Getting so old

Despite the title of this post and the fact that last weekend was Daddy's birthday (and we wish him the HAPPIEST birthday ever), 

"Getting so old" really refers to our little Claire Bear.  It seems like all of a sudden, she's so grown up and learning things out of nowhere....like that keys unlock all sorts of doorknobs.  We've never once showed her how to do this....especially considering we don't even have a key to this door.  One day, she took our car keys, walked over to the door, and did this...

Our little grown up also carries her own wallet around (containing her YMCA and library card).

She takes US on walks around the neighborhood.

And tells us all about her friends at the park.

That she just loves chasing around (even though they're much older and faster than her).

She still does an ok job keeping up though.

She knocks for neighbors...

And finally poses for pictures...."CHEEEEEESE".  

She's even started to drink out of a big girl cup!  (Which I have a video of her doing but for some reason, it won't upload...I'll keep trying.)

The big girl still knows how to have some fun though.  She makes us laugh by climbing into tiny baskets.

Look at me mom!

Ok, enough laughing.  Get me out of here.

She also loves playgrounds.  Lucky for us, there's an amazing playground a few minutes from home, called Smith's.  They have a huge 3 story indoor playhouse seen here.  You can just imagine the number of toys in this place.

Outside, there are 3 football fields full of outdoor play area.  We didn't get pics of all of it but here are a few.

Claire couldn't decide where to start...and understandably so.

So she had a seat in the train while she thought about it.

For some reason, she loved this thing.  

 Daddy spun her around a little bit.

 She got pretty daring and tried to climb out in the middle of her spins.

 Couldn't get out below so she tried climbing out from above.

After finally figuring out how to jump off, the little cutie pie made her way to the swings.  

To spice things up a bit, she now throws her body backwards when she goes forward....and then forward when she goes backwards....makes Mommy a little nervous she'll flip out....she hasn't yet.  Phew.

Besides going to the playground, the social butterfly LOVES going to the park...especially with Daddy.

She doesn't stop talking/yelling/laughing the whole time.

Can not believe how fast our little girl is growing!  We're loving every second though :)