So instead of doing a post every month, now that Clara is 3 years old, I figured I'd post quarterly some highlights.
Clara completed school but missed the last day due to travel to Iowa to visit her cousins and aunts and uncles. She had such a great time meeting with her cousins, she still asks about them every day (fortunately we can show her new pictures of them via facebook). She handled the flight out quite well, no potty accidents and calmly "read" and played with stickers. The flight home was not as ideal, likely due to the time of the flight (very early) combined with the flight being delayed leading to just a few minutes between connecting flights. We literally had to race from one end of the terminal to the other and the plane was more than half-way through boarding. When we arrived to get our tickets scanned, it was just too much to bear, and Clara had a meltdown which resulted in being given a special pencil and coloring book by the airline stewardess (although Clara never got to use it on the plane because the second she was seated she went right to sleep.)
In addition to visiting friends and family, Clara had the chance to visit the Omaha zoo. The highlight for her was riding in a wagon (she's been asking to for a while) around the zoo. Shortly after returning from Iowa, Clara started a summer camp (three mornings per week). Interestingly, her small class has two other Clara's!! (Who knew it was such a popular name? It ranked #199 when she was named back in 2009). She is in the "firefly" group so they made a firefly costume that Clara wears everywhere, even to her violin lessons. Upon returning from Iowa, Clara has been ambivalent about practicing on her violin, often saying she'll do it later but later never comes. Her first group lesson (with two other 3 year olds, a couple of 4/5/6 year olds) went well for the most part. We're not sure how this well turn out for her, but we have worked hard with her just to get through the basics!
In her spare time Clara loves to draw (Jason says she is using shapes in her pictures now), paint, and "read." (She memorizes the book and then repeats it to herself.) She also enjoys playgrounds now more than ever, especially slides and swings. On most days, she goes out for a 30 minute walk (often pushing her stuffed animals in a stroller). She is permitted 30 minutes of screen time (which she usually elects to watch Diego or Dora plus 2 or 3 music videos of the Recess Monkeys or a songs from Disney princess movies).
Clara continues to have a great appetite (and is willing to try most foods) and sleeps well, the real issue though is getting her to bed. She often gets a burst of energy in the late evening (perhaps due to being well rested as she still takes one 1-2 hour nap each day). She is now sleeping in a toddler bed (for the past month now since she discovered how to get out of her crib while in Iowa) and can easily get out of bed. We have to redirect her several times to get back to her bed. We try to take a proactive approach, telling her in advance what we expect, so that she can plan rather than just react. We turn off all the lights in the house and review how it is now bedtime and she can only get out of bed for an emergency (ie. to use the potty).
Clara is learning how to appropriately interact with her younger brother. We try to encourage her to use her words to express when she wants something rather than just taking something from him. She can be tough on him sometimes, but she still looks out for him. If we have left a gate or door (to the basement) open, she'll tell us immediately so we can make the play area safe.
Clara has been asking to visit the beach (she already gets to go to the pool while at summer school) so hopefully next month we'll get a chance to go together (it's been two years since her last visit!). In preparation, she has been keeping a running "Beach wish list" which includes flip-flops and a beach ball. She knows she can't get everything on her wish list, but it's fun to write things down together.
