First Day of Preschool

Claire started preschool on this cool, foggy, quintessential San Francisco day.

She expressed some mixed feelings about going for the last day or two. We have been talking about preschool for a while and she has been there three times to visit, so the drop off turned out to be a breeze.

One little boy proclaimed, "Claire's back!" Once Matt and I unloaded all her gear into her cubby and brought her to the main room, she sat right down at the table and started coloring as if she'd been doing that every day for a year. With an "I love you, too" sending us off, Matt and I left, with our own mixed feelings. Relief that she didn't scream and cry, sadness? nostalgia?  that our little girl is growing up and entering a new phase, and so proud of her for making herself at home there. I can't wait for pick up to hear all about her day.

Eating Coffee

Matt snapped this pic of Claire "eating" her pretend coffee with a fork. She has entered a fun stage where she plays pretend. Mostly she pretends to eat. "Drink" is part of "eat" in her world.

Visit from Cousin Gwen and James

Gwen and James are in the Bay Area for a weekend and came by for a visit. Claire enticed Gwen to play with play doh and later they played with bracelets, rings and ponytails. When it came time for them to depart, Claire asked to go with them and went to put on socks and shoes. She is excited to see them in NH!

Saturday morning at the beach

Claire and I hit the beach this morning for "Tot Shabbat at the Beach." Claire was more interested in the sand and waves than in the rabbi and her guitar. She was very excited to go and talked the whole way there about swimming in the water (sorry kid). A summer vacation to the Jersey Shore and Colby Point is in order!

Birthday Party

Some weekend excitement included a birthday party for one of Claire's favorite friends Nas. She was so excited to sing to Nas that she opted out of sleeping during naptime. She and the birthday boy really dug into the cake. Nas was dismayed by the messy state, but Claire decided she'd just wash off the chocolate frosting with some nice dirt.

Picnic in the Park

We met up with some new friends in Golden Gate Park for a leisurely Sunday picnic. Claire loved roaming the open meadow and ran all around. Couldn't get her to wear a warm sweatshirt in the cool, foggy morning, but at least she wore a hat!

Paintings

Claire loves to paint and draw. The other day I came home to see some new masterpieces. These were even titled.

 "Owl"

 

"Tree"

 "Daddy"

I'm not quite sure which way is up for the "Daddy" portrait. I think I'm just glad there wasn't a "Mommy" version.

Jammies

We had a pajama party before and after dinner Wednesday night. Claire wanted monkey, elephant and herself all in jammies. Claire dressed herself, as you can see, hence the backwards top.

Model Baby Take 2

Claire once again modeled clothes for the local clothing company Angel Dear. I just received the preview and she looks pretty darn cute in red! If only these had arrived in time for the holiday card I never sent.

After dinner cookie

Chewed slowly and methodically to postpone bedtime.

Pepper the Pig

The SF public library held a petting zoo at their North Beach branch this morning. Here Claire is brushing Pepper the Pig. This is her consolation prize after her doctor appointment where she had two shots and freaked out at being weighed and measured.

Model Baby Online!

Last December I brought Claire to a photo shoot for a local children's clothing company. The Fall 2011 catalog for Angel Dear is now live and Claire is on a few pages! She is shown modeling two out of the three outfits in which they photographed her. I love seeing these out there and looking back and remembering that fun day.

You can see her in the catalog here, here, here and here.

Mixing Blueberry Muffin Batter

Today is crafts day at day care and Claire is helping mix batter for muffins. She seems to be concentrating very hard! I will have to enlist her help for home baking now that she's had some lessons!

One Year Ago

I was looking for an old text message and stumbled on this photo and message from one of the young women who works at Claire's daycare sent on 7/22/10. I hardly recognize her!

"Claire's having a great day as per usual. I made her a pillow throne...she really enjoys being queen of the daycare."

Officer Claire

Patrolling the backyard at day care in the new cop car. Taking the job very, very seriously.

Brewer's Helper

Matt needed to "rack" the latest batch of beer on Sunday which first called for cleaning the carboy. Claire thought this looked like fun and volunteered to scrub.

Snapshots of Day C(l)a(i)re

We receive some adorable, amusing and silly photos of Claire sent to us most days. These are some of the most memorable from the last couple months.

After a bath, before dressing.

Excited for meatballs!

And another bath. This time with shades.

Ring Around the Rosy

I arrived at day care one Friday afternoon to see the remaining 4 children lying quietly on the floor. I don't know about other day cares but this was quite unusual! Ellen was playing ring around the rosy with each kid in turn and, best of all, they waited patiently(ish) for their turn. Quite a trick! And a dizzying workout for Ellen.