Christmas Fun

Go here for Christmas laughs involving my kids! Merry Christmas.

Friendly Beasts

Here is the follow-up to last week's post about the kids' Nativity roles requests. They all got their top choices. Even Avery as a monkey. But I suppose if you can get a picture with Santa Cow at Chick-fil-A then you can have a monkey in the Nativity, right? Madeleine even had some forced participation, as a sheep. I think the enjoyable part for her was eating the cotton balls off of the ears.

Believe

Abigail: "We believe in Jesus, Santa and the Tooth Fairy, right? Cuz they're the ones we need."

Hmm. Should I be concerned?

Happy 3rd Birthday Avery!

Dear Avery,
What a delight you are! I love being your mother. You are a firecracker--full of sparkle and energy, dazzling.

Your birthday display highlights some of the things you love. The books "Madeline" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom." You {exasperatedly} love how dad starts every book with you by saying, "I think this book is too scary." A boot from the set you wear in all sorts of weather, a bit a of a trademark for you. "Mary Poppins," your favorite movie, full of music you love to sing and to dance with. A baby picture of you in the swing, something you still adore and ask to do multiple times a day. Your Tinkerbell lunchbox; you remind me of her, flitting about from place to place, and a fiery spark along with your sweet personality. Your "Avery: The First 2 Years" book. You love reading it and looking at your pictures, and you got another book this year, all about your 3rd year. A box of Macaroni and Cheese--yum. A picture of you a year ago, with concern all over your face. You are more lighthearted now, but still very conscious of the underdog.

You asked for a tea party birthday, so we had Carolyn and Kate, & Payton and CJ over. You ate Cheetos--compliments of Warren--crackers and cheese and orange smiles, and apple juice, all on my China set. Then you each got to choose your own frosting colors and decorate mini-cupcakes. You wanted a "big, blue cupcake." Once I showed you a teapot cake to see if you would like that, and you reminded me that you wanted a "cupckae like the one [I] made for Tutu."

You keep me on my toes, always keeping me humble and realistic about my parenting abilities. You love to answer, with a mischievous grin, "I don't know" when I ask you, "Why do you think?" You don't love to stay in time-out, and you definitely don't have an "inside voice." You have a booming singing voice and great dance moves. You love to be naked, and cold doesn't seem to bother you. Bathtime is a favorite with you, as is a cup of water before each nap and bedtime. You love to help me mix and bake. You love to sample the batter or dough even more.
You have a twinkle in your eyes that melts me and a sincere heart that disarms me. You are every sibling's best friend.
I love you Avery.

Mom

Abigail's Dance Recital

Abigail loves to dance anywhere, especially on our rug at home and on our backyard stage. It is delightful to see the added grace that pre-school ballet class adds to her moves. She was so excited to wear make-up for the recital, by the way.