Spring Swimming

I’ll give you one guess as to what Clare wanted to do today. 

Yesterday she asked for her swimsuit, I forget what sparked the desire, but she very much wanted her swimsuit.  This morning she didn’t want to get dressed; she wanted to wear her swimsuit and only her swimsuit, she nearly had a meltdown when we suggested putting pants and a shirt over her swimsuit. 

She insisted in wearing her goggles around the house.

After finally convincing Clare to put some clothes on we packed our bags and headed for the Evergreen Rec. Center for a little Sunday morning dip.  After paying our $12 (we aren’t used to paying for recreation) we found our way down to the pool.  Fortunately, the pool wasn’t very busy, there were a few other kids playing with their parents so it was perfect for us.

Clare was excited to be at the pool, she walked right up to the edge, tossed her watering can in the water and sat down on the side.  I sat down next to her and before I knew it she was in the water, yes my child jumped in before I was in the water.  Good thing I’m a decent Lifeguard, I plucked her out by her swimsuit straps.  I couldn’t help but laugh, of course my child is the one needing to be plucked out, I’m sure the Lifeguard on duty thought I was a complete fool, oh well.  Thankfully, Clare didn’t get upset, maybe because I was laughing.  After our quick entry we had a blast checking out the pool.  Clare loved the lazy river, especially when Dada was coming up from behind and tickling her.  The water features weren’t as exciting to her; I think she wasn’t sure what to think about them.  She loved wearing her goggles, but wasn’t so into putting her face in the water to see if there were any fish, although she did go under water a few times. 

We didn’t stay long, maybe 40 minutes, before Clare was shivering and wanted to get out and get her towel.  The family locker room was a bonus experience, there’s nothing quite like having a shower that’s too hot, three people trying to get dressed and not enough space.  I was making mental notes for our next visit, three towels isn’t enough and there’s no need for extra clothes, I have some room for improvement on my kid pool bag packing skills.

Clare was pretty hungry after all that swimming, so we headed to Wendy’s for some nuggets before heading home for a nap.   Clare was exhausted and fell asleep on the way home, once Jeff got her into her bed she napped for another three hours!  Swimming really wears a girl out! 

The pool was a lot of fun, I’m sure we’ll be doing a lot of it this summer, I hope she gets a little more adventurous and gets more comfortable on her back and going under water, I know it will all come with time and practice.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hope she likes swimming someday, it’s in her blood. 

2 Year Well Visit

This past Thursday afternoon Clare and I went to visit NP Clare for her 2year well check up.   As we were getting dressed that morning I told Clare that I was going to pick her up early and we were going to go see the Doctor, to which she replied ‘Doctor look in ears?’  I was surprised she remembered the last time she was there and why. 

I picked Clare up and we headed to our appointment. On our way I told her that we were going to see Clare and that when she walked in Clare could say ‘Hi Clare’.  Clare thought this was pretty funny and kept repeating ‘when lady walk in say Hi Clare!’ and then laughing.  When we walked up to the front door she asked to go look at the fish, again I was surprised how she had remembered that from the last time we were there.  So, as she went to check out the fish I checked us in. 

Fortunately our wait wasn’t long and we were back in room 8 getting ready for the official weigh in.  Clare officially weighed in at 30lbs 10.8oz and 35 ½ inches tall with a head circumference of 50cm, which is the 97%; we knew she had big brains. 

NP Clare came in after a few more minutes and was thrilled to see Clare.  Clare said hello, but didn’t say her rehearsed Hi Clare!  I guess the moment got the best of her.  Clare did start talking to NP Clare and showing her the neat-o paper table paper tube that the nurse gave her.  We started talking about her development and discussing how completely awesome and amazing she is.  NP Clare asked how many words she knew, she knew 80+ at 18 months, and honestly we have no idea, too many to count.  NP Clare then showed Clare a group of pictures, a cat, horse, bird, dog and a man, and asked her what each one was, she knew each one except the last one, although once NP Clare asked her if it was a Dada she replied that it was a boy.  For what it’s worth I’m now convinced that the picture of a man was confusing, she could have labeled it a boy, a man, or a Dada (NP Clare called it a Dada).   After identifying each one NP Clare then asked which one meowed, Clare pointed to the cat, which one talked, Clare pointed to the man, and which one galloped.  I looked at NP Clare with a look of seriously?  To no surprise Clare didn’t know which one galloped, although now we’re talking a lot about how horses gallop, she’ll nail that question next time.  Overall, NP Clare was very pleased and indicated that she responded to the questions at a 3½ year old level.  I wonder how many 3 year olds know that a horse gallops? 

After Clare got all checked out she was determined to get dressed, so she dressed herself; proving to NP Clare that she could indeed dress herself, which had been an earlier question.  We talked a little bit more, discussing potty training, time outs (or lack there of) and eating.  NP Clare seemed to think that potty training wouldn’t be too much of a challenge and that our goal of August was attainable. 

Unfortunately Clare did have to get one shot, her last Hep A shot, and she took it like a champ.  While waiting for the nurse to come back in a little girl in the room across the hall began to cry, Clare asked why she was crying and I told her that maybe she was sad, to which Clare said ‘no crying baby, it’s ok.’  I asked Clare if she was going to cry when the nurse gave her the medicine, she said ‘no, no crying’.  The nurse finally came back and told Clare she needed to give her some medicine, so Clare sat on my lap and held onto Bunny.  The shot was quick and Clare only cried for maybe 15 seconds, nothing major and she was fine by the time the nurse put the Band-Aid, or sticker as Clare called it, on.  I was so proud of Clare; she was such a big girl.

So, Clare is officially right on track with all of her development, growing like a weed and talking up a storm and we couldn’t be happier.   

Park Play Days and Guaca-ole Dinners

The weather has really warmed up in the last week; we’ve had record highs the past two days.  Monday was a beautiful day so of course we spent the day at the park taking advantage of the weather and a day off.  Clare absolutely loves going to the park, she would go everyday if she could and would stay all day. 

She hasn’t been as adventurous with the slides lately, but she does enjoy climbing up the cargo net and little rock wall.  She said she would go down the slide if Dada went...

Last week when we were at the park Jeff was playing with her and bouncing her on the bridge and she did NOT like it.  She kept telling him ‘no do that Dada’ but of course as soon as she would step foot on the bridge again Jeff would make it bounce.  I knew just how she felt, I can remember Andrew doing the same thing to me.  This week she wouldn’t even walk on the bridge if Jeff was near it, it was pretty funny. 

After the park this week we headed over to Jack-N-Grill for some dinner.  Clare was such a big girl; she was polite to the waitress, sat in her seat the entire time and even played quietly while Jeff and I talked for a bit.

Did you know Clare loves guacamole, or guaca-ole as she calls it?  No matter where we go out to eat we have to order some guacamole, we know if nothing else she’ll eat that.  She ate all the guaca-ole at Jack-N-Grill.  Who needs a chip when you have a spoon!

Today Jeff played golf; he says it was the perfect day because it was a little overcast but still warm.  It’s the first time he’s played since playing at Thanksgiving in 2010.  I hope he takes more afternoons off and plays, I know he enjoys it. 

Since the weather was so nice we decided to meet at the Platte River Bar and Grill for dinner on the deck.  Clare again was the perfect little girl sitting in her seat, eating well and playing quietly with my wallet while Jeff and I chatted.  

I’m looking forward to more evenings on the deck enjoying the weather and my two favorite people.  

Colorado Girl

Clare is a real Colorado girl, she loves the outdoors and can identify nearly every animal we have up here.   When she picked out her dress yesterday and her new sandals she looked like a true Coloradan. 

I wonder if she’ll want a ‘Native’ bumper sticker on her car someday.

Anywhere Chair

It’s no secret; I am madly in love with all things Pottery Barn Kids.  I hoard their coupons, stalk their sales, and dream of my entire house being decorated with the incredibly cute and classic look.  So, when I saw that the Anywhere Chair was on sale and I had three coupons I jumped all over it and got one as her Birthday present from me and Jeff.

Clare LOVES her chair! 

She wanted Dada to sit with her.

I dread the first time she tips the chair over...