Mommy's birthday present was getting pictures taken. It took awhile to happen as we got moved by rain two times. But the pictures turned out great.

THREE DESSERTS! - Claudia LOVED the buffets :)





Johnnie Rockets was a big hit in Vegas with their dancing waiters and hats! She couldn't believe she got to take it home with her. The turtle Grandpa got her at the Shark Reef and the hat from Johnnie Rocket's were the first things she wanted to show Daddy when we got home :)

Claudia: I'm three and half, I'm not even afraid of ghosts. By the time I'm four I won't be afraid of anything.

Claudia had such a wonderful trip to see her Grandpa. She was up at 4 am to catch the plane and was truly giddy the ENTIRE day. She did an amazing amount of stuff in 2 1/2 days and wondered if we had seen EVERYTHING in Las Vegas??? Not even close :)
Some highlights of the trip included the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, Circus Circus, Johnny Rockets restaurant, the buffets (with their unlimited desserts) Grandpa's pool and of course the windy bridge!!
The pool at the Trump was really nice too. Mommy loved snuggling with the girls in their big bed/lounge chairs.

It has been Patriarch week for Claudia. She had a great trip to Las Vegas to visit her Grandfather last week. She went out to dinner, played in the pool, and had lots of fun in the really nice hotel room. She was a great passenger on the plane.

This weekend her Uncle Mark and Aunt Joan visited and she really had fun with them. They both related to Claudia and Molly very well, despite seeing them so infrequently. They should open up a preschool.

Claudia is off to Las Vegas for her big trip to visit her Grandfather. She called tonight and told me all about it.

"Daddy-the hotel--they have a phone in the bathroom!!"

She said she is really tired and is going to bed as soon as they eat, "but its still light out". She was a really good traveler says Mommy. I am sure she is a huge help for everyone. Its nice to have such a good 3 year old.

Miss her lots!

Claudia had lots of fun at the cross country meet yesterday. She ran with the girls, did lots of dancing, and even drank from the water jug.

But best of all she rode the bus for the first time! And she sat with Julie! Claudia said she talked "the whole way home!" but she let Julie talk "just medium". Very exciting stuff for such a big girl.

Claudia seems to be enjoying preschool a lot. I think she likes doing all the crafts and getting to play. She plays with the girls and "some of the boys, maybe two of them".

She started dance again and was so, so, so excited that both Miss Jonelle and Miss Rachel were teaching the class again.

She has a new teacher in swimming (Miss Colleen) and is trying many new things. She jumped into the water from the side at the last lesson. We are still working on getting our head under water.

Claudia has a big couple of weeks ahead. Mimi visits next weekend, she heads to Las Vegas to see her grandpa the following week, and her Uncle Mark and Joan will be here when she returns. Popular girl!

As you can see from the clustrmap we get some visitors. If you are a regular visitor we would love if you say hi again in a comment. Who are you and where from? Good thing for Claudia to look back on.

Claudia is off at preschool! She got off just fine. Very excited to start.

We are practicing our questions for her. Trying to avoid "How was school?"

Claudia had fun today at the Labor Day parade in Newtown. She liked getting up for candy and listening to the bands. She is such a good three year old girl. Afterwards we went to the Zamary's and she swam in very cold water but she had a lot of fun.

This is a big week for Claudia: swim lessons, preschool on Friday, and dance starting again next Monday. Definitely a growing and changing girl. We can't wait to see how school transforms her. We think/hope we found the right place for her unique set of talents.

Three girls. Two popsicles.

Claudia is off at a movie with Grandma and may stay over night, I think Monique is with them as well. Should be fun.

Tomorrow Claudia should go running with me and the team. She has been asking to run "on the road". I think she thinks thats how the big kids do it.

Claudia got her haircut yesterday. She took about three inches off. Still long, but a bit more managable.

Claudia has been a really good sister, but we can tell she needs a break from Molly now and then. By the end of the day she starts to get worn down pretty good. It will be nice to get back into a routine again with her.

Today Claudia and Daddy went out for a special dinner. Claudia got dressed up very nice and even wore here special bracelet that Aunt Pat gave her. She was very excited to go out "just by herself!". Sometimes we think she needs a little time away from the Molinator.

She had pizza and coconut ice cream. The ice cream made her happy. She remembered that she had it at the Indian Restaurant last year!

Claudia is a very polite date and lots of fun. It was a special time that we really enjoyed.

Claudia won a free game!

Claudia just returned from her big trip to Virginia. She spent three days in Williamsburg catching up with the SanFanAndre/Box family at the reunion. She got to meet her great-great Uncle Ralph and Aunt Jane.

She also had fun at Busch Gardens. Her favorite rides were the TeaCups and she also liked the floating balloons. But she probably liked the German band and dancers at lunch time the best. She got to eat that meal with her whole family.

One really fun thing was taking the ferry from Delaware to New Jersey. We got pretty far out in the ocean for this ride.

Claudia got to spend two days with Aunt Pat who "spoils her rotten" thats for sure. We went swimming with Pat and she took us to the beach. This was the first time they had seen each other and they are now super-buddies.