Graduation Day!!

Yesterday I graduated from my Preschool-3 class! On my last weekly progress report, I kept my perfect streak in tact with all "O's" for "Outstanding" in every category.

My teachers said I was a very good student, and they think I will do very well in the fall when I move up to the Preschool-4 class.

Next year I am going to be in a different class than my two boyfriends :( This is me with Connor. Connor and I are great buds. My other boyfriend, the Italian Stallion Francesco didn't want to have his picture taken with me. He's a bit shy...

This is my good friend, Evie. She won't be in my class next year, either. She is starting kindergarten in the fall! Good luck, Evie!!!


Mrs. Engle is an outstanding teacher. She is SOOO nice and loves to sings songs with us.










Mrs. Cardenas is another wonderful teacher. I will miss the great books that she read to us.

For the last day of school, we sang four songs for our families. I was a little shy at the beginning - I just stood there and looked pretty for the first two songs. I finally broke out of my shell for the last song. Give me a few seconds, I promise I'll start to sing!!! (Oh, and Francesco is on the left hand side of the line - he is wearing the long sleeved green shirt and dark pants. Isn't he dreamy?!)


I am VERY sad that school is out for the summer, and I'm not sure that I understand why we need such a long break. I do have a few summer camps lined up, though, so I hope that will keep my mind off of the fact that I miss school!
I'm even going to miss the tree stump on the play-

ground. Everyday I refused to get into the car to go home until I performed a show for everyone.

I wouldn't have been so shy to sing for the families if we had performed on my tree stump stage!!

Thank you for a great semester, St. Paul!! See you next fall!

Claire Cowell

People had warned me that Claire Cowell was the toughest American Idol judge. That didn't stop me from auditioning.

I performed my heart out. At the end of the video, you'll see her cold reaction.

My Baby Sister

People keep asking Mommy if I like my baby sister.

I don't just like Claire. I love her.

97%

Mommy is very proud of Claire. She earned a 97% at the doctor's office yesterday at her 5 week check-up. Mommy is a teacher and says that 97% is a great score.

Claire is in the 97th percentile for weight for baby girls her age. She weighs 11lbs, 14oz. That's quite a gain from the 8lbs, 7oz she weighed at birth!!

Since we have to lift up Claire's cheeks to position her car seat straps, we knew that she'd earn a great score in the weight department. The doctor said that Claire is very healthy and is a 'dream' baby. Mommy said that I was just like Claire when I was a baby - chunky and dreamy.

Congratulations on your 97%, Claire!!

(keep reading - we created TWO posts today!)

Hoppy Easter...a little late!

Mommy apologizes for the delay in our Easter post. We are a little bit busier now since Claire arrived...I'm not sure why :)

Claire and I loved the Easter dresses that Grandma Betsy bought for us. Don't we look beee-yooo-teee-ful (that's how I say that word!)

A few days before Easter, cousin Drew came over to our house to decorate eggs. He had funny face eggs and I had princess eggs (big surprise). Even Claire shared in on the fun with us :)

Waiting for the eggs to take their color bath is REALLY difficult!
Aren't my princess eggs just lovely?

I made a yellow egg for Claire to match her shirt. Yes, it's even important to color coordinate your Easter egg to your outfit.

Our egg masterpieces

Claire wasn't able to help us too much, but she did stay awake for about ten minutes (maybe because Drew and I are just a little bit loud when we're together!) That was a record for her at the time!!

We woke up on Easter morning to see that the Easter Bunny had left us lots of great goodies! This was my basket. Even though I'm afraid of the Easter Bunny, I do enjoy what he leaves me!

This is Claire's very first Easter basket. She seems to really likes the pacifiers that she received!

I think that Claire liked the doll that Grandma Diane and Grandpa Al sent...

Sorry, Mommy. The Kidz Bop era of your life has just begun!

Claire waited patiently for me to look through my basket before I showed her everything that was in hers.

Look, Claire! The Easter Bunny brought you a rattle!

Let's see if the dress from your basket fits...
After a lovely morning at home, we headed over to Nana and Joepa's for an Easter dinner. This was a VERY rare quiet moment from that evening. Don't we look beee-yoooo-teee-ful?

We spent the previous day at Grandma Betsy's house for another Easter dinner. It was yummy AND we had an Easter egg hunt.

I love welcoming spring with Easter. We get to see lots of family, have lots of fun and get lots of cool toys and candy. I hope you enjoyed your first Easter, Claire!!!

Pretty in Pink and Brown

Mommy hasn't started dressing us in matching outfits - yet. I think these two pink and brown ensembles are 'gateway' outfits, though.

Stay tuned. If Mommy is already dressing us in the same color combinations, matching outfits can't be too far off...

Welcome to Claire's Lair!

Being the generous and wonderful big sister that I am, I decided to share my blog with my little sister, Claire. Charlotte's Web is now

"Charlotte's Web and Claire's Lair."

You can now follow both of our adventures in one place - lucky you!! :)

To introduce Claire to the world of blogging, I let Mommy upload one photo of just Claire. It was taken by the seriously talented Jessica Barnak. There are more fantastic photos (some of me, too!), but we're going to wait a little to share those. We don't want to give too much of a preview before birth announcements are sent!!

Welcome to the internet, Claire!!

Dr. Charlotte, Pediatrician

I have been very busy the past few weeks - not because we have a newborn in the house, but because I've been earning my medical degree in pediatrics.

Mommy thinks it is very convenient to have a pediatrician in the house now. She says we're saving a lot of money on co-pays (should I tell her now about my medical school bills??)


It was time for baby Claire's 3 week well check, so I checked her blood pressure and then decided that she needed a shot. Don't worry, Claire, I am a trained doctor. This won't hurt a bit!!

Your heartbeat is strong! That must mean that you love your big sister very much :)


I proclaim you to be healthy, Baby Claire.

Dr. Charlotte's prescrip-

tion for staying healthy - get lots of sleep (Mommy likes this prescription, too!)


As your doctor, I can recommend my comfortable big girl bed to help you get a good night's sleep!!

Walk This Way

It was such a beautiful day today that I suggested to Mommy that we take Claire out for her first walk with the pugs.

It took about 30 minutes to get everything and everyone ready, but soon we were on our way!!

Claire fell asleep before we even left our property!












For the first half of the walk, I held Trixie's leash while Mommy pushed Claire and walked Emmet. After awhile, I grew tired of waiting for old lady Trixie, so I asked Mommy if I could push the stroller.

I needed some help steering straight, but I think Claire enjoyed my driving!

Whew! This is quite a workout!!

Introducing: CLAIRE ABIGAIL

We definitely felt the luck of the Irish this year!

My little sister, Claire Abigail, was born on St Patrick's Day, March 17th at 9:36am.

She didn't beat my weight of 9lbs, 2oz, but she was close. She did arrive 3 weeks earlier than I did, though, so if she had stayed put longer, she would have beaten me! Claire was 8lbs, 7oz and 21.5 inches long.

Daddy said she gave one little cry when she was born and then was really quiet the whole time she was being checked. She hasn't really said much since!!

After going to my St. Patrick's Day party at school, Nana drove me to the hospital to meet the little baby I'd waited so long for - this was my first meeting! I had a quick talk with her about my job as her big sister.


Minutes after she was born, Claire received her 1st pink fashion accessory - an adorable knit hat given to her by the hospital. While I LOVE pink, I think they should have given her a green one for St. Patty's Day!!










It took Mommy about a day, but she was finally able to stand up and hold my baby sister. Here is one of their first photos together!


Here's Daddy with his two little girls. Start looking for pink karts and racing suits, Daddy!










After three days in the hospital, we were ready to go home!!

Don't let my expression fool you - I was very happy to take my sister home, but spending all morning in the hospital wasn't the most fun activity in the world for me!


The ride home was exhausting for Claire. She decided to take a nap in her new princess throne.











Night night, Claire Bear. Sweet dreams.


Sniff sniff, snort snort.


Let's go Penn State!!

Is it too early to teach her the Penn State fight song?!


Why do you look so scared, Claire? I promise I won't drop you - I learned how to hold you properly in my Big Sister class!




I also promise to snuggle with you and protect you.


I promise not to hijack too many of your photos!


I promise to keep you warm with your blankie, and if you're good, I promise to share my Cinderella dress with you when you're bigger.


I promise to keep your hair looking beautiful, even when you don't really have any.












I promise to teach you all sorts of fun things.


Everyone says that Claire looks like Daddy. We're still not sure about that, but we do know that Claire already has Daddy wrapped around her finger, just like I do!!


Welcome to your world, baby Claire!! We love you and already can't imagine our lives without you!!!!