Anna Claire is 4 1/2 :)

I did a photoshoot for Madeline's 3 month birthday today, so of course Anna Claire wanted one too for her 4 1/2 birthday!

Our photogenic little girl!

I love this smile and sweet face.

Favorite.

Looking less like a baby and more like a little girl.

We're working on an art project where we need a cut-out of her with her arms up. These were our attempts.

Cutie pie.

I'm an artist like Daddy.

Today Anna Claire was doing some artwork and said, "I see pictures in my head and I have to put them on paper. I'm an artist like Daddy."

:)

First Time Christmas Caroling

Not counting the times she sang carols for dance at nursing homes, this was the first time Anna Claire or I went honest-to-goodness Christmas caroling. I define this as bundling up and enduring the cold, walking from house to house and singing in a group.

We went with our small group leader and their kids, and some of the teachers from The Red Barn.

We did it up right with hot chocolate, lots of layered clothing, song books, and "candles" to light our way. We froze, but it was worth it!

AC and Lucas - small group buddies!

I want to go to Signature and Walking Horse.

Anna Claire is without a doubt her Meme's grandchild. She has that same caring spirit and always wants to do for others. I wish I could say the same about myself, but I am more selfish than I would like to be.

This morning before church, Anna Claire had a giant stack of papers that she had already plowed through, with art complete on each one. I said, "You sure have been busy. What are you going to do with all of that art?"

She said, "We can take it to people who don't get cards for Christmas, like Signature."

I asked her if she'd like to go somewhere like Signature or Walking Horse, and she said, "I want to go to Signature AND Walking Horse."

So that is on our agenda tomorrow! So proud of this little girl with her servant attitude at such a young age.

The Nutcracker

After seeing how much she fell in love with this nutcracker, I bought her a little one as a souvenir. She's carried it with her everywhere today. She told me this afternoon she wants to marry the Nutcracker one day and that he will turn into a prince just like he did for Clara. :)

I can't tell you how much fun it was to watch Anna Claire at The Nutcracker Ballet. She was beyond thrilled to go to the ballet and to watch her facial expressions during the show was priceless.

I told some friends we were taking her and they worried she would be too young to enjoy it and that it would be boring for her. Not the case at all! She loved every part of it. I am so glad we made the choice to take her this year. In fact, I can't imagine a more magical age than this age...the age where Santa and the Easter Bunny reign supreme. The Nutcracker is right up there for her now.

Grandma and Freddie took us and it was a wonderful trip and experience. They even rented a van so we could all ride together. It was all so thoughtful. We loved sharing this special night as a family.

"Billing Statement Enclosed"

Anna Claire and I were in the kitchen making cherry Jell-o when out of the blue she said, "Billing statement enclosed."

I just turned and looked at her and said, "Why do you say that?"

She pointed to a piece of mail on the counter and said, "Well that's what this mail says right here, see? 'Billing statement enclosed." It's right there!"

Oh yeah, she can read anything. I forget sometimes!

Ellie's Birthday...On Stage!

Ellie's family created a stage for the girls to perform on and they were able to use real microphones!

I really thought Anna Claire would be too shy to get on stage, much less to perform. Boy was I wrong on both counts! She really belted it out and knew all the words to both songs!

All girls dream about being a star on stage and today their dreams came true! Thanks Miss Bracey!

AC has tons of makeup at home, but she has never done makeup with her friends before. They had a ball.

We just let them go to town with it. Why not? It washes off. ;)

So cute to watch them. I'm so glad Miss Lisa made me go in.

Not sure how well you can tell from this picture, but Bracey made little nail polishes out of marshmellows and microphone cake pops. The ice cream cone for the microphone's base was filled with skittles. So cute!

Here's the food spread. She made star-shaped pizzas since our girls got to be stars today!