Birthday girl

Our Clara bean is four years old!  Sweet girl is growing up.  She's entered a fun new level of maturity -  expressing herself more clearly and in funny ways, more tenderness and snuggly-ness, more creativity and just sheer fun to be around.  She loves baby animals, especially puppies, and is such a loving big sister to Ezra (too loving at times :)  She still adores Carlton and has such a special relationship with him.... so fun to see them growing as playmates and friends.  She's still pretty fearless when it comes to attempting athletic feats.  At the same time she is starting to embrace some more classically feminine things like painting nails and wearing nightgowns.  We love watching her grow and couldn't love her any more!

Her birthday morning began with a birthday banner and pastries from our special bakery.  Then a gift that Carlton had picked out for her (some of his very own Legos :),

and a little gift from us, some polished gemstones we'd gotten her from the Natural History museum in DC.

The day continued with normal, sweet family activities and a few more gifts from family far and near.  She delighted in her special day for sure!