Two and a Half

Our son is a little over two and a half years old. We've been warned about the "terrible twos". Although we certainly do not consider him terrible, Avery has chosen to challenge more battles with his parents. It's great he is a confident, independent little spirit, but that makes is all the more difficult channeling his energy positively and asserting our authority. Picky eating, spitting, refusing to use the bathroom, throwing tantrums when he is tired and off his usual routine are just some examples of struggles that have been much more pronounced. We hear "no" a lot more often and sometimes feel like we do not get much accomplished throughout the day except discipline.

Then.....

there are the moments that you realize he is growing up too fast. He tries to make us laugh and ends up laughing at the amusement of himself. Sometimes he will break out into a hearty song of "Baa Baa Black Sheep", sing a sweet song of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and sing the "ABC's" in the lowest bass octive he can muster. He will grab your hand at the playground to dance if he hears the church tower bells belt out a hym. "Mama, you're a pretty girl" slips out his lips with squinty eyes and a toothy grin. Life is an exciting and tactile adventure for this curious, lively (not to mention fast!) little guy.

Little things like that helps put things is perspective when we have long, challenge-filled days.

Race Car Land

Hello, Lightning McQueen here. I am Avery's favorite race car. As you can see, it's been a while since I've used my Rusteeze Medicated Bumper Ointment. My rear tires do not spin anymore since they were broken from overuse about a week ago. Actually, they've been misaligned many times, but on this occasion, Dad's trusty mini screwdriver can't fix cracked plastic. My spoiler magically disappeared a couple months ago as well. However, that doesn't stop me from being the fastest car around.

Here is Radiator Springs, the cutest little town in Polk County:

"The King" is the blue race car on the main drag and "Doc" is resting over by me and the Cozy Cone hotel. Sometimes Avery stuffs us in the cones so we can sleep. I recently came back from tipping over the cow tractors (over on the far upper right side). Chick Hicks is normally cruising around here too, but right now he is napping with Avery. Sometimes Mom has to help me repair the road with new masking tape.

Playing at the Park on Eisley's Scowden's B-Day

Introducing Chores

More Avery-isms

- "It's a squeaky football mama!" - use of adjectives, forming complete sentences

- Loves to play games with the theme of rescuing or helping someone, and often uses a pool noodle for sword fights.

- large hay bales are "cinnamon rolls"

- enjoys helping us water the flowers and dust the house with a "fefer duster"

- loudly laughs at and repeats the words "chicken breast" while in Wal-Mart just because it sounds funny to him (much to his mother's embarrassment)

Lil' Tenny and Lil' Avery Pool Fun

Playgrounds Pools and Paint

Summer playdates with the Tennisons have been a blast this summer. It's been fun going to the park, painting t-shirts, playing in the pool and the sandbox, shooting hoops, taking turns on the t-ball set, etc... Memorable times like these are what causes the season to fly by so fast.