Clara

Today is Clara's birthday!

She is our 20th grandchild and 8th granddaughter.

She is a very important part of this large family.

And, of course, a VERY important part of this family.

I wrote about Clara on her birthday last year in this post and visiting there will take you to more links that show how Clara has changed through the years and reveal lots of interesting facts about what an awesome little girl she is!

So I'll just share a few pictures here showing her growing up

and talk about what's been going on in her life during the past year.

First of all she's gone from 5-day-a-week morning preschool

 to 5-day-a-week all day kindergarten - an adjustment that she's made very smoothly.  She enjoys and is dedicated to completing her homework every day.

Then there are the chickens.  Clara has loved them from when they joined the family as tiny little chicks and she loves them just as much now.  Of course she knows all their names and special habits and checks on them regularly. 

Also this year she got eight inches of her hair cut off again which she donated to Children With Hair Loss again,

she got her ears pierced,

she has totally embraced and loves swimming,

she spent the Christmas/New Year holidays in Gulf Shores

with her large and extended family,

and she got some very special news.  Clara is going to have a baby sister next spring.  Nothing could be more exciting to this loving and nurturing little girl than this.

So, it's easy to see that Clara has had a very eventful year and she's looking forward to lots of good stuff ahead but there's lots more that I need to tell about her.  First of all she's the sweetest and most loving little girl ever.  

She's artistic and likes to make posters celebrating whatever is going on in her life.

She loves Little Ponies and especially Rainbow Dash which explains the rainbow theme she chose for her birthday this year and she appreciates everything anyone does for her.

including the very special rainbow cake her mom baked just for her.

And she's smart, athletic, sweet, and thoughtful.  (She's already made up a list of supplies her baby sister will need next spring.)  So, Clara, we're wishing you the happiest birthday ever

 and a year only half as great as the many, many more to come.  We could not love you more or be more proud of you!  Happy Birthday, sweet girl!