To Avery on Your 6th Birthday

 Daddy and I knew from the time you were born that God had blessed us with a special little girl, and over the past 6 years we have learned just how remarkable you are!  When I think back to those early days of your little life, I just have such sweet, sweet memories that I will always cherish.  I remember on the day we brought you home from the hospital feeling overwhelmed with joy, pride, wonder, and love for this precious little baby that God had blessed me with. Throughout the past 6 years, you have continued to fill me with those same emotions and it has been a joy to watch you grow, change and learn.  Probably the biggest change for you in the past year was starting kindergarten. You have learned to read, to add single digits, to tell time, and lots more.  You love school and look forward to learning and seeing your friends every day.  One of your favorite things to do at home now is to play school, either by yourself or with Kendall.  You are actually a pretty good little teacher and have helped Kendall learn quite a few new things.  It is so amazing to me, not to mention helpful, that you are now a good enough reader to read just about any book off your bookshelf to Kendall or Judson.  Speaking of Judson, another big event for you this year was becoming a big sister again!  You love Judson so much and it has been such a joy to watch you be a little "mother hen" to him.  Because of all the time you have spent holding him, playing with him and helping take care of him over the past 11 months, the two of you really share a special bond.  Even Daddy and I cannot seem to crack him up the way you do.  Other firsts for you this year included going to ski school (twice), learning to whistle, getting your ears pierced, losing your two bottom front teeth, and moving up to the silver level in gymnastics.  Some of your favorite things to do at 6 years old include playing school and other pretend games with Kendall, arts and crafts, playing with Judson and making him laugh, playing rough games with Daddy, and watching cartoons and playing outside after school.  Your favorite drinks are water with lemon and lemonade, and your favorite restaurant is Pei Wei (such refined tastes for a 6 yr old!).  You are such an intelligent, fun little girl with a tender heart and nurturing spirit Avery.  Daddy and I are so proud of who you are and all you have accomplished in your short little life!  Although we don't want you to grow up too fast, we do look forward to witnessing all the amazing things you will do with God's help as you grow.  Above all, we pray that you will always love singing songs to Him and learning His word as much as you do now!   Happy 6th Birthday Avery!

10 months

Showing off his standing skills and his cowboy pajamas that cousin Mason let him borrow

Judson is now 10 months old and his little personality is shining through more and more. Lately he has been hamming it up and performing for us at dinner to make us laugh. One night the girls started talking about how Avery's new Fidgit toy does the sprinkler dance and when Scott started doing it, Judson put his bent arms up by his head and wiggled them. He loved it when we laughed at him and just kept doing it to make us laugh more. Some of the things he really likes right now are covering his head up with things and playing peek-a-boo, going outside, standing at the back door and watching Josie when she's outside, taking baths (he makes a b-line for the tub whenever he hears water running), and playing with Scott and the girls when they get down on the floor and wrestle around. He also really likes playing ball and has gotten pretty good at throwing and rolling it. He seems to like cars and anything stick-like, although he loves to get into whatever the girls are playing with- Barbies, jewelry, whatever. A couple of other new things he is doing include waving at people, playing on the playscape at YCW, eating more finger foods,and having separation anxiety sometimes when he goes to the nursery at church. Luckily, he doesn't cry right when I drop him off and they can usually calm him down and keep him distracted. He can crawl really well now, cruises along the furniture and even lets go sometimes and stands on his own for a few seconds. It is a little challenging sometimes to keep him safe and to deal with his busy little body when I'm trying to change his diaper and his clothes, but it's fun to see him explore and discover new things on his own. Although I'm sad that he is growing up so quickly, it is a lot of fun watching him do new things and seeing his little personality develop. You are so incredibly sweet Judson and your little smiles and laughter light up our lives!

Judson and Josie both wanting to go outside

Rough-housing with Daddy and the girls. Judson loves to do this thing where he lays down and lifts his legs up, then flops them down on the floor or on you as hard as he can. He thinks it's hilarious! That's a boy for you I guess.

Doing his sprinkler dance

my blue-eyed boy

"I don't know what they're doing, but they're hilarious Mom!"

1st Soccer Game of 2012

Avery is playing Upwards soccer again, but this year she is doing it at Harvest Church since she goes to school there. Her team is named the Rapids and consists of pre-K and Kindergarten kids. There are only 2 other girls on her team, but it doesn't seem to bother her a bit. They had their first game this past Saturday and won! Avery was more aggressive this year and better at following the ball. She didn't score any goals or anything, but she was definitely mixing it up and at least kicked the ball a few times. She also was a great sidelines cheerleader when it was her turn to sit out. We are looking forward to enjoying some time outside on Saturdays this spring while we watch the Aves play some soccer! Go Rapids!

Avery, Kendall and Judson pre-game

warm-ups

going after that ball!

These three did a good job of cheering on their teammates while they rested

ready to kick

getting some praise from her coach

Way to Go Avery! Go Rapids!

Avery's 6th Birthday Party

This year, Avery's birthday fell on a Saturday, so we were able to have her party on her actual birthday. She had a painting party at Sunshine Glaze Creative Studio in Southlake. Avery, Kendall, and 6 of Avery's friends from school all got to pick either a princess bank or a butterfly bank to paint. The girls all worked so hard on their little masterpieces and they all seemed to have a really good time. They also made a keepsake plate for Avery that has her handprint in the middle and all the party guests' fingerprints around it. One of the employees there will then decorate the plate for her and fire it along with the pieces that the girls painted. The girls painted for about 45 min to an hour, then we sang "Happy Birthday" and had cake. My Mom did an amazing job making Avery's Barbie cake and it was delicious! We finished up the party with opening presents-- which consisted of lots of Barbies since she sent out Barbie invitations and had a Barbie cake and table wear. I'm not sure who was more excited about all the Barbies though- Avery or Kendall. Kendall could not wait to get home and let Avery start sharing all the new toys with her! Along with all the different kinds of Barbies, Avery also received a Fidgit from Mimi and Poppi, a personalized lap desk from Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris, a mermaid La-La-Loopsy doll from her BFF Caris, a Hello Kitty scrapbook kit, and a new bike from us. It was neat to see Avery read all the cards by herself this year and see her interact with her school friends. She had a really fun time with all her friends and family and she enjoyed all the attention she received on her special day!

family pic with our big 6 yr old

Girls picture!

Avery, Mommy and Judson

Waiting for the other guests to arrive so they can start painting. Avery chose a princess bank and Kendall chose the butterfly bank.

And now they are waiting for the paint. Avery got to choose 6 colors.

Finally hard at work.

Mimi made Avery a beautiful and delicious strawberry Barbie cake

sister talk

blowing out her candles

Avery and Mimi

One of Avery's school friends gave her a Mermaid Barbie just like Kendall's.

reading her card from Memaw and Dedaw

We gave Avery her new bike that morning, but Kendall got to go up and sit in the chair next to her while she read her card and tell everyone that we gave her a bike.

Sweet hugs from sister (that squish her eye!)

personalized lapdesk from Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris

Mermaid La-La-Loopsy from her BFF Caris