She's Got A Way

She's got a way about her

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her

She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason
Anyway

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin'
Anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
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Ah, Avery. The child that had I had her first would be an only child. I say that out of a lot of love and a lot of expelled energy. 

I always love to tell of how when I was pregnant with her I was still running at 5 months, eating right, avoiding all the things I was suppose to, only eating the things that I knew were good for both of us. 
She was energetic the whole time, and during labor, I was busy talking about the Mavs in the playoffs. Days later, I was already back to my workout regimen and feeling great. Easy peasy. 

However, after 4 1/2 years with her, she has been the one who makes me cry the most and laugh the most. Probably because she is just like me. 

I see it on a daily basis and just today told her that there wasn't enough space for two of us. You may laugh, but the two of us wear me out and Jason and Maddie I'm sure. 

Maddie definitely puts up with a lot of drama when Avery is around. Just today at the dr while Maddie sounded as if she'd cough up a lung any minute, she politely asked to leave the room and wait outside while Avery got her 5 shots. Good call. Took 3 of us holding her down and it's a wonder one of us didn't leave deaf. That girl has got a set of lungs on her. 

I've decided to document some of her funniest moments, phrases and words here, mostly for myself but also just to make you laugh during a week where so many have been sick. 


Preschool

 Avery is in her 2nd year of preschool. She loved it last year, but this year we've had a different encounter. Starting about 2 weeks ago, I started getting little notes in her folder from her teacher about how "Avery isn't finishing her work" "Avery is the last one finishing" "Avery stopped coloring because she said her hand was tired" ....and so on. So, after these little notes, I went to the store, bought a few preschool books, crayons, white board markers, and some scissors. We do a page a day and work on the small things - finishing the page. 


About a week ago, while dropping Maddie off at school, I asked Avery "Tomorrow is preschool are you going to be good?" In the rear view mirror I see her shake her head no. 


"No?"
"I mean yes, mama. I'll be good." 
"Will you finish your work?"
"Yes"

A few minutes go by...

"I don't like preschool."
"Why, Avery?"
"It's hard work and I'm already sick of it." 


The next day I pick her up, check her folder and see that she only colored the roof of a barn black. The rest was as it was given to her. 


"Avery, why didn't you finish coloring your barn?'
"I did."
"It's white." 
"Just the other day we passed a white barn with a black roof." 

Looks like I couldn't argue with that. 


So, this past week I get an e-mail from her teacher. 


I love her sense of humor. She tells little stories and says her sister cracks her up. 


Well, at least I didn't make up that she is funny. I'm just hoping that her stories are TRUE. She'll still tell you point blank that she doesn't like preschool and IS NOT going to kindergarten.

Doctor Vists
She is the child that I wait until the very last minute to tell about ANY doctor visit.

The dentist trip was a disaster because I mistakenly took her for Madison and told her a day in advance that she was going. She cried the entire way there because she didn't want them to take pictures (xrays). Thank goodness she wasn't due for them on this visit. That didn't make it any easier, though. She wrestled us just getting in the chair. These dentists don't mess around: they have DVD players, wireless headphones and TV screens on the ceiling; game room, stickers, and prizes. We left with no tears and hopefully an easier visit for next time.

Last week we went to the dr. just to make sure she wasn't sickly. I didn't tell her until we drove up to the dr's office. She asked me the whole way there:

"Where are we going, mama?"
"Oh, just for a little drive." 
"Where?"
"it will be fine. I promise."

I had to talk her out of the car and still she went in with tears left on her face. They promised her no shots on that visit. She was a big girl even during the strep test.

Today was a little different story, though. I told her that they were only going to weigh her and check her ears.

"Are you sure that's all they're going to do?"
"I think." 
"Are they giving me a shot?" 
"I don't think so." 
"TELL THEM, MAMA. TELL THEM NO SHOTS!"
"Ok. I'll tell them." 

Upon entering and check in, she immediately tells them she doesn't want a shot. The nurse just nods and smiles. The receptionist calls me back over and says "She's getting 4 shots today. 5 if we do the flu shot."

I knew this, but never promised she wouldn't get a shot. Just that I would tell them she didn't want them. Ah, the fun of parenting different children.

They call us back, she hesitates with weight, eye check, and height. We get in the room and she's already crying. Good thing I brought reinforcements (aka Jason) with me.

After Maddie was finished, I sent her out to get her school note.  Avery looks at me and says -

"Why am I still sitting up here if they are done with me?" 
"Am I done?" 
"Are we going home now?" 
"I'm still sitting here, mama."

Her dr who has been their dr since both of their births, looked at us and said "She's too smart for her own good." 

I will spare you the details of getting 5 shots, but it wasn't pretty and the 3 of us were almost in tears when it was over. 

Good news: She is done until she is 12! And since the shot is why she was refusing kindergarten, she says she's ready for it now! 
***************************************
I leave you with some of her funniest phrases lately:

*Unspickable (dispicable like on Looney Tunes.) You are unspickable, Jason. 
*Cracking smoke ( rearranged from my phrase smoking crack) Mom, Maddie is cracking smoke again. 
*Memember (remember) Memember when I was little I use to call lotion sasa?
*Avery-ham lincoln (Abraham Lincoln) Avery-ham Lincoln is on the penny!
*Would you please teach me karate (
*I can't stop breathing (Jason responds "Good. You're not suppose to!")
*Don't be mean to your children (anytime I make her mind or tell her no)
*I heard lightening. I knew there was storm. Get out the glow sticks! (she actually watches the weather)


No matter what is going on around me, whatever stress or struggle that is happening, she always makes me smile and reminds me that life can be fun all the time. :)