Happy 3rd Birthday {the school party}

This girl started partying today for her birthday next week.

She's been asking for weeks to take cupcakes to school for her birthday. She requested blue ones, but after some reasoning, she decided pink ones would be more appropriate for a princess.

I'm so thankful for a sweet teacher who texts me pictures of special things at school so I get to at least get a glimpse and have a picture for Avery Claire to see one day!

First Friend Birthday Party {Chuck E. Cheese}

Avery Claire went to her friend Brennan's birthday party Sunday. We've been to birthday parties, but this was her first real "my friend from school brought me an invitation to a party" party.

She was so excited. We picked him out a gift at WalMart Friday night and Sunday she was beside herself knowing that we were leaving for the party a little while after church. She kept saying "after I take a nap, we'll go to Brennan's party!" And after the party, she asked "We're not gonna take nap today?!"

Poor thing fell asleep on the way to the party...
 
She perked right up when I woke her up and told her we were at Chuck E. Cheese! There were a couple of her other school friends there + the birthday boy. They were so sweet hugging each other and holding hands and dragging each other to the next game or ride.
 

Waiting patiently on cake!!


I wish I had some video of the kiddos playing! And of Avery Claire seeing Chuck E. She was sitting up on her knees looking around and when he walked out, she turned around and sat low in her chair so he wouldn't notice her!



She had such a fun time! I was so glad I took her!!

First Time for Everything

Does this look like the face of a girl who had to go to time out at school?!!?!!

 

That's right. Avery Claire had to go to time out at school yesterday for the first time. Her teacher didn't see it happen, but a teacher from another class saw her hit another boy from her class in the gym and put her in time out.

Dusty picked her up today and the first thing she said to him was "I didn't have to go to time out today." When I got home, the first thing she said to me was "I hadda go to time out today" in the most embarrassed little voice. She was so sad to have to tell us. And she was so sad she didn't get her sticker today for not having to go to time out.

Now, the teacher in me absolutely agrees 110%. If she hit the other kid, then she deserved the punishment.

However, the mama in me wanted to know every detail. Did you hit him first? Why did you do it? What did Mrs. Misty say? Did you tell him you were sorry? I even heard myself say to Dusty, "I'm sure they play like that all of the time." Dusty kidded me about justifying her behavior. I promise, I'm not.

I do not want to be the mom who thinks her kid does no wrong. Trust me, I see the fits she pitches at home. I love her to death and think she's absolutely precious, but a little part of me is surprised when her teachers tell me they never have to get on to her. And I'd never be of those moms to question the teacher - I've been on the other side of that and I don't think it's fair to question. I was just surprised at how quickly and ferociously my mama defenses came to the surface.

We had a long talk about how we don't hit our friends {even if we're playing} and how we aren't going to do it again. I think the shame of having to tell us and the disappointment over not getting her sticker will hang around in her little brain for awhile, at least. And for the record, the other kid hit back and had to go to time out, too. In case that makes you feel better...

Long Time, No Blog

We're still here... we I just need about 3 more hours in the day when I'm not exhausted. When Avery Claire goes to bed, I head that way, too. And the time change doesn't make a difference - I just feel like I have even less time at night to get things accomplished. Between trying to "decorate" the house and get ready for a birthday party {and after I saw how EASY these friends make a party}, we've seriously considered moving the b'day party to Chuck E. Cheese. Just kidding, folks, we're still hosting this shin dig because we want you to see our new home. Just overlook the unfinished touches, please. If I post a picture you've already seen, forgive me. It's been over a month since I've attempted to blog. This may possibly be the most random of all blog posts. But I'll feel better if I catch you up in pictures. Then I can attempt to keep up. Bahahahahahaha! I can hear you all the way from here. *Disclaimer: My child does own more than 4 shirts. Just because she is wearing the same shirts in most of the pictures doesn't mean she doesn't have precious, cute clothes hanging in her closet. It just means she is very opinionated about what she likes to wear and when we're at home {and sometimes when we aren't}, I don't fight the clothes battle.* Guess I should be glad she doesn't choose this kind of get-up very often.
 
She knows what she likes and doesn't care what you think about it!
We celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday. We decorated at school. We had lots of Seuss read alouds at our house. Avery Claire had pajama day at school and was sooooo excited!!
 
We visited Clay County. Avery Claire decided she loves salad!

We've had some pretty, although windy, days and we've gotten in as much playing outside time as we could.
 
I have attempted DIY curtains. Probably should have just forked over the big $.

More DIY projects. Just call me Martha.
 
Before   
 
After    
  

My two favorite people in the world! {We've still had some chilly days and nights, too!}
 

The nose seems to run daily. And we've gone through many wipes! We've finally convinced her it's okay to use tissue sometimes to blow your nose! She called me to look - "Mom, look at me ewwwse tissue to bwow my nose!" That's another thing...we're suddenly "Mom" and "Dad." It's liking she's turning 13. But she still likes us. She likes to be where we are, even if it means breakfast in the bathroom floor.

 

Avery Claire loves to know when we expect visitors!! {Mema was here, too, but wouldn't get her picture made after a day of hard work!}
 

She asked me to take pictures of things she wanted for her birthday while we browsed the toy aisle. "I'm gonna tell Santa, Mom, what I want for my birfday." The girl needs absolutely NOTHING!! And if you ask her what she wants, guarantee you her answer will be "chocolate."
 

 

Training her right:
 

Looks like there's lots of sleeping in the car...
 

It's an act of Congress to get her to wash her hair some days. Some days, I give in to "wet's do it tomowwo." And we do it in the sink.
 

And yet another holiday - Happy St. Patrick's Day. We didn't have a green dress, so we went with green frogs.
 
{And I see one more thing to add to my to-do list: do something about those cords!! I promise there's already a cord cover there!} We curled Avery Claire's hair Sunday. It held okay for a bit, but I think I'll know what to do better next time.
 



Okay...are you overloaded and overwhelmed? It's way past my bedtime and if I don't go to sleep asap, I'll never get up in the morning!