Dear Claire,
Once upon a time (I think it was the 90's) people loved movie starts and rock stars and we loved hearing about them from time to time in the newspaper and seeing them at award shows.
But things have changed and now they're everywhere and we're right there with them. We're watching them brush their teeth, argue with their families, give birth, go shopping, and do a million other mindless activities. It's called reality-TV. It's called US Weekly. It's called TMZ.
As much as I love it, I hate it. It leaves no mystery to celebrities and when you see them in a movie all you can think about is "I wonder if she brings her tiny dog to the set everyday in that little Louis Vuitton carry all?" Or.."I wonder if he filmed this before or after re-hab". It really kills a movie.
There are a few exceptions to this rule and one of them is my favourite...Leonardo Dicaprio. Man this guy is good at staying out of the tabloids. Sure we all know that he only dates models and that he loves his Prius...but that's about it. I haven't seen his house on MTV, he clearly doesn't shop at 'The Grove' or eat at 'Nobu' because he's never on TMZ and he only does interviews when promoting his work. Love it.
The best part is, when he's acting in a film, you belive he's the character. You're not wondering about his personal life, you're solely focused on the film.
Love it. Love you Leo. Love you Claire.
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
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
Dear Claire,
I haven't been able to write all week. Something awful happened one week ago in the United States and twenty-six innocent people were killed while at school.
Since then I've been thinking about those little children who were taken from their families. I've been thinking that this is my favourite time of year and I bet it used to be for those families too. I've been thinking that when it comes to tragedies like this; I have no advice.
I don't know what to tell you. I don't know whether I'll know what to say when another tragedy like this one happens and you're old enough to ask questions, and to worry, and to wonder the same thing we're all wondering: why?
I don't know if I'll tell you the truth either. If I'll have the courage to tell you that sometimes, there isn't an answer, and we may never know why. And even if we did know why, would it make it any easier? Can we find peace without having the answers we're looking for?
When I started this blog, I would sometimes think, that God forbid, anything ever happened to me, at least you would have this. You would have this blog, my pictures, my belongings, and most of all you would have Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa who would be able to fill in so many pieces for you, about me.
Since Friday, I've been thinking...what if it was the other way around, and you were taken from me? I don't have enough of you yet. Your artwork is not enough yet. There aren't enough home videos of you. I don't have all your report cards, your graduation cap or your wedding veil. We haven't played Barbies yet, you haven't been to a sleepover, and we haven't even argued about you spending too much time on the phone.
The pieces I have of you right now are not enough. I want more. I want every single piece to the person you are meant to become.
In my paryers to keep you, and all children safe from these types of senseless violence, I will continue to think about the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School and how they no longer have the same dreams they had seven days ago. I will keep mindful that the pieces they had hoped for have been stolen. I will pray for them, and wish them peace and that they will hold onto as many pieces as possible of their beautiful children.
Love Mom
Dear Claire,
Today I thought I'd write and tell you how absolutly adorable you are! You are at such a cute age (almost three) and I think I'd better record some of your cute antics so we never forget them.
One day, about four weeks ago, I called you a 'maniac'. Since then, if I call you a monkey, silly girl, or just about anything else, you correct me and say "no, I'm ma-mi-ac'.
Also, you seemed to have found an imaginary friend named 'Wolf'. Sometimes he's very tiny and you carry him in your pocket. Sometimes he lives with you in the backseat of the car. And sometimes, he gets very big, and runs alongside the outside of the car growling.
Right now you call your little brother 'Jackie' and 'Hubba Hubba'. Mommy calls Jack 'Chubba Chubba', but you just can't seem to make the "ch" sound, and in this instance - it's pretty funny.
You love to crawl and pretend to be a kitty, you'll come "drink milk" out of Mommy's hand and let me pet your head.
You love to "make" us hot tea and always make sure we blow on it to cool it down before sipping.
You love dancing around the room and have just learned to do sommersaults - I think you've done about one hundred of them in the past week.
You like to show Jack everything you can do; yesterday you were very excited to show him that you did up your coat zipper all by yourself.
Do you really have to grow up? I have a feeling the day will come when you won't want Mommy to cuddle you in bed, Jack will drive you crazy, and you won't let Daddy throw you up in the air.
So i'm going to enjoy every moment, because one day you're going to go your own way for a little while, but I'm not worried, because I know that "your way" will lead back to us.
Love you right now and for all the days to come,
Mom
Dear Claire,
Having a best friend is crucial. Find one immediately.
Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but here's the thing: you are going to need someone to talk to.
There are going to be days (and maybe even months) when you don't want to talk to me or daddy about things that are bothering you, exciting you, or just weighing on your mind. You'll need a bestie to talk with.
There are going to be times when your boyfriend or husband is driving you crazy and you'll really need someone to vent to. Call your bestie!
There are going to be times when you're own children are slowly pushing you towards the insane asylum. Call your bestie!
One of mommy's dearest friends in the world is Leanne and she's not feeling well today so let's dedicate this post to her and maybe it will cheer her up!
Here are some great reasons to have a best friend (and some silly things that Mommy and Leanne have experienced)
#1) Someone to plan your life with! You can throw out all sorts of wild and wonderful ideas about where you want your life to head and this person will support you 99%. I say 99% because a real bestie will tell you when you've really lost the plot and help you get back on track. (ask Leanne about the condo with the fire-man pole...we may still purchase one for our retirement years)
#2) Someone to have sleepovers with! Horray for sleepoves! Sleepovers are the best time to share your secrets, your hopes, and your hangups. You can laugh, watch cheesy movies, and maybe even gossip for a few minutes. (ask Leanne about our very first sleepover)
#3) Someone to shop with. Nothing else needs to be said about this one.
#4) Someone to plan your wedding with. Let's be honest, chances are that your finace isn't going to care about flowers, place cards, or the proper etiquette for hosting a bridal shower. Insert your best friend who will gladly obsess over each of these details with you. (ask Leanne about all the crazy wedding mishaps...including Mommy throwing up 4 times the morning of Leanne's wedding due to a teeny-tiny Claire in my belly)
#5) Someone to gently tell you the truth. This person will kindly let you know when they're worried about something you're doing. They'll be honest with you when you ask them to be, especially about a precarious haircut or boyfriend who you know, deep down, you should probably break up with. (I'm sure Leanne will happily tell you about a few duds I dated before meeting Daddy)
#6) Someone who will never judge you because they love you! Your best friend may not always agree with everything you do, but she will love you regardless. She won't judge you, or remind you about past bad decisions, she'll just be there for you. So make sure you're there for her too!
Love you Claire, Love your best friend, and Love you Leanne!
Mom and Lindsay
Dear Claire,
If you end up anything like me, you're going to have a bleeding heart for people. You're going to want to help others, you're going to stick your neck out for friends, and you're going to do try to lift people up.
This is (I think anyway) a great way to be. I like helping people, I like seeing people succeed and I feel best about myself when I'm helping others reach their potential.
So....I followed my passion and found a job that lets me do this five days a week.
If you want to help people, then help people. Just make sure your boyfriend (and definitetly not your husband) is not the person who needs to be helped.
Obviously, we're all humans and we've all got baggage. But be attracted to someone who can carry at least a few of their own suitcases.
Obviously, when your partner is down or going through a difficult time, you've got to be there for them. But be attracted to someone who actually wants to solve their problems, overcome their issues, and aim to be a better person.
Because, you can't save people.
You can help people, you can guide people, you can provide opportunities for people. But you can't save people.
And all that helping, guiding, and providing takes a lot of time and a lot of energy. Your home should be your soft place, your easy place. Life, marriage, and mothering will be hard enough on it's own without having to save your husband too. So my advice, find someone who needs a shoulder to lean on once in a while or an ear to listen, not someone who needs you to be their life preserver.
Love you when you've found your match,
Mom
