Twinkle toes and tutus!

Dance classes started and there is no doubt we have a little ballerina on our hands.  Not only did she enter this with a fierce love of pink, but she is very intent and focused while in class - a complete change from soccer, we are so happy. 

Stretches

Toe touches

Stretching back and torso

Leapfrogs

Watching the moves intently

Tap shoes!

Little girls gathering :)

After three classes, she is still as enthusiastic as at the first class - now, if she could only understand that ballet is not a race as she keeps trying to get across the floor the fastest! 
P.S. I am not that bad of a photographer - most of these photos were taken through a glass door.

Girly time at the nail salon

It is not unclear that mama likes her time at the salon.  And, you usually don't see my toenails without paint.  Every time I have come home from getting a pedicure, Avery has asked, "I go to salon with you?"  I knew at some point we'd go, and while we certainly don't need to make this a habit now, I looked forward to this fun first between mama and daughter and do look forward when Avery is older and this is part of our "girl time."

One excited girly who has already had her manicure and is getting ready to soak her feet for a pedicure.  Does she look super happy or what? 

Watching intently what the nail technician is doing to her feet.  Manicure and pedicure color chosen was a pink sparkly color - went right to it!

So fun!  Mama and Avery definitely enjoyed our time at Julep and can't wait to do this again.  (Side note for mamas around, they do have a Mommy Monday, we didn't know this but happened to go on a Monday I was off work and there was two other kids as well as a kids movie on the TV.)

Budding Photographer? Oh, and a Seahawks fan!

Seahawks Sundays are a fun time here in our household, snacks, fun, friends.  Steve comes over and Avery loves the additional attention.  She is getting quite good at cheering on the team and doesn't mind the raucous that usually happens.

Last weekend, we pulled out a couple of items that would be new - her very own camera and she LOVED this.  Was taking pictures of mommy, daddy and Steve. 

She might have had more fun looking in the view finder then actually taking pictures!

Following the unexpected Seahawks win over the 49ers, the "boys" had to head outside and mark the house.  One, because this was so unexpected and two, because our neighbors are huge 49ers fans. 

Drawing intently, notice there is no kid in this picture!

Happy with their work!

Avery joins in for the first win of the Seahawks season!

Time for Preschool!

It was not "officially" Avery's first day of Preschool, but we decided that we should document this time anyway.  With Labor Day behind us and a lot of friends starting preschool, we wanted to document her age and what she has accomplished so far (and mama wanted to start this picture tradition for for all the years following!)

Avery started in her Preschool class in April, there was some space in the class and with a lot of younger children moving into her current room it was time for Avery to move on up!  She LOVES it, she knows most of letters, her numbers, singing is one of her favorite things and she also loves art projects as this is a special time for her to focus and create.  She has also definitely started being a "girly girl" and is BFF's with Aliyah and Audrey Grays!  (There used to be two Audrey's in class so she always refers to her friend with her last name.)  They are inseparable, they take naps and chit chat all day long, hold hands out to the playground and console each other if someone is upset.  She's also started to say silly things about boys at time, "They are yucky," or "They are batman and I don't like batman."

All in all, Avery is a very happy girl, full of smiles.  She loves school and has a happy disposition.  She is empathetic, gets more concerned then some kids and doesn't like scary things - at all!  She likes being active, running, jumping and playing and we could not be more proud of the darling little girl she is!

What do you do when you go to the Fair?

This is a summary of all the video we took during our day at the fair.  Avery was a bit timid at first, but ended up really enjoy herself, the rides, the fair food and the animals.  It was a lovely family day!

Avery finally decided to get on a ride.  This is her first one and is the train.

What is a fair without Fisher fair scones?

Riding the pink bear with mommy, "No spinning" allowed though - per Avery!

She chose the zebra, and was first in line when it was her turn, so we raced to get it!

Mama and Avery time!

See this girl?  She is tall enough to go on some of the kiddie rides herself!

Probably the favorite, the bumpy cars. 

Going on the high swing, and making a friend on the ride.  We thought she might freak out on this ride, and there were a couple of moments of fear, but she did great!

We played one "fishing" game and she won enough points for this pink stuffed animal.  (It is some cartoon, but we have no idea what).

A vision of the Fair, so much fun and we can't wait to do it gain next year!

Ice Cream Truck

The ice cream truck is one of those childhood "feel good" memories. I can't honestly say I remember it a bunch, but I do know that music and remmber a few times. The ice cream truck has come through our neighborhood since we have lived here, but today was a first, Avery got ice cream!

She promoptly sat down in the front driveway (how summer-esque is that?) and chose which ice cream delight to embark upon!

I think her choice of digging into the ice cream sandwich was a good one - she loved and and still ate her dinner. Our neighbor warned us that now she would always associate that music with ice cream, I do think that is the point, and can't wait for more sunshine indulgences!

Easter Weekend

What a fun Easter weekend we had! Family, friends and fun! Let us remember why we celebrate this important of all holidays.

We had a lovely time on Saturday at the Rainier Club Easter festivities, complete with indoor pony rides! Avery was timid at first, but after a few minutes took the opportunity to ride all THREE ponies because there were no other kids in line!

Sunday morning we headed off to early church service, which was great. There were several baptisms and despite that being the portion of service that Avery got scared about, she did really well and enjoyed the music best. That afternoon, the Ballard clan came over for a lovely Easter dinner. Auntie Amy had the great idea of hiding eggs out back and the kids had so much fun hunting for eggs - showing off their impromptu baskets and collectibles here!

The shears came out!

For Avery's first haircut. I kept thinking that I might be able to just let it grow, and that did prove true for a while. But, when I had to constantly put it up for it to look even remotely decent, it became time. The sides had started to grow and it made the back look even worse, uneven and ready for a trim.

So we heading out for a trim, visiting a salon one day and heading to a salon the next. Avery did GREAT! She could not have been better actually! She had some toys, a fun little push button chair and even was so good when she was laying on the hair washing station.

Concentrating, what is going to go on next here in this weird place?

We think the end result is pretty darn cute - but we would have thought that haircut or not! Bye bye baby locks :)

Our baby is TWO!

After a hiatus from blog updates, perhaps we should post again. Modern technology makes it so easy to keep up with people, but so hard to keep up with so many spots to update. Our online gallery, Facebook, my friend journal and here. Now is time for here!

More to come, but Avery just received her birthday present today, her first bike!

Busy, busy BEE!

Avery was a busy, busy BEE for Halloween and looked great!

Here she is after the daycare parade where we all got drenched, but she has her determined little speed walking face on! Outta my way people!

We headed over to our friends for an Annual Halloween soup evening and since Avery loves dogs, she immediately gave Ozzie a hug, who was also a bee for Halloween. As was his little sister Caelin, Avery's friend.As we headed out and hit up a couple of houses in the neighborhood for trick or treating, Avery thought the decorations were better then the candy and here she is off with someone's pumpkin.

The next day we had a potluck with our PEPS group and you can tell the kiddos were nothing less then thrilled to be in costumes and have their picture taken.

I am ONE...and had a party to prove it!

Turning one is so much fun! Avery had several friends over and the day turned out fantastic! Before the cake eating and birthday singing started...

Enjoying some playtime with my girlfreinds, Sophia and Caelin.
Having some fun with daddy :)

Ready to smash the cupcake...though that didn't really happen. Dainty Miss Avery decided to pretty much eat a finger full of frosting at a time.

Then, she got somewhat into it, probably when she figured out she could make a mess.

After some cake, some cleaning up and an outfit change Avery was intently discovering all the generosity of her friends. Books, clothes and toys! Enough to surely make a girl have a great day! Finally sitting in her new personalized chair. A girl has to relax after a day like that right?

So happy to have been able to celebrate with you all, and looking forward to many more happy birthdays!

For more pictures, visit this album: http://www.kodakgallery.com/chriselissa/main/avery_s_first_birthday_party