Almost 4

Clara celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday. When she woke up in the morning, I wished her a happy birthday and she asked if we could have cake. Then she wanted her family to come and play with her. Unfortunately, we weren't going to do either of those things at 6:30am. So...off she went to school. When we got there she waited patiently at the director's chair while the woman finished a phone conversation. As soon as the phone was hung up, Clara yelled, "It's my BIRTHDAY!" That got her a big hug and the chance to wear a Happy Birthday necklace. It had big beads and birthday cakes on it. It was supposed to flash too but the batteries were dead. Clara was thrilled. It hung down to her knees but she wore it _all_ day. She was so proud to walk up to everyone and show them her birthday necklace. Jeff and I left work early and surprised Clara while she was out playing on the playground. She showed her dad around the new play structure. We walked by a couple of her friends and she said "hey, henry, hey dylan! did you meet my mom & dad?" It was so adorable. She did it to her friends Mia & Julian too, to the point where she went and grabbed their hands and brought them up to us and said "hey, did you meet my mom & dad?!" So sweet. Emmett spotted us through the window in his room so we went and got him and went inside for a birthday treat. He was thrilled to hang out with the big kids and explore all their fun stuff. I took in mini-donuts with raspberry glaze and we popped a candle in Clara's and sang her happy birthday. She was pretty excited about being the center of attention. There was a little scare afterward when Jeff was reading stuff around the room and realized that one of the kids had a berry allergy. Luckily the exposure was minimal enough he didn't have a reaction. Clara was anxious to get out of there and get home to some presents. She wanted to know who was going to help her get the ribbons off of her gifts. I made her favorite dinner, mac & cheese, and we had some mini cupcakes. Then it was present time. She had a great time playing and opening her cards. At bedtime she wanted to sleep in our bed, so I let her. Happy Birthday, Clara! We'd have had pictures of all of this if the camera batteries hadn't died...