Dear Clara...

Dear Clara,

 We just celebrated your 2nd Birthday!  I have such bittersweet mixed emotions about my baby being a 2 year old already.  I know more exciting things are to come but sometimes I wish I could freeze you in time just as you are right now.  There are so many things I completely adore about you.  I love your caring and loving personality.  So quick to make sure other people aren't needing anything that you have.  Whenever it's a snack time, you take something for yourself and always make sure there is one for Cash.  Generous with your hugs and kisses and "I wuv you, Mama's".  You are such a sweet balance to a house that seems to be over powered at times by your big brother.  You love him something fierce.  Now I see why even adult women adore their big brothers.  The bond is strong and I see the way you look up to him.  Always wanting to be just like him. 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong...you are sugar with a big streak of spice!  Quickly you are learning to hold your own with Cash.  I often find HIM crying because you have retaliated against him for stealing a toy that you wanted.  Just the other night I watched you pull him to the ground by the collar of his shirt in one swift motion.  Day by day I am witness to the sassy-ness that I know will be ever so strong come your teenage year. 

 

Whenever anyone asks you how old you are, a very loud and proud "chew" comes out of your mouth.  You have the cutest lisp.  A lover of Mickey Mouse.  Every morning when you wake up, we sit together in the dark and watch "nicky nouse" together.  You sipping your juice and me my coffee.  Often you put ni-night on my lap and lay your head down.  I love these times with you.  It seems that sometimes being a second child, I don't get as much time to get to know you as I did Cash.  That makes me sad, but I know I try to slow down and enjoy the times that we do have just us girls.  We now have 3 days a week together for 3 hours to hang out, run errands or just be at home.  I see your little personality really blooming during these times.  Not over shadowed by your overbearing big brother.  I think you sense it too, that it's our special time together without interruption.

 

 

You are such an animal lover!  Sometimes I don't know how you can be my daughter!  You are so happy to greet Angus in the morning.  And always offering up a good night to him before bed.  Often you run around the house yelling "hey Anus!"...He loves you too.  You are starting to be able to sit still for story time before bed.  I tried so hard in months past, but you were too busy and wiggly to be interested.  I can't wait for all the princess books and girly stories in our future! 

We celebrated all day for you on your Friday the 13th 2nd Birthday!  It was a preschool day for Cashy.  So after we dropped him off we went and met up with Nana at The Daily for coffee and treats.  You got to open your present from Nana and Grandpa.  UGGS!!  You loved your "doots" and clearly have no idea what a cool 2 year old you are for owning some!! It took me turning 30 to get a pair!  You quickly tore off your shoes to put on your new boots.  After we finished coffee the two of us headed to Cowlicks (the kids haircutting place) for a mini mani.  Hesitant at first, you quickly warmed up and hopped up on the chair next to mine.  You chose a lovely shade of hot pink for both of us.  Sorry, I had to pass on the lemon yellow you chose for me the first round ;)  Afterwards we headed back to get Cash from school. 

 

We met Nana, Grandpa, Grandpa Bob, Grandma Donna, Uncle J, Aunt S, Ryan, Evan, Aunt An and Brandon for birthday dinner at Mackenzie River Pizza.  We waited a crazy amount of time but you were patient and enjoyed FOUR breadsticks while we waited!  Finally about an hour after your normal bedtime...we headed home for cupcakes and presents.  We sang you Happy Birthday and you sat cute as can be with your hands covering your mouth.  I could faintly hear you singing "Happy to Cwara" a few times.  You blew your candles out like a champ. 

 

We just had your 2 year old well check the other day.  Your cried the entire time :(  I think the trauma of stitches in your finger earlier in the year has done you in with doctors.  As soon as the nurse called your name, you were a gonner.  They managed to check you over through the tears.  You are 24.6 lbs (22%) and 33 1/4 inches tall (42%).  Your head brains are growing so big!  You are in the 80%!  Right on track to be a tiny smart girl!  I remember Cash changing so much from 2-3 so I know you are going to grow and learn so much this year.  I give thanks for you every single day, sweet girl.  I love you more than you will ever know.

Love,
Mama

 

 

 

Angus

 

Meet the newest family member...Angus!

 

We have been debating for  a while as to when to get a dog, what kind of dog, etc.  So we decided that we should get a dog either now or wait until Spring. It seemed kinda cruel to get a dog and have to house train it while sending it out in feet of snow to potty!  So after looking online and researching the best kind of breed for a family with small kids, we decided on the Jack Russell Terrier.  We both thought a smaller dog would be better with the kids for right now.  We found this guy online through a breeder in Oklahoma!  He was actually born while we were there for Bobby and Amy's wedding!  So after putting a deposit down and waiting until after my surgery, he flew on a plane from OK to Bozeman! 

 

We kept the dog a surprise from Cash the whole time.  I told him that we needed to go to the airport with BJ for him to pick up some work stuff on Friday afternoon.  His reply.. "um, no thanks!"....Needless to say, he went and he was glad he did!  We waited outside the airport while BJ found Angus and got all the paperwork filled out.  Then walked out holding the newest addition to the fam!  BJ doesn't smile much...but this smile is a genuine happy smile!  I even asked him if he was excited to pick up Angus when we were driving to the airport, and he said "yes"...Takes a lot for BJ to say he is excited about something ;)

 

 

 

 

 

                                                        Seeing Angus for the first time!

                                     Cash and Angus ran all around the yard

{First Day of Pre-K}

Cash's first day of pre-k was this morning.  He was so excited.  We had an orientation for an hour this past Wednesday where the kids got to meet each other.  I had to wake up Cash this morning at 6:30 {go figure, right?...I NEVER have to wake up either of my kids!}.  We had picked out his clothes last night before bed and laid them out on his dresser so they were ready to be put on when he got up.  Sometimes he can be a tad "ouchy" when he wakes up, so I was hoping he wouldn't be upset that he had to go to school.  When I got him up, I told him that today was a school day, and he was stoked!  He even willingly put his school clothes on before heading to relax on the couch. 

 

We snapped pics before we headed out.  We chatted on the car ride over.  I thought that he may try to say he didn't want to go, or was scared, but he said that he was so excited to meet new friends!  We unloaded and went in where he found his chair in the hallway where his nametag was.  They set their backpacks on the chairs and head inside.  After he precisely set his dino back pack down he confidently walk into his class.  One of the teachers was having the kids sit down and pick a color to be on the attendance chart.  He chose orange, it's his favorite color.  He was so comfy right away in his classroom, so I felt like it was time for me to say goodbye.  I gave him a kiss and told him that I loved him and to have a fun time.  His response... "ok, Mom, I gotta get to playing now, bye."  Clara haphazardly hugged him and say "bye Cash!" and we left. 

 

All the kids were outside at recess when we got back to pick him up.  I gathered his art project that was drying along with his back pack as they were all heading inside.  He was walking with 2 other boys at the front of the line and started smiling real big when he saw me.  When we got in the car he told me that his favorite part was "circle time" where the teacher reads a book outloud, they had a snack (he only ate the crackers even though cheese sticks and apples were also offered) and he met a new friend named Addie whom he played "house" with!!  I asked if he met any other friends, he said that he played with "Henry, who has the same name as me!".  He told me that he was able to check out a library book (a dino one) and they did a few art projects.  He said "Mom, school is AWESOME!".  I am so glad he loves school so much!  This should be a fun year for him. 

 

We got sent home with a Scholastic book order form and a fund-raiser....who wants to buy cookie dough and brownie mix??