Christmas 2021 and another gem...

First... the gem:

M:  Take those clothes off, you need to get a shower. 

A:  I'm not dirty. God says I'm not dirty. 

M: ...

A;  Daddy washed my bootie and my face the other day. 

M:  Get undressed.

---------------------

Christmas this year was pretty simple.  There was still more spent than I should have overall, but Avery didn't really get anything 'big'.  She did get a new scooter, that's the biggest thing.  There are legos and hot wheels goodies, cat noir and ladybuy toys, books, and other goodies.  I think someone in the family doesn't like us... as they gifted Avery a betta fish.  Today we ran out and gathered the supplies we need for her to the tune of $62.

I may need to cave and get rid of a few of the bigger things here at the house, but they're things that she might/could use at some point (like her art stand or little kitchen).

She slept in until after 8am and apprehensively came down the stairs.  I do wish I could read her mind, I know something is on it.

A few gems from this past week

This kid.

I'm tired. Because I'm tired, I can go in your bed. That's what my brain says.

-----------------------------------------------

In the car while we were talking with Aunt Jackie Avery asked if we could go to the liquor store.  (She knows they will give her a lolli.)

She repeated this request in TJ Maxx, much to the humor of the lady near us among the sweaters.

Doing something right

I have moments where I know I am doing something right. Today was one of those days.  School is once again closed due to a parent testing positive *sigh*.  Around 11 Avery began asking for another snack/something to eat.  First choice - yogurt.  Sorry baby, we don't have any yogurt right now.  Second choice - peanut butter sammie.  Sorry baby, I don't have bread right now (I did try to get some on Sunday but the shelf was bare).  This is where she started to cry.

Mind you, I am trying to get a chunk of a workday in whilst she watches some videos and does some learning games, so I am not able to run out for groceries ATM.  I hate service fees, but here's the time to suck it up - so we instacarted some goodies from Aldi including both bread (although not my preferred brand) and some yogurt.

When I served her up it's the big smile and better than a thank you a big "I love you Mama" that warmed my heart.  A few minutes later I checked back in to find she put her empty plate by the sink -- THAT is where I know I am doing something right.

What is on your list for Santa?

I asked Avery what she wanted to ask Santa for this year.  She had placed stickers in a catalog that Aunt Jackie brought up when visiting, but she stickered darn near everything and cited  few things from that book that are near duplicates to items she already has.  I'm going to need to guide her responses this week as we prepare to go see Santa on Saturday!

I pulled up the calendar this evening and had a moment when I realized that Thanksgiving is officially next week.  I'm not a fan of malls after Thanksgiving, so with my newfound sense of urgency I booked for Saturday.  I'm hoping we get a good picture since we had part of her face covered in her birthday pics and school didn't find a photographer to do the yearly pictures.

More Spooky Fun

We did go to the chiro office celebration and the howl-o-ween drive through.  The spider cupcakes turned out pretty well.  She was one of many Spidermen at the school costume parade, but the only one w/ long curls coming out of her mask.

Halloween itself was a bit cool, but excellent weather wise.  She had a blast, the community was hoping.  We hung out at a fire with neighbors across the street and made our way around.  We walked up our street and down one block to the fire truck that was stationed in the community and then back to the house and down the hill to the blockade at the other end of our street.

Avery and I also went and got our flu shots earlier this week.  She was scheduled for the mist, but they were out when we got there!  I wasn't super happy about that but she did awesome.  I took a page from the book of the viral doctor who distracts babies before giving them a shot and messed around with her a bit while the nurse popped her with the shot.  She didn't even cry!  But she did wine about her arm hurting after we left.

Dance has been going decently.  Since using the costume to barter last week worked out well, this week I bartered with the promise of candy.  She did great and had fun.  Yep, I'm blackmailing my kid into participating, no shame.

Spidey can dance

We are going to get our money's worth out of this year's Halloween costume.  Last night Avery was allowed to wear her costume to dance class.  I used this to bargain with her indicating she could wear her costume if she tried and participated at dance.  It worked!  She said she had fun, so that was a big win.

Tonight we might pop in at the chiropractor's office as they're doing a little thing for kiddos in costume.  Tomorrow is the drive through howl-o-week at the humane society which I already grabbed a free ticket for.  We can drop off a bag of food we have to donate too.  Friday is the school party, so fortunately I have Thursday night free to make cupcakes.  Sunday is the big day.

Back to those cupcakes -- wish me luck.  I am not going to be fancy, but I have some candy eyeballs -- I think I'm going to grab some oreos and decorating icing to create spiders on top of each cupcake.

One more Friyay

Avery and I were off together again today.  I'm glad we made our bigger jaunt two weeks ago.  The weather definitely wasn't agreeable for any potentially muddy/outdoor setting today.

Last night she asked me to make pancakes, so that was first on our agenda today.  We relaxed for a little while and then headed out to go to her first movie in a theatre.  We saw the Addams Family 2 and she did a great job both being quiet and paying attention, but also in helping to demo the bag of popcorn!  I admit, we stopped at SONIC too and had a milkshake to make the day extra special.

Last weekend we took a reeeeally long drive to meet and pick up "Oshie" a siberian husky that came from NC.  She suggested the name Zero, and many other crazy ones.  This name was also on my list of potential names, but it seems more certain since she already told her teachers that is his name.