Clara turned THREE awhile back.

Clara's cake is supposed to be Rocket.  From the video you can see she isn't too sure about the whole Happy Birthday thing.  She warmed up when it came to present time.  Talmage made her birthday crown.

Clara.  I feel to expound on the delights and challenges of Clara at this age.  Clara has zest.  She chatters unceasingly.  She is outgoing and friendly.  She'll ask strangers, "What's your name?" -- tho' she clams up when they ask her the same question in return.  She is super stubborn and if she decides she's disinclined toward a given parental demand, no amount of threatenings will ensure compliance.  In fact, she'll do just the opposite.  For example, in response to "Clara, don't touch that!", she will slowly shuffle toward the off-limit object and reach out her hand, shrewdly watching your blood vessels rapidly engorge and pop out of your skull, as she deliberately disobeys.  She will melt in your arms if you promise to scratch her back, but it must be on her bare skin.  She likes things "just so" -- her rain coat must be snapped up, all the way to her chin, with her hood on, even if it's not raining.  I know whenever I put any jacket on her, it must be all the way zipped or buttoned up, from the get go or I hear all manner of objections and complaining until it's set right.  When she's super happy, she walks with a wide-spaced gait and gallop.  She's really proud about being able to dress herself (when she feels like it) but if she doesn't feel like being independent or helping to clean up, a common excuse is, "It's too heavy for my hands."   She likes to ride her big wheel, push dolls in a stroller, squeeze the living daylight out of Miles, and play with her playgroup friends.  They dance and play hide-n'-seek.  She loves helping out in the kitchen.  Above all, she adores peanut butter and honey sandwiches, cut into triangles, and eats them 9/10 times for breakfast and often for lunch as well.  But make sure you plate the triangles "just so".    One could compose an entire post on Clara's methodology of eating a PB&H sandwich.

We love you so much, Clara.  Happy Number Three.