Claire is Five!

Last week we celebrated Claire’s birthday but she didn’t actually turn five until Monday. Every birthday is exciting but this one has been particularly important for her. She knows that once she turns five she can go to kindergarten. Daily I hear, “When can I go to school with my sisters?” Of course that won’t come till August but she did get to go to the doctor and get her kindergarten check-up yesterday. She was nervous because I warned her she would have to finish off her immunizations but she was equally excited.

She breezed through all the tests and examinations. Then when the nurse came in with three needles she got a little uncomfortable. She looked at me and I reassured her and held her hands. She was so brave. She never cried and only said “ouch” once on the shot they gave her in the backside of her arm. I was so proud of her! She got a special prize package from the doctor, which made it even better. Of course I had to treat her to a slushie and some gum afterward but that is the fun part.

Our Claire is growing up. She has always acted older than she was, but now it is hitting me that it is really happening. Another little one will be going to school. Claire is such a sweetheart. She loves to give everyone in the family lots of hugs and kisses. She is super enthusiastic about everything. There is no doubt that she is my dreamer. She is someone or something new every day. She loves to have her picture taken and dance around the house. She is one smart cookie too! All my kids have been reading their easy reader books by kindergarten, but Claire was reading them at the beginning of this year and has moved on to harder books already. The craziest part is that I didn’t teach her. My time is stretched thin and I haven’t been as good with her as I have with the others. She taught herself! She pushes me daily to sit down and listen to her read. She is doing great! We love our little Claire and although she gave me a run for my money as a toddler, she is an amazing little five year old!