CLAIRE IS SIX!

Oh my baby girl! My sweetest, second baby girl…I can’t believe that Claire is SIX. Man. Time! If “Time” were a real person (although I always write about it like it is), I’d give her a talking to right now — because, Ms. Time, I blink and you’ve changed my babies again. 🙂

Six-year-old Claire is unbelievably creative and so, so thoughtful of others, but I think the thing I want to remember most about Claire right now is how patient she is. Her entire last year – and even through today – has been a test of her patience. Sis was ready to go to school last year at 5-years-old but of course she couldn’t, so she waited. Finally she can go to school (!), but kindergarten in Utah is only half-day, so for most of the day, she waits again to really stretch her independent wings and fly. However, since the kindergarten curriculum isn’t really stretching her mind, that, too, is stretching her patience. She’s right in the middle of three sisters with big personalities that, again, often test her patience! I admire my Claire. I’ve written this in every birthday post about her since she was born, but her peace giving nature is a gift to our family. Her patient nature – her ability to stay calm in chaos, to love and serve, to help when help is needed – I love her.

We got to celebrate our darling girl when cousins were visiting last weekend — we hit the pool! Olivia had the same birthday at 6-years-old, actually (we were visiting STG over her birthday that year!), and it was fun to re-do this party. You have a treat, the kids swim, and voila! Everybody’s happy. 🙂 Claire requested donuts for her treat this year…

So donuts is what she got. I didn’t realize this until I was assembling that donut cake at the pool, but Olivia wanted donuts at her little birthday party, too, this year! 2020 + birthday donuts. Clearly it’s a thing for us. 🙂

I was so hoping we could throw a friend birthday party for Claire this year – she has made so many sweet friends since we moved here! – but COVID threw its wrench again, so we soaked up our family instead. And it was just as good! Constant cousin time still feels like a novelty to us. We are so grateful to have our cousins so close.

These smiles on her face…Claire is just as gritty and competitive as she is docile and sweet. Honestly she is one of those surprising people, where there is literally more to their personality than meets the eye. At first interaction you’d call Claire quiet and calm, but spend a bit o’ time with her and you’ll get some strong sass and pizzazz and it is THE BEST.

I count my sweet Claire’s comforting and loving and giving presence and friendship in my life every day as one of the greatest blessings God has given me. I am so grateful to be her mother, and to know that come what may, we’ll be together for forever.