Monique and Claudia

Monique and Claudia, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Buddies

Summer Update

Claudia is swimming a lot and having lots of fun.  Upcoming there are trips to Vermont and Virginia.  She spends a lot of time playing with her sister.

Claudia likes books, watching TV, playing with her friends and ice cream.  She can run forever.

Golfer

Claudia went golfing for the first time with mommy, Mimi, and Molly.

Bridging Ceremony

161, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia is now a Brownie.

Exercise

Level 3. Working hard.

Making Rockets

We know how to make rockets now.

Claudia recital

Still a Favorite

Picture 003, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

First Grade

Claudia is finishing up first grade!  Soon she has a piano recital and lots of Daisy Scouts activities.  She is pretty excited to be a Brownie next year.  Her piano playing is getting much better and she practices most every day.

She really likes American Idol and watching science/nature shows.

April Vacation

And we are off!!!  Heading to NC to visit our friends Lisa, Jacob, Ryder and Willy.  Quick pitstop overnight at Mimis.  Lot's of fun :)  Gator rides, horses and yummy waffles.

Then southward we headed.  Lot's of fun at the parks and playing basketball.  Claudia was taking Molly and Ryder to the hoop!!

Big Girl

016, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Springtime

Claudia is doing really well in school.  Daddy got to be the mystery reader at school the other day and that was super fun.

This spring Claudia will be doing soccer, tennis lessons, piano lessons, and Daisy Scouts.

USATF-CT

011 a video by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia won the 60m (12.82), long jump (4-8) and finished 3rd in the 400m (1:47) at the USATF CT championships. She did really good. She was nervous but got better and better as the meet went on.

Scary Pool

Jumper

IMG_0455, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

OOps

Claudia likes to drive the Gator here at the farm.

Today it was driven into the woods.  Everyone fine, a little bruised up.

Tooth

Claudia's tooth is hanging by a thread.  We really hope it pops out today.  This will be the second tooth.

Beautiful Girl

028, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Daddy's date.

The Girl Scout dance was so much fun.  Claudia looked beautiful.  She danced a lot with Daddy and her friend Taylor.  The dance had a chocolate bar.

We went out for ice cream and had a great night.

Claudia had a wonderful time at her Daisy Scout rock climbing event!  She was able to earn her Brave and Courageous Petal! All the girls started out slow but by the end of the hour, they were all ringing the bells at the top of the climbs!  They were amazing.  Claudia said her favorite part was coming down.  Definitely in the plans to do again some time soon!

Pool Birthday Party

Christmas Day

Aunt Susannah

Having lots of fun as Aunt Susannah visits.

Things Claudia Likes

Making stuff
Writing and Reading
Running
PBS Documentary
Silly Jokes
Macaroni and Cheese

Skiing

Claudia had a ski lesson at Southington yesterday and spent many hours going up and down the mountain.  She was the fastest skiier on the mountain, now she's one of the slowest now that she knows how to turn.  She is very good on the skiis.

Monique came as well and Claudia had a good time skiing with her.

Sisters

180, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

This will be one powerful ski team very shortly.

Skiing

Daddy: Claudia, you were going pretty fast?
Claudia: I was ZIPPING.
Daddy: On purpose?
Claudia: Well, no..

Camera

Claudia got a camera for Christmas and loves taking pictures.  She is currently teaching Molly how to use it.  And having Molly pose "just pretend I'm not taking your picture, keep playing with your toys".

Merry Christmas

, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Flight of the Bumblebee

Christmas Story

Dear Molly,

I hope you have a wonderful christmas time.  I hope you have joy on christmas.  I love you.

Love,

Claudia

I Love Mommy

Santa

Claudia had a great time with Santa.

Snow White

Claudia and Molly had a great time going with Grandma to see the play Snow White.

Crazy Girls

109, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Thanksgiving

Laugh

First Tooth Lost!

Happy Thanksgiving

022, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

ShowMe

Snow

It snowed about 12-15 inches on October 29.  We still don't have power and could be out for a week or more.  House down to 49 degrees today.  And its Halloween!

Claudia and Molly spent the night at their cousins.  We love watching them play Dance, Dance Revolution.

My Rowing Trip

I went to Penselvanya and we went rowing.  And we had fin.  I went with my ansowSosana mommy and Daddy.  Thar was lots of lilepads. and thar is a rode be hind the lac and in front of the lac.  And I sole losove fish in a groop.  We went in a litle secrit pasnig way and only kiyaks and canows are only olawd in becase it is shallow.  The pepel cod not see us becase we war behind the trees.

Game Night

171, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia liked having lots of adults to play games with this past weekend.

The Beach

037, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia likes it when Uncle Mark and Aunt Joan visit. We went down to Long Beach to see them at their NY place. Claudia had lots of fun.

Daisy Scouts

054, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia started Daisy Scouts with several of her friends. Their first field trip was to March Farms for apple picking.

Lunch

We got lunch! Chicken nuggets was the official first lunch.  Claudia had a lunch buddy to help her through the line and everything went fine.

There is "no way" we are getting pizza since the line is way too long, so macaroni and cheese might be the next entree.

Mac and Cheese

Picture 009, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

We still like Mac and Cheese.

Claudia seems to be adjusting to first grade. She is pretty tired when she returns from school. We haven't gotten lunch yet.

Good run

Claudia came to practice at the Bridle Trail today and ran 3 miles in 40 minutes.  Pretty good for a 5 year old!  She runs really well.  Then she went to soccer where she scored a couple of goals.  Now she is resting for her cousin Lauren's birthday party.

First grade is going well so far (we think).  She almost has bought lunch or milk.  She can't quite get over her nervousness to get in line.  Soon....

Farm Girl

069, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

First Grade

121, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

So Big! Claudia started her first day in first grade with Mrs. Macharelli. We think we had a pretty good day. We might even order the school lunch tomorrow.

Woohoo

IMG_1253, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia rode the Wooden Warrior at Quassy. Its really, really fast. Trust me. A little scared, but she did it!

All the girls are off to Cape Cod. We have been without power for 5 days due to Hurricane Irene. School has been cancelled for four days and we thought it best to get them out of the no power house.

Boat

119_0575, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia had an extra treat when Aunt Susannah took her for her first canoe ride as a paddler. She did really well.

Fun

119_0538, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Kerry's House (not really)

IMG_1169, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

22 Miles

IMG_1140, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia biked 22 miles today! We are on Cape Cod visiting her Great Aunt Judy. She did so super good on this ride!

Letters

IMG_1102, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

I gave Claudia an email extension (it attaches to my mail) so she can practice writing and reading messages. Let me know if you want to be a pen pal.

Claudia and Taylor

Claudia and Taylor, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Still buddies.

Yankee Game

IMG_1053, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia went to her first Yankee game yesterday. She sat through a rain delay and had gotten there for batting practice so by the time the game had started she had been waiting four hours. Best kid ever.

And then the Yankees hit a home run in the first inning! Claudia got so excited.

Handstands

Claudia did a handstand in the pool yesterday.  Today (rain permitting) she is going to a Yankee game.  What a life!

Museum

Its really hot today.  We had a lot of fun going to New Haven and going to the Yale Art Museums.  Nice and cool and the girs were really good.  Lots of fun.

Dinner

IMG_0866, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

When we went to dinner at the Waybury Inn there was no power. They set up lots of candles. It was a nice dinner and the first time we went there. Claudia really liked that they had nachos.

First Boat Trip

IMG_0905 a video by brandtsch on Flickr.

Vermont

117_0415, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

XC

pictures 024, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

2/5 of the 2023 Pomperaug XC Team. I like Molly's eyes. Focus!

Riding Lily

pictures 102, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia loves taking care of the horses.  She rode twice and spent about an hour in the barn every day brushing and feeding.  Big confidence booster.

She also drove the Gator all around.  She's very proud of that.

Last Day of Kindergarten

IMG_0646, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Today is a half day and the last day of kindergarten. Very exciting. Such a big girl we have.

Gymnastics

Claudia loves gymnastics. She is really strong.

Little Peter

pictures 076 a video by brandtsch on Flickr.

Kindergarten play.

Mac and Cheese

Claudia had a fun time tonight cooking dinner.  She choose Macaroni and cheese and we made it from scratch.  She wanted spinach with it.  She did a great job.  It was very good!

Powerhouse Team

pictures 006, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is coming to a close.  Claudia has her play this Wednesday.  She's a fish.

She hits the wiffle ball real well.  I don't feel too safe pitching.  She can smoke it.

Smiles

pictures 110, a photo by brandtsch on Flickr.

Claudia has been enjoying the visit from Mimi this week. She even took a train to NYC! She was so excited for Mimi to visit and see her at gymnastics and to get her off the bus.