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This has to be one of my favorite pictures of Claire.

Heirlooms

I used to make my 8th grade students write an essay on a family heirloom; it didn't need to be anything valuable, just something that had come from a previous generation and had a story attached to it. I wanted them to actually have a meaningful discussion with their families and get a better sense of their family history. This week I've been reflecting on how much fun it is to share some of our family heirlooms with Claire.

In the picture below, she's reading a book I won from the Boise Public Library in 1981 for reading the most books over the summer. (I know, you can tell the nerds early!) She also enjoys looking at the pictures from one of my favorite books on horses, a remnant of my horse obsession days. We even have a few books that my grandmother gave me! (Thanks mom for saving those!)

In the picture below she's about to climb on a bench that my parents passed on to me. They got this bench when we lived in Mexico City. I have many "fond" memories of dusting it's many spindles, and I can't wait for Claire to have the same chore!

What we do when it's -5 for the third day in a row...

We set up the water table in the garage and fill it with warm water!

Claire's Top Ten List

At 21 months, here are some of the top items in Claire's world:

1. Lollipops--aka "Oh boy! Pop!" The trip to Puerto Rico started this addiction which we are trying to wean down to one or two a week.

2. Her blanket--aka "dee-dee."

3. Swinging. When we go to the park it's all she'll play on...I think she'd swing for hours if I had the fortitude to push her that long.

4. Raisins. Does this count as a serving of fruit for the day?

5. Barney. Not just the video either. I am now reduced to singing the theme song at all times in places. What was I thinking introducing her to that purple dinosaur?

6. Giving Hem treats. The routine goes like this: Claire says, "Hem cookie." So we get a doggie biscuit (I've convinced her humans don't eat these). As soon as he's eaten it, I hear, "Claire cookie" meaning now she gets her treat too.

7. Her new sippy cups: As seen above, she has taken to carrying at least one everywhere.

8. Reading Books: Her favorites involve animals, lifting flaps, and picture albums.

9. Snuggling: She does love to cuddle, especially after waking up.

10. As of the past two afternoons...NOT NAPPING. Please tell me she's too young to be giving up her nap completely!

Winter Activities

We've settled back into our normal routine the last few weeks. The last two weekends we've taken advantage of all the snow we've had this year and gone cross-country skiing. Claire lasts about an hour in the backpack, though the part she dislikes the most is getting all bundled up!

Yesterday we skied at Mount Haggin ski trails, about 1 1/2 hours from our house. We love going here for the uncrowded trails, great conditions, and "The Soup Shack" located across the road. They've expanded to more of a "Soup Lodge" this year, but the amazing soup and desserts haven't changed...it's pretty easy to talk myself into a piece of pie after skiing (and all the effort it takes to get ready to ski with a toddler!).

After we did a loop with Claire, Nate skiied some more while I pulled Claire in the sled.

Brief Trip Summary

It's hard to summarize all the adventures of the trip to Puerto Rico--starting with being stranded at the Bozeman airport for 8 hours before we'd even left, missing all our connections, and having to stay overnight in Atlanta! Once we finally got there, we certainly enjoyed the tropical weather, beautiful scenery, change in culture, and time with Nate's family. We stayed at a beautiful, small hotel right on the beach in close proximity to Old San Juan, the more fast-paced Condado strip, and Nate's extended family--the Marvels. Some of the highlights included a trip on a catamaran out to some small islands for swimming/snorkeling, sightseeing in Old San Juan, big dinners with the Marvels, eating some authentic Puerto Rican food at Bebo's restaurant, Nate's fishing trip for tarpon, our daily rum drinks/happy hour on the patio, and a quiet day at the beach called Pinones (known to Nate's family as the "Crazy Lady Beach" from trips there when he was growing up and a crazy lady would wander around hitting herself on the head with a stick--she wasn't there this time.) Claire loved the extra attention of her cousins, Tia and Bruce, and Nema. Seeing the cousins play together was a highlight everyday.

Claire handled all the new situations well. She thrives on new adventures, places, and people. The hardest part is actually reigning her in. She wants to race around the airport, climb ladders on boats, jump into swimming pools, race into the street, run right into the ocean--all regardless of whether we're with her or not. On the days we actually tried to schedule a nap, she couldn't even settle down enough to sleep and would just lay in the pack and play jabbering away. Of course, the fact that her diet seemed to largely consist of lollipops, candy canes, and raisins probably didn't help matters.

We commented this morning that in 2008 we'd visited the Pacific Ocean in Washington, Atlantic Ocean at Cape Cod, and now the Caribbean...wonder what adventures 2009 will hold? Happy New Year!

Slideshow Puerto Rico