Avarie Sue - We love you!

Well, in my ongoing effort to either pay for therapy or college education for my children, Avarie made her opinion known about the fact that her brother got his own posting about all the great things he can do. She wanted you to know about all the great things she can do, too! So, here's her latest and greatest . . .

She can eat "cheerios papa" from a bowl with a spoon and milk without dumping the whole thing for the dogs. This is an important accomplishment for her, because she hates the dogs and throwing food on the floor results in the dogs stampeding out to clean it up. (Remember what I said about therapy?)

She can play hide and seek in the dining room curtains. Those darn pink shoes sure do give it away, huh?

And, best of all, she started taking a few steps here and there a few days before my birthday. And, just like we predicted, she was holding out on walking until she could run (or at least a 16 month old version). She is now toddling all over the place and is proud as punch of it. Tate says that she is "wicked fast" and is great at keeping up with her. Tate has also given her a new nickname - Sas - like a sassy sister. We had been calling her "Little" since she was born, and she isn't so little anymore, but she is quite sassy.

Here's a clip of Sas with her walking feet! Way to go, Avarie Sue!!!

Strawberry Picking

We took a field trip to Chesterfield Berry Farm a few weeks ago to enjoy some berry pickin'. It is a HUGE farm about 10 minutes from our house that can drain our wallets every season with fresh produce and fun for the kiddies. They know how to make the kids happy with jumpy castles, petting zoo, wagon trains, hay rides and strawberry canons. After all the fun and animals, we finally convinced Tate that we should head out to the patch for some strawberries.

I have never seen so many strawberries! This was the first time we had been, but from what other people were saying, this is one of the best years EVER! My neighbor had told me she picked like 30 pounds of berries and I couldn't understand. As you can see, with that many berries on the plants, it's not hard. Tate and Derek filled up the boxes while I held Avarie, who still wasn't walking.

When I couldn't hold Miss 27 Lbs anymore, I set her down and she lit up with happiness! She thought we brought her to the buffet and let out a loud "Mmmmmmmm! Dat!" as she pointed to all the berries. She and Tate ate and ate and ate and we picked a picked and picked.

I think we ended up with about 20 pounds of berries, but I think they should have weighed my kids and charged me by the pound for them too.

It was a great day and we enjoyed strawberry pie, strawberries with yummies (sugar and half and half), and even froze some. We can't wait for the other farm near by to be ready for blueberry picking!

Master Tate

Well, in case you hadn't heard, kids grow up way faster than you think they will. Our recent proof is in Master Tate Jackson and his many amazing talents. He has added chocolate fountain expert to the list, as illustrated on Mother's Day at brunch at The Boathouse. It may look like he's auditioning for the chubby cheeked version of The Cure or Fall Out Boy, but it's just a huge marshmallow dipped in yummies!

Next up, he's finally able to drive the red mustang by himself . . . without running over your toes, the curb, or the neighbor's lawn. He's gotten so good that I've allowed him to take Avarie with him. Of course, she giggles with delight and she's in charge of the music (which is a little questionable for something manufactured by Fisher Price).

And, last but not least, he's a budding artist! Becoming an artist is on his short list of "when I grow ups" and he's well on his way after his Spring Art Show at preschool. They sang a few songs and had their art on display around the gym for us to enjoy while we ate dinner together. My teacher friends will appreciate the "Product for Parents," and I love every last bit of it, especially because his teachers always tell me he has to do something to his project to make it different than everyone else's, hee hee. (Well, I guess I hope his teachers never read this blog now.)