Day 304/365 - October 31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

We had a great time together this afternoon/evening. Wes, Avery, and I all went trick or treating together around the neighborhood.

While playing with the neighbor from across the street this afternoon, Avery asked if she wanted to come trick or treating with use. She said she would check and see if she could.

We stopped by before leaving and after waiting a few minutes, Portia joined us.

I know Avery's eyes are closed, but it's the only pic of the two girls together.

Day 303/365 - October 30

Avery and I had lots of errands and running around to do today.

While we were out, I stopped by Bruster's for a quick cup of ice cream for my sweet girl. This is where we always stopped for ice cream on the way home from St. James last year.

While it is still close to our house, we just don't go in that direction very often. It was definitely a treat for Avery!

Day 302/365 - October 29

I woke up bright and early this morning (after getting to bed at 1:00), so I could wrap the cake pops I made last night.

This is what I walked into.

The dogs got them off the counter and ate half of them. After falling into a chair in tears, I pulled myself together and proceeded to get ready. Avery was heartbroken as well. I promised her I would make another batch over the weekend for her to take to school on Monday.

At least we still had the teacher gifts, right?

And it's "dress like a farmer day" to wrap up their agriculture study, so that helped some too.

After getting home tonight, Wes decided it was time to tackle Avery's ecosystem science project. We all headed out to Hobby Lobby in search of supplies. I probably could have sent the two of them and stayed home (and enjoyed a quiet evening), but he would've been lost in there and I was feeling kinda nice :)

A few hours and $100 later, we made it back home with a ton of supplies. I'm glad Wes made the trip to the store to actually see how much of all this stuff costs. I truthfully think he always thought I "made up" how expensive projects and supplies were...until now!

Wes and Avery quickly got to work. They assembled and painted.

They cut and painted.

They assembled a little more and called it a night.

Day 301/365 - October 28

That craft project I was working on last night?

Tags for the Halloween goodies I am making to send to Avery's class.

Since I didn't get to work on them as much as I wanted last night (with George's hospital trip), I was running behind tonight.

It ended up being a super late night. Think I finally crawled into bed around 1:00. At least there are enough cake pops for Avery's entire class. Just gotta wrap them all up in the morning. {sigh}

Day 300/365 - October 27

I had a dentist appointment this afternoon to get a quick filling taken care of. Took less than 20 minutes from numbing to finish - yippee!!

Avery had a pretty good load of homework and so she pulled out her backpack and got to work in the corner.

It's so nice to have an afternoon/evening routine and stick with it even with other things come up!

On the way home from the dentist, we stopped by to check on my Mom and George. He had his first chemo treatment on Monday (10/25). While we were there, George got very ill and ended up going to the hospital. I took Avery home and met Mom at the hospital.

I had alot of crafting and cooking I was planning to get done tonight and decided to take what I could to the hospital with me.

Unfortunately, scissors are a dangerous weapon and set off metal detectors. Even kindergarten scissors with rounded tips.

They were confiscated and I was told I could pick them up when I left the ER.

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the property receipt and my "violation." Did you notice the spelling? sizzors

Good times, good times.

Day 299/365 - October 26

The whole point of this project is to remember everyday events and things.

I figured, as much "stuff" as I use on my hair...

See, I have naturally curly hair (at least 4 inches from my scalp on down) and LOTS of it. For the longest time, I tried all these trendy cuts and was always disappointed that my hair didn't "look like that."

I finally gave up and just went with the curls...long and boring, requiring no work.

Once I realized I was tired of that, my hairdresser got it through my head that my hair can do other stuff too...just with a little help.

I use a straightening gel, volume reducer, and cream sealant on my damp hair. Then I finish it off with a cream and a quick moisture blocking hairspray. Oh, and I use a straightening shampoo and conditioner too.

It's amazing what the right product can do for a girl!

Day 298/365 - October 25

Today's photo is a bit fuzzy and out of focus, but I couldn't resist using it. Avery came out of her room dressed and ready to go to volleyball practice tonight.

As you can see, she has on a red headband, tie died shirt (pink and purple mind you), royal blue shorts, and orange socks that you can't see.

"I'm just going to practice Mom."

Day 297/365 - October 24

I am really not a fan of busy Sunday afternoons and today was no exception.

After church and lunch, we had just enough time to get settled when it was time to head out to the Y for volleyball photos. It was crazy - 30 teams, 1 gym, 2 photographers...not very well planned in my opinion.

We paid our money, took our pics, and were out the door an hour later.

Home just in the nick of time for Avery to get ready for the Fall Festival at church tonight.

Sydney came over and went with us and they had a great time together. 

We grabbed a quick bite of dinner at Jalapeno's before taking Syd back home and calling it a night.

See? Busy Sunday = no fun for Mom. Avery enjoyed it though, so it was all worth it.

Day 296/365 - October 23

Today was the first official performance for the Forest Avenue Chorus. They performed several Christmas songs at the Junior League Holiday Market.

Avery looked so cute all dressed up. Although she HATES the outfit, especially the bow tie and cummerbund!

I must say, they look mighty nice all dressed up on stage together. They sounded wonderful too!

Day 295/365 - October 22

I know I've mentioned the wonderful surprises Princess has left for us around the house (kind that start with a "p" and end with "ee"). We've also noticed her dragging her bottom across the carpet and are pretty sure her tapeworms aren't gone.

So, she went back the vet today, although we did take her to a different vet (our old vet who is family). They attempted to get a urine sample, but the key word would be attempted. No luck there.

They decided to treat her with a strong antibiotic based on the symptoms and were going to send us home with pills to give daily for two weeks. Mickey attempted to give Princess the first pill at the office to "show us how to do it."

Needless to say, we left after Princess was given a strong antibiotic shot that lasts two weeks. Oh, not to mention the $16 a bag special diet cat food for bladder/kidney problems.

I think it would be sufficient to say that Princess does not like the vet. Not sure if it was the hissing or growling that gave it away, but I kinda get the message.

While Princess was happy to be home, she really wouldn't have much to do with any of us. The shot obviously made her feel crummy and this is pretty much what she did all day long.

Poor baby. I really hope she feels better soon!

Day 294/365 - October 21

It's tragic, but we've had a death in the family.

Shelby didn't make it.

She took a horrible fall at school today.

How, you ask, considering she was so thoroughly protected in that "well thought out and planned container?"

Well, it went a little something like this.

P.E. time. All the kids take their eggs outside with them. They're parents, they have to.

All the babies are lined up in a row. The kickball flies over that direction and takes a bunch of them out...including Shelby.

No biggie...she's protected in her "well thought out and planned container."

Yep, she was.

Until Avery decided to check on her after the fall and opened said container.

Then dropped said container and Shelby to the ground.

That's when her traumatic head injury occurred.

Many, many, many tears were shed over her loss. Mostly because it means points will be taken off her grade.

After a few phone calls, I find out that lots of kids have "damaged" their babies too. Avery decides her only option is to make another baby. So, we do.

And Avery will be taking them both to school tomorrow. {sigh}

Day 293/365 - October 20

Lookie what Avery found on the front porch tonight...

Can you tell she's just a wee bit excited?

It didn't take her long to tear into the box and open it up!

She is in love! And yep, it is JUST as bright and pink as it looks!

Day 292/365 - October 19

Avery has been on a big reading kick lately and I must admit, I LOVE it! Don't get me wrong, there are still times I really have to push her to read but she's much more willing than in the past. I don't think that 100 major test grade for meeting your AR goal each nine weeks hurts either!

She wanted to read outside when we got home this afternoon.

After reading, she headed in to start working on a school project...and Egg Baby.

Seriously? Who assigns a hard boiled egg project to 9/10 year olds?!?

Avery took the decorating dressing of her baby very seriously and quickly named her Shelby.

I came across this paint can at Michael's for her "home" and also purchased some fuzzies to cushion her.

Any chance Shelby will survive the trips to and from school (not to mention the school days) through the end of the week?

I hope so...it's a 10 point deduction for each day she's broken!

Day 291/365 - October 18

I am SO excited that my initial Mozy back-up finally finished tonight!

It took right at a month which is much less time than it originally estimated. Now, my computer will run a little faster again!

Day 290/365 - October 17

After making the switch to Dish at the beginning of the month (for cable), we finally made the decision to switch to Charter for internet and phones. They offered the best price around, so I scheduled the appointment for this past Thursday, the 14th.

They came. It took for.ever. Like 3 1/2 hours forever. Long enough that we had to break it into shifts. Wes took the first half then called me to come home so he could go back to work. Crazy, crazy, crazy.

I tested the TV's and internet to make sure everything was working and even picked up the phone to make sure I had a dial tone before the install guy left. Everything seemed great.

So, Friday night I notice that we didn't have one single call show up on caller id during the day. Totally just not possible.

I call Charter and find out that they haven't "activated our features" yet, but do so while I'm on the phone.  Great, right? Yeah, not so much.

Saturday, I tried calling Wes from the fair to check on him (and maybe to see how Auburn was looking as well), but the phone just rang and rang and rang. I was pretty irritated that he wasn't answering.

Well come to find out, the phone wasn't ringing. Our phone hasn't RUNG since they installed the lines Thursday. We can make calls out, but not receive anything.

After a not so friendly conversation with Charter, we have an appointment set up for tomorrow night between 5-7. The not so friendly part would be due to the fact that the customer service rep tried to tell me there would be a $45 charge if it was an inside line problem since we didn't purchase their "coverage." I kindly informed her that we had phones until the minute her tech walked into my house, now I don't, and there was no way I was paying them a penny. Yep, that's pretty much how it went.

Why, oh why, did we every switch service?!?

Day 289/365 - October 16

This was the last weekend that the fair was in town. We originally planned to go last weekend, but had to move it in order to fit in our Six Flags trip.

Wes was planning to go with us, but stayed at home sick. Does he really think pneumonia is a big deal?!?

So, I trudged on with Avery and Caroline for a fun filled day of rides.

The girls rode a lot of different things and I rode a few, but mostly took pictures and watched them have a blast together.

I did witness something that I never thought would happen though.

Avery found a friend who will ride ANYTHING. And by anything, I mean everything. As in even stuff that Avery won't ride.

It never occurred to me that this could happen. It did not make for a good day of rides, let me tell ya. There were tears, pouts, and lots of stuff in between. Just not the greatest of days.

I did make Avery compromise and ride some of the rides Caroline wanted to ride though. Such as this 90 foot tall tower drop thingy.

That would be her praying on the way up...not very happy at all.

And that would be her screaming on the way down...still not happy at all. It didn't improve much when she got off either.

There were a few other rides that Avery did not voluntarily ride, but suffered through for her friend. I'm not so sure she will be inviting Caroline back to the fair again though! Avery always thought she was the fearless one in her group of friends. Um, not so much sweetie.

The girls did have a blast in these inflatable balls though.

And I did get quite a few smiles out of Avery over the course of the day.

Despite the few ride hiccups, she told me that she still had a great time.

Day 288/365 - October 15

OK, so with all the poster "stuff" going on yesterday, I decided to hold off until today to photograph Avery with her report card. Yep, yesterday was report card day. Her first official report card at Forest Avenue.

(I know, I know...squinty eyes. Early morning picture, what can ya do?)

She made 3 A's and 2 B's and we could not be more proud of those amazing grades. The principal even commented that new students should be extremely honored to make A's and B's due to the accelerated learning level.

Although these were the first B's that Avery has ever made, we had been attempting to prepare her for it over the past few months. I'm quite pleased to say that Avery handled it better than we expected. I think it was due to the fact that she knows how hard she has worked these past few months.

Of course, it could have had a little something to do with the promise of a computer from her Dad if she got A's and B's. Well, let me tell the whole story.

Avery has been saving and saving and saving since the summer for a netbook. A pink netbook to be exact. She sold a ton of stuff at our yard sale this summer and has saved every penny she came across. She ended up with $200. Wes told her that if she mad A's and B's on her report card, we would chip in the rest. 

Like I said, I'm sure the promise of a computer didn't hurt either.

Day 287/365 - October 14

Avery brought home a paper detailing a special project/poster contest for school. Since it was optional, I quickly tossed it aside (a.k.a. threw it away).

She got in the car Tuesday and informed me that they would get 20 bonus points in math for completing said poster. The Goldens don't pass up bonus points...especially in math!

Most people would think we started working on that poster immediately since Tuesday was a light homework night. You would be so wrong. I'm just not that much of a "plan aheader" when it comes to stuff like that. In my mind, I figured it would be a great project for Avery's early morning "alone time" (ya know, while Mom sleeps a little late) Saturday morning.

I'm sitting at work Wednesday and happen to look at the school website and quickly realize that blasted poster is due Friday. As in two days away....ack!!

Of course, I have to run out at lunch and pick up a poster board and the necessary supplies to work on this blasted poster all the while praying (really hard) for another light homework night.

I've never been so happy to hear the words, "no homework tonight Mom." I'm guessing the teachers REALLY want participation from the kids and are hoping this will encourage it??? Needless to say, we jumped right on the poster when we walked in the door last night.

Did I mention the theme of this project? Agriculture: A Growing Story. Oh, and the kids were "highly encouraged to use your creativity to show how people who live in cities depend and benefit from those who work on farms." 

On top of that, each grade was assigned a commodity. 4th grade = chickens. No pumpkins, corn, dairy, or potatoes like the other grades got...chickens. Is it starting to make sense why I ignored this from the get go?

Bottom line - two and a half hours later, Avery's masterpiece was complete.

I think she did a great job!

Day 286/365 - October 13

One of the perks of being in chorus is getting a special shirt. They have to wear this every Wednesday since that's when they have practice.

Avery thinks it's pretty cool especially since it's not a uniform shirt. To me, it looks like another burgundy shirt.

Oh, and don't ya love the squinty eyes? This was only the 20th picture I snapped. Guess that's what happens when you try to take a quick photo of your kid shortly after she wakes up, huh?

Day 285/365 - October 12

Wes had to replace some light bulbs above the cabinets tonight which meant pulling out the super tall ladder. Yeah, I don't know how tall it is so I just say super tall :)

While he was up there, he decided that he might as well clean the kitty cat paw prints that Princess was kind enough to leave for us a while back.

Of course, cleaning the paw prints off the wall wasn't good enough for Wes. Nope, he decided to take it a step further and actually clean all the dust that led to said paw prints as well.

And that would be how we ended up with a super tall ladder in the kitchen AND a vacuum cleaner on top of the refrigerator.

Can you say that you've had your vacuum on top of your fridge? Nah, didn't think so.

Day 284/365 - October 11

School and work holiday - Columbus Day - YIPPEE!!!

With all the craziness yesterday, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of Avery's "welcome" to Caroline.

Since she was spending the night when we got back from Six Flags, Avery thought it was only appropriate to announce it via sidewalk chalk.

While at Six Flags yesterday, Avery couldn't find anything to spend her money on. Wes and I both told her that she didn't have to buy anything just to buy it. I reminded her there were several things she had been wanting lately and that we could go and look for one today if she saved her money.

Needless to say, she saved her money which resulted in a quick shopping trip today. It didn't take Avery long to decide she wanted to purchase a pillow pet with her $20, so we headed over to My Kids Attic. They had a great selection and she finally decided on a penguin, aka Pengy.

Yep...it's a pillow, it's a pet, it's a Pillow Pet!

Day 283/365 - October 10

After a lot of rearranging schedules, we finally determined that today was the best day to attempt our Six Flags trip. Caroline came over bright and early and we hit the road, arriving just as the gates opened.

We had a wonderful time riding every roller coaster we could.

The lines were MUCH longer than when Avery and I visited in May which made it harder to ride as much. We were still able to ride:

Batman
Superman
Georgia Cyclone
Goliath
Mind Bender
Georgia Scorcher
Great American Scream Machine

Yep, finally was able to get Avery on Superman this time. I won't say she was a willing participant during the two hour wait in line, but she sure did enjoy the ride once we started!

My girl is such a thrill junkie...just like her Mom!!!

Oh, and how could I forget...Avery found a new love.

A Dippin' Dots Float. I think she's died and gone to Heaven!

Day 282/365 - October 9

Take a look at what we found this morning on Wes's truck.

After a little digging, we found that our next door neighbor found them while cleaning out his garage and passed them on.

Talk about a nice surprise!

We quickly headed to pick Avery up from the sleepover so we could make it to her volleyball game. It didn't take long to figure out she was t.i.r.e.d. This photo taken immediately when we walked in the door at home confirms it.

Yep, that is my sweet 9 year old girl actually laid out on the floor basically having a temper tantrum. She looked up when she realized I was snapping a picture and it quickly went downhill.

End result, a stern "talking to" and sent to her room. She actually fell asleep for two hours. Simply unheard of!