Unsafe Roads

Jas was fixing something on my door handle and Ave wanted to hang out with daddy!  He said, "Ash, come look at your daughter!"  This is what I found when I came into the garage.  Imitating mommy driving....glasses and all!  However I do not drive that close to the stirring wheel; ask my mom and sister.  Silly girl!

We had to tell her to stay away from the gear shift. :/

She quickly refocused!

Such a sweet girl and her imagination is so fun!

And if you have ever tried waving at me driving this is usually the look.  A deer in the head lights and totally oblivious.

Disney

So the other day we received mail from Disney!  It was our tags for our bags to get onto the cruise ship!  It kind of made everything real and super close.  We have our countdown started and we are more than ready to get away!  I don't want to wish time away but I think I am the most excited!  It's a running competition with Ave!  I tear up every time I think about how she is going to react.......it will be awesome!

Little Diva

So the other day I was going to get my nails and Jas was home so he was going to stay with Avery.  Well he got called back to work so I told her that if she would be really, really, really good I would get them to paint her nails.  Well of course she was excellent and they gave that little stinker a manicure.  It was hilarious to see her sitting there like a little lady, and sad at the same time, then happy to think of all the times we are going to get to do this as she is growing up.  Disclaimer:  It will be a while before she goes back with me; she is only 2!  But is was fun!

So serious!

She picked her polish; purple!  She was so excited!  I feel like when I look at this picture, I am looking at my heart beating on the outside.  She is so fun!

And she is starting soccer this Fall!  It is going to be so much fun and hilarious at the same time.  Daddy wanted to buy her sheen guards but I told him to wait.  I don't think she will need them for indoor two year old soccer.  But this is right up his alley!  Then next year she will be strapping on dance shoes!  Nothing wrong with a ballerina who can kick the ball!  

Just hanging out!

Then she felt the need to pose!

Goof ball.

This is a mug shot for a momma.  I tell you what, we go from awesome day to when is it nap time and bedtime day.  Talk about a behavioral roller coaster here lately.  It will be nice to get back to our schedule and routine.  I feel like all I say is, "No., Avery Christine., do you want a spanking?, I'm exhausted..........."  She is my sweet baby, but boy oh boy can she push my buttons.

The girl loves to dance and we dance pretty regularly at our house!  This time was with daddy.

Working on her spins.

Putting her head band on daddy or what she calls her "bed band".

Digging the shoes!

Beauty!

The Letter

Love me some Pinterest!  So I already had a copy of our marriage license and bought the letter from Hobby Lobby for $4, so super cheap and easy!  I love it!  But I love it more because of it being personal.

Finished project.

 

While at Hobby Lobby my precious Avery was being too funny.  Love this video!  Listen carefully at how she says it.  Cutest thing!

10 Year Reunion

This past weekend the Class of 2002 celebrated 10 years!  I was only able to attend the Friday night activity at Loose Wheels and it was a great turn out.  The park was way too muddy and I hated that we had to miss it.  Although their were many faces we were missing it was great to get to catch up with those who were there!  Some of the committee meet to make a sign and head out together.  Jason was going to be home to go with me, but hours before we were to leave he was called back to work.  I had planned on a relaxing afternoon but actually had to rush to Sherman, run Avery into Nana and Papa's house, and fly to the event!  It was worth it!  Thank you for a wonderful night classmates of 2002! 

Whoooos Ready?

On September 6th Avery will start pre-school at our church, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church!  She is super excited so we had to get her ready this weekend!  She already had the backpack from Christmas last year, so we needed stuff for lunch.  They are encouraged to open all their own stuff so we stood in Pottery Barn Kids testing all the containers.  I have to say all their stuff is kid friendly!  Even for a two year old!  We wanted the giraffe print, but went with the owls to match her nap mat we ordered!  She got her name on her mat but not the lunch box.......making a tag that says "Whooos Lunch Box: Avery Glover".  It has been fun getting her stuff for "school" but I am most excited about how much she is going to learn this year!

All her goodies!

Her water bottle is her favorite!  Thanks Nana and Papa for the water bottle!

A Simple Glass

I have had the privilege to know four of the most amazing great-grandparents any one could ask for from both my mom and dads side of the family.  I have many memories from times with them, but one memory has resurfaced that made me smile.  Last week Jason, Avery, and myself where over at my dad's parent's house and my grandmother pulled out some things of my great-grandparents.  My grandpa's parents were from Little Rock, Arkansas and moved here in the 90s.  From that move and several years in Sherman one particular glass made it through the years.  This glass was my great-grandma Burrus' and she drank her tea from it 24/7.  The glass still had a stain on the inside.  My grandma gave the glass to my mom because she knew how close we were to them and how much time we spent with them.  Looking at the glass brought huge tears to my eyes just as it has writing this.  It is amazing how a simple little glass can bring back so many memories.  I am fortunate that I have several things of theirs that will continue to remind me of their loving spirit.

I have often wondered if they look down on me and now my own family and if they are proud, look over Avery, or if they are happy of the woman I have turned out to be.  They were wonderful.  My great-grandfather would let me brush his hair and curl his white locks with my great-grandmother's pump propane curling iron.  I did this over and over.  So the very same day my mom gets my great-grandmothers glass we head on back to McKinney.  We went to see some sweet friends of ours in their new house.  They were telling us about their neighbors house and all the renovations they had done.  She had told her neighbor she wanted to bring me over to see the progress and it was beautiful!  The neighbor was telling me about an estate sell she went to earlier that day and her treasures she had found.  As we were walking toward the door I spotted two glasses sitting on her table and gasped asking her if she had bought those at the estate sale.  She replied, "No sweetie, those are going to Goodwill.  They were my grandmothers and I have no room for them.  If you like them, take them."  I got tears in my eyes because the two glasses where identical to those of my great-grandmothers.  I took the glasses, not because they are beautiful, but because when I see them, they remind me of her glass.  I always wonder if they think about me and my question was answered on a strangers dining room table.  I know that was a way of letting me know they are watching over me and my family.   

Projects

So I have used this summer to do many things around the house that the school year is not conducive to.  Things such as painting, projects, organizing, etc.  Jason and I have painted our master bath and added crown molding, painted our laundry room and added crown molding, painted our formal dining and changed the drapes, and painted our upstairs bathroom.  I discovered on Pinterest how to repaint all our door knobs in our house and they look great.  We have 19 knobs so to replace them would be outrageous.  So I figured out a way to make them look the way I wanted!  We have organized and gone through Avery's closest for the approaching school year and cleaned out our filing cabinet.  I LOVE doing things like this so I have had fun.  I would love to have my own business for organizing.  Obviously what I do in my own home is very amateur but to do it for a living would be so much fun! 

Lastly, I have an amazing husband.  On many levels.  But he made these shelves for our bedroom for more space to place photos.  I am working on a big wooden letter that will have a copy of our marriage license decoupaged on it!  It will look really cool on the top shelf! 

Shark Week

In honor of Shark Week last week I took this picture after eating at Gloria's over in Fairview!

Close of Summer

We have been busy here lately with getting my class together, visiting family, hanging out with friends, and getting ready for school.  Jason spent two weeks in Alabama and it was the longest two weeks ever, but now he is working a job close to home so he comes home every night.  What a blessing it has been spending time with him and as a family every night here lately.  During his two weeks away it seemed like everything was going wrong; water leak, A/C issues, and everything else under the sun.  I wish I felt like I had everything under control ALL the time but that is my greatest challenge always.  Two weeks ago we had a visiting worship minister come and lead worship at church and he sang an original song he wrote called "God is in Control".  I needed to here this song and the lyrics keep coming into my head, "Trust in the Lord and you will succeed".  The last month has been somewhat difficult emotionally but I know everything will come with good timing. 

Some of these pictures are from my phone so I apologize in advance.  Avery has been changing so much and I have been snapping pictures left and right.  Her new thing is to tell me or daddy, "Mommy, mommy, I love you soooooooooooooooooooo much" and she will ask us "Are you happy mommy?".  When she says this it is the best part of my day.  Avery is very talkative and you can understand her quite well.  I am amazed at how much she is changing. :(  I told her just the other day how I used to rock and sing to her when she was itsy bitty and that if she wanted to ever slow down any that I wouldn't mind rocking her like she was a baby again.  So here lately she has been acting like a little baby!  Silly girl.  We are definitely experiencing her strong personality!  I have always said she was like Jekyll and Hyde!  She keeps us on our toes and we love our sweet girl so much!  

 Helping mommy get her classroom stuff together!  She decided to wear my bucket rather than put things in it.

 Our friends little boy, Kevin, playing with Avery.  He told us about the pen in her V. Reader.  I would have never found that thing.  We have had it since December and we discovered the pen in June!  Haha, those kiddos! 

 Now, she never puts in down!  Deep thought!

 Definitely going in her yearbook!  Classic look for Avery and somewhat of a regular apparel choice.

 Playing with sissy, Maddie, and this is both of their favorite places to hide!  Maddie is not a fan when Avery joins her in the clothes.  It sounds like Maddie is going to eat Avery.  Those two!

 Getting ready to finger paint!

 Concentrate.

Daddy loved his picture!

 Sweet hand prints!

 Masterpiece!

 Training to be a princess!  This may resurface for Halloween.  She loves it!

 So we leave for Disney World in a month and she informed me that she was wearing this.......I don't think so Ave!  She does enjoy dressing up though!

 Wearing Pawpaw's welding hat!

 Exhausted after church and a visit with Pops and Betty!

 Two little fishys!  Avery loves her Tucker!

Oh, and we bunny watch all the time!

 Her semi-permanent position!

 The poor little guy she chased in the backyard!  And she wonders why her sissy and the bunnies run!

Randoms

Avery has been quite the comedian here lately.  So I thought I would share some of her antics. 

1.  "Mommy, you stink.  You need shower."  Me: Avery I just showered.  Thank you.

2.  I am out talking to our potential new neighbors about the neighbor and here comes my naked child running through the garage telling me she has to poopy.  They quickly ended our conversation.  So this led to our conversation about having to have cloths on while outside or if company is here. 

3.  No humor in this little stunt.   Avery decided she wanted to go swimming in the big pool.  Soooooo she took off her Puddle Jumper (For those non-parents or parents with older kids, this is a flotation device) and took off running into the pool.  The BIG pool, 5 feet deep.  I swear to you I grew wings and jumped in to grab her.  I was sick to my stomach to think what could have happened if I had not been such a vigilant parent. 

4.  On a great note, this photo was taken after a three hour nap that Avery woke up DRY from.  She has rocked potty training.  We still have trouble with number two, but hopefully that will happen before pre-school starts next month. 

5.  Jason and I took Avery to Target to pick up a few things and we grabbed bubbles for the tub for Avery's baths.  Jason looks over and Avery has just taken a huge swig of bubbles and has pink all over her face.  Awesome. 

She is keeping us busy and it is hard to believe how fast summer has flown by!   

Tiny Dancer

Avery and I celebrated National Dance Day on July 28th in style!  Seriously, it is really a day!  I cannot wait to enroll her in dance and watch her do something that has been such a huge part of my life.  I pray she likes because if she doesn't someone better get me a Kleenex box.......I will support whatever she wants to do!  (as long as it has to do with dance, just kidding!)  I am waiting to put her in till next Fall because I think her attention span is still a bit short!!!!!!!!

 Doing what looks to be fourth position!

Getting ready for a pirouette!

North Carolina bound

Although our visit was short, it was great to hang out with everyone!  My cousin Adam and his family came to Texas for a quick visit and it was so much fun.  We went swimming, grilled out, and let the kids play!  We wish they lived closer to hang out more but they had to head back to North Carolina!

 Conner is a cutie pie and Avery was his shadow the entire time!

 Adam and Mom (Maddie made the picture too!)

 Adam and his beautiful wife Tiffany

 Eating dinner

 Pops with his three kids

 This is a picture for the books!  This is the entire family under one roof (missing my cousin Jason) and it has been years since this has happened.  What a great memory!  Thank you Zach for taking it!

Two precious blue eyed babies!  We will miss y'all till next time!