My Dearest Avery,
You're almost FIVE! Your magic birthday! How in the world did that happen? Oh Avery, you're simply the best. You're considerate and caring and you are constantly thinking of others. You're also very focused on being liked at school and helping the teachers. And - my favorite - you fight for your right for something....even when you're wrong.
Whenever anyone is crying, you instantly stop what you're doing and bring them a blanket. When you hear your brother wake up, you run in there to see him, say hi and play. You say how cute he is and love holding his hand in the car. My most favorite sound in the world is both of you giggling together.
You're doing well in school, learning to do simple math through word problems and learning to read. When reading, you get discouraged easily but you're really so good. You don't give yourself enough credit so I'm trying to help you with that. You got into a great school for Kindergarten and you're pretty excited about it! You like to be the teacher's helper. You also tell on other students a lot and cry - it's a good day when you come home saying you didn't cry at all that day.
You're doing great at soccer and swim - getting more 1:1 time with the soccer coach since we switched your time slot and you're actually listening a lot better at swim. You're four and you've got the crawl stroke (or big scoops, as they call them) down. You're just working on the breathing!
You're still wearing a diaper to bed every night. Usually it's wet when you wake up but sometimes not. Both dad and me had troubles with training too so we're trying to go easy on you, but we know you're going to want sleepovers sooner than later so we will have to work on it. We've tried waking you up at night but you're a complete zombie and don't know where you are or what you're doing. We've tried an alarm clock but the same results. We'll see what the doctor suggests at your yearly check-up.
We went to your first concert last weekend - Garth Brooks! We were gifted the tickets and they were SO worth it. Oh, I wish you knew how lucky you are to have seen Garth as your first concert. Easton Corbin opened for him and then we got through about seven Garth songs before you were so tired that I was holding your head up. You insisted on leaving and I slow-rolled it as much as possible. That was pretty fabulous mommy-daughter date!
You like to call me "MOM CONGRESS" when I don't answer you right away (this is a result of dad saying I'm slower than congress when trying to get out of the house)." You're also very helpful around the house, although you ask why you have to do everything (like hang your clothes, bring me your laundry basket, etc). You want to help with the dishes but you can't reach the faucet yet. And you have gotten so very good at coloring. Dad and I like to put pictures on your napkin in your lunch and you color those in each day - it's really sweet.
Your favorite song is ROAR by Katie Perry. It's so you too. When your feelings get hurt at school, you tell kids that "lions don't concern themselves with the opinions of sheep," just like dad taught you. They've been coming up with responses to it but I love that you stand up for yourself. Don't ever lose your voice.
Here is your life in pictures right now.....
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| Evan visited you at soccer |
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| Home Depot visit! |
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| Patriots won the Super Bowl! |
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| You were sounding a little jealous of our time so dad and I took a half day off work and took you to the zoo! |
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| Your fashion statements right now- pink flower dress, Moana jacket, hiking boots! |
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| Sleeping with dolls! |
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| A picture we got from your teachers! |
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| Two birthday parties in a row at Pump It Up! |
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| Taking turns with Evan! |
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| At the zoo |
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| Getting ready for the day! |
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| Much better at swim! |
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| It snowed! Like legit snowed in Tucson! |
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| Did Rodeo weekend in Phoenix |
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| At the Science Center! |
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| Goofy girl waiting for food! |
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| Phoenix aquarium |
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| At Uptown Jungle in Phoenix - this place was a blast! |
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| Taking over Evan's car! |
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| Did I mention you got fish? From a neighbor - named them Glitter and Sparkles from the Trolls movie. You eat breakfast with them in the mornings! |
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| Sunday gym day with dad. You're not technically allowed at the gym but the little old lady there lets you in because she thinks it's cute you want to spend time with your dad. |
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| Mildred and Dildred |
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| Playing in the back! |
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| My loves! |
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| Cuddle wuddles |
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| Breakfast coffee just like I used to get when I was a kid |
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| Soccer play time at the park after our picnic |
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| Riding with Sally in dad's new truck |
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| Our Garth Brooks date! |
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| Helping dad trim the landscaping - you're a really great helper |
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| So fast, you're blurry! |
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| Hiking at Catalina State Park on my off Friday! |
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| We visited your new Kindergarten school to get a feel for things this weekend. You had a great time and made instant friends. |
Avery, you're so fun right now. I don't know what I'm going to do with you having to go to school on my off Fridays this fall! We will have to really make the best of them before school starts! I love you more than you'll ever know.
All my love,
Mom
