Avi - 08/27/2021

Avilene ate oatmeal and bites of baked cinnamon apples for breakfast. For lunch she ate a large serving of hamburger stew with meat, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. She ate whole wheat dinner roll and two servings of fruit cocktail.

Just in case anyone wants to know this happens to be the last of 1036 Blogs for Avilene Arlo. There are so many wonderful positive things I can say about Avi, but for now I just want to say thank you for allowing me the privilege of helping your family with Avi. What a joy she is to me and I love her lots and lots. Very few kids have ever kept me on my toes like Avi!! I love her intelligence, her wit, her kind soul, her drive, and her fast running motor!! And so much more. I only have 1 request: I hope to be invited to lots of her activities and performances in the years to come. Otherwise I'll just come uninvited!! Haha.

Here are some pictures to close out this Blog. Three Kindergarteners doing a performance in front of the mirror yesterday afternoon. They were following the soundtrack from Moana. Second picture: Avi describing in detail to Cal - who was only sorta kinda interested - how to make "eagle wings" if he ever wanted to. Ha. (You can see both of the wings there.) Third picture: Building legos with Atley - who said this was the "Triple Bridge." Fourth picture: Avi coming in for a landing!! Haha. Last Picture: I had been sitting beside Avi on the couch putting pictures on my computer for these Blogs. I didn't even realize Miles was snuggling so sweetly with her until she whispered to me; "Hey Gary, Take a picture." They kind of adore each other. 

Avi - 08/26/2021

Breakfast: French toast and plums. Avi said, "Not eating!" Ha. Ok, then Atley and Nora both followed suit! "Not eating!" Ha. I bet you guys will eat a big lunch and they did. Avi ate three servings of pulled pork, two servings of whole wheat toast, ate peas, and two servings of cantaloupe.  

Avi heard Maddy and I talking about someone "going off the deep end." (Yes it was about Politics. Ha.) Avi said, "I can go in the deep end without a life vest." Haha.

Today I got my Missoula ballot in the mail and I must have said someone about it because Avi immediately said, "They are trying to get Daniel Carlino in there." (Yes I know who that is.) I asked, "Get him in where?" Avi said, "I don't know. Forget it." I started giggling and she knew what was coming next!! She said, "Do NOT put that in my Blog. DO NOT put that in my Blog." The more she insisted the funnier it got and I was laughing so hard. So enjoy this, but don't tell Avi!! Ha.

First picture is from yesterday afternoon with her "sword." She's wearing the netting (yes it's breathable) from Costco's cantaloupes as she prepares for battle. Ha. Following picture; At Nora's request Avi made a nice picture for Nora's Mom and Dad. :) Third picture: The girls are on a "heart making kick" this week. We fold the paper over and I draw the line and they cut it out and decorate. Fourth picture: All 5 kids in a small area!! Miles was observing, but the other 4 were hard at work with their own project. After the group scattered Miles commandeered one of the other projects. Haha. Good plan Miles.

Last 3 pictures: Avilene was hard at work cleaning again. First the table - top, bottom, and legs - AND she is super thorough!! Impressive. Then she scrubbed on the floor with a wet cloth for awhile before she decided the floor needed to be swept first. She actually made a nice little pile of dirt with the broom. Totally stayed focused and busy for 20 minutes. 

Avi - 08/25/2021

Avilene ate whole wheat toast and three servings of mangoes for breakfast. For lunch she ate two large servings of ground beef with marinara sauce on top of two large servings of whole wheat spaghetti noodles, ate a small serving of cauliflower, and three servings of fruit salad. Lunch conversation was primarily Avi giving Atley some tips on how to trick the parents. Haha. Here's a sample: "So ask your Dad to pick you up and he'll probably say yes." (Haha) "Then go ask your Mom to pick you up. And they'll both come to pick you up!!" And other variations on this theme. 

Atley got Avi's water bottle for Avi to have a drink at Avi's request. Silence. I said, "Tell Atley thank you." Avi said, "Thank you" and Atley said, "Welcome." Avi said, "Why do you say welcome and not you're welcome?" Then Avi expanded on her point; "That's like saying welcome to the palace!!" Haha. Good example.

Svea and Cal were listening to Avi play this "piano" and Avi was quizzing them by making reference to the colored keys. "Do you like the blue sound?" "Do you like the "green sound?......"

Next picture; Avi said, "Hey Gary Look what I built!" Haha. Well the structure is nothing new, but how you're using it is very unique. That's a first! Avi and Cal getting a ride while Atley provides the power back and forth across the room. I will state the obvious; Kids are very creative in finding new ways to use old or ordinary things. 

Last picture: So here's what I've learned about buying the large boxes of marker colors; the older kids generally prefer to use the basic colors. We have a container full of various shades and colors, but they complain because the "good" colors are gone. And when I buy more markers look which ones they use; red and blue. :) So I got several boxes with like only 6 markers per box. Avi has been interested in the Flag lately and spotted one on the Garbage Collectors door and curious about why he had it there. 

Avi - 08/24/2021

Avilene ate two servings of blueberry bagel and two servings of grapes for breakfast. For lunch she ate shrimp, brown rice, bite of broccoli, and no black raspberries. 

These first two pictures are left over from yesterday afternoon. Avi finished her legos building and asked me if I "liked her restaurant." :) Atley then had to build a "restaurant" too. Except Atley sat a couple of legos people in there facing each other. She said they were having "a staring contest." Haha. Second picture: Avi just randomly started cleaning the table yesterday! She scrubbed it all over, underneath, and then the chairs. I said, "Wow, I'll have to fire Peter and hire you!" Avi said, "Ok! Give me some money!" Haha. You'll need to work on your negotiation skills a bit Avi. 

Next picture: Avi wanted me to draw around her laying on the concrete. She worked hard on it and you'll see it when you come. However, Avi's was partly in the sun and partly in the shadow and the picture was not good at all. So this is Svea's outline and I took a picture of Avi working on it too.

Next picture: Initially Avi and Atley had put a roly-poly bug in the noodle tube and were looking for it. Then they realized they could see each other's eyes if they got the noodles as straight as they possibly could. "I see your eye! I see your eye!" Good job girls. I was impressed with how straight they made the noodle! Last picture; Avi hard at work with a Preschool Activity. I like the design you built Avi. 

Avi - 08/23/2021

Avilene was pretty upset when she arrived and said she didn't want to eat breakfast. She ate a good lunch - ate chicken, two servings of whole wheat pita bread, ate avocado, cucumbers, and two servings of pears.

I just mentioned she was upset and she had quite a list of grievances against everyone. Later (much later) after she'd calmed down we talked about it again. I pointed out to her that she was blaming everyone else for how her morning had started. So I was curious if she could see how SHE could have made different decisions and changed her morning and she was able to do that. Good job Avi. She said, "I could have gotten up earlier so I would have had time to eat peanut butter toast."

So here are some pictures from Avi's morning. We did a toy, book, and puzzle exchange, but she really wasn't in a mood to engage in anything for awhile. She snuggled with me for awhile and as you an see in the picture that was helpful. Second picture - she hung out in the Daycare Room with the little guys and played with them for awhile. 

Next picture: Lauralea came through and commented on Avi's bright colored jacket (Lauralea called it a shirt and Avi set her straight) and the little boys immediately started pointing out their beautiful shirts as well. Ha. Last picture: The 3 big girls spent a LONG time working with Mr Potato Head. There are 4 completed ones lined up in front of Nora. Avi's is the Pirate. (He has 1 boot and a "peg-leg.") I'm still proud of this Potato Head score at a Garage Sale!! Haha. There are 8 bodies and LOTS of accessories all in excellent shape for $25. Nora decided it was time to look "cross-eyed" when I took the picture! Ha.

Avi - 08/18/2021

Avilene ate bite of French toast and ate strawberries for breakfast. For lunch she whole 30 chili with meat, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and tomato sauce. She ate whole wheat dinner roll and two servings of  mangoes.   

Avi was pestering me on the couch and I started tickling her feet. She said, "I'll give you all my money if you stop!" Haha. 

As the kids get older the 3 big girls are kind of fascinated by the whole "color blind" thing. Atley and Nora just think I need to study and learn my colors better. Avi said, "You're never gonna be better!" Haha. Well at least she understands that part!

This first picture is from late yesterday afternoon. Everyone - except Miles and Callahan - were doing some water painting. Earlier they'd been setting up the big legos blocks like dominos and that leads to the second picture. Right after I took this picture Avi accidentally knocked over her hard work before she wanted to and her first reaction was to sprint to try to stop them from going. It was so cute and really funny to me! She said it wasn't funny! :)

Next picture; Avi was chattering constantly to Eden at breakfast and it was very cute. She and Eden hit it off pretty good. Eden is a sharp little girl and she's 2 years older (plus 2 days) so that helps her keep up with Avi's fast moving brain. She also wrestles with Avi and they did that a lot this morning. :) 

Avi - 08/11/2021

Avilene ate whole wheat toast and grapes for breakfast. For lunch she ate bites of pork roast, ate whole wheat tortillas, bite of potatoes, ate carrots, and ate fruit salad. 

There were several kids from Meadow Hill Middle School walking past our big window with a couple of adults. We were all at the window waving at them. Atley saw the adult waving back at us and she said, "I saw that guy in the Olympics!!" LOL! Dang that made me laugh!!

First two pictures: Avi has been drawing lots of pictures of "Gary!" She said, "Hey Gary! This is you laughing!" Haha! That's awesome Avi and I love it! Then for the second picture Avi said, "This is you laughing as a Baby!" Haha!! That's pretty stinking good Avilene!!

Here are a couple more pictures from today. Avi asked me to zip up her costume, but I was busy helping someone else and I told her to ask Cal to help her. He didn't seem to be too busy! Haha. So she asked him and he worked hard at it. :) I took the last picture within a minute of going outside this morning. Atley spotted a grasshopper and that's the first one we've seen in our yard this year. The kids got a big kick out of watching the hopper hopping around.

Avi - 08/09/2021

Avilene ate cheerios and bites of banana for breakfast. For lunch she ate bites of ground beef, bites of whole wheat pita bread, ate olives, bites of avocado, and ate watermelon. 

First picture: The drums are in this toy set and all 5 drums were in use at the same time. Obviously only 2 in the picture, so I guess you'll have to take my word for it. I'd asked Alexa to play "Little Drummer Boy" and that always make me think about when Svea would ask for "Little Drummer Girl." :) It was nice to see the Nelson girls after their week at the cabin!!

Next picture: Avilene really likes to see if she can balance the different "balancing activities" I have. And again she was successful; plus she had to lift this one off the floor as I was about to take a picture. Good work Avilene. In the following picture Avi was demonstrating to Cal and Miles how to use the little toasters. Thank you Avi; you're so good with the little people. 

Last picture: Atley and Nora were building with the Little legos and Avi joined them and stated searching for the special legos pieces that Nora needed for her project. Thanks for your help Avi.

Avi - 08/02/2021

Avilene ate kix cereal and bites of fruit cocktail for breakfast. For lunch she ate ground turkey, toasted whole wheat sandwich thin, avocado, tomatoes, and two servings of cherries.

I took this first picture of Avilene at the breakfast table. She was talking to Nora and said, "This is as cross-eyed as I can go!!" Well that's good to hear; otherwise your eyeballs would disappear. :)

The following three pictures of Avilene this morning also include Miles. She played with him a lot. When she was finally ready to go do something different she asked Miles is he wanted to come "watch me color." Haha. Miles had a toy in each hand and Avi wanted one of them. So she used the exact same words she's heard me use many many times; "Which one can I have; this one or this one?" Well done Avi. 

Next picture: All 6 kids: Avi brought a tub full of toys - Toy Story toys - from home to share with all her friends. The kids loved them and stayed busy all morning except for when we went outside. In this picture Avi is showing Miles how to pull the string on Woody and listen to what Woody has to say for himself. :) Following picture; Avi basically coaxed Miles into mauling her and of course Miles was delighted to do just that. Last picture: Then Avi was having Miles stand on the block shelf and she carry him to the mattress and dump him!! :)

Avi - 07/30/2021

Avilene ate a large serving of oatmeal and ate baked cinnamon apples for breakfast. For lunch she ate most of hamburger stew with meat, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and carrots. She ate whole wheat dinner roll and most of fruit cocktail. 

Avi spotted a vehicle driving by and said, UPS truck!" Then she realized it wasn't so she started reading the letters on the side of the truck. "Nope, not UPS, F, E, D, E...." and it went out of sight! Good job Avi! I never saw the truck, but now I knew it was FedEx. :)

I already told Molly this, but lately when I'm harassing Avi - or sometimes she'll say it just to harass me - Avi will say, "My Mom's gonna fire you!" It's so cute and funny. Makes me laugh. Maybe she'll say it to her Kindergarten Teacher! Haha. (I know, I know that's not funny! But it is.)

First picture: This is also something Mommy Molly saw yesterday, but I wanted to post it as well because she's wearing the exact same thing again today after getting back from Swim Lesson. She has on 5 shirts counting her own and 4 shorts counting her own!

Here's a couple of pictures before the girls went to Swim Lesson. So this first picture: The 3 "Big Girls" were wanting to do some 'elaborate jumps' and some little guy was making that difficult. They moan about it and I always remind them: "This is the Daycare Room and if he's (or Cal's) bugging you then move out to the Preschool Room and the Little Ones are not allowed there. Which doesn't solve the jumping problem, but I still use it. Haha. Second picture: So they moved on to the Preschool Room. And that's why I keep using the phrase. It keeps working. The three of them started creating some great pieces and then it was time for Swim Lesson.

Avi - 07/29/2021

Avilene's decision was decisive and quick; "No Breakfast!" Haha. French Toast and dried Plums. For lunch she ate two servings of pulled pork, ate whole wheat toast, peas, and three servings of watermelon. 

I already told Sylvie this, but yesterday when Avi told Nora that Sylvie was coming to pick up the girls Nora was so excited. She said, "I love Sylvie! She's my best friend!!" Haha. 

First picture: Just for something different the girls were enjoying having these little square note papers to draw and color on. Second picture: Avi and Nora are discussing the different patterns/examples to follow when creating with these little magnetic building pieces I have. They are talking about the possibility of doing them and the level of difficulty. 

Next picture: Avi was wanting to draw and color on this drawing board and NOT have to hold it. That was just too much work. Haha. Then she was showing me how she could color or draw without even having to hold it or look at it. Haha. Last picture: I love how Avi interacts with Miles and he loves her too. She really enjoys him and in this picture he was obviously trying to get her feet. 

Avi - 07/28/2021

I'm a bit slow getting these Blogs started because Tate - lawn mowing wizard - gave me a 2 minute warning that he was coming today. :) Text: "I'm on my way!" and he lives 2.0 minutes away and that's when he walks. Ha. I usually have everything moved and ready for him. Sometimes there are lots of Daycare equipment on the lawn. Anyhow it's all good.

Avilene ate whole wheat toast and two servings of mangoes for breakfast. For lunch she ate two large servings of ground beef with marinara sauce on two large servings of whole wheat spaghetti noodles. She ate a small serving of cauliflower, and ate fruit salad. 

Just letting everyone know we're not having Science with Lauralea tomorrow. She's having to go to Plains again to take both Parents to the doctor. Atley heard me saying that and she said, "Lauralea's Parents are Super Old!" So apparently there is Old and Super Old. :) Additional Notice: Our Science with Lauralea classes will be done the end of August; when the 3 older girls go to Kindergarten. This has been SO popular with the older girls and we've all appreciated it so much. Anything Lauralea does she gives maximum effort and actually it will be nice to take this off her plate. Thank you SO much Lauralea!!  It was fun and we all learned a lot!

Yesterday afternoon Avi asked for the eggs again and everyone was gung-ho to hide and seek eggs again!! First picture: Nora is laying on the mattress waiting for the kids to find her eggs. Avi is basically doing all the looking. Ha. Miles watched Nora hide an egg in the hole on the steps. :) Svea is just standing around acting very cool. Haha.

Next picture: Avi said she was making something for me to hang on the wall in the entry room. So we'll see if that really happens! She says that and then usually changes her mind and wants to take it home!! Last picture: Avi pitched in without me even asking her and was helping Miles get the last bites off his plate. Nice work Avi.