Avery's bday weekend

As a Welsh (my mom's maiden name) you never celebrate a bday just once. It is always a week long thing. Av's started Friday morning on her actually bday. She woke up to a decorated house that her daddy did (a tradition his mom started and he always remembers looking forward to it). He even colored 3 posters for her. On one John had drawn the family and then included all of Av's "friends" that she carries around the house with her and has to sleep with every night. Periwinkle (cat from Blues Clue's when I took her to see it), monkey (whom John didn't think had legs, where has he been for the last 2 years), baby Rachael (baby named after her school teacher this sumer), duckie (the lovie she used to sleep with at school), mickey (horse named after first horse she rode), good luck bear, and school day blanket (blanket she slept with and yes that is what she calls it). It is quite the poster. Very cute and she loved it. Then off to school and a field trip to the Science Center she went. They rode a school bus and I think that was her fav part. After school I took them to Mcdonalds for lunch. Her bff Caroline came with us. After we got home another bff Jackson stopped by and they bounced for awhile. Before they left Grandma from WI got here with L&L. Avery was in heaven. They played for a bit till John got home and then off to have pizza we all went. We went to a pizza place that had games and John and Av played enough games to get 50 tickets. She was able to get a plastic horse with her tickets and you would have thought she just got a million dollars. She was so excited. Then home for cake, presents and then finally bed. Big day. The next day was her party. 18 friends showed up to the fire station for her party. They received a fire safety talk (little over their heads but I learned a lot), saw a fireman get dressed in all the gear and then got to explore a fire truck. Avery had a great time. Very successful bday for Avery. She is a lucky little girl to have some many wonderful friends. G, PP, AA and UM are coming this week for Thanksgiving. I am sure we will celebrate at least one more time.

5 year check up

We had Avery's 5 year check up yesterday. I took all 3 kids. Not the best planning on my part but it worked out. I thought I always take the girls and the boy is so good why not. It was fine though. Everett was asleep so as soon as we were in our room I asked Av if she had to go potty thinking I would just leave him there. She said no. After about 10 minutes Camille was getting restless and woke E up. Right then was when Av decided she had to go potty and it was right as the MD was coming in. Ugh, but we all went. Av is 42 inches tall and 36 lbs. That puts her right in the 50% for height and 25% for weight. Doc said that's right where they like them to be. He asked her colors, shapes, opposites, prepositions had her draw her shapes and a person and she did great!! He is very proud of where she is and how far she has come. This is the same MD that helped us so much in the beginning and has been pulling for us all along. They also tested her hearing and she passed that with flying colors also. All and all it was a great check up.

perfect day

This weekend John and I went to the U of L football game with Marci and Brent. We took Everett with us and left the kids (Avery, Camille, Jackson and Stella) home with Uncle Alex. We went and tailgated a little and then to the game. It was a perfect day outside and Everett was such a good boy. Didn't fuss at all. Alex did a great job at home with all the kids. Even Camille and Stella got a long. When we got home Stella called for her mom for help up the steps on the deck. Camille instead went to help her and they held hands the rest of the way. We still have hopes they will come out of it BFFs someday soon! It was a pretty perfect day for everyone!

best friends

The greatest thing has happened over the last couple of days. The girls are playing more together and fighting less. I think Camille is finally getting to the age where they can really be playmates. They are entertaining each other for longer stretches of time and pretending together. They have been dogs, mother/baby and student/teacher recently together. Without my involvement at all. They also are getting more use out of the kitchen and play food we bought Avery for her second bday. Sometimes they bring all the food into the living room and play for awhile on the coffee table. It's really cute and sweet. All this playing also has a flip side too though. Camille will do something she knows she is not supposed and Avery thinks it's very funny so she laughs and that just eggs Camille on. Then Avery joins in and that's really trouble. The other day I found them smashing goldfish and then rolling in the crumbs. Oh my, they both got sent to their rooms for that one.

snorts

When the girls were hungry as babies they looked like little birds. Open mouth and stretched neck searching for their source of nourishment and comfort. Everett on the other hand is all boy. He snorts as he moves himself down my chest and arm in the hopes of finding the prize he is looking for. His head bobbing and mouth sucking. It's just all so sweet and cute. I can't get enough of him.

first smile

I got the best gift the other day. A huge toothless smile from my baby boy. After a rough night it made it all worth it. It brought me to tears, happy tears of course. Hopefully I will be able to capture it soon and post. Wait till you see what a cute smile it is.

rolling machine

He rolls himself off his belly all the time. Getting him to do belly time is becoming impossible. As soon as I put him down he is working to get himself over. Very strong boy!