Claudia has had a definite routine to going to bed since she was 8-9 months old. I have to say it has worked very well. She never wakes up or complains. It is certainly her routine.

1. Bath or "tickle shower". Dry off in very specific routine. Put on pajamas (must include socks).
2. Mommy (and only mommy) detangles hair.
3. Brush teeth.
4. Give Molly kiss and hug. Give Daddy (or Mommy) kiss and hug.
5. Run to bedroom.
6. Pick out three books to read.
7. Lay down next to crib with white blanket. Mommy or Daddy next to her with blue blanket. Only recently has Claudia allowed Daddy to do this part.
8. Read books. Usually Claudia reads them to us.
9. Crawl into bed. Arrange "friends".
10. Cover with 2 blankets. Turn on fan, turn off light.
11. Tell two stories, maybe three. I always tell Cinderella. Wait about 1-2 minutes for sleep.

In the morning she crawls out of bed, stands in the middle of the room and goes "Mommy?, Mommy?" and waits for us to come upstairs.

We are back from our family vacation at Lake Dunmore in Vermont. Claudia did lots of swimming, eating, and playing. This was the year of "I can do it myself".

She stayed for three nights at Mimi's cabin. She was a very big girl. No problems at all.

More pictures and stories posted soon.

Claudia has big muscles.

Claudia is auditioning for a job in Uncle Tyler's restaurant.

Lots of new pictures posted to flickr.

Day four of complete potty training is going well. Claudia has been making it fairly easy.

Last night we went to a Carnival with some friends and got home a bit too late. Claudia definitely likes her bedtime!

Claudia had lots of fun playing with Kerry and Margo on Sunday. She talks about them ("And Elizabeth!") a lot. She was very polite and waited for everyone to sit down before starting her lunch. She tries hard to be a good girl.

Claudia is beginning to really enjoy acting out plays. She can do the whole Backyardigans Volcano Sisters episode. She is also starting to "act" with the other Backyardigans. So if you notice that she is talking to "Pablo" be aware that you might be playing a part in a play at that moment.