Valentine's Day

We decided to spend this Valentine's Day with Stephanie and Sophia at the Houston Zoo.  It has been such dreary weather lately and we had to take advantage of the nice weather.  Avery is absolutely in love with all animals so I knew she would love to see them again!  The fact that Ave and Sophie had matching tshirts may have played into our decision to meet up too :).

I borrowed a backpack "leash" from Lindsay and it turned out saving the day.  It is so hard to tote around a stroller and a 1 1/2 year old at the same time.  When she was out of the stroller she wanted to go all over the place so the backpack was the only way to go!  I have to admit that I judged people before that had their kids on a leash like a dog but I have learned never to judge again.  You just do what you got to do!

When we first got there, we headed to an enclosed spot with monkeys, fish, and other small creatures.  

So amazed by everything!

Avery's voice is extremely high but when she sees fish she yells out "blub, blub, blub" in a very deep voice.  It's a little bizarre but it makes me laugh every time.

Sophia was equally amazed by all the fish!

Checking out the elephants

Ave could have played the drums all day long

Chimpanzees!

A bald eagle- Avery thought he was so cool

Steph and Sophia

We had two meltdowns throughout the day.  One by the giraffes- she wanted to run free but couldn't because of the leash.  She ended up running in a circle and then laid on the ground face down out of frustration. She was completely silent, no crying at all.  I might be a bad mom because of this but I proceeded to laugh the entire time she was laying on the ground.  About a minute later she got up and was ready to go.

The next was at lunch which was not quite so funny.  We stopped by a little pond to eat and Avery wanted to be playing with all of the kids that were running around free by us instead of eating.  When I blocked her in, she went to the ground again but this time got up quickly because she had duck poo on her shirt and in her mouth.  She looked at me with absolute disgust and I had to keep myself from freaking out that she had just probably swallowed some poop.  Maybe she learned her lesson :).

The scene of the crime

Since it was the girls' naptimes we decided head home.  All in all, it was a lot of fun to do something that we don't do everyday.  Since Steph lives down by the medical center, we don't get to see each other all the time so I'm was glad that we got to spend some time with her and Sophia.  I so badly wish that I had gotten a cute picture of the cousins together but it just didn't work out that way!

Later that evening, Bill brought home a card that made Avery's day.  It had a lion that moved on the front and played music inside.  She spent a good 30 minutes dancing to the music that night.  After Ave went to bed, we had chocolate fondue for dessert.  It's the one night a year that we get out our fondue pot and it has become a fun tradition.  I wouldn't have chosen any other way to spend my Valentine's Day!

How Prekky!

This has become Avery's new favorite phrase.  Anytime she thinks something is pretty, she says "how prekky!"  It's funny to see what her thoughts of what pretty really is.  I've captured some of her pretty moments.

Wearing Mommy's shoes

Putting on "lipstick" using the wrong end of a marker

Applying the same lipstick to Grace's nose

This picture was taken that same day.  2 people + 1 dog in a chair

This is Ave's lispy cheese face for the camera.  Her tongue is always slightly sticking out at the end. 

She felt especially beautiful this day.  She went into her closet and desperately wanted to wear several giant flower bows.  She said "how prekky"  several times while looking into the mirror.  I think she may have kissed the mirror a couple of times too.

Glamour shot

A little later, the real Avery came out.  The bows got ripped out and the chalk went all over her face.  Not sure how this happened but it was everywhere!

OOOH WEE!

College Station

We have been trying to make a trip to College Station to visit Bill's Nana and Papa since Thanksgiving. They moved there a little while ago from Hilltop Lakes, and we had not seen their new house yet.   Sickness kept us from going two other times so finally we made it out there last Friday!  We left right after Avery woke up from her nap and got there by about 4:45.

Avery is usually very shy around men especially those she is not around often.  I was happily surprised that she was so warm and open with Bill's grandparents.

Lounging with Papa

Nana time

Every time that we go somewhere new I bring a bunch of toys as backup.  I did not even have to get anything out of the car because she was so entertained by Daisy, their puppy.  She would pet the dog, bring her toys, throw balls to her, etc.  She was just so content to hang out there.

We had a great time visiting with them and seeing their new place.  Before going to dinner we headed to the old duplex, our 1st place to live as a married couple.  I feel extremely sentimental when I think about our time there.  I was working in Labor and Delivery while Bill went to school.  Things were just more simple then.  No mortgage, no children, not many responsibilities.  Work called me ALL the time to come do extra shifts and my crazy schedule made seeing each other difficult at times but I just have really sweet memories of this place.

This is a horrible picture, but here's The Med, my old hospital.  I took the picture right about the same time of day that I would be pulling into the parking lot to start my shift.

After reminiscing about the good ole days, we met Kelly and Andrew at Fuddruckers for some dinner.  Kelly was in town visiting Andrew so it worked out perfectly to see them.  

We realized after a short period of time that Avery has a little crush on Andrew.  Sitting in high chairs has become somewhat of a battle for us lately so while we were waiting for our food, we gave her some stickers. She would take one and bring it to Andrew over and over again.  He would be in the middle of talking to us when she would just stick it on his elbow.  By the end of the meal, he was covered!

The sticker fun was just beginning!

Gazing at her sticker pal

We had a lot of fun on our short trip seeing family.  Avery is at an age where traveling is a lot easier.  Kelly will be moving to CS over the summer so I'm sure that we will be making these trips a lot more frequently!

The Children's Museum Take 2

Last Wednesday, we took our play group to The Children's Museum in the Woodlands.  We went there last summer but haven't been back.  I don't have a clue why because Ave was in absolute heaven this time!    

We got there right when the place opened so we had it pretty much to ourselves.

First, Ave and Luke tested out the firetruck, hats and all.

Next up was some dance time on the stage!

We attempted this pic last time we were there but I think it was a little more successful this go round!

Cheese!

This is where they spent the majority of their time- in the house.  Ave had to wash her hands before she got started :)

Stopping for a snack

Luke's face kills me in this picture!  He is SO into it!  I love how they pretend  play now!

Once Garrett and Linds got there, Garrett went straight to the firetruck. What a cute fireman!

Fishies!  Avery could have watched them all day.

One of the sweetest pictures of Luke ever!

Craft time

Digging area

All Avery wanted to do in the digging area was collect all the dinosaurs and line them up.

Critter time- this woman was showing everyone her snake...creepy!

Grocery shopping

Avery was mezmorized by this little boy.  He was "scanning" each of his items and she thought it was the coolest thing ever. 

After a couple hours of fun, we all were hungry so we headed to Los Cucos for lunch.

Entertaining herself with stickers

When we left the restaurant, all three of the little ones held hands.  I don't think anything could be more precious than this!

They all let go and Luke did not want the hand holding to be over.  He went for Avery since she was the closest to him and grabbed on for dear life.

It all started to go downhill when the handholding turned into a hug which then turned into falling to the ground still attached.  I would love to know what goes through their minds when they do things like this!

The Children's Museum was a huge success, and I'm sure we will be back soon!