Claire's Fourth Birthday

Claire, aka Sunshine Girl, aka The Joy Girl, turned four over three weeks ago, but we have been so busy preparing to move that I am just getting to writing a blog post about it.  I am squeezing it into August in the nick of time, at least. =)

Our little Claire is four years old.  She has been a bundle of energy and joy since the moment she popped on the scene before my doctor could even arrive.  Claire likes things "just so," which comes across as very stubborn a lot of the time, but in other ways she is extremely easy-going and generous.  At any moment of the day you will hear her belting out worship songs in her sweet little voice.  In fact, it is often the first thing we hear of her in the morning when she wakes.  We will know she is awake, because she will still be laying in bed and we will hear her sing to herself (or to the Lord?) songs like "10,000 Reasons," "All In All," and "If You're Happy and You Know It."  She is bouncy and joyful and I sometimes call her my little Lola, from the "Charlie and Lola" books and show.  They are so much alike. =)  

It doesn't take much to entertain Claire.  She will sit in the car or at the table (where she might be taking eight hours to finish her food) and will just look at her fingers and start talking to them and role playing like they are people.

Claire also loves to look at books and LOVES playing 20 Questions, either with animals or Bible characters.  The conversation always starts like this:

Claire: "Does anyone want to play 20 Questions with me?"
Me or Dan: "I'll play with you."
Claire (super cheerfully): "Okay!!  Do you want to go fuhss or should I go fuhss?" (She wants you to say that you will go first.)
Then when she was a bit younger, the next thing she'd say would be: "Two or foh." (Meaning, does the animal you are having her guess have two or four legs.)  I will soon try to post a video we got of her playing 20 questions in the car with us one night.  It is pretty funny. =)

For Claire's birthday, I decided to throw a garden tea party in my in-law's backyard for her and her little friends.  And by "little", I should add that Claire really takes a liking to girls a bit older than her.  The two ten-year-old girls she talks about the most at home both couldn't make it to the party, but there were so many sweet sweet girls who came, and we had a wonderful time.

 

Every good tea party needs an older brother to help out once in a while

NOW we have candy!

Present time

That evening we went to my parents to celebrate with family.  We got Claire a bike!  She is getting pretty good at it!

Happy birthday, Claire Rose!  We love you!!