Claudia made the front page of Voices!

Claudia is in pink. She ran so very good and hard. She was very proud.

Claudia was very proud to read for Grandma today after soccer. Smart cookie!

See Pip Point.

Claudia is very proud that she is reading her own book with just a little help. Going upstairs she tells Molly "Maybe I will read you stories tonight!"

First week of kindergarten has gone quite well. She is also starting gymnastics and I think we convinced her to take the Jazz dance class.

First day of kindergarten. Bus picked her up at 12:30. She was really ready to go. She got right on and sat with Noah.

Today at Quassy Claudia was stepping into the Tilt-A-Whirl and she tripped and banged her head real hard against the seat. Much blood ensued.

She was a trooper. The medic there cleaned her up a bit. As we finished Claudia turned to me with her sad face and said "When can we go back on the Tilt-A-Whirl?" So we rode before we headed for the hospital.

We just got back from the hospital and she got four stitches. She was really brave the whole time. No big deal at all. She will look a little banged up for her first day tomorrow.

She also rode many other rides there for the first time and was having a great time.

Claudia had her kindergarten orientation today. She was a bit overwhelmed but she did real well. As we know, she is both introverted and a bit nervous. But she fully participated and had a good time. She had no trouble getting on the bus for their "first ride". Mommy, however, was having a "heart attack".

While working on the garden she told me she was pretty nervous. She thought she was going to get lost. I told her Mrs. Rosa would be there when the bus got to school and would show her where to go. I think that helped a bit. During our conversation Claudia proceeded to tell me all the rules (no juice, what to do on the playground, etc...). She certainly soaks everything in.

She is definitely the youngest there (by a few months maybe) but she fit right in. First official day is on Monday. Bus should be here 12:05 or so.

Barn Buddies. Claudia worked really hard in the barn this week.

Kindergarten (!!) orientation is Monday. So far we know:

1. Claudia will be the youngest in her class, but one of the tallest.

2. She has 13 kids in her afternoon session with 2 aides in the room (yeah, Southbury!!).

3. She will ride the bus with Noah (our neighbor) and she is in class with Taylor.

4. Her teacher will be on leave soon for baby stuff.

We expect to keep on with soccer, dance, and piano. Swimming lessons might take a break.

Claudia has been having lots of fun at Mimi's. She has been brushing and taking care of the horses and she feels real important doing that. Mimi and Claudia sleep in the same room and I can hear Claudia giggling. Perhaps I should tell them to quiet down!

Claudia is telling these stories about her week. Daddy is typing.

We went to Lake Compounce. We went in the water and on rides.

We went blueberry picking.

We went to New York City and we saw a movie and a mouse was on our car! I had a good time with Nore and Huib.

Trying to catch up on pictures.

Claudia did the freestyle and sidestroke yesterday while she was swimming. She also did a good five second float. She can't lift her head out of the water to breathe yet but she is getting better fast. I think the swim lessons this year really helped as she feels really comfortable in the water.

Claudia has been going to camp the past week. It is a dance/singing camp. Our impression is that it isn't exactly "intense". Claudia had a better time the second day. The first day she thought they "did a lot of sitting".

We are certain Claudia will keep her teachers on their toes. She remembers everything and wants to work.

Claudia picked a ton of berries with Aunt Tootie yesterday. We also started to learn a little chess.

Great times in Vermont the past week. Mimi joined us again and this was Claudia's fourth trip to VT. A certain routine has certainly been established. We always go to American Flatbread on Saturday (great, great place). We always go to Two Brothers Tavern. We always get ice cream in Brandon. We always go to the Morgan Horse Farm.

Its neat that she is kind of becoming a big girl. She is a great sister as well.

Julie came over on Monday. Big fun. Claudia thinks Julie is really, really cool.

Claudia had a good time in Pennsylvania. She was definitely Mimi's assistant and helped all over the farm. She was eager to help in the barn and to go on gator rides.

Claudia rode Wendy with just a lead line; nobody walking next to her, and she did good. We also saw Toy Story 3 and both girls enjoyed it, although Molly fell asleep right at the end.

We head to Vermont soon. Claudia's fourth trip.

Claudia's new bed.

We are so proud of Claudia. She had her preschool show tonight and she was Mother Rabbit. She closed the show with a big solo. The teachers were all very proud of her! She had a huge crowd there to cheer her on--Grandma, Aunt Tootie, Mr. Jeff, the Shays, and us. Videos and pictures will be up on flickr soon.

She is a such a pro at this.



It was also the last swim class of the session. Claudia is actually kind of swimming now. She feels really comfortable in the water.