Going, Going, Gone!

Clare's new fascination includes taking off her pants.

In a similar fashion to a former "Going, Going, Gone" post,

here's the progression.

Going...

Going...

Gone!

Oranges and Orange Juice

It's orange (tangerine, clementine, tangelo, etc.) season!

Nearly every home has some type of citrus tree, and there are oranges all over the ground during this time of year.  I like oranges alright, but I would take Michigan's apple season over Florida's orange season ANY day.  Seeing as that isn't an option, and we'll continue paying a premium (upwards of $3 a pound) for mediocre apples, I will embrace the plethora of oranges.

Phil juiced several dozen tangerines and oranges,

so we enjoyed freshly squeezed juice for a while.

Clare, too, has come to enjoy her daily dose of Vitamin C.

Before eating them, she organizes them perfectly on top of her cup.

Naturally.

Cheese!  Yes, that is Clare saying, "Cheese" while eating oranges.

This "cheese" face is her new thing, so you'll probably see more pictures with this pose.

Timber

Clare is not unique in that she's an 18-month-old who loves blocks, but these blocks are special.  For one, they are Discovery Toys (duh!)...(Check out the link), but each block has a touchy-feely side, and they tell the story a typical day (starting with "Good Morning" and soft pajamas and working up to "Sweet Dreams" with a fluffy pillow).  As we build the tower, we're essentially reading a book, looking at pictures, and experiencing different textures. 

How's that for multi-tasking?

She typically stands in front of the tower until I say, "Timber!"

"Timber!"

If you want to order these blocks, I will give you 10% OFF your entire order.  Check out my website,

and let me know if you're interested in anything!

Hodge Podge

Life has been full lately!  I recently replaced the word "full" for "busy," and I've been embracing (at least trying) the fullness.  This post has no theme or order; rather it shows some of the random happenings of the past few (full) weeks.

This is Clare's drawer.  All of the other drawers have child-proof locks, but we left this one "open" for her.  She knows that this is "her" drawer, and she enjoys emptying it (usually more than once) on a daily basis.

She doesn't really like riding "in" her car seat, but she loves playing next to it.  I can't figure that out.

Phil is doing the "REALLY excited face" (created by Clare) after purchasing our new mini-laptop ("notebook" or "netbook"...I can't remember the official name).  The behemoth next to it is our seven year old, ancient laptop.  With only an 18 GB hard drive (most computers now have AT LEAST 160 GB), it could hardly load pictures anymore.  Hopefully I'll be able to catch up on blog posts.

Clare was fascinated with the manatee bones while touring the manatee viewing center with our play group.

Clare is one of the youngest girls in the play group. 

Does it look like she wants to be with the big girls?

My highlight of January was spending a long weekend with a dear friend from college.  Sara came down from The Windy City to spend a few days in The Sunshine State (athough the sun didn't shine for 95% of her visit).  We went to Busch Gardens, and it took her a while to muster up the courage to feed the flamingos.  The other six pictures I have of her visit show her coming closer, and then closer, to extending her hand to the hungry birds.

Even with a full schedule, we feel blessed and happy.  I celebrated my 29th birthday on the 11th, but we don't have any pictures of the occasion.  Phil had the day off, and we had a great day together.  I trust that my last year in the twenties will be the best.

Be The Change

MMy parents did something very special for Christmas!

In lieu of stuffing our living room with presents this year, they gave us each the gift of giving.  We were all presented with a check and a "challenge" to share the money that we were given.  After a few days of thinking about how we wanted to "pay it forward," we all shared our intentions of how we would give our money away.  Ann gave to a Women's Center in Afghanistan...with whom she has some personal connections.  Chris gave to a young boy, in his practice, who needs help with medical expenses after losing part of his leg in a boating accident.  My mom gave to a friend who dedicates several months a year serving in Mexico.  My dad gave to a friend who runs the local recycling center in our hometown.

Phil wanted to give to the homeless men and women who we see within our community.  Instead of giving them money, he used the money to create bags full of food.  We keep the bags in our cars so that we can pass them out when we see a homeless person.  Here are some of the items that we used:

Phil's conveyor belt

A couple of the finished bags.

Corrie gave to a friend who is in the midst of a long, expensive adoption process.  After years of infertility, she and her husband are hoping to adopt from Ethiopia.  Clare gave to the Little Red Wagon Foundation.  A young boy from our area is walking across the country, with his wagon, to raise money for underpriviledged children.  Check out his website: http://www.redwagonfoundation.com/ or watch this video on Good Morning America.

We are so blessed, and I can't think of a better gift than blessing others.  Thank you, Mom and Dad for "being the change!"

Plumber Girl

I really don't know how to explain this situation.

I ran to the nursery (thus leaving my toddler unattended for a matter of seconds) to grab Clare's towel (yes, that can go in the handbook for "Great Parenting Tips" by Corrie and Phil).

Apparently, her bath toys weren't adequate for water play.

She REALLY wanted to know what was inside that black hole.

I was REALLY afraid to know what she found.

After she lost interest, and I snapped some quick pictures,

I scrubbed her down with FRESH water.

Does this mean she'll be a plumber?

How Big is Clare?

SO BIG!

This has become a new trick to get Clare to smile for the camera,

so many of her recent pictures have her hands in the air.

This wasn't for the camera.

This book just says, "Reach up high, baby."

She follows directions!  :)

SO BIG...SO CUTE!

"Brusha, Brusha, Brusha"

Ever since Phil and I made up a song (many months ago) for teeth brushing, Clare has loved that time of day. 

In Michigan, it became a family affair.

Yes, we actually made up a song.  :)

Winter Wonderland

Now that we've been removed from the COLD and SNOW for a few weeks, we enjoy thoughts of a winter wonderland.

Despite moving like an Oompa Loompa, Clare loved being the snow.

I suppose that we perpetuate the Oompa-Loompaness when we squish her cheeks togeher.

It didn't take her long to sample the snow.

Snow Angels

Our computer is really acting up, and this simple post took over 45-minutes.  It may be a while before I'm able to post again. 

From SHORTS to Snow Pants

The week before Christmas was warm...

with typical Florida-like weather.

We went to Busch Gardens,

and Clare went on some of the rides for the first time.

Grandma Hillary rode on the carousel with the thrill-seeker.

Clare was fascinated with the stilt-walkers.

Grandpa helped her scale the walls.

Daddy showed her the orangatans.

She practiced her princess wave while riding the tractor...

how's that for an oxymoron?!

She enjoyed playing outside...without a hat or mittens.

THEN...we went to Michigan.

We quickly learned that it takes 15 minutes to prepare

for a 10 minute trip outside.

Ever since we've been back in Florida, it has been COLD!  We've had record-breaking temperatures...with several nights of frost and below-freezing temperatures.  Brrr!  Every night, for the past week, Phil has crawled into bed saying, "I wish we had an electric blanket."  Seriously, an electric blanket in Florida.  This darn global warming.