Here is Avery's enthusiastic reading of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Is it just me? Is the way Avery says "boom" hilarious? Along the lines of cracking up . . . after her bath tonight, Avery was pretending she was a chick hatching out of her towel-eggshell, saying "I'm cracking, I'm cracking, I'm cracking up." :)

Another story. We were reading stories on her bed and she decided to jump off, holding one of the books. "Watch me, watch me, mom." She then jumped off and landed in a loud, painful sounding thump on the ground. "That looked dangerous, Avery!" "No, mom" Avery said, as she stood up and nonchalantly put the book on her little desk, "that was just a trick."

Elliot went with me on a business trip last Monday to Tuesday. She was such an angel, sleeping through meetings, charming everyone. Of course, we would love her even if she wasn't so accomodating, but it is a nice perk.

Teatro Zinzanni

"Can you please get my finger out of my ear?" That's what Avery asked me tonight. And so I did.

Last Saturday, Mike and I went to Teatro Zinzanni, a dinner cirque extravaganza. It was really fun, and we took Elliot along. It was a little loud for her to sleep, so she just looked around.

Clarifications

I need to clarify, for Mike's sake, that my birthday was actually very nice and fun. My previous post was a reflection on the psychological impact of turning 31, NOT on the actual events of the day :) Mike made it a very fun day: He got up BEFORE work to make me breakfast. Then we went to sushi that night for dinner and went to see a movie, and Mike arranged the babysitting and everything. SUCH a wonderful husband. !

Lately, Avery has decided that she wants a pet. Never say never, but since neither Mike or I want pets (we actually DO NOT want pets), she has a hard sell. So, after running into a brick wall with direct requests, the other day Avery changed tactics. "Mom," she said, "I have a present for you. I'm going to get a pet for you." "Oh, thank you Avery, that's very nice." "Mom? Can we go to the store and get a pet for you?" On further pressing, Avery revealed that she wanted to get me a purple donkey to match some purple shoes she was also planning on giving me as a present. !

My birthday presents . . .

This past Wednesday was THE DAY. I've definitely noticed a change in the feel of birthdays since passing the 3-0 mark . . .they aren't as fun. BUT, despite the annual reminder that time ticks on relentlessly, there is something about your birthday day that still feels exciting. Just seeing "Jan 7" on the wall calendar at the bank produced a frisson of recognition. As my little sister reminded me, if I wasn't turning OLD (notice how I'm avoiding saying the exact number), I wouldn't have Avery and Elliot yet (and by extension, Mike as well!). And I'm so happy to have these three people in my life, as well as all my other family and good friends.

The pictures below are just some recent shots. Avery is wearing a dress my cousin crocheted for her - I know, amazing! And Elliot is being her usual, relaxed self.

One of the books we got at the library this week is about a frog that wants to play in the snow, even though he is supposed to be sleeping during the winter. Tonight, after we read books and said goodnight, Avery said "But I don't want to hibernate!"