Claire Bear the Lions is 3!!!

 this is what she wanted us to sing “ Happy birthday dear Claire Bear Lion”... so much envisioning. where does she get that from? she told me that she was going to roar and then blow out the candles. they were super cute little 1/2 roars, but i loved that in between her 3 times of trying to blow them all out...she stayed faithful to the roar-and-blow method. 

 can i believe it? yes. my little-cutie-toddling-two-word-sentences-shirley-temple has turned into a little girl. Her mind is racing, she creates worlds and moments, she has ideas and has started getting a bright smile at dinner and saying “ ok guys, lets say what we are thankful for” yes, she is 3. she is capturing us with her worlds and stories, processes and debriefs. 

  and life really does sparkle with her. The 25 minute traffic jam does not feel so inconvenient when little miss is singing to me, making up songs from her heart. 

   Events, parties, church, visits take on this whole other element as i see and hear the world through her eyes. As she recalls things and anticipates others.
 

   One of my favorite routines is putting her down for a nap or bed. We read, we sing, and we cuddle. We talk about what we have done...we pray for our friends and family, we discuss things. Her shining eyes are 6 inches from mine and i stop my heart and breathe it in. i know i want to savor this moment, even in all it’s mundane. and i love it’s beauty- that is it perfectly wonderful and that it is perfectly normal. 

 Layla, you have a beautiful heart. I love how you want to comfort people. Sophia, Mama, your friends. how you love to pray for people when they are in pain or sick. I love that you love games, and creating moments. That you love to debrief...how you brought up our Thanksgiving dance party 1 week later and told me how fun it was.

  i love that you create worlds. that you are the mama, and your dolls, lions, bears, fairies, penguins and more all talk to you and you mother them. it is adorable. 

 i love when your tummy talks to me, in your silly deep voice. 

i love when we laugh together at something Sophia did that is genuinely funny- that we get it and share that moment. 

i love taking you with me: the beach, the store, shopping, down the street, on visits. you are and will always be my buddy. 

i love the build up with you...the getting ready for Halloween...thanksgiving...parties...and now Christmas. Explaining traditions and stories and watching you become mesmerized, then understanding and then watching  how you interact with the prepartions...

 Let's face it. you have rocked my world. you are the sunshine in our days, sweet girl. and with all the adventures behind us : rivers, oceans, mountains, 6 countries already..there is SO many more adventures to come!

party pics..

might not look like much, but i was inspired. felt so holy-moly-watch-out-world

my very own creation: pesto pizza rolls

celebrating our darling with one of her fav snacks- hummus, tomatoes and cucumbers

Lion cake!

Apple cinnamon turnovers

birthday bliss- why is she holding this santa?

doll baby #2. adore her. 

LOVE you Claire Bear LION!!!