There Goes the Morning...

Why is it that a morning can have the most peaceful beginning....

to be quickly undermined by the premeditated intentions of a two year old?  As I was putting Rylan down for his nap, this is what I walked out to see in the hallway.  I'm not kidding, less than 10 minutes she was alone with that jar of peanut butter.

The horrors continue into her room...

on the bed...

pillow and chair...

and finally, the forensic evidence to prove that yes, Avery did this.  I did not swab for fingerprints, the sticky stuff on her hands (and everywhere else) kind of gave her away.

Feeling a little ashamed of herself after Mommy ripped into her pretty good.

Needless to say, my two loads of laundry I had planned on doing more than doubled as I just put a 5th load into the dryer.  Bathtime occurred at 8:45 a.m. instead of p.m.  And I'm still trying to figure out how in the dickens I am going to get her pump pouch cleaned off.  Luckily we have a few spares.  As for why she decided to commit this horrific act, I have not gotten a straight answer.   I have my suspicions though.  Max of the TV cartoon Max and Ruby always likes to get filthy dirty and follow it up with a bath.  And seeing as how this show is currently one of her favorites, I'm assuming she got the idea from good ole Max.

Mother's Day 2012

I can honestly say that Mother's Day was one of the best days I can remember.  Everyone slept pretty decent the night before, so when Rylan woke up at 6:30, I felt well rested and ready to start hanging out.  Avery woke up shortly after and we had breakfast.  Chris and the kiddos gave me a wondeful new planter. (Looks like a whiskey barrel but is made of composite material, therefore when, not if, but when the dogs pee on it, it won't be absorbed and make our whole backyard stink.  Got to love the animals.)  After lunch and naps, we all went to Stutzman's to pick out flowers to plant.  My idea of perfection. 

Loving all the hugs that came with the holiday and every other day too.

2012 Walk to Cure

On April 28, our family and friends headed down south to participate in the 2012 Wichita Walk to Cure Diabetes.  It was an absolutely perfect morning for walking through the park and I was very moved by how large our little team became in the few days leading up to the walk.  Team Evan and Avery ended up with 23 members and as of this moment has raised $2,090.  Not too bad for our first year out.  More importantly, everyone had so much fun that day.  Avery did NOT want to leave the park after the walk to go have lunch.  She was content to stay and play all day with all of her new friends.  She spent a lot of time playing with a little girl named Mary from Manhattan who is 3.  I'm not going to lie, I had tears behind my big sunglasses as I watched them play together, both wearing insulin pumps belted around their tiny little waists.  The playground area of the park was so wonderful, they had a designated section for younger children and Avery, Charlie, and Rylan were all able to do several activities.  Here are some pictures from the amazing day:



Uncle Zach, Gramps, Uncle Fred, Cousin Katie, Aunt Dena, and Uncle Sam.

Meema, Uncle Zach, Uncle Fred, Cousin Katie, Aunt Dena, and Uncle Sam.

Aunt Jody and Cousin Charlie, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Nick.

Uncle Sam, yours truly, Rylan.

Evan, Grandma, Avery, Ellie

Grandma and Avery

LOVING the play equipment.

Trying to be the big boy!

Charlie was all about the slide.

Avery is getting into dramatic play..sometimes a little too into it.

Rylan testing out the toys.

We finished out the day by eating at Freddy's.  We were all starved, Rylan included.  Eating with Grandpa ensures getting a little something special!

And this was one of our favorite sights of the day-Avery trying out frozen custard for the first time ever!

Thank you again to everyone who made this walk happen.  We are so appreciative of every single team member who made the drive to hang out with us all that day.  And we are especially grateful for all the very generous donations for Team Evan and Avery.  Some seemed to come out of the woodwork and it is these instances that make us realize how much everyone around cares so much for Avery and Evan and helping them find a cure.  Our plan is to do this walk again next year, the memories have been too great to pass up!

Another Project...

A couple of weeks ago, Chris and his dad were hard at work replacing this old heavy thing with ugly plastic drapes...

with this beautiful, new, blinds between the glass, efficient door!

It has completely changed the look of the dining area.  Of course, as with all projects, when you get one thing new, then I want other things new too.....

Preschool Roundup

A couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday evening, we loaded up the van and headed off to...preschool roundup!  I still cannot believe we are at this stage of Avery's life already.  Where has the time gone? 

Pending potty training, Avery will be attending Angel Depot at the Catholic church in the afternoons starting this September.  Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12-3, Rylan and I will just be staring at each other wondering, what will we do without big sister here?  We feel very fortunate to somewhat have stumbled into this situation.  We had originally planned for Avery to attend a different school, but after much consideration, and a little bit of a breakdown by yours truly a few weeks ago, we decided to forego that route and explore other options.  And Angel Depot sounds like the ideal situation for our special circumstances.  Not only have they had children with type 1 diabetes come through the Catholic school, but the preschool teacher's aide has a son with type 1, therefore being very familiar (obviously) with what Avery is dealing with everyday. 

Avery could not be more excited about heading off to school.  Since roundup, every time we drive by the church, she says, "There's my school!"  And I gently remind her, "If you want to go to school next year, you will need to start using your potty chair."  To which she replies, "No thanks, not today.  Tomorrow."  Already a procrastinator!

Here she is, loaded up in the van, ready to meet her future classmates and teacher!