Thursday, January 24, 2013

Bye Bye Two

Dear Claire,

Today is your very, very, very last day of ever being two years old!  When I told you that this morning you just laughed hysterically and than said "I happy Mommy"!  I think you're happy because you know we're going out for supper tomorrow night with Grammy and Grampy and you will get a few gifts.

So far, two has been your best year yet.  You learned your letters, you took dance lessons, you went ice skating, you went to the zoo and swam at the beach.  You made snow angels, went sledding, and can even print some letters!  You even got a baby brother - what a busy year you had...i'm tired just thinking about it!

Here are my predictions for 'Claire Age 3'

1. You will be an absolute showstopper in your spring dance recital
2. You will stop crying when we shampoo your hair (please)
3. You will learn to print your name (you've already got the 'C' and 'A' and 'I')
4. You will become even more hilarious with your wild jokes and funny facial expressions
5. You will race down the sidewalk on your tricycle
6. You will swim all by yourself
7. You will continue making Daddy have a time-out on the stairs when he is bad...usually once a day.
8. You will cuddle more with Mommy and not just when you're tired or not feeling well (please)
9. You will help Jack learn to walk, blow a kiss, and sit next to him on the swing set
10. You will keep being my very big, very special, very kind, very funny, and very smart most favourite girl.



Gosh - time flies...look how little you used to be!
Happy Almost Birthday!
Love Mom

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Be Nice to Jack...He's Your Only Sibling

Dear Claire,

It has been a long time since I've written to you...I don't know where the past month has gone! I guess with Christmas, New Years and planning your Birthday Party I haven't had time to write.  Eeek!

Anyway, on Friday you will turn three years old! Can you believe it?  You have been such a great big sister lately and are really starting to play with Jack more and more.  You always bring him "his" toys to play with and you're getting better and sharing "your" toys with him too.  Lately, you think it's hilarious to let him chase you, but you're way too fast because he can only crawl.  Poor Jack!

Mommy thinks that a sibling is one of the best people in the world.  You are so lucky to have a brother, I always wanted to have a brother when I was little, but having Aunty Andrea was still pretty good.  A sibling will know you better than anyone.  Jack will know your good, bad, and your ugly.  He will know how to push all of your buttons and will definitely do this throughout your childhood, and probably still sometimes when you're both grown up!

You and Jack may not grow up to be best friends.  You may only get together on the holidays or other special events.  You may not see eye-to-eye on many topics. 

You don't have to, he's still your brother. 

You will know his favourite things and all the things he hates.  You will know what he does when he's mad and what his different laughs mean when he's happy.  You will know all the "bad" things he did as a teenager that mommy and daddy don't even know about.  You will know all the things he's great at and you will also know his greatest struggles.

You will share more history, more memories, more experiences, and more DNA with him than almost anyone else you ever spend time with.

So be nice to Jack.  Love him, take care of him, laugh with him, tell on him, keep his secrets for him, and be there for him when he needs you.  And if you do this, something tells me, he'll do the same for you.


Love you Claire Bear!
Mom