Claire didn't care for this look...

Right after I stopped recording, Claire asked Matt to take off the hat and mustache!

Claire's birthday fiesta

Claire really loved the singing Ariel card from Uncle Greg. We had to hide it in order for her to open up her other gifts.


Getting help from Grandpa Dennis


Claire playing with her cousins!



Opening her awesome easel from Grandpa Dennis and Pamma. Claire is holding her puppy from my cousin, Stephanie. See the other dog in the photo? I love that Nappie always has to get in on the action!


Me and Allie with her hoodie on since the evening was the slightest bit chilly!


Matt getting into the theme. Claire is staring at his fake mustache!


Happy Birthday to Claire! She was singing it loudly, a memory that I don't ever want to forget!


Matt and I snuck off with Claire for one quick photo!


Kids playing in the yard. The lawn looks lush, right?


Score! Kids cleaning up the treats from the pinata!


This is the swing that took it down! Way to go Gavin!


Maddie wasn't afraid of this pinata! It must have been the flowers on it that made it less scary! I think that I spent at least 10 hours making that thing!



Dane in his mini sombrero! I wish we had a pic of him when he had the mustache on with it, we laughed soo hard!



Yummy desserts, thanks Pamma (and nice photo Chris Newton)!

Claire the starlet

Claire always makes sure to wear her hat and sunglasses when she leaves the house. She wore them in the Park District child care center for the full hour. The people there were calling her a starlet! She loves her little puppy in the purse, which is another thing that she doesn't like to leave the house without! The puppy seems to be named Nappie, but sometimes it's Melody. Hmm, interesting!

Uncle Chris with Allie

Allie's first wagon ride

It started adorably. Claire was singing and holding Allie's hand. It ended miserably! I made the mistake of taking the dog and going too far, so by the end, both girls were in tears. I had to hold Allie and Claire was "surfing" in the wagon!

Pamma and Grandpa with Claire and Allie

Auntie Jilly's Birthday!

I love this one! Claire is holding up Jill's new workout shirt, so you can barely see her on Jill's lap!
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Allie with Papo

Reading program complete!

Every time that Claire completed 80 minutes of reading, she got to pick out a sticker from the library. There were 12 different stickers, but as you can see, Claire really like the jester and the frog! She picked them out 3 times!

Clairey O'Larrie with Grammie

Allie (almost 9 months) and Claire (2 year) stats

On Monday, both girls had their routine doctor visits. Claire had her 2 year appointment and Allie had her 9 month. After the visit, Claire had a meltdown in the parking lot and wouldn't get into her car seat, but for Dr. DiMaggio, they were angels! I took Claire to the Glenview Dairy Bar for a treat after the appointment. Here are their stats:

Claire
Weight: 30# (75-90th %tile)
Length: 35.5" (90th %tile)
Head: 49 cm (75-90th %tile)

Allie
Weight: 18# 4 oz. (50th %tile)
Length: 29.5" (> 95th, off the charts for the first time!)
Head: 43.5 cm (5oth %tile)

Comments from a toddler!

Whenever we hear an ice cream truck, I point it out and tell Claire what it is. For some reason, she thinks that it is a cupcake truck! It cracks me up when she hears it and excitedly claims, "cupcake truck momma!"

Claire turns 2 = 2 days of celebration!

On Aug. 8th, we had a very small pool and pizza party. That night, we went to Moretti's with the Welke Family and they came back for presents and desserts. On Aug. 9th, we went to see Aladdin and have brunch at Walker Brothers with Grammie and the Welke's.

Playing with Maddie at Walker Brothers after they enjoyed their "Kiddie combo" brunch! (Aug. 9th)
We saw Alladin at the Marriott Lincolnshire. The girls were great and really enjoyed it!
Trying to get a shot after lunch of me with my 2 year old!
We came back to eat dessert and open a few gifts after our dinner at Moretti's with the Welke Family. (Aug. 8th)
Claire and Maddie loved the musical tea and cupcake set from Gramps, Gram, Lyssie, Cayle and Cooper.
Claire really enjoying her chicken fingers from Moretti's. We took advantage of their special on Mondays, which is that kids eat free!
Claire, Maddie, and Uncle Matt at Moretti's bar while they got our table ready! I don't think that they would have fooled the bartender. I love how Maddie looks like she's ready to order up a drink!
Happy Birthday Claire! We love you so much! You are such a silly, smart, and sweet girl!

Picking raspberries with Papo

Looking for the very, very, red ones!
Straight into her mouth! This is why her basket is always empty!

Allie's turn for the special hat!

This was all Claire's idea. That's probably no surprise! I love Allie's expression below!You can see Claire's arm in the bottom of the shot!