HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y'ALL

August 22nd - My Dad came to town for the weekend to celebrate his 60th and Grandpa's 81st birthday. Grandpa was able to leave assisted living for the weekend and it sure was nice to see him home again. Grandma cooked an excellent meal and Avery provided great entertainment.

Avery sitting on her bench reading a book. She loves to sit and read, or at least turn the pages.

Avery sitting in Granddad's lap and feeding herself with a spoon. She got more applesauce on her bib than in her mouth, but she's learning.

The family (minus David - he took the picture) celebrating with the birthday boys!!

HURRICANE AVERY

August 20th - Avery seems to discover something new every week. The first thing Avery does when she goes in the kitchen is head straight for the Tupperware cabinet. She has done this for months now. In seconds every piece is on the floor in the kitchen and living room. We laugh and say "Hurricane Avery just went through here". This weekend was a little different. I'm standing at the sink cutting up fruit and when I look over, this is what I see:

Avery was completely in the cabinet.

Watch out, it is hurricane season, so Avery may be headed to destroy your house.

FAIR

August 8th - The company I work for, Tractor Supply Company, sponsors the Williamson County Fair. Today was employee day at the fair so we decided to take Avery. We were a little disappointed in the rides because Avery was to little to ride them and we were to big to go on them with her, so the only ride she could go on was the carousel. When we first got on the ride she looked a little scared but as soon as it started she was really excited. She kept smiling and waving to the ride operator. After that we took her to "Little Farming" which is where kids learn how farms make food that feeds people and makes money. At the end she got to buy an ice cream sandwich with the money she earned being a "Little Farmer". We had a really good time but it was a hot day, in the low 90s. These pictures aren't in order but they show how much fun we had.

This was the only ride we could go on together. This is her second time riding it.

Avery bought an ice cream sandwich with her "Little Farmers" money.

Avery got to pick an apple from a tree and put it in her basket.

Avery and Daddy milked a cow to learn where milk comes from.

This picture is for Grandpa. They had a big John Deere tractor in the "Little Farmers" area. We just had to have our picture taken by it for Grandpa, though you can't tell it's a Deere.

Avery and Daddy entering the "Little Farmers" area. Avery got a smock and a basket to put all her goodies in.

This is Avery's first trip on the carousel. I think she really liked it.

Friday was Hawaiian luau day at fun place. Avery got a lei and some cool glasses so she put it all on so I could take a picture.

TO BITE OR BE BITTEN

August 7th - I had a feeling this day would come, but I still held out hope that it would pass us by. Avery has been bitten three times at fun place so it was only a matter of time before she decided to bite back. Well Friday was the day. I got a call at work that Avery bit another kid in her class. While Avery was separated from the class and the teacher was consoling the other kid, another kid decided to bite Avery (alliances sure do form early), so now it was Avery's turn to be consoled (talk about mixed signals). I'm not sure if I should be disappointed in her for biting or happy that she is sticking up for herself?!?! The daycare Director said this was normal and may last a couple of months. I really hope this doesn't continue. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this?

SIPPY CUP

August 5th - Avery has reached another milestone, it may seem small in comparison to some, but to David and I it is another step toward becoming a big girl. Today marks a week since Avery has been drinking only from a sippy cup. I have to say it was a very easy transition. Please be advised that Avery knows her sippy cups and if you get one out of her cabinet she will run straight for it, ready for a drink. So be prepared to jump out of her way or get run over.

FARM GETAWAY

July 31st - August 2nd: David, Avery and I have been itching to get out of town, so we headed to the farm for the weekend. We had a really good weekend. Grandma hadn't seen Avery since her birthday so she was really amazed at how much Avery has grown and changed. While we were away Avery discovered she could spin around and make herself dizzy. She would spin around, fall to the ground and laugh. Below are some pictures from our trip.

On our trip I discovered how much I admire my Grandma and I really hope I can be the kind of Mom to Avery and Grandma to her kids. I told my Grandma I had been craving cupcakes and we should make some our next visit. She said "forget the next visit, lets make them now". Avery loved our strawberry cupcakes and so did I. Thanks Grandma.

My Great Aunt Betty has horses on her part of the farm. Avery got to pet this one. She wasn't as scared as I was.

We can hardly go to the farm without visiting the cows. You can't tell from this picture but it was raining, so we quickly took this picture and ran to Aunt Betty's for shelter.

My 2nd cousins were visiting Aunt Betty. I have not seen them in a couple of years because one of my cousins wife and her two kids were stuck in the Philippines. They are now home and it was really good to see them. Avery got to meet her 3rd cousins (Julie, Kayla and Keisha) and they had a blast playing together.