Clare Marie is THREE!

Clare is her birthday shirt on her "school birthday". She took in Princess cupcakes for her classmates at her new preschool.
Clare's Birthday crown from school
Opening presents from Mommy and Daddy
Wearing her beautiful Snow White costume from Grandmama and Grandpa. Clare actually took a nap in her costume on her birthday. It was a big hit!
Opening presents from Grandmama and Grandpa
Clare and Avery skyping Grandmama and Grandpa.

Clare said this was "Awesome". We waited for Chris to take Clare out on an errand before I decorated. So when Clare pulled up in front of the house she saw the balloons and banner. She really, really like the Princesses. (Which I must give Chris credit, because I was going to do dinosaurs)
Princess Cupcakes and more
Clare checking it all out as everyone arrived
Aunt Jessica and Clare
Clare's "Emmmaaaaaleeeee"


This is how Avery enjoyed the majority of the party. Our house is pretty tiny and the party was really in two rooms (dining room and living room). Everyone was a very good sport about us cramming all 25 (literally) people into that tight space. Needlessly to say, the sound was pretty loud. Avery slept right on through all of Clare's screaming and everyone else talking.
Princess Pinata
Pull pinata
*See more pics below for details
Kelcie blocking the picture

PRESENTS
Clare's new rain gear from Nana and Pop! Boots, coat and umbrella are all super cute. They are ballerina/dance themed, which will be great since Clare starts ballet/tap tomorrow!
Birthday Barbie from Nana and Pop. She and princess Jasmine are very good friends already.
A beautiful bunny painting from Great Aunt Emma
DRESS-UPS! Aunt Lisa sent lots of adorable dress-ups! Clare loved them!
Wearing the fairy wings
Avery awake and checking out Jessica
Opening her annual figurine from Great Grandmom Bohl
Wearing her Princess dress-ups from Aunt Lisa the next day




***Chris took way better pictures on his camera. I'm too tired to re-organize them in order, so they are all below:)
Clare's adorable outfit from Nana and Pop for birthday












Blowing out the candle

Avery kept putting her little head right back on the angle every time we fixed it.
Clare in shock candy fell from the pinata. This being Clare's first pinata, it was cute to see her reaction. Not aware that the name of the game is to load your bag with as much candy as you can grab, Clare just kept exclaiming in excitement that she had "CANDY" and immediately dug into the first piece she grabbed. It was very cute.



Clare had a wonderful birthday. Lots of family and friends helped us celebrate! Thank you to all of our family back home that sent really great gifts too!

PS. We took video of Clare blowing out her candles. One day, when I'm less sleep deprived, I'll give that a go on trying to load it.

School, Family and More

Clare and Steph in Clare's cute hat!
Pushing Clare's new baby Emma in her stroller! This was a big hit from Aunt Sherry and family.
Checking out the fun new outfits and clothes from Nana and Pop!
Nana and Avery meeting
Nana and Avery
Avery stuck to Pop
Avery relaxing on Pop's belly
Aunt Ginny and Avery
Avery, Clare, Nana and Pop

Tummy time for Avery with her little old man face
Hurricane Irene Prep: We made Clare a fort under the table and we pulled a bed on the living room floor. It was a long and rough night, but we were very thankful to be safe (and dry due to Chris's efforts)

Opening presents from Grandmama and Grandpa

Pretty unicorn PJ's from Grandmama and Grandpa
Aunt Heather and Avery
Aunt Heather and Avery
Avery crossed eyed and swinging
Clare's first day of her new Preschool!!!!



Out front of her new school
Waiting to go in on her first day
2nd day of school, waiting for the bus (our van)
Avery with her chunky self
Clare dug her cowgirl boots out of the "doesn't fit pile". She insisted on wearing them all night. Mostly on the wrong feet.


All is well here! We are adjusted to being a family of four. Lots of highlights: tons of family visiting, Clare and Avery already being such cute sisters, Clare's upcoming Birthday, starting a new school and lots of cute little baby stuff. Also, some enjoyable struggles: Avery's visit to CHOP to check a totally fine sacral dimple that scared the Bejeezus out of us, late night/all night feedings, being puked on by one kid (Clare) while being hit with projectile poop by another (Avery) all at the same and also in this column is Clare starting her new school.

So, excuse any typos in my sleep deprived state of mind.

I'll be sure to try and update the blog more often. Hopefully Clare's birthday on Saturday will be lots of fun and we'll have pics at some point Sunday or Monday!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!