Dyson DC23

This post is very out of order, I have much more Clare news to post, but I just had to share this with everyone.  

Today Clare and I went 'into town' with Jeff, our effort to save on gas and carpool.  So, while Jeff worked she and I went to the Rec. center for a bit (she is NOT a fan of the playroom) and then ran a few errands.  The most important errand was going to Walmart to pick up my new vacuum.  Santa treated me to a new Dyson, a Dyson DC23 to be exact.  Let me just say, this is the most amazing vacuum, I'm in love.  If you're in the market for a new vacuum I highly recommend this fine piece of machinery.  

I don't know that Clare was as excited about the vacuum as I was, I don't expect anyone else to get as excited about vacuuming as I do.  I do find great pleasure in freshly vacuumed floors, I love my Dyson!!!

Merry Christmas

I have lots of blogging to do, hopefully I'll get caught up by the end of the year.

Until then, here are a few pictures from our Holiday.  We ended up visiting Joplin so Clare was able to spend her second Christmas with family in Joplin.

Clare must have been on Santa's nice list, she received lots of new toys, clothes, books and other goodies.  Her favorites so far are her 'pack pack', a pink fleece vest with Minnie on it, her Lama Lama wearing red pajamas, and her new Nike shoes.  It was fun watching her open presents, she certainly knew what to do an had fun opening all the gifts.

She was pretty excited about her new mini magna doodle, it took some encouragement to keep going, I think once she figured it out she was happy to keep unwrapping.

Like her Mama, she was excited to wear her new shoes, she stopped opening and asked GG to help her put them on.

A tea set, picked out especially for her by Nana.

It's a good thing Pawpa was there to help open presents, I'm not sure who had more fun.

You mean this big one is for me too!?!

Daddy Merrell is always ready and willing to play, he doesn't even mind if it's baby dolls.

Clare doesn't have to do much to have the full attention of these men.

We flew back to Denver early Christmas morning, after picking Kai up from Jamie's house we headed home for a little more Christmas before an afternoon nap.

Proudly wearing her new Minnie vest and 'pack pack'

Santa even remembered Kai.

Clare gladly helped open Mama's big gift from GG and Pawpa - a photo printer!!!!!

Despite our being in moving transition and the recent passing of Ruth we had a wonderful Holiday.  Clare was spoiled and we enjoyed our visit with family.  Next year I'll get the tree up and decorate the house, it just wasn't happening with everything else going on.

Thank you to everyone that helped make our Christmas merry and bright.

Table For 3

We've been doing an exceptional amount of dining out recently, thankfully Clare is an excellent dinner guest.  I'm proud to say that she hasn't ever thrown a tantrum (in a restaurant or otherwise), tossed her food on the floor, spilled a drink or any other typical toddler restaurant behavior.  She even says 'Tank You' to the wait staff when they bring her her food.

Tonight Clare ate her entire dinner (pizza) with a fork, by herself.   I couldn't have been more proud.

Last night Clare sat in the booth with Dada, not the best picture but still pretty sweet.

She is growing up way too fast!

Lizzie

Clare is just like her Mama and Grammy; she loves a purse.  You may remember when Clare decided that Grammy’s purse was actually hers.  Yes, she’s the only 20-month old Little Lady to have her very own Vera Bradley; she has her Grammy’s good taste also.   

Her purse is the perfect toy for the car; it has lots of zippers to zip and pockets to put things in.  What’s in her purse?  Well, just like any woman she has an iPhone, some keys (Uncle A’s spare key), and a Hello Kitty. 

Ready to go

Elf

Yesterday after Jeff got home I went to Target to pick up a few things, when I got back in the car this sweet little Elf was sitting in my cup holder.  I recognized her from the Elf On The Shelf book, only this was a special Elf, one that Clare could play with.  When I got home I heard Clare saying Mama, she was happy I was home, and started towards the door to greet me.   I put down the laundry soap and my medicine and gave Clare her Elf, she was thrilled.

Miiinnnneeeee!  Kai tried to take Elf from Clare, she quickly learned that taking a toy from Clare was a bad idea.

Clare loves her elf, she has yet to be named but that doesn't matter, I'm sure she'll let us know her name when she's ready.

Ready for the Snow

Clare is ready for the snow, only 2 days after we got 3 inches.  She loves her coat and gets upset when it's time to take it off.  I hope that we get enough snow this winter that she'll be able to make a snowman and go sledding.

Outside!

Every time she sneezes, or anyone sneezes, she asks for a titchoo, or tissue.  When you give her a titchoo she'll say 'Tank You' and then when she's finished with the titchoo she'll happily go put it in the trash.

Home Depot

We did a little shopping at Home Depot today, it was the first time I've spent $3,500 and walked out with only 3 toilet seats, 12 light bulbs and 50 drawer pulls.  They were some pretty fancy toilet seats.

Anyway, while shopping, I saw Santa and one of his elves.

Feeling Better

I'm happy to report that Clare is feeling much better.  Yesterday morning she woke up and didn't have a fever, yay!  She was a little slow to start her day, but once we got moving she was back to her usual sweet self.   The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse schedule has changed, thankfully Curious George was on, I think maybe she liked it because George's friends name is Betsy.