From the Mouths of (Our) Babes

Avery named his stuffed lion, "Dandy". Love it!

So we found ourselves without a sitter today. Some miscommunication of schedules. It's just a busy time, and not sure where the message got lost. Anyway, so it happened that Charlie dropped by last night. So we asked if Avery and he could play tomorrow, and as it turns out---perfect! We brought Avery over to Charlie's this AM and he just spent the day at Charlie's, playing with all the kids. He loved the babysitter, Kira, too, so might have a new sitter option! Lovely! When I went to pick him up, Kira reported that Avery was "very easy" and "really a good kid." She said she'd love to babysit for him again any time! And Avery came home, had a snack, and I told him he should take a nap---and he did! So it all works out.

This morning, Avery came over to me and sniffed, and then said, "You smell good." Then, he ran over to Walker, sniffed, and said, "and you don't."

He's clearly ready for the big time.

From out of nowhere, a little hand appeared at lunch on Sunday. It snagged the plate of dumplings and disappeared.

Chocolate filled Korean Cookies with little panda faces! Best first purchase choice EVER.

We were reading a Richard Scarry book last night. There's always a part of any Richard Scarry book that talks about all the jobs people do in the neighborhood. These are very specific jobs---like artists who create art for children's books, construction workers, surveyors for towns, teachers, captains of ships, or police officers. This particular job description was that of "lumberjack". Avery asked what lumber was, so I told him. His reply was, "Why do they cut down trees? Trees are our friends."

Starting early (and he insists. He gets his whole body into it.

Avery's got a new expression, and I have no idea where he learned it. He has started saying, "Let's move on to another topic." Last night, on the car ride going home from Nan and Popi's, he had us laughing. He kept switching gears, saying things like, "So, are there Express Trains? What do they do?," We'd talk for a minute and then he's pipe up, "Let's move on to another topic. Let's talk about Express Trucks. Do they pick up people?" Then, he was imagining things that Express trucks pick up, "Toys, lots of toys!" He was sure. And also, "Potted plants!" Then, "Moving on, let's talk about flamingos." The topics were creative and varied. Also, I am putting out there that parents should not by the book, "That's Disgusting", (originally written in French) for the following reason: It gives kids disgusting ideas about things to do. I mean, who needs that? Last night, Ave...

Avery and Charlie had a lovely evening of laughing, playing and (not much) sleeping. They decided to sleep together on the bottom bunk, and konked out about 10pm (reasonable) and woke up around 6:30 (early, but ok). But Avery's sort of a mess today anyway. He's just weepy and whiny and not himself entirely some of the time. As an example, he just announced "Mama, it's hard babysitting ChaHlie, isn't it? It's hard having two kids!"

Aw, made me teary. We will miss you, Trinity!!! Avery's off to the big kid school September 7th-approaching fast. Dear Parents, As the end of the school year quickly approaches, we wanted to take a minute to thank you for sharing your children with us. It's been an exciting year in the Intermediate class with many firsts. We've faced everything from starting school for the first time, conquering the potty, meeting new friends, to singing in front of the whole class with Mr. Joe and have done so with enthusiasm. We've all learned to take a chance and try new things. Our creativity soared with our art imagination exercises, interactive stories, dramatic play experiences and continuous exploration of the world around us. We read books by the dozens and were thrilled to have so many wonderful stories brought in by the children each day. Through these works we explored everything from why you shouldn't give a mouse a cookie to where the wild things are and the childre...

On Friday, one of Avery's bestest friends, Charlie, as seen here: And here: ....from their younger years....is sleeping over. He lives about four blocks away, so this first sleep over experience is close to home. Avery is SO excited! So we're trying to figure out sleeping arrangements, and help make Avery's bottom "bunk" on his new bed more comfortable for Charlie. I asked Avery what we might do, or plan, or eat. He told me that he doesn't want to eat anything, or plan anything, he just wants to play with cars with Charlie...all.night.long. so there. We're making secret plans to take them to a playground to run them around, then a photography show for First Friday, and then dinner some place kid-friendly. So there it is.

Avery's got the concept down, but prefers hiding in pairs.

Bad mood day. Announced from the back seat, in a whiney, loud voice, " I don't like digging trucks anymore! I don't like any trucks! I only like Batman, Spiderman and Transformers! Only!!!!" He continued to remind us of this throughout the day. I think he really had to get this off his chest, because after he did, his mood was considerably better and more bearable.