My Dearest Avery,
To say you're very active is an understatement. You've filled this fall with trips to Kansas and Roswell, adjusting to your new school, a visit from grandma and pop, several Halloween celebrations to flaunt your costume, getting ready for the holidays, and prepping for your baby brother's arrival!
I have to say that parenting you as a three-year-old has proven difficult for your dad and me. You're defiant, sassy, naughty, ungrateful and tiring. But you're also sweet and affectionate, cuddly, helpful, cheesy, polite and strong. Your teachers (Miss Sally and Miss Misty) say you're assertive and you help defend your friends (while sometimes too assertive, they admire this trait in you). You've been sent to timeout quite a bit and we've left places thanks to your attitude. You've had toys thrown away and lost privileges like turning on the Christmas lights at night. You are definitely a test for our patience right now (something I've always lacked) but we are navigating our way through it.
And it is so very sweet to watch you prepare for your brother coming. He's due any day now and you've helped us sort through his toys (your old toys), hang pictures, install car seats, and go to the doctor. You love kissing and hugging my belly (and giving it a good shake every once in a while too). You set your doll in the swing and turn it on, then pull up a chair to watch it. And seeing you with your cousin William was encouraging as you were very sweet and helpful with him. I know right now it's more of a novelty with you but I hope it doesn't wear off too soon.
Here's your life in pictures right now....
Getting ready for school in the mornings:
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| Some days were not off to a pleasant start - this was the day you wouldn't help dad turn off Christmas lights so you lost the privilege of turning them on that evening. |
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| School pictures! |
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| You look so grown up! Can you believe you're 3?! |
Swim and soccer are still going strong - you moved up in a class in swim so you're now a "jellyfish":
Funny story about soccer: you're defiant and strong-willed! You picked a ball up and threw it in the goal after dribbling it with your feet across the field. Coach Zach was having none of it so he took the ball out of the goal, threw it across the field and told you to try again. You dribbled it all the way back across the field, screamed and pointed in the other direction, both coaches turned around to look at what you were screaming about, you picked up the ball and threw it in the goal again, and then yelled "GOAL" and both coaches applauded you. You sneaky little devil, your dad taught you the art of diversion. The parent section was roaring laughing and the coaches never knew what was so funny!
Grandma and Pop came to visit you and see the new house:
Then we visited New Mexico and then Kansas City in October:
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| First experience with make-up. |
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| Watermelon with the girls! |
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| One of many in this family!! |
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| At the ENMU homecoming game! |
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| And in KC - this is our first night - me taking you and Emma to dance class! |
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| Aunt Cara made sure you had the right gear! |
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| You were a pro - and Emma was so cute, breaking out into her own dance moves to the music! |
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| You'll make a good big sister |
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| We tested out some playground equipment - loads of fun! |
We also did family pictures, since it was grandma's 60th birthday (we had a surprise party for her!):
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| Cousins! |
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| BFFs |
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| You were not a fan of picture day. It was nap time too! |
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| It's a keeper! |
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| Not our first time flying without daddy (he went home before us) but close to it. You did great! |
You were "Princess Spider Girl" for Halloween! You also wanted to be a purple witch...maybe next year.
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| This was your school's costume parade. You were such a good student, following the directions and the person in front of you. You concentrated very hard to do the right thing but you also looked confused as to what was going on (not a part of your regular school day, I'm sure). Then you saw mom and dad standing there waiting to see you and you just lit up! You were so excited to see us, you had the biggest smile on your face and you waved as you passed by. I know you won't always be this pleased to see us at your school - I'm gonna soak it up while I can! |
You've also spent a lot of time with your dad lately....some pics of your adventures with him...
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| twinkies! |
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| Tea party with the game in the background! |
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| Your new favorite thing to do with dad....make lego sets (much to mommy's dismay) |
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| lacrosse......because it's the sport with the highest percentage of girls getting sports scholarships to college :) |
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| helping dad set up the Christmas train! |
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| lego advent calendar (I must admit, I enjoy doing this with you too) |
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| typical weekend in our house right now.... |
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| picnic in the teepee! |
And a few mommy-daughter moments as well:
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| Prepping Thanksgiving with me....and a hammer! |
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| Relaxing after the feast! |
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| Maybe I shouldn't have taken you but you LOVED it! |
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| Visiting with "Aunt Ash Stein", as you call her. At the mall playground. |
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| Why do you look so grown up? |
Visiting Santa:
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| We used to get this place all to ourselves - this time we had to wait an hour to see Santa! |
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| It was worth it! |
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| You asked for a ball, a kitty cat! (what?!), and golf balls |
And finally, prepping for baby brother to come:
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| Playing with the mobile mommy bought... |
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| "Helping" dad install the car seats :) |
I must admit you've been a handful lately, but I love our time together. Of course I'm nervous about what will change by adding your baby brother to the mix, but I think you're going to be a really great big sister. He will be lucky to have you, just like dad and I are lucky to have you.
All my love,
Mom
