Little Gymnast
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Category Archives: Audrey
Off to Preschool
Just 1 short week after the big girls went to school, Audrey was off for her 3rd year of preschool. I think we had talked about school so much for Megan that Audrey was ready to go. She decided this year that she was not bringing the beloved Bubby. Upon writing that line, I decided that I needed to insert a photo of Bubby. Well, 20 minutes later, I decided I may need a whole post on Bubby. I love all these photos I found. Needless to say, he has been a BIG part of her daily life.
So like the big girl she is, she walked right in and began her day. She gave me a hug and went to work on some puzzles. It was me, left at the door, trying to capture the moment in disbelief that she was not hanging on my leg or following me down the hall like almost everyday last year. It never gets old saying, “Man, she is getting big!”
She is in a new class, with a new teacher, without her best friend (Bubby), without her sister and she did great. I am so proud of her.
Texas Awesomeness
I have seen bluebonnets for years. In the spring, they would cover the sides of main highways to and from cities we would travel. But this year, they are everywhere. And not out in the country, but right here in the neighborhood. For weeks, we have enjoyed the sight of fields of blue and orange. We attempted to get some photos tonight. I really felt confident. I didn’t bring rewards, I just knew they were old enough to do this. HA! They tried… But you know what, we got what life is right now and this is enough. Enjoy some Texas awesomeness. More
Valentine’s Dance
Ethan had the chance to take all three girls to the Valentine’s Dance at our church. I thought he may just want to do the older girls, but he was all in. And of course, with all three going, I just had to go shopping. I took Megan and Audrey one day and Megan went straight to her choice. She tried it on and twirled in the dressing room like a bride. No doubt, it had to be bought. Audrey’s was really my choice, but she is still compliant enough to like it. I took Alyssa one night and got a good glimpse into our future. She didn’t like what I picked and I certainly didn’t like what she picked. How long can we hold off the teenage years? We finally headed to the dressing room with about 5 dresses. One was itchy, one twirled good, one didn’t twirl, wrong color – you get the idea. She was actually trying hard to pick the one she knew I liked, but in the end I let her choose.
Dressed, tights, hair x 3 and they were off. The girls had a blast and danced the whole 2 hours, Ethan said. Megan walked into the room and headed straight to the front to dance by the big speakers, while Alyssa hung by Daddy and shared a few dances together. One of many special nights to come with the privilege of three girls.
Christmas Programs
Alyssa did not have a traditional piano recital this year. She is taking a different kind of piano class at school and they just invited the family to watch some of the songs the class was working on. It was informal, but anytime to watch her play is worth it. I have high hopes for her piano playing in the future.
I have been impressed with Audrey and Megan’s school. For picking it out based on location, I think I did pretty good. Megan and Audrey have been singing the cutest Christmas songs the last few weeks and we finally got to see it in action. Well, Megan preformed, Audrey just stared…alot like last year as I recall. But I had my fingers crossed waiting for Megan’s class, and I am pretty sure I had a big, proud smile on my face for a solid 15 minutes. Pictures don’t do these type of things justice, so you will have to watch the video.
I’m Three
Today, Audrey is 3. I hung her birthday banner up all week to get her excited, and it worked. She likes to look up at it and say “Happy Birthday Audrey.” One thing about not having many connections in town is that I don’t feel obligated to have a party. And I like parties, birthday parties anyway. I tend to start simple and get very detailed as the planning goes. Which is why after each party I say that I am not doing this again. I figure this is the last year that I can get away without a real party for Audrey. Then I began to think about her 2nd birthday and realized that I played the exact same card last year. Poor third child.
After a normal day of school, we went for a short walk to get the mail. Along the sidewalk, Audrey begins to throw-up. Megan and I are standing with our legs sprawled apart trying not to get the backsplash as she is hurling in front of the neighbor’s house. About an hour later, she learned the very important lesson of leaning over the toilet. I really think that this is the first time that she has ever thrown up. That was about 3:30pm, and Alyssa and I knew for sure that our Chuck E Cheese family party was canceled. I think I was just as disappointed as them. Not that I like that place, but I do love watching my kids enjoy themselves.
Despite the events of the day, and there were more, she remained in a good mood, bouncing back to her normal self after each “event”. She had some typical BRAT food for dinner but I was not going to let this ruin her birthday cake. She sat and smiled, we sang, she blew out the candle, but she declined on her own piece of cake. She was such a champ today. I hope she will feel better tomorrow and can enjoy a piece of that cake. For now, she is cozy in her bed and I am hoping she can stay there all night. Sweet dreams, big three year old. More
Halloween
I am sure there will be a day when one of them doesn’t want to dress up, but they all love it. Each girl picked her own idea. Well, not Audrey, she had to be what fit at that age. Maybe next year… Alyssa choose a cowgirl and Megan is Toki Tori. As usual, Ethan came up with the ideas and I implemented. We were both thrilled with how her duck turned out, and she was a hit at many doors. It was not the Halloween that we had grown accustomed to in TN, but we had a good time. We walked around the neighborhood with our next door neighbors and their kids. They have been a great support to us and seem to match our personalities well. We had a bet going for the number of times Audrey would fall through the night. I think they know our kids better than us, because he won. 3 falls in one night – that’s Audrey. The night ended with a monsterous pile of candy that no one could possible eat, but I let them take a stab at it last night. More
Auuudrey!
The single most popular word said around our house is Auuudrey! Any given day that word can come out of any of our mouths, and what it really means is things like this:
You just spilled milk all over the floor.
You knocked over Megan’s Lego tower.
You just colored all over Alyssa’s homework.
Get off the counter.
You do not need another pack of gummies.
Why are you wearing a completely new set of clothes?
Why did you take your shoes off?
Bubby does not go outside.
Ah, this age is a good one. She will be 3 in a short month and I am nervous if she is going to be better or worse as a three year old. She is defiant, independent. She gets into everything. Not in a destructive way but just an annoying way. She changes clothes every time she is locked in her room for time out – which is often. She is fully potty trained, but never flushes the toilet. She and Megan can fight like no ones business and neither of them will give in. She lays by her door every night whining. She kicks, she screams. She has 3 Bubbies, her favorite stuffed animal, which instead of replacing each other she just has to have all three. But at the end of it all, she has to read her books in bed, she must get back up to hug and kiss her sisters, and really just wants my attention. She is funny, sweet and completely lovable. And despite being my earliest riser, I love to see her happy face each morning and start the day with a new set of Auuudreys!
Another year of preschool
My little girls started back to preschool yesterday. It is hard to get one kid in school and then wait 3 weeks before the others get to go. After waiting so long, they were both ready and excited. They are going 2x a week at a church minutes from the house. I picked solely based on location, but I think the school will be good as well.
Megan, of course, had to pick out a “beautiful” dress to wear to school. There is no convincing that girl of picking an outfit based on seasons, weather or an activity. She was also determined to play a little hopscotch before school. She got out her chalk and found her rock and had a few rounds before we got in the car.
Audrey was a little hesitant when I left. Probably because she has been glued to her “bubby” since she was born and I decided to break her of that habit on the first day of school. I have a feeling she convinced her teacher to get it out of the backpack just this once. She had a good day, did not nap, but who can blame her.
Megan did great. She walked right in, scoped things out and began playing. I can’t believe this is her last year of preschool. I have to intentionally remind myself this is our last year together. I am hoping it is a great year.
New videos
Alyssa playing a few of her songs. For the first few months, I stuck with her. I would watch what she learned and practice myself. Christmas time came and I could play most of the songs in her book. Well, I am proud to say that she has far surpassed me. To the point that we were arguing the other day about a technique… she was of course right.
Then there is Audrey. There are few adequate words to describe this fireball. Like tonight at dinner, I thought she could just sit next to me in the booth. I am so tired of highchairs. She jumped, she twisted, she had her hands through the nasty blinds, she bounced, she was under the table at one point. All the while, Ethan calmly asked again and again, “do you want a highchair?” Finally, I gave in. She is full of energy, full of persistence, full of her own way. Here is a peak at bedtime.