Happy 4th Birthday Clara

Happy Birthday to my sweet Clara. Every mother says this, but where did the time go?! Four years old sounds so old! I think it really hit me when I went shopping for Clara and realized I could now shop in the 'girl' section at stores to buy size 4/5. My baby is not a toddler anymore! :( Although saddened to see my 'baby' grow up, I am blessed to see her blooming into a beautiful little girl!

Clara is such a sweet girl. She is very thoughtful, kind and loves her family. She also is in LOVE with all animals, especially with dogs and horses. I asked Clara what kind of birthday party theme she wanted and she quickly said, "My Little Pony!" This is fitting for the year's theme, since she was My Little Pony for Halloween and loves her ponies and barn to play with at home.

On Saturday, Blair and I decided to take Clara out for a special birthday outing just the three of us. We left Elias behind with his auntie Ty. Clara thought it was pretty cool to have all of mom and dad's attention. We went to Build-A-Bear in hopes of making our very own pony. Clara has never been to Build-A-Bear, so this was a special treat. Upon getting there the staff greeted Clara with a birthday sticker and we started to look for the perfect animal to make. Unfortunately they don't keep stock of the horses in the stores, so we had to settle for the second favorite animal in Clara's book...a dog! She picked out a Jack Russell Terrier to make. She LOVED watching her doggie get stuffed and was able to do the heart ceremony (rubbing the heart on her nose, so the dog 'knows' her, holding the heart to her heart and kissing it before putting it in her doggie). We did upgrade to the pulsing heart, which pulses like a real heartbeat in the dog. SOOOOOO cool! Clara then went to give her dog a bath and then on to name it. She said her dog was a girl and named is Leslie. Blair and I aren't sure where Leslie came from, but that's what she picked! :) She's been sleeping with her dog ever since. She told us she was going to be the best owner ever! Ahhh melt my heart! I told you she was sweet!

On Sunday (Clara's actual birthday), we had a family party. We decorated My Little Pony style with pink and purple streamers. Daddy even picked up a few balloons...one being a huge pony balloon! Clara was in heaven! We had a wonderful time celebrating with family. Clara's response after we all sang Happy Birthday to her was, 'Ah thanks guys!' :) :) :)

We are so excited to see what the age of 4 brings. We are sure to be kept on our toes at times, but I anticipate lots of heart warming memories as well! Clara has been saying to me recently, "Mom...will you be my best friend forever?" If that question is any sign of the 4's...I'm going to LOVE them!