Time flies so quickly, another three months has passed since last updating on Clara. Clara has re-started preschool for the school year. She loves her preschool but is not a morning person so getting her up to go to school can be a very big challenge. At night, even on nights when the lights are out by 9 PM, she will spend another hour or more reading to herself in the dark. She loves telling stories, even if her brother is fast asleep and the only listening at that point is her.
The family recently returned to the beach before the end of summer. Clara was better prepared this time and enjoyed spending time playing in the sand, and even got her toes wet in the water. Unfortunately, she got a little too brave and was knocked down by a wave and didn't want anything to do with the water after that episode. Clara remains a hesitant around pools as well. She was willing to get her feet wet, but wouldn't actually climb into the kiddie pool. We're hopeful her aversion will grow more distant and maybe in a year to try to teach her swim.
Clara attends preschool three mornings a week. The other days she goes to the library, ballet/tap class and violin practice. Practice starts up twice a week starting next week (we had a month off of the group lessons) so that means fewer days that I have to practice at home with her! (It is not easy practicing the violin with a 3 year old who would rather be playing with her toys on some days, but there are days she surprises me and practices without any coaxing and does her very best. Jason says that's typical of 3 year olds).
Clara continues to sleep well and eat well and for the most part is completely potty trained, with only rare nighttime accidents (usually related to whether or not she goes to the potty before going to bed). During our beach trip she slept in a bed rather than a crib, so for our coming fall trip we're thinking of getting her a sleeping bag so she can use that when we're staying with friends.
One major development has been her drawing style has progressed to the next (Lowenfeld) stage! She now draws round figures with faces. When asked who it is, she replies, "Mr. Potatohead." He does look like a potato too! (lol).
Her favorite TV shows/characters are currently Elmo and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, as well as Rosita Fresita (My little shortcake). She isn't allowed much screen time (mainly on the ipad as we don't have TV), but she may soon have enough attention span for a movie! Not sure what we'll show her, but a friend gave us a Winnie the Pooh movie that seems like a great start. I can't wait to show her my favorite movie, the Sound of Music. She already knows a few songs from the movie.
Looking forward to Halloween, she's not sure what she wants to be yet, but she insists he doesn't want to be a princess! (Although she may change her mind before then ;)
