Rainforest Cafe

Birthday sundae

Sharing some of her birthday sundae with RoMe and Ro

Dan and Ave

Happy Birthday Avery!

Dear Avery,

Happy Birthday! Today you are four-years-old. Wow. I simply can’t believe it.

Four years ago you JOLTED our world, and we didn’t know it then, BUT WE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME. You father and I were two self-centered-spry-career-hyped-twenty-somethings (with cash) turned family-oriented-coupon-clipping-fat-bottom-tired-movie-renting-pizza-eating-slugs. To say you have taken our world by storm would be a MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT. You jolted us then, and you jolt us now, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

You are spunky, sassy, funny, silly, happy, and passionate. Your Tot Rock teacher described you as “memorable” and that really captures who you are. You are remarkably memorable. And, you can be incredibly sweet. You are quick to tell people you love them, quick to take a hand, and quick to offer a hug. And, you are totally and utterly fearless, and I love that about you.

You are, and will always be, so special to me. I love you.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom

Independent

No, we’re not celebrating the 4th of July (yet); rather, we’re celebrating Avery. Tomorrow is Avery’s fourth birthday, and she is our “Miss Independent.”

If you’ve engaged with Avery recently than you’ve certainly heard some of her frequently used expressions: “No, just me!” “I can do it!” "I don't need any help!" or some form of those phrases, “I can do it all by myself!” “Just me, not Ro!” She’s even informed us that she’ll be blowing out her birthday candles by herself, not Ro. Whoa to Ro if she even steps near Avery’s birthday cake. Stay tuned. This could get interesting.

Oh, and if you happen to be at Old Navy and see this t-shirt in a girls size small please pick it up for me. I'll pay you double.

Father-Daughter

Don't mind the food in Romey's mouth, instead, notice the way she is looking at Dan. I just love this picture and had to share it.

Morton Arboretum

A friend once described the Morton Arboretum as an "outdoor children's museum" and I couldn't agree more. The girls loved exploring and doing all kinds of cool things!

Ave in a little log cabin.

Romey playing a flower xylophone.

Sliding.....

Avery and Lea (a terribly good sport) navigating their way through a pond filled with tadpoles (really neat since Ave had just seen a Curious George episode about tadpoles, and seeing them in person was a fun real-life application).

Naturally, Avery wanted to touch.

And, a whole lot of bridge-type climbing, and climbing, and climbing......