From the Mouths of (Our) Babes

I've asked Avery to participate in his lunch making as a way to encourage him to eat more of his lunch. Tomorrow, on the menu is "The Avery". It is Calabrese salami, shredded mozzarella and ketchup on whole wheat.

Avery just asked, "Mama, why is everything in the unright place?" I straightened up last night. Avery's not used to it.

We are applying to pre-K for Avery. I just asked Avery where he wanted to go to school. He said, "First I want to go to the Philadelphia School, and then I want to go to Friends Select when I get bigger."

I was reading a story about Thanksgiving last night with Avery. We were talking about the upcoming holiday, and what he's thankful for. First, of course, he explained he was thankful for Thomas the train. He received a new little bath squirter last night. He loved it so much he slept with it. Next, he said, his family---Sashee, Pop Tom, Mommy, Daddy, Nan, Popi, Hopie, etc...he went through the list. I then asked if he was thankful for anything else. He paused and thought a bit, with a little eye roll like he was thinking. Then, he said, "I am thankful for chicken."

He answered without hesitation, "Sixty-seven."

The school Avery goes to is required to create a "Child Service Report" on each child in the fall and spring. The fall report is very template-y, but I think we like to read the updates anyway. I received the report today, and here's what it says: Avery possess age appropriate fine and gross motor skills. (template) Avery is very bright and seems to enjoy his time in or class. (he does enjoy school) His interests include building, trucks, sand play, puzzles and music. Then there is blah, blah, blah stuff about Avery that we love to read, but we don't need to reprint here. BUT, Here's my favorite quote in the whole report: Avery is a very social boy and has made many friends in the class. He seems to enjoy playing with Will, Charlie, Miles, and Andrew in particular-and of course, let's not forget his favorite girl, Sophia.

Yesterday, Avery joined us in the voting booth. He was confused, as the last time we went to vote, we were, of course, voting for Obama. The entire time, he kept asking where the OBAMA button was. First, he went with Walker to cast his vote. Walker was working on one side of the booth while Avery was standing on the other pressing various buttons that Walker was going to get to and fix when he finished on his side. ' All of the sudden, the lights disappeared. His vote was cast. It seems that the big, green button down on the lower right side was within Avery's reach. It said "VOTE". So, of course, Avery pressed it. And so, Walker's vote was cast--- perhaps a bit too early.

Avery had a little altercation with a girl in the park yesterday. She hit him, so he hit her back. He was explaining to her nanny, "She hit me first." Her nanny replied, "Well, you don't have to hit her back." On the way home from the park, Hopie was discussing the situation with Avery. She was explaining that it's better to use words than to hit back. She ended by saying, "Avery, it's not good to hit people. What would your parents think of that choice?" Avery replied, "My parents don't make all my decisions."

I like this one of Avery considering the candy...

Out and then back!!