we're been doing lots of random day trips all over. Julia joined us for this one!
Everett hard at work.
One of my favorite creations from her, the wings are her hands.
BOTH top two teeth are loose.
Hot glue, elmers glue, hot and sticky.
Thank you to Ana for having us crash. It was Addie's bday and they were at Universal for the day so I got to see her quick that night. We headed out early since no one slept well and I wanted to make sure naps happened. We had such a blast. Oh, and Aunt Barb, Clara put on the shirt immediately and wears it to bed every night so I'll be snapping a pic of her in her bedtime nighty she calls it until she grows into it, next year. I told her if she grew that much she'd be grounded.
Happiest of birthdays to my sweet pea!
