Happy Birthday, Clara!

Well, a few weeks late, but happy birthday to Clara! We celebrated our spunky girl with her request for dinner (heart-shaped pancakes), chocolate ice cream and presents.

(Syrup, ice cream and presents = one excited birthday girl.)

Clara was super excited to receive some awesome arts & crafts supplies, a pony, a beautiful handmade quilt, and her Diego rescue pack. A total success. 

We had to postpone her birthday party (her first one) by a week because she was so sick the week before. We ended up having quite a few people - mostly friends from the neighborhood and from school. Clara and Grady both did well with their toys being shared with so many people. And they were very patient about waiting for the cupcakes - raspberry with chocolate frosting. 

Clean to messy face in 2 seconds

Watch out, Matt!

Grady holding court and cracking up the audience with poop jokes

Happy birthday!

 It was a casual and fun party, and nice to have Clara showered with so much love.

A few words about the birthday girl. Clara is one of the strongest people I know, child or adult. She takes up space in a room, and her presence is missed when she's not around. She is a comedienne: she understands timing and her audience. She is vibrant. She loves her brothers fiercely. She is sweet even when she doesn't know anyone is looking. She loves egg noodles with a strange passion. She is stubborn. She is kind. We love her so much. 

Not too much else has happened since the last post. Theo is suddenly very mobile. He no longer stays in the room he's left in, and has learned how to climb stairs. He is now saying "mah" which may mean milk or more or food - some sort of put something in my mouth. He is also very conscientious about picking up stray pieces of cat hair ("cah?"), which given the state of our house is a full-time job. He is settling into his new school routine and charming his teacher. 

Encouragement

And more encouragement from at least one of the cats

 Grady and Clara have been enjoying playing with Clara's (and Theo's) birthday presents and enjoying the weirdly sunny and warm weather in Portland. Not too much new to report about them in the past few weeks. Here are some pictures.

Getting into trouble

Besa cleaning up after the party

Theo becoming part of the crew

Aunt Michelle and Uncle Michael's gifts were a HUGE hit

This game again

All four of us looking at the camera. A miracle. 

I do not know what's going on here.

Sand is GROSS

Theo unsure about all the unsolicited help getting his socks on

This was the small size. He didn't finish.

Airborne