Do you remember...

the ice cream truck?

Oh my goodness.... you guys.... This afternoon, we were walking outside to say goodbye to some friends that had come over to visit and we heard the music in the air!!!! I knew what it was the moment the sound hit my ears....it was the music playing on the speakers of an ice cream truck!!! Ok, seriously, I cannot even explain to you what was going through my head. In that moment, I had one of those "life flashes before your eyes" moments! All the memories, from when I was a child... of waiting for the ice cream truck to turn down our street, running inside to get some money and hoping you don't miss him, crossing your fingers that he still had your favorite ice cream on his truck, came running through my mind! I knew that I couldn't let this opportunity pass us by, so we said goodbye to our friends, ran inside and got my wallet and camera (of course)!!!! Now, we live on a cul-de-sac and I wasn't sure if the truck would go around the loop again and come down our street. So, I was a little proactive....Avery and I hoped in the van and tracked him down! We found him not to far from our street and pulled over and jumped out. I was explaining to Avery the whole way "when Mommy was a little girl" stories about my love of the ice cream truck! Growing up in South Florida, it was hotter than you know what! And I remember sweating profusely as I stood on the hot pavement, waiting patiently to get my special treat! You know what my favorite was? The screwball (which was only $.50 then - today on the truck it was $1.50)

Oh, the memories. So, now I have Avery's first expierence caught on film. I'm so excited! She chose a neopolitan ice cream sandwhich. We brought it home and put it in the freezer and she ate 1/2 of it after dinner. (She ate a decent meal too! haha) What a surprise ending to our day!!! I hope the truck comes back again! Avery paying for her ice cream

Getting the ice cream

One happy little girl!

"Purple Out"

Today was a perfect day for a football game. The sky was cloudy and the temperature was just right to enjoy being outside. Avery and Ryan went to the ECU game this afternoon with our friends Adam & Kaleb. The "big kids" were so excited to go see the Pirates play and Kaleb was really hoping to see Peedee the Pirate...Avery not so much! But she was excited to see some cheerleaders and hang out with her dad. From what I hear, they had a great time and the kids did really well! They stayed for almost the whole game - they left in the 4th quarter. And they enjoyed popcorn, M&M's and some Coke...aren't Dad's terrific!!! Here's some pregame pictures! You can tell how excited the kids are for this outing...we really didn't even have to tell them to smile!!!

Welcome Fall

Helper Jr.

I think I've posted before about how much Avery LOVES to help me in the kitchen. She is always wanting to help with dinner or wanting to make some tasty treat to enjoy and share with others. I'm really trying to encourage that side of her...to make her feel very helpful and needed in the kitchen. We all know I can take all the help I can get these days...I think I should train her how to clean up after herself too...hmm, there's a thought!!! Anyway, this particular day Avery was helping me make some banana bread. She had left the kitchen for a minute to get something and Riley took the opportunity to climb up on the step stool and take a peak herself. She stood up there for about 15 minutes playing with spoons and trying her best to "mix" stuff in the bowl. (Poor Avery wasn't aloud up on the stool for a little while because I had to take pictures and video of sweet Riley trying to be a helper too. I guess this means it might be time to get another stool soon!) Can you tell from these pictures that Riley thinks she is "big stuff"? haha Move over Mommy, your little girls are going to show you a thing or two!!!

Stepping out...

Riley has gotten a little more brave the past few days with her walking. She is starting to let go of the couch and walk a few steps toward her chair or a toy. She walked across the kitchen this morning and 1/2 way across the living room this afternoon. She is catching on fast and is realizing that she can do it!! I am so proud of her! It's so amazing to watch the look on her face as she concentrates on keeping her balance and lifiting one foot at a time! The proud look in her eyes when she watches us clap and hoot and hollar for her! And the smile that lights up a room when she knows she's the center of attention! Life is so precious and these first few steps are priceless! Thank you Lord that I am here today to witness these first steps! I pray that as she grows she will allow You to order her steps and to follow You down the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). Be her guide when she needs support and her map when she needs direction!

My mom was in town last weekend and while she was here we decided to make a chocolate cake. This was right up Avery's alley, not only because she wanted some cake but because she wanted to help make it! She loves to help! Well, Mom and Avery got done mixing the icing and Avery got to lick one of the beaters. Oh, this was hard for me!!! I am not use to sharing the beaters with someone and now I've realized that my time has come to share with Avery! Oh, it was worth it because she loved it so much. So, Mom had a brilliant idea to give Riley a beater too. Her last taste of sugar was on her birthday so she really enjoyed it. She made a mess and I think got more on her than actually in her mouth! It sure was cute to watch.

First day of preschool

Avery had her first day of preschool on September 1st. We are so happy that she has a wonderful teacher this year. She is very enthusiastic and loving and she seems to be a super great fit for us! Avery just finished her 2nd week - she goes on Tuesday's and Thursday's - and said this morning "I really like preschool. I have a lot of fun there." YAY!! I am now able to drive through a drop off line for her and that just makes her day! She loves anything that allows her to be independent...what can I say...like mother, like daughter! haha Here are a few pictures from her first day.

Shout out to cousins

I was looking through some pictures and saw some cute ones that we've gotten of the cousins together this year. I was reminded of how much Avery adores "the boys" and how just today she said she missed them all! I hate that we live so far away and they can't have regular times to play together but sometimes the distance makes the times they do share so much sweeter! Avery is a completely different child when she is around them, running, shouting and doing things that only boys would think of! It all makes me so happy! I love that they have so much fun together and I hope that "the cousins" will always be close and enjoy each other as much as they do now! Ready to see the Winterville Watermelon Festival Parade

Swimming in Mimi & Papa's pool The cousins in front of Zaxby's after eating some grub

All together for Avery's 3rd birthday

Butterflies

In preperation for Riley's first birthday party which was a butterfly theme, I ordered some butterfly larvae from this website. My hope was that the larvae would develop into butterflies so we could "release" them at the party! Well, to my surprise it worked out! In fact, I am almost positive that by the time we got our package they were in the chrysalis stage (the one right before becoming butterflies). We had them 1 week before they became butterflies and usually it takes 2-3 weeks to get to that point. And since I ordered them a little late in the game it worked to my advantage. We didn't get to see them in the catepillar stage (I called the company and they are giving me some replacement larvae whenever I want) so that was kind of a bummer but the transformation to butterfly was amazing! We actually got to watch about 5 of them come out of their cocoons right in front of us! Avery and I checked out butterfly books from the library, made a few butterfly crafts and did several lessons and coloring pages on butterflies. It was a great time for her to learn about metamorphisis and for us to enjoy the beauty of God's creation! Stay tuned for pictures from the birthday party.

Splash Park

Trying to play catch up here... Here are a few pictures from our trip to the Splash Park in Kinston on August 17. We had a lot of our playgroup friends that were able to go and enjoy it with us. The kids had a blast. The splash park wasn't the biggest and fanciest place we have ever been but you couldn't tell that to the kids...they LOVED it. And the best part was that it was only $1 for several hours of fun!