I Do It!

Sophie is in the "I do it!" stage which all little 2 year olds take on with great determination and exuberance! Everything from pouring milk in her cup to drink to putting on her shoes to wear is all par for the course in the "I do it!" stage. It's all developmentally good and, when it can be done in a safe way, it is allowed in the Avery House without help from Mommy, Daddy, and Emma-Caroline. Putting clothes on by herself has become one of her most favorite "I do it!" tasks. Here is how putting on pajamas ended last night.

Look at how proud our little Sophie is! She said to me, "I did it, Mommy!"She slept in her pajamas this way, bloomers and all b/c I was not about to correct her accomplishment.
Inside out, plus bloomers. But the most important thing is she was able to get her legs in two different pants legs all by herself. Good job Sophie!

Putting her toothpaste on her toothbrush all by herself!

Another view of Sophie's "I do it!" accomplishment

The girls are getting so big now!

Kids Mythbusters

OK all my friends with young children, one of my friends, Sarah H. just started a new blog for her son Max called "Kids Mythbusters." Max is super into science in a cool way and loves the actual show "Mythbusters" on TV. He wanted to start his own show starring himself doing scientific experiments. The blog web show was just launched last night, but it is already a hit in my household. Check it out at http://www.kidsmythbusters.blogspot.com/ I also have the link posted in my Friends and Family blog list column.I am very impressed and wanted to share it all with you. You rock Max! And so do you Sarah!

Mr. Science Whiz Kid!

Greek Fest 2009

This past weekend was the Knoxville Greek Fest. It is one of my favorite traditions to participate in in Knoxville. This year we went with our good friends from our church, Brandon, Angela, and Lydia Smythe. The girls and we adults had a fabulous time as usual enjoying great Greek food, Greek music, the Greek church and, my favorite, Greek pastries! I only eat baklava once a year and it is at Greek Fest. Those ladies sure know how to make the BEST baklava. Needless to say, it was another great Greek Fest and I am already looking forward to next year's festivities!

Sophie, Emma-Caroline and Lydia waiting for the bus to Greek Fest.
The girls were so excited to ride the school bus. They had never done that before!

Emma-Caroline chose a unicorn for her face painting.

The girls warming up the stage for the Greek dancers.

The girls were intrigued by the beautiful Greek dancing.

Bandon and Angela

The girls wanted to have some "jingley" skirts. Not sure of their official name.

Blowing a kiss before the crowd and her debut as a Greek dancer.

Just look at Miss Sophie! She was having the time of her life out there dancing!

Dancing like the Greeks do

Go Gators?

This morning while I was getting the girls dressed for game day, decking them in orange of course in hopes that the VOLs will beat the Gators in Florida today, Sophie said as clear as you please, "Go Vols!" It was so cute to hear her say it in her little voice that Howie and I immediately agreed that this needed to be recorded and shared with all of our friends and families. Sophie had other ideas as to who she thought she should cheer on today! Could my child be prophetic in knowing what the outcome of the game will be today? I sure hope not! PS, please don't be alarmed by Emma-Caroline's exuberance towards Barkley.

Rally Day and A Mega Birthday Bash

Last Sunday the Avery House had double the fun with Rally Day, our church's kickoff to the Sunday school year, and a mega birthday party for four little friends in our cul-de-sac who all have birthdays in September. There were bounce houses, balloons, inflatables slides, ice cream, and more at both celebrations and it is safe to say that we partied 'till we dropped. Emma-Caroline and Sophie had the best time playing and celebrating with their church and neighborhood friends. It was a truly fun and blessed day!

You can't tell from their expressions, but Emma-Caroline, Max and Quinn

were all having a great time!

Enjoying a little birthday cupcake!

Four birthday kiddos means four birthday cakes! Yummy!

Having a great time in the Swathmore Court

Water slide at the Mega Birthday Bash in our cul-de-sac

Enjoying barbecue at Rally Day

Eating Marble Slab ice cream at Rally Day

Emma-Caroline really got into being a doggie after her face was painted at Rally Day.

Reluctant Kitty

What a sweet little puppy dog!

Meow!

Tutus and Tonkas

One of my friends from Loudon, Tennessee just started her own little crafting business blog named sweetly and fittingly "Tutus and Tonkas." Her name is Courtney Bingham and she has one little girl and two little boys ages 3, 2 and almost 1 year! Whew! I don't know how she does it and has time to craft, but she does! Her things are adorable and she will be posting new items soon! Check out her polka-dot pumpkins and her blog at http://www.tutusandtonkascreate.blogspot/. They are SUPER CUTE!
The Avery House will be sporting a couple of these soon! I also have a link to her blog in my friends section on this blog. Good Luck Courtney!

Ballet Reprise

When I was Emma-Caroline's age, I took ballet and tap at a little dance studio just around the corner from where we lived. I loved it, and still remember the recital dances and songs we did that year. I've kept those costumes, a hula and cheerleader outfits, all these years and just recently spotted them hanging in the closet, shimmering in the light as if to say, "It's time for Emma-Caroline to wear me!" So out they came and pics were made in the same pose I did as a 4 year old for the recital pics. What wonderful memories to be able to share with my own little ballerina!

Me as a 4 year old ballerina
Emma-Caroline in my hula costume

I'm a hula, hula, baby . . .

Football Cheer costume. The "M" and color combo is for Memphis. I suppose if I had lived in Knoxville as a 4 year old, my costume may have been UT orange with a big orange T.

It's Football Time In Tennessee! (2009)

Yes, it's that time of year again! Time to break out the orange and time to play "Rocky Top" at the loudest volume you can stand. Time to watch "College GameDay" on ESPN, time to tailgate, and time to watch the Vols be it in Neyland Stadium or on the TV in your own living room. It's all good and it's all tradition. Tradition which I love and tradition which still gives me chills for each and every opening game of football season as the Vols run through the Power T and onto the field to start the game. Simply put, "It's football time in Tennessee!" Go Vols!

Singing Rocky Top to get Ready for the Game and of course wearing UT Orange!