So it\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve posted, and since we have run a thoughts for Thursday.\u00a0 And since it is my Claire Bear\u2019s 3rd Birthday, I\u2019m going to mix things up a bit.
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What am I cooking for Claire\u2019s Birthday?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em> Today I am baking cupcakes.\u00a0 I\u2019m making two batches (thanks to Betty Crocker!), one GF and the other plain old delicious chocolate.\u00a0 A big batch of icing on top and I\u2019m sure both will be fantastic.\u00a0 I purchased a cupcake tree back when Gianna turned 3, and it has been a great investment.\u00a0 Cupcake trees look great on the table and are a simple way to make cupcakes appear fancier.\u00a0 When asked what she wanted on her cake (I usually let my kids pick a design), Claire said, \u201ccandles.\u201d\u00a0 Nice!\u00a0 We are ordering pizza for dinner.\u00a0 And I\u2019m making a big salad and a GF pie for all those gluten-challenged members of my family.\u00a0 It should be a great party later this afternoon.<\/p>\n What are the birthday plans?\u00a0<\/em> <\/strong>Grandparents and some Aunts and Uncles and Cousins will all make the short trip for dinner and a party.<\/p>\n What are my prayer intentions for the day?\u00a0<\/em> <\/strong>For a friend struggling with a difficult pregnancy.\u00a0 For my sister who hit her due date today and is awaiting the birth of her baby.\u00a0 And for my Claire, on her 3rd birthday.<\/p>\n What does Claire like to do instead of watching TV?\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> She LOVES to draw, learn, and go on any outing.\u00a0 When forced to stay home, she loves to play with her dolls, tea set, and kitchen toys.\u00a0 And, of course, she must join in any games the bigger kids are playing.<\/p>\n What does Claire like to read?<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Fancy Nancy, Curious George, and books about Anansi a very naughty and tricky spider.<\/p>\n How does Claire make my life easier?<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 I love her independence.\u00a0 I love how she makes me laugh and smile every day.\u00a0 As my most spirited child, she is up for almost any task, and already has an opinion about most things.\u00a0 I also love her hair and sense of style.\u00a0 Both are big, wild, and adorably cute.\u00a0 I love her kisses and snuggles before naptime.\u00a0 She reminds me daily to parent each of my children as individuals, and to snap out of manager-mom mode. What am I getting her for her birthday?\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> Boots.\u00a0 This girl works the boots.\u00a0 I bought her a pair of brown boots with fur and she is going to love them!<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" So it\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve posted, and since we have run a thoughts for Thursday.\u00a0 And since it is my Claire Bear\u2019s 3rd Birthday, I\u2019m going to mix things up a bit. What am I cooking for Claire\u2019s Birthday?\u00a0 Today I am baking cupcakes.\u00a0 I\u2019m making two batches (thanks to Betty Crocker!), one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":734,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-children","category-motherhood"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nHow does Claire challenge me?<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 She is a 4th child with the personality of a 1st born.\u00a0 Her bold independent spirit and strong will make her a top-notch tantrum thrower.<\/p>\n