Partying is hard sometimes...

Our family celebration for September birthdays was today. It was really awesome; laid back and relaxed. I tend to think of Clara as old enough to handle long stretches of excitement like I do... not so! Alex is out of town, so I was on my own getting everything ready and packed for the long (haha!) trip to Mamaw and Papa's house. Got her up around 8:15 (she was actually already awake, reading her book in bed and repeatedly kissing Elmo :), eating breakfast and heading to the store. She was yawning before we even left, so I knew I had to make it fast. Remembered I had to go let Alex's mom's dog out for the morning, so we ran and did that, then hit Albertson's. We cashed in the pop cans, which Clara just loves! After doing some quick shopping for the things on my list (ripped in half by the little peach!) I remember I have to refill my perscription... TODAY. So we have to wait while it's filled, then the checkstands have some long lines, and our quick trip turns into an hour and a half. Clara is a trooper through it all. We scoot home, I put her down for an immediate nap, make the food that I need to for the party, and sit down for something to eat myself. We go to the party around 3, which means Clara skipped her nap. Once inside Mamaw's house, Clara sees her 2 month old cousin Maggie, and is so excited she SQUEALS!! Scared Maggie half to death and she starts crying, which in turn makes Clara a little upset. Poor thing! All night was a great time of showing off her new walking skills, sitting in her cousin's bouncy chair (fun!) and eating big people food. She didn't ever get a nap in, but she really kept her composure as best she could. Inside was pretty busy, so when she got fussy, taking her outside to sit on her blanket and eat a banana seemed to help a lot. When it was time to go home, she snuggled in her car seat with her new Aflac duck (thanks Auntie Holly!) and her blanket, and was asleep before we even got off my parent's driveway. Parties are fun, but they sure take a lot out of a little party girl!