Christopher and Victoria decided they would teach Clara how to read. This sounded like a really great idea, so while Christopher was deployed last year Victoria bought "Hooked on Phonics" and set about the task. Well, Clara tried, but she and Victoria sometimes butt heads, and this was one of those times, and Clara didn't get as far as she wanted. When Christopher returned home he was able to get Clara more interested. Christopher is very patient with Clara and many times he can get Clara to do what others, including her mother, cannot. Christopher set about teaching Clara to read, and in no time at all Clara was reading books.
Now everywhere Clara goes she reads everything she sees--billboards, signs, messages on bags, anything she sees. She is such a smart Princess, you know. Well, this may have even gotten to a point that it is a "watch what you wish for" moment. Christopher is once again deployed, and Victoria is doing all she can to keep the children busy so the time will pass quickly until their Daddy comes back home. A few weeks ago Victoria took the kids to Chic-fil-A for lunch--Victoria absolutely loves Chic-fil-A, and has ever since she worked there. While they were there Clara saw a sign for an upcoming event--"Offishul Chikin Eating Day", which was to be held July 10, 2009. If you dressed up as a cow and went to Chic-fil-A you got a free meal!! Well, Clara read the entire sign, and was very excited. She insisted they had to do it, and from that day until July 10th she kept a countdown of the days. She just KNEW this would be the best day.
This was the "offishul" sign to advertise "Chikin Eatin Day". All the Chic-fil-A stores had them, you know. Victoria found costumes for all of them--she borrowed hers from the CO's wife, and was very lucky to find cow raincoats on clearance at the local Target. Clara and Jonathan were just TOO excited. They KNEW they would have a good time. 
And here are my three cows. They added faces and ears and when they walked into the store they were just the hit of the place. The people who worked in the store took their picture, and other people in the store--complete strangers--did too. They just thought Clara and Jonathan were so cute and made such good cows. They thought Victoria made a good cow too. Clara and Jonathan just kept mooing and having such a good time. Clara said she had never realized how good free chicked tasted. She had never before had free chicken.
Jonathan had fun posing for the camera and showing off his sign. He was just too excited for words, and of course he was the cutest cow you've ever seen.
Clara was also so very cute--but then Princess Cows are, you know. She just marveled over how wonderful the free chicken tasted. Of course, it has a much better taste when you get it free than when you pay for it.
They even had Cow Tablecloths and the people from the store took their picture so they could display it in the store. Clara and Jonathan said it was just the best day ever.
They got to meet and have their picture taken with the Chic-fil-A Cow--they just love him(I guess it is actually a she) sooooo much. The cow was really impressed with them too and thought their outfits were just wonderful. No one wanted the day to end.
After the people in the store took their picture--including Victoria--they put it on the poster by the front door for everyone to see. If you look on the left corner next to the black cow with the white spots you will see them. You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it so you can get a good look. It was such a wonderful day and everyone was full of all the free chicken and had such a fun time. I'm sure they all can't wait until next year to do it all again. Maybe next year Daddy and Clara and Jonathan's new baby brother can participate too. Maybe Clara should start making plans now.....
