The Big Show!

Earlier this week, Avery had her Big Show for her dance class at the Little Gym. It went really well, especially considering how the first half of the semester went! Avery pretty much ran free and goofed off for the first several weeks of class. In fact, I even moved her to a different class so that she'd be with her cousin Hannah, and so that her dad could come watch too. That seemed to help a little... but still it felt like she wasn't into it. We decided to put her into a strictly gymnastics class thinking that she just didn't enjoy the dancing part, but the very night we went to say goodbye, she did GREAT at the dance and told me she wanted to stay. They started learning the routine that night, and putting it to music, and it was like she just got it. From then on she wasn't the perfect student - but she's three - and it was just very cute to watch.

They tried something new this year that I wasn't crazy about: no specific dance costumes for the show. (we could wear whatever we wanted) They said they were helping us to save money, which I can appreciate, but isn't the best part seeing them all dressed in their matching fluffy tutus?

We ended up borrowing a costume from cousin Sage, which Avery was "so exciting" about. This is Sage all dolled-up before her recital the week before.



Avery looked so pretty all dressed up in Sage's costume! I tried to match the pose, because I'm obsessive like that, but you know how that goes. Actually she was a pretty good sport because she was so happy in that costume!




Here are a couple videos if you'd like to see her in action.

Dance Routines:



Gymnastics Routines:



At the end, each girl got to stand on the platform to receive her medal, and the teacher briefly said something nice about each one. For Avery, not surprisingly, the teacher discussed how she had come a long way focusing, and paying attention. I don't know if I've ever been so proud of her before.

Want S'more Cousins!

We spent last week across the state with my sister and her family. Poor Lori had back surgery the week before, so we headed over to help her out (and play and visit of course!).

The kids really enjoyed their cousin time, as always. This was the most time they have ever spent together - and I won't say there wasn't any fighting - but they had so much fun.

One night when Uncle Heath got home from work, we talked him into making a campfire. Avery's first! He taught her how to roast a marshmallow (he's a bit of a pro).





She needed no explanation for eating it of course.



After getting warmed up with a simple marshmallow, we moved on to a full-blown S'more. Her first, and my first in many, many years. Such a fun treat!

My Bad Girl

She was so excited about her Sally tatoo that for once taking a picture was her idea!

(you can't see the shirt or shoes, but oh yes, those are Cars too.)

So Cool

It got really hot, really fast here this year! Like, record-breaking!
It's nice to not have it cool and rainy all spring, for sure, but it's only June and my grass is already dead. That's usually more of an August treat.

Anyway, enough weather report.

We got Avery a little wading pool to help keep her cool (and BUSY) on our super hot days. She loves it, but isn't crazy about getting her hair wet, or about sitting down in the chilly water.

Tiny Princesses on My Teeth

My girl loves brushing her teeth, hurray!

She's always so proud to show me how clean and sparkly they are, and even sometimes asks if I can see the tiny princesses on her teeth (from the princess toothpaste she uses, of course).

She recently had her very first trip to the dentist, and I think it went about as well as one could expect for a three-year old.

In the lobby we had to wait an extra long time, but she was patient and enjoyed the oh-so-appropriate tooth book we found there.



Once we got in, she climbed up in the chair and was intrigued as the hygienist showed her all of the tools they had. She touched and tried everything, but wanted nothing to do with the sunglasses they give you because they didn't have Lightning McQueen on them... so she just stared at the bright light instead.



Anyway, after checking everything out, she had her teeth cleaned, polished, and flossed without any fuss at all. Then they decided to try for x-rays. Didn't happen. Way too gaggy.

(checkout how Miss Squirmy is laying in the chair)




Dr. came in and checked out her little pearlies and said they looked clean and nice, and "well-spaced" (Woo hoo!).



He even let her pick out a prize for being so good. Bubbles!

I Love Being Avery's Mom

You're my honey bunch, sugar plum,
pumpie umpy umpkin...
you're my sweetie pie.

You're my cuppy cake, gum drop,
snookum snookums you're...
the apple of my eye!

(Share the love and sing along with us here)

I also got an updated version of this photo of the 4 generations on Kyle's side (I'm a sucker for generation photos!)




Happy Mother's Day to all you mammas out there!

I See a Little Silhouette of a Girl

My friend's daughter's preschool hosted a local silhouette artist last week and opened it up to friends and family so I was all over it. I love these things!
It was actually pretty amazing, the woman sat Avery in front of a black piece of paper and just looking at Avery's profile, she cut - freehand - a little silhouette out of black paper. The whole thing took just 4 or 5 minutes. In all honesty, the likeness isn't all that great, but I'm still loving it!

Watch out Tiger

Kyle has had a few days off lately (not by choice, ahem), so we decided to use one on Friday to try mini-golf for the first time with Avery. It was too cute!

I let Kyle do the explanations, since he's the golfer in the family (if we went out to do kicklines, however, I'd certainly be in charge for once). Of course she didn't really get the proper way to hold the club, or how to swing it at the angle that you should... but she she did great and we loved watching her try and even make a few nice shots!







(afterwards, these two had to hit the arcade)

Slumber Party

We've attempted slumber parties a few times in the past, all with cousin Sage, and all without success. While I can't say it was a complete success this time either, it was pretty darn close.

After jammies (notice how Avery is clutching her Lightning and Mater, but she is NOT in her car pajamas - a very rare occurence these days), a couple stories, drinks, and music, Avery and Sage went to sleep in Ave's princess tent, and slumbered together for a few hours until Sage wandered out to find her mom. I didn't get to see Avery right when she woke up, but I bet she was confused to find herself on her floor, in a tent, alone!

The next night we tried again, but both girls were so exhausted that it just didn't work at all.

(Avery has had TWO successful slumber parties with her Grandma Paula, however! YAY for those!)

Scenic Route

Daddy has the day off + sunny and warm = first ever visit to the Tulip Festival!

We met up with my Aunt, Uncle and Grandma for lunch and then wandered through the best field we could find (the tulips weren't fully in bloom just yet, so it was slim pickin's!).

To be honest, Avery wasn't impressed with the flowers, but then again she's THREE. In fact, the dandelions growing in the crack near the barn were just as neat to her as the rows and rows of tulips we saw.









After way too much begging, pleading and bribing her to leave her clip in her hair, stand still, and at the very least not make "silly faces" so I can try to take pictures (she won't even humor me anymore...) we called it good and headed off to get some ice cream.

Instead of turning around and going home, we drove up and around the island and took the ferry back across. We kept the ride a surprise to Avery (she's never been on a ferry) and didn't even mention it until we were almost to the dock. As we approached we told her we were going to do something really fun and asked if she'd ever heard of a ferry (heard by her ears as FAIRY...). YEAH she had! And now she was excited about some sparkly winged creature. Oops.

Anyway, I explained what it was and we got on the big boat and she LOVED IT. Unfortunately, it was just a short little trip across and she was none too happy when I told her the ride was already over. We will be doing another one soon though, I hope, because she really had a great time.