Ready for Summer

We have had a lot of colder weather.  It was pretty nice yesterday and today so we spent some time outside.  It feels so good.  Yesterday Avery spent some time on her swing set, today she road her bike out front.

A week and a half ago our favorite consignment store had the Easter Bunny stop in for a visit.  We definitely got a keeper photo with the bunny this year.  Her face is epic.

I measured her and she's definitely above 42".  I think that means a few more options will be open to her at Idlewild this year.

Bigger and Bunnies

This past week Avery got her second ever hair cut.  I left it to Avery to answer the hair stylist on what she wanted.  Hence, we have a little girl w/ hair to her shoulders. I could have cried when she went that short. I know it will grow back, but I'm a little sad.

This weekend had us meeting with the Easter bunny twice.  Avery remains not a big fan.  This of course makes for some fairly funny photos.

While we were out and about we visited with her Aunt Mandy.  In order to ride in Aunt Mandy's car we took along Avery's booster seat, which she got to ride in for the first time -- talk about a big girl!

Becoming Obsolete

I am (becoming obsolete) that is.  When they're little it feels like there are milestones every other day.  Now that things are spaced out a bit I am not doing a very good job of recording all of the things that Avery can do now.  Where do we start?

She helps by running the smaller vacuum to get the dog fur up.  She can buckle herself in and pull it tight enough now - sometimes she can manage to get it unbuckled too.  I often had her feed the cat at least 1 of the 2 times a day; now she also wants to be the one to feed the dogs too.

She passed the 100 days of school mark for this year and they celebrated with an ice cream party.  The intent was that they should be able to count to 100 at this point, which she can -- for the most part.  She still skips #13 frequently and sometimes needs a nudge to remember how to turn the corner from a x9 to the next y0 value.

Daycare is now closing rooms due to shortages of staff.  *sigh* Avery's room is victim this coming Wednesday.  Closures are getting old.  So is the lack of change on other fronts:  I stuck my foot out last week and wrote a letter to the church with regard to the continued masking and got fairly well dismissed.

It's a Monster!

Avery's best bud's parents invited us along to Monster Jam!  Avery has watched some on TV/phone and seemed to enjoy it.  Both she and her buddy love cars.

I wasn't sure how she'd feel about the earplugs, but being the always concerned Mom I had both my larger ear protection and the small ones that go in the ears to offer her as she preferred.  She did leave my larger protection on during the event.  Turns out they had part of a suite from work - so we were pampered, well fed, and able to have a few drinks.  The kids had a blast.  What more can you ask for?

Reading what is Important

Friday was Avery's Valentine's day party at school.  We readied our treats with a card on the outside. I wrote each name as I prepared the gifts.  When we arrived at school she wanted to put them into the bins for each of her friends.  I can't tell you how impressed I am that as I handed her each one she was able to read the name.  Proof they are all working to learn how to spell their names, but gosh it made me proud.  She even made the leap from the one girl who goes by a nickname (which is what I put on the card) to her full name on the bin. I am a very proud mama.

On a roll

Avery went bowling for the first time today!  No bumpers for us, but we did make use of the little ramp to help her out.  She loved it and did pretty well.  50 and 85.  More remarkable, not trying to steal the show, but I had a 112 and a 174.  That's pretty good for me - especially after 5 years plus of not bowling and a frozen shoulder last year.

We also went to DQ after and Avery had her first ever blizzard!  She is getting to the age where she can do so much more and actually enjoy it.  I need to start planning some day trips for the summer.

I scored a used student flute from someone formerly in the comunity.  Now I need to refresh my skills enough to start teaching kiddo.

I needed this quality time with her. Last week Mommy had a very jealous moment with her.  Daddy was sick and stayed away for a while, so I get why she was all about him.  It was shutting the door in my face twice that pushed me over the edge.  I at least found a way to explain how I felt to her and we had a talk.  I really want to be able to talk to her about things in general and I hope it helps her understand how normal her feelings are as she gets older.

We also had a talk tonight about our conscious.  I was pretty impressed, during the convo I asked if she remembered what they talked about at church yesterday and she nailed it - love.

Snow Fun

We had enough snow on Sunday into Monday, so part of Monday (school was closed due to weather) was spent out back with the sled.  Avery had as much of a blast throwing snow at me and the dog as she did climbing back up the small hill and riding the sled back down.  Her snow clothes work a bit too well so I had to lure her inside with the promise of hot cocoa.

Things were clear enough by the end of the day to get to dance class.  She seems to be enjoying it overall, but does have moments here and there where she shuts down and doesn't want to proceed in class.  This prompted a quick chat with her dance teacher who indicated she is very confident that Avery can do it and that she is considering putting her in the front row for the recital.