Getting Excited

Ok. It's July.  But there is a faint, a slight, a modicum of crispness to the air.  In our house, that means one thing.

FOOTBALL season is right around the corner.  I'm reposting this video because it gets me pumped up. In a toddler kind of way.


RTR!

That's Not A Lollipop

THIS.
is.
a.
lollipop.

Thanks Evie and Lydia for the sweet gift!  I'm still enjoying it after my "good" naps.

Oh, and look who is enjoying meals together at the kid table these days...

Tootles!

Happy 3.5!

Hello you blog readers.  I guess I should re-title this thing "Occasionally About Averys."  It seems summer just keeps us busy and away from the computer.  But, I find myself work-widowed yet again tonight (a necessary evil in the practice of law...and many many other professions I know...but one for which I remain SO grateful for J's hard work), so blog I will.

A few weeks ago, we had a third (and a half) birthday party for Emma.  It was definitely time.  Her birthday is December 21st and it is always going to be a challenge for me to find a way to make it special amidst the cold temperatures and the Christmas craziness.  Of course, this December, will present a little bigger challenge, since No. 3 is due Dec. 23!

Where was I?  Oh yes, the party.  Emma desperately wanted a Rapunzel party.  Lucky me, J's family are Disney experts and SUPER creative and helpful.  Playing second fiddle in the organizing/planning department was a quick google search for ideas for a Tangled party (Rapunzel's movie). I've seen the movie more times that I can count, but isn't it nice when someone else has done all the creativity for you???

We started by sending out a few invitations to some friends Emma requested for the event.

 Add one expertly crafted tower (thanks to Aunt Cece and Aunt Elizabeth):

 Some "sun" (a huge theme in Tangled) PBJ sandwiches:

A few jello seas with orange "ships" on them (aka the scene where Eugene and Rapunzel watch the floating lanterns):

Throw in some DELICIOUS sun topped cupcakes, (again, thanks Aunt Cece):

And we were ready for some fun!  Unfortunately, I seemed to have abandoned my camera during the party.  There were other fun decorations, like 20 hanging lanterns from our porch, and a ridiciously long Rapunzel yarn braid on the door (which Emma now sports around the house).  We even had some fun activities--like making a little Pascal frog (again, from the movie), sidewalk painting (find a really easy and cheap recipe here), and lastly, I ordered some flying lanterns (you've got to know the movie, but let's say it's the major theme...besides the hair).  The lanterns made the photo reel...

It is a dangerous, fire filled activity, but the princesses all seemed to enjoy watching!  We had to tie down the lanterns because well, I'm sure there is some kind of Homewood City ordinance against releasing fire burning lanterns where they can float into trees, power lines, homes, or the like.

Some of the princesses waiting with anticipation.  (Incidentally, we got new neighbors that day. Notice the U-Haul?).

 Up, up and away!!!!

I couldn't get many smiles from the half-birthday girl--but I'm sure she had a great time. She's talked about it ever since!  And just so I won't forget later one, all our friends left with some Rapunzel paints as a thanks for coming!

Thanks to everyone who helped, (especially Aunt Cece, Aunt Elizabeth and Ammy who made major contributions) and to our sweet friends who helped us celebrate.  It was a princess filled day!!!

Just Because

Just because being a mom can be hard. (And unfortunately, so can being my kid).

Just because I had a horrific migrane yesterday afternoon and wasn't the most fun or loving mom.

Just because my kids love me regardless.

Just because God does too.

Just because no matter what, there isn't any greater joy than seeing these smiling faces.

Just because I love you both!!!

Bottoms Up: Happy Father's Day!

circa August 2008.

 I must be the luckiest girl in the world. My kids have the BEST dad in the whole world.

Emma's Birthday: 12-21-07

Robert's Birthday: 5-21-10

And so do I.

Grandaddy with Emma. Sept. 2008.

We've also got the BEST grandads, and great grandad too.  Happy Father's Day to you all.
We love you!

Happy Birthday Robert!

To say this is "overdue" is a little understatement.  But, hey, Robert was a bit "overdue" himself, so I feel a little better.  Regardless, he is SUCH a joy.  I thought I'd make up the time difference by writing this one "to Robert." (And maybe that secretly fills my monstrous guilt about foregoing baby books--I know, horror of all horrors.  Insert gasp here.).  

Well buddy, in just 12 short months you've gone from this screaming bundle of joy who made your way into the world with a bit of drama,

to this handsome, precious, determined, and fearless little boy.  What a blessing you are sweet Robert!

Your personality is already QUITE different from your sister. You are into EVERYTHING. I cannot baby-proof fast enough (so, honestly, I don't).  You pull things out of kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, the china cabinet, your drawers, my drawers, your sister's drawers, you get the idea.  You are hands down the fastest crawler I have ever laid eyes on.  You would ROCK the baby 4-40. And you are now fascinated with your new found bipedal mobility.  You can throw a temper tantrum like none other (except your father--so I've heard) and you LOVE playing in the toilet.  Long gone are the days of making fun of the families with toilet locks on their commodes.  I fear you will flush and entire Lego set down our pipes if I don't invest soon.

You are hands down ALL BOY.  You stay dirty from the time I get you up, until bath time.  We've also kissed "no bath" nights goodbye for the summer.   You also love to BITE (with your 6 teeth). Only rarely it is out of anger.  Usually, you think it is funny.  We're trying to break you of that habit... Despite your "HIGH T,"  you are so SWEET. You like to snuggle and think it is hysterical to lay your head in my lap and laugh, laugh, laugh. Most precious of all to me, is how much you ADORE your sister. She is your favorite person in this world.  When you get up in the morning you look at her door first to see if she is awake.  She can make you stop screaming or calm down you in a second (she can also instigate it too--don't worry).  You love to pull her hair.  She surprisingly doesn't love it.  You want to do everything she's doing and will sit and laugh with her for what seems a lifetime--and I pray it does stay that way. Forever.

But even the fun of a big sister doesn't keep you still very long.  You're off in a flash!

I finally took you to the Dr. for you check up and she assured me you are 100% boy, and 100% perfect (absent that totally depraved problem...).  Your stats are as follows:

Weight: 23lbs 8 oz (70%)

Height: 31.5" (90%)

You can reach doorknobs and love to grab keys and pretend you are unlocking doors. You are SUPER mechanical.  You turn things over to inspect how they operate.  You love to empty containers and fill them back up again, with toys, tea party sets, legos, you name it. This may actually be your favorite activity.  You also LOVE anything that is big machinery and has wheels. You will watch construction workers (thank you Dawson for the SUPER tall crane by our house right now), UPS trucks, trains, airplanes, or even Daddy cutting the grass. It all fascinates you--and stops you (momentarily) in your tracks.

We. Love. You.  Boo--

And just like we love sister--it's a forever, for always, and NO MATTER WHAT love.

So, there was nothing more apropos than a car themed birthday party. We were so fortunate to have a small gathering with wonderful family and just a few friends.  How thankful we are for Robert, and for such amazing support and love for our kids! :)

Notice the red, yellow and green "traffic light" theme? Thanks so much to Jason's super creative cousin, Aunt Cece for that!

So, I might have gone a little overboard with the themed food, but I come from a long line of car lovers--so it was pretty fun.  The ideas were a conglomeration of some ideas from blogs and from talking to my family.  The pretzels in the back are "dip sticks." And yes, I do know how to use the one in my car.

And, our track. I'm not sure the yard has recovered, but it was fun for the kids to ride around on it!

Look what balloon anchors you can get for free if you just ask at the Firestone Tire and Oil Change store? They were so excited to help my "automotive" theme. Thanks!

More of Aunt Cece's divine creations.  How cute are they?  And better yet? They taste better than they look! A pretty hard feat, huh?

So, Robert got some cake too...

I made his cake.  It wasn't so good. Clearly.

And despite the boys-and-their-toys theme...there was, of course, still a princess in the house!  Not to mention, all the baby items stacked beside the gate were generous donations we collected to take to storm victims in Tuscaloosa.  We delivered them the week after Robert's birthday and it was such a meaningful experience for Emma (Robert's a little young folks) to help other little boys and girls.  We talked about what we were doing on the drive down and it was so neat. Thanks for everyone's generosity!

 I just LOVED this picture of Jason's grandfather with Robert.  How special!

We love you buddy! And thanks to everyone for celebrating!!

Hi, My Name is Abigail

And I'm a delinquent blogger.  It's been 46 days since my last post.  For any of you folks trying to beat the heat and trolling the ends of the internet that still include this forum, we are actually still around and enjoying the (air conditioned) summer!  I will be back very soon with LOTS of what we've been up to...first birthdays, aquarium trips, plans for 3.5 year old birthdays, lots of wonderful soon-to-be here babies of friends and more!

Until then, enjoy the below.  Robert's first spring practice ended quite successfully.  He has mastered the "stare."

And nearly conquered the three point stance.

This momma is convinced he'll be ready for the full "process" from Coach Saban in just 17 short years...