A is for Averi Kate...and Avocado...and Awesome

Quotables

Dobby had been sick with a cold for over a week. In the middle of supper, Claire looked at Dobby and said, "Can I give you a hug?" She got up from her seat, gave Dobby a great big hug, and then went back to her seat and resumed eating. As she continued with her supper, she commented, "Sometimes when you're sick, you need love to feel ya better."

Claire has a habit of getting right in Averi Kate's face, and I don't know why, but she thinks that her little sister loves it. While she is right about 20% of the time, the other 80% I'm pretty sure AK is not so much loving it. This morning was one of those times. Claire got right up in Averi Kate's face, and little sister suddenly snapped at Claire's face. Claire backed off and said, "Whoa. She 'bout ate me!"

Claire's imagination has been in O-Ver-Drive lately. Seriously. 88% of what she says is not real or even connected to reality. Anyway, one night at supper this was the conversation...
Claire: One time I had my baby and she was a little girl and she wanted me to eat her, but I didn't know how and I didn't.
Me: She wanted you to eat her?
Coach: Do you mean, she wanted you to feed her?
Claire: No, not feed her, she wanted me to eat her. But I didn't do it.
Me: Well, I'm really glad you made that decision.
Claire: Well she was a big girl and you don't eat big girls...(chuckles)...I know that.

"I am the narrator," said Claire.

If you were to eavesdrop at my house these days, you would likely find me doubling over in laughter at sporadic times during the day due to the latest development in Claire's imagination. I have always called Claire "the Narrator" because she seriously narrates EVERYTHING that happens in her life. She is like a running commentary. Well, she narrates her imaginary play as well, which is nothing unusual, but lately I have been hearing things like this...

(Claire in her normal voice, holding a baby doll)...Aw, are you hungry? Why are you crying, little baby? (Switch to high-pitched voice -) "I want some juice!" (switch to normal voice) said the baby. 

(Claire, playing with her hot wheels and a homemade race track...) Ok, turn here and here. It's going so fast! (High-pitched, excited voice) "Look out for that car!!!" (normal voice) said the train.

Oh, I'm laughing out loud even as I type. I love that kid.

A Walk in the Park

 We had a fun time the other night just going on a family walk on a cool Sunday evening.

We came to a field just as the sun was turning everything golden. The girls looked so cute in sitting in the grass!

I love this kid right here. She is so full of energy and her mind is ALWAYS turning. She comes up with the most detailed questions and wants to know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING! She is changing and growing so fast.

Oh Little! You are not as little as you used to be!

And this kid???

Yep, I love her too.

She is also changing so fast. As she approaches one year at the end of this month, I told Spencer to get ready because the changes are about to start gaining speed. She seems to learn something new every day. Lately she has been waving hello and bye-bye to everyone, and she has learned to say "Pawpaw." She holds the phone (or her hand, or a block, etc.) up to her ear and says, "Oh?" for "Hello?" She is starting to get some dancing in her soul and is grinning and bobbing her head whenever she hears music.

(Now if you will only learn to sleep through the night, my dear sweet child...)

I love this next progression of pictures. Claire adores her Daddy and soaks up any time she can spend with him...

And then there was the playground!

Dobby is so much fun...

Averi Kate's new ride...

The Deck (to be continued)

 Spencer is building a deck (or a patio, I'm not completely sure of the difference) for his mom. Claire is helping a lot. It makes the work go by a lot faster. Or not.

Rock of Raisins

Tonight when I was singing Claire to sleep, I started singing the old hymn "Rock of Ages" and was interrupted by a sleepy Claire who popped her head up and said, "Mom, when you sing 'Rock of Raisins', it makes me feel so tired."

Mommy's Helper