A "DORA" BLE Birthday

It is no secret that Claire is a huge Dora fan. It is not uncommon to hear, "I want another episode of Dora". Where she learned that I have no idea? I don't talk like that! For her birthday, she insisted on using the rest of the Dora Christmas wrapping paper because she loves it.
Her favorite gifts included a Dora jumprope from Paige (to replace the one that Santa brought her that Paige broke in a tug of war the next day) and a Dora dancing video complete with dress-up outfit, dancing mat and maracas!

Feliz Cumpleanos!

Happy Birthday Boo!

Three years ago last Friday, Linda Claire Vincent joined our family. What an amazing day! I know it was a bittersweet farewell in Heaven that day as Claire's Grandma and namesake kissed her goodbye & passed her through the veil into her daddy's arms.
Shortly after Claire turned one, we sold our home in West Jordan and moved to our current townhome in Riverton. It was here that she learned to walk, talk and most importantly to her, swim!

She is such a sweet little girl. I am so proud of what she has become and what she will be. She is a great snuggler and wants nothing more in life than to be Paige's shadow. Today at three years old, her favorite things include, milk, Cheetos, Dora and her Woobie. She is so happy to go to nursery on Sundays with her super cute teacher that she just loves!! She also can't wait until fall when she can start ballet to become more like a Paige clone!

For her birthday this year, we let her choose where she wanted to go to dinner as a family. Clairey-Boo wanted birthday pancakes so we went to JoHanna's kitchen and she was thrilled! We had a party last night at her Grandpa's with all of her cousins. She loved being the center of attention and was sad that it ended!

LC, we hope your birthday was great! We all love you! Love, Mom, Dad and Paige

A new toaster

My schedule is crazy. Anyone who knows me, knows that I keep crazy hours but it works for our family. I will admit though, since I started working graveyard shifts, my girls have some new found freedom in the late mornings. Somehow, sleeping in until eleven isn't late enough!! Paige has been really good to play little mother, she makes Toaster Streudels for breakfast in the mornings while I am still in bed. She loves being a "mom" so I allow her to do it, plus I get ten more minutes to snooze.

Yesterday, her toasting skills got put to the test. We had received an awesome letter from our cute nephew in the MTC. I had gotten online in our bedroom to write a Dear Elder letter back to him to let him know how thrilled we are that he is doing well. As I was typing, I could hear the girls playing in the kitchen, but wasn't concerned about them. Next thing I know, Paige comes running into my bedroom telling me I had to come with her. Now she does this often and it is usually something like, where is my green Polly Pocket purse, or check out this commercial, so I told her to wait. She continued to nag at me until I finally left my letter to see what the hub-bub was about. In the kitchen I see Claire sitting on the counter, next to the unplugged, smoking toaster. I also see two Kraft singles wrappers and a loaf of bread. Paige takes me by the hand and says, "You have got to see this!" I look into the toaster to see both slots full of melted cheesy goo. The burnt smell filled the kitchen. I looked back at Paige to get angry and she just looked up at me with those big, beautiful blue eyes and said, "I'm sorry, I was just trying to make some cheese toast!"

Needless to say, Paige got a big hug for being so darn cute (& clever) and we bought a new toaster.