Turning the tables

Yesterday afternoon, Avery was displaying your typical tired two year old behavior. I told her Jesus was not happy with the way she was acting. Later, when we were getting ready to go eat, I told her she needed to sit down so I could fix her hair & we could leave. Of course, she wanted to go back outside & play. She looked at me after a second & said "he said no." I'm like - who?what are you talking about?
She said "Jesus"
"He told me to stay at the beach."

road trip

I said I wasn't going to blog on vAcation. I didn't bring the laptop. But so many things have already happened , I have to write it down so I'll remember. Here are the funnies,questions, & thoughts this far:

*we pulled into Katy's driveway ( 1 street over)to drop off our house key, Avery said "Yeah!! Were at the beach!" Sorry A, she's just watching the dogs. 8 hours to go...
* why is it I have to turn the radio down to find something in the car???anyone else do this?
* Singing along to our favorite songs while the kids were asleep
* avery asking a "larger" woman at breakfast if she was having a baby
* laughing at DayDay looking like a fat frat boY at dinner
* old men should not wear speedos
* nick taking Davis out in the ocean & him falling asleep
* saving starfish with Avery & her telling them byebye
* talking about how we look like we are going 40 days in the wilderness when we pack up to go to the beach
* avery stripping down naked to pee in the sand before we could catch her

inspired by Laurel

I hope...
* my kids will never feel like they are not good enough
*everyone marries their best friend
* that the health care crisis in America will improve
* Nick finds a job he loves

I regret :(
* living far away when my Dad was so sick
* rushing through college
* being a little punk to my Mom during the teenybopper years

I know:
* that I am blessed
* nothing beats a true friend, no matter how many you have
* that Johnny Depp is amazing
* less is more - most of the time
* that Nick & I will be together forever

I wish*
• You got paid to be sahm
• Distance was never an issue
• Everyone loved old country music like I do
• My Sis would feel better
• that the golden rule was Law

Just had to share...

The best 25 cent photo ever!

WHY is it???

That a 10 month old already thinks its funny to burp and pass gas?
Because he's a boy, that's why.

Why I love having a two-year-old

Sure, the two's can be terrible, but there are some advantages...
1. They don't know how to lie. So, you never have to wonder how anything happened.
2. They are Mommy's own personal fan club!Whenever I get ready to go somewhere, I hear: ..."Mommy,you look beautiful!"
Now who doesn't love a self-esteem boost!
3. You always have a good reason to paint,color, or play outside.
4. Let's face it, who else congratulates you on going to the potty?
5. Playdates=Adult Conversation
6. They force you out of your comfort zone, since they do not get embarrassed at all! Since having a toddler, I've done cartwheels outside, sang along to the music at Target, & carried on conversations with complete strangers after my toddler introduced herself.
7. They believe anything you tell them. And Mommy & Daddy know everything right now.
8. They are brutally honest. (see #1)
9. They give you a true test of patience everyday, which regrettably, we all need.
10. They make us LAUGH!!!

The bracelet

Back in May, when the kids & I went to the beach with my sisters, Josh gave Avery this bracelet. We were eating in McGuires, and she got tired of sitting, so he took her into the gift shop to keep her occupied. I guess she talked him into the bracelet, I don't know the whole story except she LOVES it. She tells everyone that Uncle Josh gave her this bracelet at the beach. Well, it finally fell off today. She was so sad! Luckily, we are going back to the beach tomorrow nite, and I promised her a new one. Meanwhile, this "special" one is going into her keepsake box.

Race for the Cure

I am participating in the
Race for the Cure
in October. I had intended to start running every morning last Friday, but Fay had other plans. Hopefully, when we get back from vacation I can get going. I would like to have a decent time!!! If you would like to register or donate, click on above.
Thanks!

Age of Innocence

Ever since B & Linz'z wedding, Avery has been very aware of marraige, husbands, & general family relationships. Tonite we were talking about someone's husband, and Avery said, "I want to marry Kate." "She my husband."
(We assume she thinks this because she walked with her cousin Kate at the wedding, and I walked with Daddy, Ben walked with Lindsey...)
Anyway, Nick told her, "Avery you can't have a girl as a husband, that is not how it works."
Avery said: "But I love her!"

Oh, if life were as easy as it seems in a two-year-old's eyes.

Rain Rain Go Away

I know we need it, but it sure is annoying...
I got Avery up and ready for school. I then proceeded to drop her off at 9 & pick her up at 9:45 because of severe weather.
Luckily, our neighbor Katy had planned a "Coloring" playdate, so Avery, Davis & I headed over there.
Now,what to do the rest of this rainy day....Stay tuned!

He said MaMa!!!

Yesterday, Nick made lunch for us when he got home from work. We were all sitting at the table, and Davis was crawling around, since he had already eaten. He crawled up to his chair & pulled it over on him.. He started crying & said "Ma....Ma..."
I picked him up & came back to the table & Avery said, "He said Mommy!" Nick said he heard it too, so I'm not making it up :)
Of course, we tried to video & he wouldn't say it again...

Completely Satisfied

Saturday, we had "family fun" plans to go to the zoo. Since it rained all day, we settled for dinner out & ice cream. Davis ate so much at the restaurant, then took several bites of mine & A's ice cream. I ended up just handing him my spoon with the last bite of ice cream, & he fell asleep holding the spoon! Forgive the poor quality, I only had my cell phone...

Friday Funnies

My Boys!(Bonding)

I painted the kids some "beach buckets" today. We gathered up all the sand toys and divided them in the buckets. Can you tell that Avery's is overflowing and DayDay only has a purple shovel? hmmmmm

Avery made Davis into a "Prince." Pretty good job, considering she used the back of the sticker page!

The Informer

Remember that Bill Cosby bit? That is Avery in a nutshell these days. Especially when it comes to school. I will shorten it for the sake of time, but here are some bits of our conversation today....
Mommy: Hi Avery!!! How was school today?
Avery: "It was fun. I play dolls with Daylyn. She watched my babies & I watched hers. Somebody kicked her and she cried. She sat in the chair with Ms. Kimberly. I showed Ms. Kimberly my mosquito bite I got at Nana's house. There is somebody in my class named Jacky! Ha That is funny."
Mommy: Really, who else was there today?
Avery: "Alexa not here. She on vacation. She with her Mommy & Daddy. Kobe going on cation to. He going with me. No, he not going with me, he going on a poolcation. Ms. Kimberly said he go on cation with somebody else. I play blocks with Colden. I built a tower.Will was there.Sure was."
Mommy: Did you get to go outside?
Avery: "Yes, we went upstairs and caught Bubbles with Ms. Kimberly, and then we went everywhere all around. I went on the playground & Josh fell down and got a booboo. And Ms. Jennifer said Oh my Goodness. And she went inside and got medicine and he all better."
Mommy: OhNo! Well, were you a good girl?
Avery: "Yes! I got a smily face....."I guess that is all that really matters huh?!?

Ivy said all she can get out of Riley is "I play cars with teacher."
Guess I will have to get AVERY to tell me what DayDay does at school when its his turn.

Babies, Babies, Babies

There is Baby fever in the air! Somebody stop me!!! It started when Lori had the twins, then Mandy added two boys to her brood. In the past 2 weeks,
Amanda, and
Martina
had little boys. Not to mention my BOTH my sisters are having boys, and Julie(my sister-in-law),
Linz, & another cousin is PREGGO! I am super excited, you know I love a baby, and a baby shower!!!

Good thing I just took all the baby "stuff" to consignment, who knows what couldv'e happened :)

Just thinking

•Even with this fancy phone & all it's gadgets, I still make a to-do list everyday. Something about crossing each item off....I even make my to-do lists like an outline , with subtitles and bullets . I'm such a dork.
•Sometimes I worry if I am making Avery grow up too fast. It's just cause she's so stinkin smart. I caught myself tonite saying "take these dirty clothes to the laundry room..." & "Bring me the carpet cleaner out of my closet..." Am I a bad Mommy?
• Last nite I dreamed Davis said his first word. We were driving to the beach , went thru the Chick-fil-a drive thru & Davis said "MORE CHICKEN!"

Davis goes to Chuck E Cheese

Davis is on the move!

Posing with Mr.Turkey&Cheese

Riding with Barney

Avery showed him how to play the dog game, you had to hit it and bounce the balls in the dogs mouth.

Now, let me do it!

Watching Alex

I can't believe he got on this horse. Avery was scared of it.

One last ride

DayDay's first trip to "Turkey and Cheese" as Avery calls it, was a hit! He mainly liked to check out everybody and everything, but he played a few games and rode some small things too.

Of course, Avery had fun too!!!

Avery is to the age now, she can get her tokens (a.k.a. "monies") and play what she wants. The only problem is she will stick 4 or 5 tokens in one game. She doesn't realize you only need one. At one point she sat a whole cup of tokens down somewhere and we lost it. Luckily, Kathleen's Daddy found it. She ended up with over 60 points or whatever it is you get, but I lost one receipt, so she ended up with 4 tootsie roll pops. I guess we spent about $20 for those 5 cent suckers!

She & Kathleen rode the Barney ride together. I think this was her favorite this time, she rode it a hundred times!

She likes the picture machine, but doesn't sit still long enough to get a good one!

Mr. Fix-it

So, what's the worst thing that could happen a week before vacation? Okay maybe not the worst thing, but its not good. Our washing machine broke down. Luckily, using my savvy googling skills and Nick's handy-man skills, we were able to fix it. It took a little longer than you would think, since he had so much "help."

Walkin'

So I had a good day

Today was one of those days where everything went smoothly and I had a wonderful day! (Now, we haven't done baths and bedtime yet, so I am posting now!!!) It makes me realize how much I LOVE being a SAHM, and how thankful I am to get days like this.

First off, Avery got dressed & ready for school with no whining. She approved of the lunch I packed for her, and even put on matching shoes. DayDay got up, ate breakfast, and played with Avery so I could get ready. (This is a rare occasion lately, he's become quite the Momma's boy!)
Next, I dropped A off at school, and it always makes me smile to see how much she loves it. I got to chat with some friends too, which always me happy.
After that, I picked up Misty who was getting her tires serviced, and we met Angelle & Michelle for breakfast. (Coffee & Bagels @ Panera=a VERY good morning). We ended up planning a weekend CROP, which is Super exciting! I haven't scrapbooked since January!
While we waited on Misty's car to get finished, we ran to Marshalls. I've never been to this store, but I scored some great deals! I got a cover-up for $5, some overalls for Davis for $3& the kids some matching Teva sandals for the beach for $2!!! You know I love a bargain, so this REALLY made my day!!!
Once I picked Avery up from school, I cleaned the carpets (the only BAD part of my day, but I won't get into that). I got the kids down for a nap in record time, and was able to clean the house. (For my OCD self, that too makes a great day!)

Now, if I had just gotten up to exercise like I said I would...And the washing machine hadn't just broke down...IT would be a PERFECT day!
But there is always tomorrow!

Write this Down

On this day in history:
Avery wore pants to school today, with no fuss!!!

Tastes like home

Isn't it amazing how certain smells can bring you back to a memory, just like that?!? Well, tastes are no different. Last nite, I was craving a BLT. Don't know why, I haven't had one in years. I got out all the ingredients, and made it just like my Grandma used to. As soon as I took a bite, I went back in time to a hot summer day in the kitchen at Pettusville. And I do mean hot, my Grandparents didn't believe in air conditioning :). Of course, Grandma's ingredients came straight from the garden. (And the bacon probably came straight from the shed, too!) And Grandaddy liked white bread, whereas I used sourdough. I remember how he used to just pour salt onto every bite. And wash it down with a tall glass of buttermilk. Back then, I was chugging Sundrop. Oh, the carefree days of summer and BLT's!!!
Mine couldn't compare to Grandma's, but it was really yummy. It was nice to think back to those simpler times, if only for a minute, with a smile!

Too cute!

Thanks AGAIN to Michelle for some beautiful monogramming. Avery is going to be stylin' this year!!!

One year ago....

We had our 4d ultrasound of Davis!!! It was about a hundred degrees and I was miserable already!!



Avery had her first trip to the corner (the "cone"), which she thought was funny. The worst thing she did back then was eat dog food.

Bible Stories: Avery version

I was reading out of Avery's kid's Bible tonite. She has a few of these, and its always funny what she notices out of each one. Here are tonite's funnies:

ADAM & EVE:
We started with the story of the Garden of Eden. I told her God made Adam, then the animals, then he gave him a wife, Eve. She said "They got married?" "Where's her dress?" "Why they not have a wedding?"

Nick walked in shortly after and I said, "tell Daddy about the story of Adam & Eve."
She said "They get naked."
Which leads us to the story of Cain & Abel...hahaha

Noak & the Ark::
You know the story. We read it & Avery goes "He built a house boat."
I said "Yes, that's an ark. Would you have gotten in the ark if God told you to?"
She said, "I just wear my bathing suit and my life jacket so I not drown."

Baby Moses: If you read our blog, you already know what she thought the first time I read this story. This Bible had a different picture. I told "Remember baby Moses? He was put in the basket & the princess saved him from the river?"
She said "Yes. His boobies are showing."

OCD much?

At least she gets it honest.

(In case you can't tell, she took an equal size bite out of each piece of cheese, and then lined them all up.)

That's what I love about Sundays....

After getting dirty in the yard Sunday afternoon, I gave the kiddos a bath and put on their new t-shirts. Maw Maw brought these back from Chattanooga.

5 minutes later:

10 minutes later:

So many costumes, so little time

This is Avery's "wish list" for Halloween so far. (Yes, I realize it is only August.)

1. Minnie Mouse
(and she wants DayDay to be Mickey)
2. Tinkerbell
(don't know if this is because she saw Cate's costume or because we just bought Peter Pan)
3. Cinderella
4. A Ladybug
5. A snake. Don't ask me what that is about!

He's walking!!!

I almost posted this with his 10 month blog Saturday, but I thought, "we'll, he's taking a few steps here and there..." I just have to suck it up and admit my baby boy is walking. He can go halfway across the room with no help, and if I hold his hand, he can go all day.
It amazes me because:
1. I think he is too young
2. He is too big to hold all that weight!!!

I guess he figured he better get moving to keep up with Avery.

On another note... he isn't saying anything. He growls, and laughs, and makes funny noises, but no ma-ma or da-da yet. I looked in A's book, and she was saying mama, dada, ball, book, balloon & Todd by now! I realize I should not compare him to Avery because:
1. She is a girl & they supposedly learn to talk faster
2. She is truly an exception, she talks more than most kindergartners!!!
3. Maybe he isn't saying anything because she talks all the time.

I've been told I was the same way, and that Leigh couldn't get a word in edgewise, so she didn't talk much. Ever. She is still quite the private one, which is why I don't talk about her much on the blog. Sorry Leigh, if I traumatized you, wish I could do it over.

Now in comparison, Davis already has 6 teeth, and physically has been reaching milestones a little quicker than Aves did. I guess boys are just different. They are night and day, I can already tell, especially with him walking. Avery would take off, not look where she was going, and if she fell, oh well, she'd get up and try again. Davis on the other hand, takes his time, is slow & meticulous, and looks to make sure he has a clear path.

Is this any sign of the teenage years???? UH OH!

10 months old

Davis is 10 months old today, so I thought I'd list TEN things I love about him.
(although I could easily list 100...)
1. His loud belly laugh
2. His fat little feet
3. The way his eyes light up when I walk in to get him in the mornings
4. How he rubs my arm when he;s getting sleepy
5. How he starts kicking his feet and bouncing when I go to his car seat- he knows he is about to get out
6. When I say no, he gets a big smile and keeps doing it...(this is cute now, not when he is 2)
7. How I sometimes when I have to lay with him to get him to sleep, he will lay his little hand on my cheek- like he is making sure I am still there
8. The way he starts jumping and looking when he hears the dogs barking at the door around 5...he knows Daddy is home!
9.The way his eyes sparkle and almost disappear when he smiles really big
10. How he has to get his arms up under him and his bootie in the air to fall asleep

overheard at the pool

Avery: "C'mon Daddy I want to jump!"
Daddy: "Hold on, I'm trying to do the butterfly stroke."
<Avery: "No, I want to do the Ladybug!"

Avery: "Hi Sunshine! You wanna jump, too?!"
Sunshine: no response
Avery: "No,Ok, you stay up in the sky."

Sugar & Spice and everything nice...

Last nite we went to our neighbors house for dinner. They have a 5 year old boy. Avery found one of his guns (a "radar" gun)...Anyway, she didn't even know what it was! You can tell we have no (big)boys around here! She was holding it sideways, then she thought it did something to the wii, so she pointed it toward that. I finally asked her what it was, and she said "I don't know." Then, (since she can't stand to NOT know something) she said, "it's a pee-ko." She just made this up. Oh well, at least I have a little while before I have to explain a gun!

I had to take a pic with my phone..her look of confusion is too funny.

Ready for Combat

I turned our former "dog room" (storage room under the stairs) into Avery's paint room. I let her go wild in there so she will stay away from the rest of the house with her sharpies and paint. Yesterday, she let Davis in there while I was getting supper ready. He came out looking like this:



Uncle Clay would be so proud.

Boys will be Boys

Ok, I love my DayDay, he is the sweetest baby ever. What I have found with boys is: they are much more laid back, much more easy-going, but MUCH MORE DESTRUCTIVE!!!Here are some things he does that I have NEVER had to tell Avery not to do:
*plays in the toilet
*trys to eat out of the trash
*cleans out an entire shelf in one swoop
*knocks anything and everything over
*pulls all the wipes out of the box (ok, Avery DID do this)
*pulls hair! Avery's, mine, the dogs...
*rips pages out of any book with paper pages
*eats anything: grass, dirt, bugs...

It cracks me up how different they are. What an adventure!

Scaredy Cat

Ok, help. Suddenly, Avery bug is scared of everything!!! Lawnmowers, weedeaters, loud noised on t.v., trains, bugs, (Not people though, she would go home with anybody she meets). Today, we met Big Avri & Kathleen for lunch at Stix. Avery has loved this place since she was 7 months old. Today, however, she screamed and cried during the whole "performance." Luckily the girls calmed her down and of course, ice cream always helps!

BUNCO

I hosted our neighborhood Bunco last nite at my house. I did a luau theme and decorated with lots of bright colors and leis. I love this group, I joined shortly after we moved here, when I knew nobody. They are such sweet ladies & they have been so much fun!

Avery's new clothes

Oh, how I love having a super-shopper friend, who sells her daughter's clothes to me when she outgrows them!!

I got a whole fall/winter wardrobe for A today for $75!!! Thanks Angelle!

Row Row Row your boat- Avery version

Row Row Row ye boat
Row Row the stream!
Merry Merry Merry Spider's Dream!

Nostalgic

After reading

Laurel's

blog, about great music, I started thinking about how songs can trigger such great memories. Today, I went to the gym for the first time in weeks, so I knew I needed a good playlist on my Ipod to keep me motivated. Here are my songs today:

1. Forever Young-Bob Dylan: not only do I like to think of this as my family's theme song, it reminds of B & Linz

2. Me & You-Kenny Chesney: one mine & Nick's "songs," we had it sung at our wedding too, brings me back to our early days of dating...

3. Silver Springs-Fleetwood Mac: oh, the days of Karaoke at Lafonda with MJ, Lori,& Nicole

4. If I could do it again-Corey Smith: makes me feel like I'm headed to the beach again for the first time (without parents!) with Sonya, Carrie, & Michelle

5. Satellite- Dave Matthews Band: This takes me back to the days at Ben's river house, sitting on the pier with Blue, Rachel, Burl, Anik and the rest of our Athens crew.

6. Levon-Elton John: Although it was written way before I went to Auburn, this always makes me think of Auburn. Taylor Hicks sang it on American Idol and everyone in Auburn was rooting for him to win. Brings back lovely memories of the plains and the "togetherness" everyone shared there.

7. Take me home, Country Roads- John Denver: days on the front porch swing or in the truck with my Daddy and sisters, me singing at the top of my lungs

8. Mystery-Indigo Girls:

sitting in the Phi mu Dorms with Emily designing date party shirts
9. Pilgrims-Widespread Panic: one of my favorite shows ever, back when it was still oak mt , Houser was still alive, & we had nothing but time...

Avery's thoughts on Olympic Swimming

(To her credit, they only showed Michael Phelps from the waist up...)

"He is naked!!!!!"
"Why he not put clothes on, on TV?!?!?"

SIGN HIM UP

For the Strong Man competition!

Yes that is a rocking chair, and YES Davis flipped it over!

Stuck in the middle with you

Avery's outfit for Gymnastics

Ok, so maybe we are watching too much of the Olympics...

I'm not saying a word....

Avery's thoughts on Olympic Diving

"Mommy, why those boys have panties on?"

Family Pictures!

So, we haven't had a family picture since Avery was 6 months old, and we decided it was time. We got a good one of us and the kids together,which was the plan. Of course they talked us into getting a couple of the kids by themselves, which turned out so cute we had to get those too. (We will count these as Davis's 9 month pics) Just thought I'd share...