Laowai

Claire’s birthday is so close to Mother’s Day it makes me think of motherhood and childhood and growing and time. Lately I’m always asking Claire to speak up. I think it’s a combination of my hearing being bad and of Claire being a quiet mumbler. My girls are turning from little kids to big kids and it feels strange to me. But it’s also good times because they are more independent and they say smart funny things. Claire is into her friends and stuffed animals and peel off face masks and washi tape and an app called Tiny Tower. She likes to eat tortellini and nectarines. Brian calls her Clarence, but she doesn’t like that nickname. She also doesn’t like the Simpsons. She likes the color purple and she gives me great hugs at night that I suspect are just a tactic to stall her bedtime. She is a sweatheart.

For her birthday she requested a trip to the trampoline place. And chocolate cake. She wanted a big panda from IKEA. And I made her a little cardboard slice of watermelon because she is also into all things watermelon at the moment.

Nine!