Three and a half and they know it.
Clara loves to do anything art- crayons, markers, paint, collage- you name it- she wants to do it. She continues to have her own style. She loves to get dressed in the morning - including picking out her clothes, which as of late involves mismatched socks on purpose. She doesn't want any help getting dressed and is so proud of herself. She could wear dress up clothes all day including gowns, several tiaras, sunglasses and jewelry. She enjoys dancing, doing yoga, and jumping (and makes sure to tell everyone "I can jump high." If someone got Clara a drum set (please don't) she'd worship them forever- she tries to play drums with crayons, silverware, and sometimes, drumsticks. She is potty trained during the day- loves to pee by herself and poops on the potty. She is very funny about pooping and so proud she loves to tell everyone about it "hi, I went poopie on the potty," is often the first sentence one hears out of her mouth. She loves books and tries to sleep with piles of books and one can catch her just reading if she is by herself. She likes to look at the pictures and make up words that go along with them. She remains sensitive and when she does something wrong, she gets upset right when Mommy or Daddy look at her to discipline her. Clara's had a great attitude despite having to deal with several ear infections, the removal of tubes and tonsils and next week, a new set of tubes. She's missed parties and school and been a very brave girl.
Emma loves to play "Mommy" to her babies and sing to them, feed them and take very good care of them. She loves to dress up and walk around in her dress up shoes and dresses. She likes to try and write her name and draw pictures of people. She loves doing the Yoga Kids dvd and loves to do all the poses. She loves tv and could watch Bubble Guppies, Barney, Calliou, Dora or really anything that is on, all day if someone let her. Emma likes to try and read books- and has memorized some of them and can "read"full stories. She has been into "mixed up" words lately and likes to make up words for songs and speech and thinks it is really funny. Emma enjoys putting on makeup and once it is on, she doesn't want to take it off- if there is a party, she begs for lip gloss. Nothing beat the picture of Emma after she has applied makeup herself- blue and pink all over her face. She prefers to wear footie pjs. She's potty trained during the day and has really done a great job of telling someone when she needs to pee. She even poops on the potty sometimes, but sometimes in her pull up - but she is going- not all the time, but more than before- so that is significant progress. She is very sweet and caring if one of her friends is crying or if Clara is sick.
They both love school and talk about it, their friends and teachers all the time. They act like sisters and fight about everything and whatever one has, the other one wants- even if they already have the same thing.
Both of them adore anything princess and if they are dressed up, want to be addressed as "Princess Clara," or "Princess Emma." They enjoy playing in the their castle too.
The nap is a tough subject because they still need it. On days they don't take it, they are miserable in some ways and in some ways it is a smidge simpler. If they don't nap, they rest and watch tv but they if they go in the car, they fall asleep, plus they whine, are overtied, don't listen and often have accidents. But usually, they go to sleep a bit easier. Plus, they don't have that after nap cranky transition (more Emma than Clara). Getting them to nap is difficult because they think they are missing something and recently, Emma can't stop talking and won't let Clara rest. It is probaby a transition, but usually, the car solves all problems.
They both prefer to snack over eat. Mommy took them off of milk and it seems to have helped as Emma is pooping- but whether it is actually related, who knows?! Clara could eat yogurt all day, everyday. Emma will try more things than Clara, but generally doesn't finish it.
Testing limits is a team effort for them. If Clara did something, she claims Emma did it and vice a versa. They've decorated rooms with colorful cheerios to "make it beautiful," spilled all their food on the ground and made a swimming pool in the bathroom. Emma is the leader on these experiences, but Clara helps her out. They both listen to Daddy more than they listen to Mommy and don't do some of their usual shtick with him.
They are both taller and have longer hair (and more curls). Their smiles are bright and they are very happy kids.
