Full of Sunshine

In other Clara news, we can report that she is both waving and clapping up a storm. Apparently, she and her little friend "John-John"* spend a fair portion of their day waving to passersby at the door to their room, and greeting all who enter with mad flapping of their arms. If Clara so much as hears "hi," or "bye-bye," she is waving. She will not, however, as of yet, wave for the camera, and so, Dear Readers, you will have to imagine this utterly charming site. Oh, she is full of sunshine! And it is not to be contained.

And clapping! Today, after Julie had nursed her, and the Birds were settling in for a nap on the big bed upstairs (Clara on top of Julie's chest all tucked up), Julie opened her eyes and happened to find Clara propped up on her elbows. Clara's face broke out in a huge smile and she clapped for all she was worth. Fans, it was darling, and Julie smiled, but snapped her eyes shut lest Nap Time turn into Clap Time, and soon enough Clara conked out.

As usual though, she popped up right at three, and was raring to go. She found Julie's nook, with its cover open and bent back, where she then discovered and pulled out the Little Gym summer schedule of classes that was folded in half and tucked inside the nook cover. She was HUGELY pleased with herself, and even more so when she unfolded it! She was very much all "Check. It. OUT! Check ME out--!!!!!" By this time, Ted had come on the bed, too, and the Bird was spinning all about in a valley of blankets and climbing up its sides, toting the Little Gym brochure as she went. We have no picture because one is loathe to break such spells, you know? Again, you will have to use your imagination to picture one B. Bird's delighted face as she clapped and cavorted.

But we do have video from Friday! We were actually trying to record her waving, but got some clapping instead! (We also got some great footage of Berenice.)

*Remember when Joe was Joe-Joe? Apparently doubling up on the boys' names that begin with J and are one syllable is a popular thing among the teachers at KinderCare.