Now and then

A year ago today, we got the water table out for the summer and, by coincidence and similar weather patterns, we got it out just last Sunday for this year. (The water table is probably the best thirty or forty bucks I've ever spent on a toy and everyone should get one. We love this sucker at our house.)

Last year, Claire looked like this:

(And, a year ago Kyle looked like this too.)

This year, she looks like this:

Taller, longer hair, less of that cheeky baby face. Three-and-a-half versus two-and-a-half. (That green dress hits her well above the knee now.) Charlotte continues to hit milestones almost every week it seems, but they've really tapered off for Claire. She walks, talks, feeds herself, and has been out of diapers for more than a year. She put on that bathing suit (the bottoms are inside-out, but whatever), she brushes her teeth, combs her hair (not very well), puts on her shoes and socks (but never on command). She's been in her big girl bed for more than a year.

Her language skills have ramped up considerably since last spring and her ability to critically examine, think about, and connect distant dots on various topics surprises me on a daily basis, but she's pretty much self-sufficient. She plays Fruit Ninja on the Kinect. She rides a bike (with training wheels). She can pump her legs on a swing.

She can buckle her car seat. She never rides in a stroller. 

She's such a big girl. I really have no idea what this next year will bring. I mean, she's pretty awesome just as she is right now. It'll be hard to top, but I'm sure she'll manage.

Comments

[PinkieBling]

I swear she looks two years older, not just one! Wow, what a gorgeous little girl (both of them, actually!). Looks like it's going to be a fun summer at your house. :)

[HereWeGoAJen]

She's getting so big!

[Lauren]

They are both so adorable, but I really can't believe how big Claire has gotten! So grown up.

[Jesabes]

I didn't realize there was such a big difference between 2.5 and 3.5! She looks so grown up.