The Before School Date

I am finally starting to catch up on this blog, so here go the last few big events of the summer.

For a little background info, I taught Reilly's kindergarten class last year... at home. :) We decided that we had given him a great academic foundation to build upon, and thought that he was ready to begin public school for his first grade experience. I knew our world was going to be flipped upside down when I wasn't going to have him with me all day every day for the first time in his life. So, we asked Reilly what he would most like to do before all these changes took place. To which he replied, "a date with Mommy." Music to my ears, I tell ya. :)

For our date, he had his Daddy pick up some lovely roses for me and of course opened every single one of my doors. I offered to let him drive, but he declined... so responsible already. ;) He decided we should go to one of our favorites for dinner, Carrabbas, and then to a movie... Cats & Dogs- The Revenge of Kitty Galore in 3D. At dinner, we sat on the barstools overlooking the kitchen and loved it. He really liked being able to see how the food is prepared. Especially his very own salad, which he loved!

We were a little early, so we got to play a few games before our movie started. He destroyed me in Air Hockey, as usual. I don't know how he does it!!!

Reilly loved the 3D glasses, and the movie was actually pretty cute, and made us both giggle quite a bit. It was very silly... our kinda movie. :)

Afterward, we hit Braum's for some birthday cake ice cream (Reilly) and frozen yogurt (Mommy). Reilly discovered a new favorite that night... blue ice cream with birthday cake bits in it ?? Could life get any better??!!!

It was a delicious, fun, memorable night with my sweet little man. We laughed a lot, no one makes me smile quite like my Reilly Bear can. I will remember it forever. and ever.

Just Completely Cute

This is what typically happens when we try to catch them both for a picture...

Golly, we love these babies !!!!!

Chef Andre'

Reilly (who on this day called himself Chef Andre') put this whole deal together during the last bit of summer. His Spidermonkey and Avery's Lambie went out for a date night, and he said this is okay because they are married. hilarious.




The chef did all the cooking, and made sure to pull the chair out for the Lambie, because that is what gentlemen do. (Yes folks, his Momma is raising him right!)



Avery helped too... I suppose she was the waitress for the evening.

It's so hard to find good help these days...

Avery at 21 & 22 Months Old

We are loving this girl more and more every day! She has an incredible vocabulary, and just keeps soaking up more and more! It is really difficult to keep track of all the adorable things she says and does, but I'm sure going to try!

Here are a few tidbits of cuteness from the precious,beautiful tornado that is our Avery...

Every time she sees the moon, she points and says "touch moon"... how cute is that?!



She has begun her lifelong love for all things girly, especially makeup, and loves to help Mommy apply mine. She also enjoys brushing my hair, and sits so still when I brush hers. She tolerates her bows much better than she did even a few months ago- and even though she doesn't love them per se, she's just going to have to grin and bear it because bows are an absolute must-do in this house!



She loves to choose her outfits and likes to "see pitty baby in mirr" (see the pretty baby in the mirror.)

Whenever we ask her anything, her reply is "No... otay". Really cute.



When she wants to try to use the potty, she attaches her little potty to the toilet, and says "Poo Poo Puppy". (poo poo potty)

Her favorite drink is chocolate milk, which freely flows at Mimi & Grandpa's house. She asks for it as soon as she walks in the door, "Cocca mook!!!!"



Her hair is finally long enough for a tiny pony tail, and I'm not sure why, but it makes me really happy!







































Whenever we get in or out of our vehicle these days, she wants to "sit Bubba's seat!" and gets so upset when we don't have time to let her sit there. (Like really MAD! LIVID. There is screaming involved. Oh yes, we are having tantrums. Super fun.



She also loves to sit in Mommy's seat and "drive".



She is great at climbing! And "huck-a-don-dons" (McDonald's) is her favorite place to do that! She actually thinks that Chick-fil-A and McDonald's are both heaven on earth.

She has such beautiful curls, and we can't wait to see what they'll look like when her hair gets long!



Her favorite song is "happy birthday" which actually comes out as "happy burday cake!"

I've introduced her to some Disney princess books, and it is so cute to hear her say Cinderella and Pocahontas.

We really can't believe that she's going to be 2 years old in 2 months! Every moment with Avery is certainly entertaining, and truly cherished by all her adoring fans.

Dublin Dr. Pepper

This is so very late, but on the last day of July, Joey took us all to the Dublin Dr. Pepper Factory!!! Reilly, Avery and I are such a huge fans of Dr. Pepper, it was the perfect thing! And really sweet since Joey himself is strictly a Coke man. We invited Nana, Granddad, and Aunt Lana along for the trip too!

We began our day in the most perfect way, with breakfast at Ol South... peanut butter pancakes make me happy. :) Then we hit the road! I was so proud of Joey for planning this little day trip, by the way, with no help whatsoever from me. (As I am typically the planner around here.)

We pulled in to Dublin, and were struck by it's old-fashioned charm. Down to the soda shop inside the factory, it was like stepping into the 1950's.

We drank ice cold Dr. Pepper during our tour, and afterwards had to try a Dr. Pepper ice cream float. (Avery certainly made quick work of that!) At the gift shop, we bought Reilly his very first comic book... Spider-Man of course!

What a great family day, thanks to the best hubs/Daddy around.