Early Morning Riser

Today I have a funny story about Avery. No picture this time ... he was up way too early for that!

It was 4:45 am, and I heard the TV downstairs. When I came to my senses and stumbled down the stairs (picture big, messy hair and walking like a drunkard) I found Avery settling into the big leather chair, feet covered with a blanket, with remote in hand. I looked at the clock and couldn't believe that he decided to start the day at 4:45!!!
"Avery, its way too early, honey! What are you doing up?" mumbled a very tired mom.
"Well, I wet my bed so I took a bath, put on new pajamas, had some goldfish for a snack, and now I'm going to watch some TV," he said with a big bright smile.
I took his hand and led him to the clock on the microwave in our kitchen. Luckily, he knows how to tell time, and understands that 4:45 is usually a time to be all tucked in bed. So, to bed he went.
I don't know if he actually fell back asleep. I marched myself back upstairs and plopped back down on my pillow. Of course I had to step over Mary Hannah who was asleep on my floor. Why? I don't know ...

Think I'm going to go to bed really early tonight!

Pasta Patterns

Tonight we watched a friend while her parents had a night out. I planned some activities for the kids to do. We broke out the Wacky Mac and some string for a fun and simple project. The gals made colorful necklaces. But Avery decided to turn his into a math lesson about patterns. He loves all things MATH.

And, of course, it was NOT a necklace. Its a pattern hanger, which fits nicely over the doorknob.

The gals ran off wearing their new necklaces. Avery played a little Super Mario. But he returned to the kids table where the bowl of pasta shapes was sitting, apparently abandoned and lonely. So, Avery seized the moment to create a "Gear Machine" out of the penne and piccolini shapes.

However, he cleaned it all up before I got a picture of the final project. I never really considered that the little wheel shapes could make a great gear machine, but I suppose that's something you learn from a son? Maybe an engineer?

Avery Runs to School

My son RUNS to school every day. He loves it and can't wait to get there. He can hardly wait for me to stop the car so he can get out. It really makes me smile. May it always be so!

Avery Runs to School from Emily Hughes on Vimeo.

Best Big Brother Award

Avery gets the award for "BEST BIG BROTHER" today.  He accompanied 3 little girls to Sweet and Sassy Boutique for their 1 yesr anniversary party. The gals enjoyed free glitter, nailpolish, hairdos, and a ride in a pink limo. Avery went along with the whole thing without complaining once! He did enjoy the limo ride, but hey, who wouldn't? There was loud music playing on the inside! And, upon entering the fancy mobile, Avery announced to the driver "I'm a Boy!" That's right son ... you tell 'em!

Throughout our time at the shop, several girls won gift certificates for spa services. 2 of the 3 gals in our party already had one in hand. But the BIG prize would be awarded at a dance-off. Well, that was all Avery needed to hear. He was up for that! He had already practiced his moves at home this morning, and had me film him. Check it out:

Nice moves, huh? And that's WITHOUT any music! Avery boogied his legs off. People were chanting his name! He was a non stop dancin machine ... and won the contest!!! Thanks to the best big brother, Mary Hannah gets to enjoy the "Diva For A Day" certificate that Avery won for her.

And just to balance it all out, I think the next outing for the whole gang will be to a professional sport of some kind.

Avery's Teacher

So another praise ... Avery's teacher. I met her tonight at the Elementary School and then I knew ...
God answered my prayers in an over abundance.

When it came to Kindergarten, I was a nervous mother, first time with her own child in school. I talked to God about my concerns as if he didn't already know them. I asked him for just the right teacher, maybe even a "Cuddly Grandma" you know, someone you could just hug forever.  Well, that is EXACTLY what I got! She is tender, caring, and has been teaching for 21 years. And she just so happens to be a new grandmother!

Avery was actually originally placed in another class, but the Principal hand-wrote Avery's name on Mrs. S's roster after meeting me at New Family Night. (Which, by the way, isn't it cool that they have a new family night? I digress ...) And I didn't even talk with the principal about what kind of class I hoped for!  It was just a "Hello, my name is Emily. I used to be a teacher. This is Avery" .... then Avery interjects "Yes, I am going to go to this school and it's gonna be awesome!" Apparently that made an impression. There were no smooth connections,  no slipping the $20 bill with a sly "Gimme your best one, Chief!" Not even a question about his class!  It just worked out God just worked it out like that.

She said Mrs. S. was just the right teacher for Avery. I was so impressed. The teacher looked at Chris and said "You look familiar to me." Wouldn't you know she has been to our church, and her kids attend regularly!?!?!  Upon leaving the school, the Principal said to me "Isn't it neat how God works it all out?"

Yes, Mrs Principal. It is!

First Impressions (School)

Today marks my first event as a parent of an elementary student. Avery's school had an ice cream social for new families. Most impressively, after the ice cream, the teachers took ALL the kids to play while the parents met with the principal to review school information. How clever! Even the preschool children were entertained!
Avery enjoyed playing in the gym with other primary grade students. Mary Hannah went to the music room with the other PreK kids where they listened to a story and colored.
Avery is going to do very well. He is happy and extra social. He loves to learn. He went straight up to the principal and exclaimed "I'm going to go to this school. Its gonna be awesome!"

I love my little guy!

Laundry Help

They wanted to help ... so I let them handle it. Team work!

K4 Jumpstart

K4 was fantastic!!! It was just what he needed when we moved to a new place. Instant friends, instant structure, and independence. We were so grateful for the experience during the preschool year ...

Avery's class performed a couple songs and nursery rhymes before the graduation ceremony

Pretty sure seeing him in cap and gown made me a little emotional!

But we find ourselves even more grateful for the headstart that it gave Avery. Because of such a positive school experience, starting Kindergarten isn't so scary. In fact, Avery is really looking forward to it! I am grateful that he has already learned important lessons like sitting in his chair and listening to his teacher. Now he'll just have to navigate the new curriculum and make new friends.

Even though I am a former teacher, it is a whole new deal being on this side of the student! This week I am praying for his teacher and classmates. I am asking God for just the right match. Avery loves school, and I hope that his Kindergarten experience is fantastic, too.

Summer Swimmin'

What summer is all about ...

This neighborhood kiddie pool is the best I have ever seen. Thanks to a great friend, we got to enjoy it for the day. 4 hours later the kids still didn't want to leave!

A quick trip to Target before heading to the pool... we snatched 2 floaties. They were the highlight of the day for the kids.

Avery is such a cutie!

Mary Hannah was enjoying the independence.

She was very protective of their new toys, so she decided to carry Avery's while he wasn't using it. Later in the day she decided to share with some kids ...

Relaxing

Mary Hannah was clearly too small for her float. But, she tried to float and kick anyway.

I love spending time with my little munchkins!

Playing with the Lamms

(playing on the trampoline in the sprinklers)

The Lamms moved to Texas just about the same time we did last year. Our mutual friend, Rachel, introduced us to each other and we have been Facebook friends ever since. It took us almost one year to meet up ... and we are so glad we did. The kids (and moms) had a fun-filled day. We left home just after breakfast and came home at bedtime. The kids were exhausted, and I was energized to talk with a new friend.
Here are some pictures from our day:

MH, Georgia, Jude, and Avery eating lunch at a HUGE church in town. They have the largest indoor playground ever, and a a cafe that serves Chick-fil-a and Starbucks. That is play date heaven!

Georgia and Mary Hannah became fast friends!

Mary Hannah wanted to hold her hand the whole time!

Monkey jumping!

Ring around the Rosie

Disney: There's Always Something New

We have been to Disney more times than I can count. And we still love it. Even though we have been so many times, we are still discovering new things.
On our last trip we found a not-so-hidden Barber Shop just past the entrance to the Magic Kingdom! So, we tried it out. It was a fun experience, fast, and quite reasonably priced.
Though it was new to us, the small three chair barber shop has been around for quite awhile. In fact, the barber who cut Avery's hair has been working at that same chair for well over a decade!

The name of the shop is Harmony. Would you believe that they even have a barber shop quartet that stops in to sing? Its Disney, so you'd better believe it! The Dapper Dans were not there when we were, but we have seen them strolling up and down Main Street before.

Its all going so quickly!!!

My kids are growing up. Sigh. I am so proud of their achievements. Avery is reading quite well, he just lost his first tooth, and is about to graduate from K4. Mary Hannah also loves school, loves to sing and dance, and holds her crayons with perfect grip! She can also form some letters shockingly well. In fact the other day I saw that she wrote on her chalkboard a few random letters ... usually her favorites right now are M, H, W, O, T, and sometimes A.

This is another milestone week for the Hughes fam. We are going to register Avery for Kindergarten! He is really fond of school this year. He usually asks me when I pick him up "Why is school over?" If it was up to him, he'd stay at school forever! I am praying that it will be the same way next year. Though his day will be 2 hours longer than it currently is, it will be 5 days a week instead of just 4, and I am pretty sure there is no napping there. I know he will do well. But I am sure it will be an adjustment for everyone!

The only problem with all of this is that there are no more babies in this house. And, yes, that IS a problem. I am praying about it. Either the Lord will bless us with a child who needs a loving home or he will have me use that need-to-nurture in another way. I am sure there are a lot of babies at the hospital who need some tender lovin! Either way, I'm good. I just can't believe that we have passed the baby stage!

So many seasoned moms have said to me, whether at my baby showers or even just in passing at the grocery store, "Enjoy it. It goes quickly!" Wow, they are right. It is flying by ...

No More Diapers ... and other signs they're growing up

We are now a diaper free home. Sigh. Rejoice. Reflect. Rejoice ... lots of mixed emotions. Mostly celebratory emotions, but undoubtedly mixed with the reality that are children are growing up quickly.... AND ... We don't have any babies here. Boy, would I love to cuddle a baby!

Along with ditching the diapers, Mary Hannah has added to her grown up status gum-chewing and role playing. She likes to believe that she has achieved motherly status when she is chewing a piece of Extra and is carrying her baby doll. "Look, now there are two moms!" she exclaims as she trots on by. She also has an imaginary friend, Sally, who visits us frequently. Usually Mary Hannah greets her in our apartment building elevator and consults her when putting on jewelry and hair bows.

Avery has been getting taller ... so much so that a common question from any acquaintance is "How old are you?" Followed by a quick "Wow! You are tall!" He is enjoying his new status as a 5 year old very much, and tells anyone who will listen that he will be in Kindergarten next year. Avery is a great reader. He loves to read anything in sight ... including every street sign, and even pretends to know how to read a road map. Which, of course, means that he likes to tell us where to go when we are driving. Recently he has gained quite an interest in math and science. School is fun for Avery. Each day we have the same routine. We arrive at school, he excitedly runs ahead of me into his class and doesn't even turn to say goodbye when he reaches the door. Instead he bolts right on in and mingles with his friends. I don't mind. Actually, I prefer it that way ... The other day when we picked him up at the end of the day he turned to Chris and said, "I don't know why school is over. Do you? I love this place!"

Life is sweet for the Hughes fam. We certainly remember to thank God for such blessings!

2 for 1

Avery and Mary Hannah's birthdays are about a month apart. This year we decided to have one party for both of the kids at the same time. Its a "two-fer" and, boy was it a good idea!
One day, one party, two cakes, all the fun you can handle at Chuck-E-Cheese.

We were pleasantly surprised at how accommodating the workers were! We opted out of the party package and just did our own thing there. We came armed with decorations, party plates, two homemade cakes, and enough money for 600 tokens and 6 pizzas. We even used coupons! You know how I like coupons. To sweeten the deal, we had the party at an off-time when all other kids would be in school. 11 am on Friday morning made a fairly empty place. Mary Hannah and Avery invited a combined 17 kids. It was a fantastic party. We all enjoyed it. So easy, no stress. Everyone had fun.

Spaghetti with the chance of Meatballs

Chris and I have enjoyed being inventive when it comes to date night. Recently we have had dates at home. We feed the kids, put them to bed early, then have our special dinner and movie in the family room.

Tonight the kids had a special "date night" before ours. We rented "Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs" from Redbox. (We love the $1 rentals!) They ate their meal in the family room on their little table and chairs, over beach towels, of course! Can you guess what was for dinner?

Spaghetti and Meatballs!

It was simple, but fun. Mostly, it was great to do something a little special for them while showing them how think outside the box ... at home.

Avery's First Christmas Program

Thursday night marked a big FIRST for our family! It was our child's first program. And Avery had a speaking part. He quoted Acts 10:38 "God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." Then he and all the other 4 year olds (there were more than 50!) sang a couple songs.
It was simple. It was cute. It made us very proud.

The non-speaking actors made an adorable manger scene.

Avery waiting to say his verse after the letter "X"

He wasn't the least bit shy! He spoke clearly and slowly. My high school public speaking teacher would be proud.

When he was done, he came to the edge for his picture to be taken. That was met with chuckles from the crowd, and Chris and me too.

This is the group of 4 Year Olds. There were a lot of them! Their behavior was great during the show.

Avery was chillin out on the piano during the song. He also decided to check out the crowd instead of keep up with the hand motions.

Of course Mary Hannah wanted in on the action. She asked several times during the show if she, too, could go up on stage. So when the program ended, we allowed her to approach the stage. She took to it like a fish to water.

And this is what happens as a result of practicing at home for the show: Mary Hannah learnas it and needs a turn to perform, too.

Singing along with the program.