More On Animals (Live Ones!)

Claire with Kingston & Sheffield (her cousins' dogs) in St. Charles, IL

Claire is gearing up for her 3rd Walk for Animals on Sunday, September 9.  Unlike her younger sister, Claire's efforts are focused on live animals.  Her passion for animals continues unabated, and visiting the MSPCA is still one of her favorite after-school activities.  She's also nuts about our dogs, Ollie and Hugo.  Every morning she exclaims - as if she hasn't seen them every morning for the last four years - "Mom!  they're so cute and sweet, aren't they amazing!"  She also continues to insist that Ollie would make a great husband (if people were allowed to marry dogs.)

Although Claire is the instigator, we'll all do the Walk together - despite Jane's dismay at learning we don't keep any of the money, and Margot's annoyance that Claire has gotten "way too much attention" for being featured on the MSPCA's website.  If you happen to love animals, too, or if you have some money left for your charitable giving this year, Claire would be thrilled if you can make a donation.

A-hunting We Will Go

Jane:  "Mommy, I have a really great idea."
Me: "What is it?"
Jane:  "Let's go hunting for dead animals."
Me:  "Did you say dead animals?"
Jane:  "Yes.  We can go in the woods and hunt for small dead animals.  Like chipmunks."
Me:  "I am not sure I want to do that."
Jane:  "No, Mom, it will be so fun!  If we find some small dead animals, then we can bring them back and stuff them up.  Then we can play with them!  Like stuffed animals, but real."
Me:  [Silence]

I can't help but wonder whether Jane is secretly related to The Bloggess - I love them both, so it makes a weird kind of sense.

Further Updates from Margot

This drawing by Margot was captioned "Claire is an Angry Pig."  It might be a follow up on this (slightly more detailed) written report.

Know Thy Sister

At Margot's birthday dinner last night, we were all commenting on what an extraordinarily cheerful and outgoing baby she'd been.  After several anecdotes were shared, Claire asked, "What kind of baby was I?"

Margot instantly responded, "Glum.  You were a glum, bitter, irritable baby."