A Girl's Eye View

Pecking Order

2012-01-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

Heard over the baby monitor in our house one morning:

Avery: "Kate! Kate! Wake up right now and get out of this room! And close the door! I want some alone time in here!"

Kate complied.

Don't feel too bad for Kate, though.

Most of the time she can be found clobbering Reese - knocking her over and laying on top of her, shoving things in her mouth, poking her face or otherwise proving just how big she is compared to the baby.

And who does Reese assert herself over? Poor Dottie.

It makes sense, then, that the most surefire way for Avery to make Reese belly laugh is to yell Kate's name in her most annoyed, frustrated voice.

I mean, even pecking orders have a way of evening themselves out.

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Baby Egucashun

2012-01-23T19:34:00.000-08:00

This weekend was Reese's Baby Egucashun. I thought an egucashun was what happened at school, but we dressed Reesie up in a fancy white dress (that mom and dad say Kate and I both wore) and then we went to church. Nana, DD, Kate and I watched while Mommy and Daddy went to the front of the church with Reese while Mr. Clint, Ms. Tonia and Mr. Andrew all prayed and talked about Reese.

After the Egucashun, we had another McClinton baby tradition. Most kids get their first cake at their birthday, but not in our family! It started when Great-Mimi brought me a cake and let me taste it when I was dedicated. I LOVED the icing and lunged for more. And since I got a cake, it was only fair that Kate got to try cake at her dedication as well. She was less impressed with the cake than I was. Now... Reese's turn!

Reese reached for the cake and wasn't sure what to do with it once it was on her fingers. It took a while but finally she tasted it. She made a surprised face and didn't go back for more. She much preferred her sweet potatoes. Go figure.

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Love,

Avery

Saying Goodbye

2012-01-15T12:43:00.000-08:00

Some of our very, very dear friends, Adam and Erin, are about to move away... to England! Their adventure means excitement, obedience to God, and I am certain - blessings. However, it also means saying goodbye... although only temporary and only in a physical sense - they will never be far from our hearts or our emails.

I've tried to think of a way to put into words what these friends of ours mean to us, but there aren't words that are worth the weight of their friendship. The pair of them have been neighbors, ministry partners, friends, vacation partners, and examples in our lives. Jordan and I have been so honored to walk with them on the paths God has led them down and cannot imagine the last five years without them. I would never lower myself to actually begging them to stay... but it certainly has crossed my mind once or twice. ;)

To say goodbye, we gathered with some close friends. We played a few games and had a photo booth, which turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the evening. Our friends are super creative when given props, a camera, and a solid backdrop!

My other favorite part of the party was a game we played. Everyone filled out a card, "Adam and Erin will be missed because..." and then as they were read aloud, Adam and Erin guessed who filled out which card. There were so many beautifully written reasons, and Jordan and I talked on the way home about each one. We agreed wholeheartedly with several, but one that sums it up for me right now is that Adam and Erin will be missed because... they just feel like home to me.

I'm so proud and excited for the two of them.

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Happy Six Months, Reese!

2012-01-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

Reese's sixth month of life brought...

*one more tooth, which broke through right after the first one - right after her 5 month birthday. She's got two pearly whites on the bottom and her grin couldn't be cuter!

*sitting with confidence and a great deal of balance

*more foods - she's expanded to include most baby foods. She doesn't love green beans and hates peaches but LOVES everything else.

*name research - we found out this month that "Reese" means "Enthusiastic". Fitting, no?

*no classic baby babbling, but lots of squeals and other sweet noises

*biting while nursing! Often! Little stinker.

*her first sick baby doctor's visit - she had a double ear infection but we had no reason to suspect anything until her eyes started gooing up. We took her in, thinking it was pink eye, and discovered that an ear infection that goes untreated will sometimes reveal itself through the eyes. Poor Ree never complained or gave us any hints that something was wrong! Her first sick baby doctor visit led to her first prescription meds.

*getting up on all fours for a split second at a time. She is determined to get to things and is somewhat mobile using 'the roll', but wants so badly to crawl or creep. She's still working on understanding what it takes to do either.

*loves loves loves her jumperoo. The baby gets some serious air when she jumps in the jumperoo, and one jump gets her more excited, which makes her legs go crazy, which leads to more jumps... and on and on.

Reese currently weighs 15 lb 15 oz (46th %tile) and is 26.75 inches long (81st %tile).

Reese continues to be far more than we could have asked or imagined. We love her and her love for people, her excitement for life... and well, her enthusiasm.

Happy Six Months, Reese!

Ten Things About Life These Days

2012-01-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

1. This post is back-dated. It's two weeks late. It's appropriate to start with this fact because it is representative of the larger...

2. In 3 years of schooling, not one of my children has ever been late to school. Until this week. Now I proudly display this on my fridge. It's like a special badge of dishonor.

3. Kate has been sneaking down the stairs in the middle of the night and climbing into our bed with us. Most of the time I don't notice until I get up to feed Ree at 5:30 or so, but even when I do... I must be getting soft in my old age because I just think it is too sweet.

4. My husband is amazing. And I mean ah-may-zing. I found dresses on etsy that I couldn't live without but refused to pay the price that was being asked... so we spent some Christmas money, bought a sewing machine, enlisted the help of my sister to pick out the fabrics, and in 36 hours, Jordan sewed 5 full dresses. Two extras because Reese is rounder than we thought, and even with an extra half-inch, couldn't fit into the first two dresses we made her.

5. Last Monday it poured. And I mean POURED. Kate was all ready for gymnastics but our car wasn't going anywhere:

But no worries. A mid-day bath seems to heal all sorrows.

6. Girl Scouts. Avery joined at the beginning of the semester and is just about too much in her little blue Daisy vest. She loves it and we love the company she's keeping (solid kids). This week started cookie sales and Avery was determined to sell 650 boxes. No amount of gentle reasoning was going to sway her from her goal. Her faith in herself is unwavering. And I decided not to squash her optimism, so I let it go. A week in, she counted her cookie sales and realized she's 549 boxes away from her original goal, so she set another one: 165 boxes. Although she's not totally convinced that 650 is out of reach. Bless her.

7. Katie got her first real haircut this week. Last Spring Break, her sister cut her bangs and so we had to get that cleaned up, but she's never had a real haircut before. I took her in to my lady who treated Kate like royalty. Avery is usually shy and processes the whole event quietly, but Kate was 100% her own girl. She followed the hairdresser to the sinks alone, sat tall, straight and proud, and smiled and chatted with Ms. Sarah. She felt like a princess. As my mom said, she's been waiting her turn for 3 years and she knew how to make the most of every moment of it.

8. The girls are still into playing Baby Macy (the real Macy, incidentally, is not a baby at all). It is the perfect game for them: Kate whines and whimpers like a baby and Avery mothers her and tells her exactly what to do. Avery had a day off of school and they spent the entire day playing Baby Macy. I could barely get their attention for how enthralled they were in each other and in the game. Getting along with each other isn't always that easy, but when they are, it is such a beautiful thing to behold.

9. My house is a wreck. I'd post pictures but I'm pretty sure no one else in the world lives like this. I'd rather you think of the worst your house gets and assume mine looks that good. I'm not terribly concerned about it - my life/room/locker/dorm has always been a wreck. But one day, 20 years from now, maybe it'll be less wreck-ish?

10. These girls. And their Daddy. I am desperately and joyfully theirs.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

The Space Between

2012-01-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

School keeps me busy most of the time, and Christmas was busting at the seams with activity, but this past week, we discovered the beauty of the space between.

With no school and no activities, and with the Christmas schedule completed, we had time. We fit in some big activities (ice skating with Trey and Erin and The Children's Museum with Mia, Nana and DD... and of course, there was passing around an illness). But we also had about 100 little activities right here at home.

We painted. And glittered. And cut tiny bits of paper. And used up most of the stickers in our house on 'projects'.

And bathed mid-day. And splashed most of the water out of the tub.

And put our new make-up kits to good use. And applied more removable tattoos than we had skin for.

And occasionally, we did played with toys or watched tv or spent some time outside.

For a little while, we just took up the space between Christmas and school. And while it lasted, it was wonderful.

Although... to be honest... by the last day of Christmas vacation, mom seemed like she had had enough... and I had become immune to the sound of her voice for all of the time spent together... and Kate was not willing to paint one.more.thing. And I did not want to share my stuff anymore.

So, I loved the space. But Nana kept singing to Mommy a line from "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", and I think I get it now too: "...And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again." I get it now. It's not about not wanting to be together. It's just that a little bit of routine and structure goes a long way!

So, of the people who can hardly wait for school to start again... I am top of that list!

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Love,

Avery

'Tis Better to Give...

2011-12-31T13:37:00.000-08:00

That's what I found out this year!

Since I'm a big kid at school all day, Nana and DD have less time to spend with me. Reese and Kate get to see them during the week sometimes, but I'm at school. So, when Christmas break rolled around, Nana and DD and I had a special day together.

Our day at the Galleria turned into a shopping spree for me! When we visited the new Disney Store, I got really excited about all of the gifts there were to choose from.... This one for Katie, this one for Mommy... and don't forget Uncle Trey! I found many gifts at The Disney Store but not everyone's... we had to visit the Lego store and a lotion place to finish off my list. And then... back at Nana and DD's house, I was allowed to wrap the presents all.by.myself!

I was so excited and kept dropping hints (but never gave away Mom or Dad's gifts) so Nana and DD decided this might be a new thing for our family. A few nights later, Kate, Nana and DD all snuck away to do their Christmas shopping as well. Nana said that Kate is a very decisive shopper... she knows who wants what! She was in the dog aisle and Nana asked, "Kate, do you want to buy presents for Oscar and Dottie?" Kate told her, "No. They only like chocolate and I don't see any chocolate here." True enough.

The best part of gift giving wasn't the shopping OR the wrapping... although that was amazing. The best part was when we gathered as a family and I got to watch everyone open their gifts! Legos for Trey, a back scratcher for David, mugs for Mom and Dad, lotion for Erin, Nana and Amanda, dolls for all of us girls. I giggled with glee as each person opened their present and told me how perfect they were.

I loved the presents I got this year, also. But I'd say this Christmas, it was better to give than to receive!

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Love,

Avery

Christmas Love

2011-12-19T13:59:00.001-08:00

Kate, after singing a completely original Christmas-ish song to me:

"Mommy, did you like my song? My heart gave it to my mouth and my mouth sang it to you!"

And then, this:

"When I get a present at Christmas, I will share it with Mia and Avery a'cuz Mia is my cousin and Avery is my friend and I want them to be happy."

Our Katie Beth, our little Christmas Love.

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Happy Five Months, Reese!

2011-12-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

Reese is 5 months old today. Highlights from the last month:

FIRST TOOTH! She's been trying to tell us that she's teething for a while now, but finally, a day before her 5 month birthday, a tooth appeared! It's the bottom center right tooth. Precious girl was pretty miserable and stayed up around the clock for about a week while it came out.

Eating and sleeping: Reese has moved herself to a 4 hour feeding schedule and has also been introduced to baby food. So far, she has tried (and loved): rice cereal, sweet potatoes, and carrots. The week that she was teething, she screamed nonstop for about an hour each afternoon, so I took the baby food away for a few days to see if that was the problem (it wasn't - the tooth was). She's gladly back to eating baby food twice a day. Aside from terrible sleep the week of the tooth, Reese sleeps really well, with a 5 am feeding to hold her over until she wakes up at 7 or 8.

Reese weighs 15 1/2 pounds according to our unofficial baby scale.

New tricks: Reese's accuracy with reaching, grabbing, and moving items to where she wants them has improved drastically in the last month. She can sit up with help from the boppy or a chair (but not yet on her own) and loves to do the plank - arms straight, head held high - when she is doing her tummy time.

Reese is totally over the bouncy chair and throws her weigh around until she has either rolled forward out of it or scooted herself off of the bottom of it. Luckily, this happened right in time for her to fall in love with her excersaucer, jumperoo, and even her high chair.

It's cliche but true: time goes by way too fast. This baby cannot possibly be almost half of the way done with her first year! But alas, it's true.

Luckily, every new stage of babyhood has been better than the last. We love you so, little Miss Ree. Happy 5 Months!

A Sister's Love Is A Dangerous Thing

2011-12-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

Mom can't keep her eyes on me all the time. I get that. But there are times... a lot of times... when I wish she was just a bit faster to look over at me.

Big Sister Kate loves me so much. And she has some favorite ways of showing it.

Like doing a forward roll over my face.

Or climbing into a child-sized chair. While I'm already sitting in it.

Or hugging me to the point of suffocation.

Or spreading lip gloss all over her lips and then transferring it to my face via kisses.

Or setting our tent up on top of me and adding plenty of toys for us to play with.

Or deciding to start a band with me and trying to teach me to play the recorder by shoving it into my mouth over and over again.

Big Sister Kate is full of love. I only hope I can survive it!

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Love,

Reese

Speechless

2011-12-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

I'm not often left speechless. Words usually come easy for me.

But lately, there are so many moments when I get the fullness of one of these girls.

They give me a look or say something that I want to be etched into my very being so I won't forget it. Or maybe I drive past the hospital and realize how very blessed we are to have three healthy girls. Or I'll be walking to school and notice how easy it is for Avery to run ahead of me and then come back to hold my hand... she's not too old for me just yet.

There are so many reasons, so many unpredictable instances. They come upon me and my heart aches with joy and love deeper than I've previously understood. In a moment, I'm brought to my knees and tears well up.

And I have no words.

No way to tell the Lord the depth of my gratitude, no way to pass on to my girls that the very beating of my heart is theirs. I can't seem to figure out how to express what happens to me, but not for lack of trying.

Some things, it seems, are deeper than words.

And I am blessed.

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Gobble, Gobble!

2011-11-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to tell my mom for a few weeks now that I am hun-gry. And since she seemed unimpressed, and since Thanksgiving seems to have a lot to do with feasting, I decided it was time to up the ante.

In the last week, I've taken to lunging at food of all kinds. If it's on the table, I am going to get it. I am so over a liquid diet.

Mom may be slow on the uptake, but Nana and DD got me. As I was lunging for a dinner plate this week, Nana pulled out a box of rice cereal. I didn't know what it was; and I didn't care. It looked like food. Time to eat!

I gnawed on the box as if to say, "Yes! This! I'll take it!" ...And mom relented. Next thing I knew, I was getting spoonfuls of rice cereal. I heard that for most babies, a first feeding is like a learning experience - some of the food accidentally ends up being swallowed but most of it isn't. Not me! I wasn't going to let one precious drop of the cereal go to waste - I gobbled it right up.

So, as my family sat down around the table on Thanksgiving day and enjoyed the feast, I had a feast all my own. Sure, the sweet potatoes and turkey looked a lot tastier than my rice cereal, but a girl's gotta start somewhere!

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Love,

Reese Gobbler McClinton

Influence

2011-11-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

Ever since Baby Kyle was born, the three oldest granddaughters have spent a lot of time together. That's a lot of time to influence each other.

Amelia taught Kate and me, "Isa, Isa, turn the wheel..." - a song we like to sing on Nana's back swing set. It's from Dora. Then, in an act of true brilliance, Uncle David and Amelia taught us the song and dance to "I Like to Move It, Move It" from Madagascar (which previously I was way too afraid to watch but now I think I might like it, you know - since Amelia does). We danced and sang and jumped on Nana and DD's bed for a very long time to Move It.

We haven't left Amelia without new tricks, either. For one, Amelia has long refused to wear anything remotely dress-like and especially not dress-up clothes. Enter Princesses McClinton. A week with us and Amelia has a whole new appreciation for strutting her stuff in full princess garb. And, you know, make-up. But that goes without saying, doesn't it? If you're going to be a princess, you're going to be in make-up.

Kate also taught Amelia to announce loudly, "I'm all full!" anytime the food on her plate was unappetizing. A good trick, I must say.

And lastly, we taught Amelia about SUPER HIGHER. Super Higher is a phrase that must be yelled/sang while swinging. If the adult on swinging duty loses interest or doesn't give the push of the swing enough umph, we yell, "Super Higher!" - meaning, try harder. If the adult does a good job and we feel like we're flying, we yell, "Super Higher!" - meaning, "Great job!"

One night when we were all spending the night at Nana and DD's and we were supposed to be going to sleep, Nana walked in on Kate and Amelia laying in bed, their legs going up and then back down... up... and then back down. Nana asked what they were doing. "SUPER HIGHER!" But of course.

Influence is a powerful thing. Mom and Dad hope that it will always be innocent, beautiful things that we teach each other. But for better or for worse, we have a pretty sweet deal going on with such a special cousin.

And Aunt Amanda, if you ever find yourself wishing that Amelia wouldn't smear your make-up all over her face... remember, we've also been trying to influence Amelia towards potty training. Does that make up for it at all? :)

Click here for pictures from our latest professional photo shoot with Kristin King Photog

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Love,

Avery Big Cousin... Big Influence McClinton

Cousin Kyle!

2011-11-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

This week my new baby cousin was born! Kyle Jospeh was born on 11-7 and weighed 9 pounds 10 ounces!

Kyle was born amidst chaos: Nana had surgery last week from a broken arm and DD had a business trip he couldn't miss in Atlanta... not to mention the chaos that comes along with 4 grandchildren in the family already!

But Kyle said, "Ready or not, here I come!"

Avery had to go to big girl school, but Reese, Mommy and I headed out to The Woodlands to wait for the baby's arrival and to meet him. When I went into the room to meet Kyle, he was getting his first bath and I wasn't sure about all that crying. You'd think I'd be used to it with a new baby of my own, but crying babies are unnerving. Luckily, he's a mostly chill baby so I've had lots of chances to see him happy or sleeping since then.

DD got back in town the night after Kyle was born and Nanny came in town to play with Amelia and help out a bunch. Nana's arm is feeling better, too - and Avery and I took turns spending the night at Nana and DD's with Amelia to 'help'.

The party at Nana and DD's only gets rowdier and more fun when you add more grandkids! Christmas this year is expected to be a sugar-excitement-cousin raucous!

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Love,

Cousin Kate

Happy Four Months, Reese!

2011-11-13T17:27:00.000-08:00

During the last month, I got a strong sense that Reese is going to grow up so quickly that I'm somehow going to miss the milestones while I'm focusing on another kid. As if she read my mind, the little angel waited until I was sitting on the floor with her to roll for the first time. It was such a blessing and a reassurance that although we're busy, Little Miss Ree is very much a part of our busy-ness and her milestones will be just as crucial and precious as the other girls'.

So, Reese currently rolls from her back to her front over her right shoulder. Occasionally, she'll roll back, but usually she just ends up stuck on her belly.

She is so much fun and such a classic baby. She hits milestones in exactly the way text books describe - she gurgles and coos and found her toes and this week she started batting at objects and grabbing them, and she does it every single time she sees something dangling above her.

Which leads me to: this is a frustrating phase for Ree. She grabs the objects on her mobile and then gets angry with it for not moving. She pulls her pacifier out of her mouth and then gets angry that it's gone. She rolls to her stomach and then yells for someone to roll her back to her front. Poor baby girl can't keep up!

We also laugh because it would seem that Reese is a 6 month old in her mind's eye. She tries to sit by crunching her stomach muscles but of course isn't able to yet... she throws herself towards the table for big person food... she's the size of a 6 month old...

At her doctor's appointment, Reese weighed 14 lb 8 oz (68th percentile) and was 24.25 inches long (48th %tile - although her head only measures in the 22nd %tile!). Everything looked great and she took the shots like a champ, although she was extra fussy for the rest of the week. I swear it's teething as well, but nothing has definitively popped out yet so I guess we'll wait and see.

And, going for an all-time low on nicknames added in any month, she's only accrued one more: Reetie (sometimes Reet).

Our little pile of rolls, giggles and smiles. We adore you, Reese Sue. Happy four months!

"KAveReese"

2011-11-08T17:49:00.000-08:00

It was bound to happen. And it did. It's too hard for Mommy to get our names right every time she talks to us, so instead, Daddy has dubbed the three sisters "KAveReese". It works, too. A perfect mash-up.

Although it's hard to keep our names straight, God saw fit to give us each very different personalities, needs, and for now... worlds.

Take, for example, Avery. Her world right now consists of new friends, sight words, homework and new academic knowledge. The hat Mommy wears most often with Avery is Support. Support in volunteering at the school, helping with homework, and giving long hugs when Avery sometimes needs to feel safe and child-like in the midst of her big-girl world.

Avery keeps Mommy and Daddy on their toes with her quick wit, perceptive judgments and tender heart. Yesterday I heard her tell Mommy, "Mommy, I'm ready to start the ball."

"What ball?"

"You know, Mom, the ball."

..."Avery, I have no idea what you're talking about. Can you use different words to help me understand?"

"Mooooom. The ball. Like the soccer ball or the other kinds of ball."

Last night when we were setting out our clothes, Mommy found bobby pins and rubber bands lined up to spell "Love". And, as she tells us often, "Love is love. That means I love you more than love." Mommy and Daddy have taken to using her phrase. After all, love IS love.

For my part, Mommy wears her most often-used hat: Pre-School Mom. These years are the ones she's been Mom through most, and I fill her days with my world of pre-school, playgroup, gymnastics, and constant questions. Although Mom has done pre-school before, my pre-school world is all about squeaks, chirps, aggressive love for the baby, silliness, pushing boundaries and gentle redirection. I can't handle conflict (which comes up a lot with a strong willed big sister!), I can't handle stern words, and I don't like pressure. I either revert to silliness or I break down and cry until I've been held, comforted, and reassured. There's lots of hugging going around these days and I want in on as much of it as I can get! (Mom says I am not allowed to mislead: I still disobey plenty, it's just in a quieter, silent-stubborn way...)

Ree-Ree's world is not even on the same plane as our two worlds. Ree's world is about discovering her feet, batting objects with her hands, smiling, cooing, giggling and rolling. She doesn't like the car seat or the stroller and so Mom's Reese-hat is Carrier. Reese is mostly happy and only cries when she gets way too tired... or when I lay on her or poke her. Mom's not such a fan of my love when it wakes her up (always) or makes her cry (usually), but that Reese is just so chubby and happy that it's hard to resist. I call Reese Ree-Ree or Ree, Avery calls her Reesie Poo, Daddy calls her Reesie and Mommy calls her That Baby (as in, "I'm just going to eat That Baby up!"). Whatever we call her, she smiles and acts like she's just so thankful to be in our lives.

It's a good thing that we are all in such vastly different worlds. Mom says she's convinced that each of us doing different things and needing different types of love right now will help her rememberus individually once we're grown. What can I say? We aim to please!

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Love,

Kate "Kavereese" McClinton

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Oh Halloween. I love it. Dressing up in fancy dresses is a part of my daily routine anyways, but when you add candy and parties and pumpkins - now that's what I call a good time!

The celebrating this year started with a playgroup party for my pals and me while Avery was at school. We listened to a story and then painted pumpkins. The mommies ate like queens. The joy of potluck parties.

Next came my school fall festival, which I enjoyed with Avery and Amelia. The best part was when we got to pick out the bake sale item. Nana, Amanda, Mommy and Daddy were eyeing the brownies or the cookies or the neatly decorated cake. But we found the greatest prize of all! Strawberry iced cupcakes! Never mind the icing was stuck to the saran wrap; never mind that other children had stuck their fingers into the saran wrap and left prints in the cupcakes; never mind that Amelia carried the cupcakes all around like they were a bag of apples. Those cupcakes were worth every penny!

For Daddy's birthday, I wanted to go to the Children's Museum. BUT we discovered that the whole place was turned into a Haunted Mansion and Daddy and Mommy decided a trip to Dewberry Farms would be more fun. It was! We love that Daddy, who willingly celebrates his birthday with kid-centered activities.

Avery had a costume parade at school and decided to be Pinkalicious (it had to be a character from a book). I was so jealous of her cool pink hair that Mommy said I could be Pinkalicious for Halloween trick or treating if I wanted. And I certainly wanted.

But first, we got to play at Avery's playgroup party. Thankfully, we agreed to wear our actual Halloween costumes and looked divine in our snow princess dresses. Avery picked her white costume out and when we couldn't find a white snow princess in my size, Mom explained that sometimes snow princesses wear pink.

On Halloween night, Avery and I both decided we needed to be Pinkalicious. We got to trick or treat with Nonnie and Daddy (who said only one person knew exactly what we were supposed to be). We got back to the house to help pass out candy, and you know what? That's almost as fun as trick or treating! (Avery said not to tell, but when Mom and Dad were handing out candy, she would grab handfuls and stuff them into her own pumpkin. Pretty clever if you ask me.)

Click here for pictures

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Love,

Pink-Snow-Princess-Pinkalicious Kate

Formula for a Blissful Birthday

2011-10-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

1 Castle...

+ a visit from Belle...+ several close friends...

+ the perfect cake...

+ Ariel cupcakes at Chuck E. Cheese...

+ a crown at school and Mommy as guest reader...
= Giddiness

Mommy says that for the rest of her life, her heart will warm when she thinks about the expression on my face when I saw Belle and how happy I was all weekend. What can I say? I exuded happiness because I had the best third birthday ever!

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Love,
Kate Birthday Princess McClinton

Howdy, Folks and Welcome...

2011-10-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

...to the State Fair of Texas!

Our family has a long standing (more than 50 years!) tradition of joining Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas each year. This year, I loved the petting zoo, the car show, fair food (funnel cake, salt water taffy, Fletcher's corny dog, and ice cream!), and using my special fair money to buy a very *life-like* sleeping kitty.

I heard all about Big Tex, and I loved him as much as I was afraid of him. When we first got to the fair, I had to talk all about Big Tex - if he could move around to come get me, if he was real... I had Daddy carry me to go see him - but not too close! Any time he came into sight, I clung to the nearest adult. He's pretty cool, but I don't plan on crossing him.

The fair is so much fun, but the best part of State Fair weekend is family. Amelia, Avery and I played for hours in our hotel room, I loved on Mimi and Gran every chance I got, I slept in Nana and DD's room, and I admired Mom's cousins.

There's so much to love about State Fair weekend. I love this tradition!

Click here for pictures

Love,

Kate 'Little Tex' McClinton

Watch DOGS: Heroes of the Hallways

2011-10-14T10:53:00.001-07:00

One of the more enjoyable parts of elementary school is the volunteer programs we get to participate in. My personal favorite: Watch DOGS (Dads Of Great Students), a nationwide program that allows fathers to spend the day volunteering in their child's school in order to promote male role models and combat bullying.

Jordan's day as a Watch DOG was last Thursday. It started bright and early with a spot on morning announcements. Then, as he was "patrolling the hallways", he was pulled into a first grade classroom to cover for a teacher. She essentially tossed a book his way and wished him luck. He did great: read aloud and then talked about the book for a while until the teacher came back.

His next stop was Avery's room, where he assisted with learning centers and then, at the children's request, lead them in the morning message. I walked in to see him leading this and was highly impressed: the children dictated sentences to him and then he helped them sound out the sentences as he wrote them on the board. Avery beamed from ear to ear the entire time he was in the class.

After all of the teaching, he was given a cart full of lunches and backpacks to deliver around the school. And then came no less than three hours of lunchroom duty. During lunch duty, he handed out Watch DOG stickers to great students, helped a child who lost a tooth, witnessed a child buy 8 rice krispie treats instead of a tray lunch (and get corrected), and sat with Avery during her lunch time.

One of my favorite moments in lunch went like this:

Little Boy: Can I please have a sticker?

Jordan: Well, I can only give them to students who are doing a really good job. So do a really good job at lunch and then maybe I can give you one.

(Five minutes later)

Little Boy: I did something really great. I helped someone.

Jordan: Who?

Little Boy: That kid. I helped him eat his cookie.

I say give the kid a sticker for creativity.

After lunch duty, Jordan headed to 5th grade to assist in another classroom and checked in books at the library.

At the end of the day, I expected him to come home frazzled and exhausted. However, the day was really fun for him and he says if he'll sign up for another Watch DOG day without question.

And, most importantly, Avery was incredibly proud of her Daddy and walked around the school like a star in her Watch DOG shirt. Avery's school has done this program up right and we are all so proud of our resident Watch DOG.

Click here for pictures of the week

Happy Three Months, Reese!

2011-10-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Reese is three months old today. Still chubby, still happy, still amazing.

She weighs 13 pounds 5 ounces!

She isn't yet rolling over (both of her sisters rolled front to back by 3 months), but we think this is because of the amount of time she spends in a sling, bouncy chair, or car seat. When we are at home, Reese strongly prefers her back. We've been trying to give her more tummy time this week so she'd have the opportunity to learn to roll over, but she says, "NO THANK YOU!" (She rolls about 1/4 of the way from her back to her side, but is just so content to lie, so there's no real urgency for her.)

For her three month birthday, Reese is getting evicted from her cradle in our room. Poor girl barely fits in it anymore because she's gotten so big, so Mama will be making the 3 am trek to her room every night from now on. I heard big babies sleep better, but Reese says big babies love milk too much to skip a feeding.

Reese's smiles are just about too much. They melt us. And she has a giggle, a chuckle, and a full on laugh that we can elicit. Laughing always leads to hiccups, but we all agree - it's worth it!

Happy three months, my happy, easy, lovable chunk!

Avery, Kindergarten Extraordinaire: 6 Weeks In

2011-10-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Roughly six weeks ago, Avery started Kindergarten. To call this a transition would be a huge understatement... for Mama and for Avery.

For a while, every night was wrought with Kindergartenness. Avery liked school fine, thought her teacher was great, even made friends fast and easily. It wasn't that Kindergarten wasn't a good move for her. It's just that it was ex.haust.ing. We saw it in easy fits, easy tears, and sometimes blank stares at the wall. But little by little, as days turned to weeks, and more weeks, and more weeks... we've seen Avery blossom and grow into a capable, beautiful Kindergarten Girl.

Things about Avery, six weeks in:

*At her 5 year well child check-up, Avery failed her eye sight screen. We followed up with an eye doctor who specializes in children, and as it turns out, Avery's eye sight is almost perfect. She has the slightest astigmatism but the doc recommended that we do nothing about it for at least the next two years. Avery was so disappointed that she wasn't going to get glasses like Fancy Nancy, so we went to Target and bought her some sunglasses. She put them on and immediately cried out, "Mom! I can see so much better with these on!" Ah, the power of suggestion.

*Avery got to be Queen of the Jungle (basically Star of the Week) last week. She made a poster (my favorite 'all about me' moment: her three favorite places on earth were San Antonio, Lockhart, Texas, and Disney World). She also picked out two books to have Mom read to the class. After I talked her down from Barbie Goes to Princess Prep School, we chose The Halloweener and Shark Vs. Train. I had so much fun being back in a classroom and Avery was truly treated like royalty - she even got a book from her classmates in which each child drew a picture of something they'd like to do with her.

*Academically, socially, and behaviorally, Avery is right on track. It's not like we never experience hiccups or have very tired crying fits (or an occasional behavior blip at school), it is just that they seem to be getting fewer and farther between.

*My biggest fears sending Avery off to school were about her ability to make friends and not feel lonely at recess, in lunch, etc. It blesses my heart so to watch her interact with her new peers, to hear about how much she enjoys meeting new people, and to see genuine affection blossom for her new gal pals.

*I'm amazed at how quickly Avery is showing improvement with her fine motor skills. She doesn't love her handwriting homework, but within 3 weeks' time, she has grown to be able to complete the worksheet of handwriting in 15-20 minutes (without tears!) and draw the letters mostly correctly. Fine motor skills were an area that needed improvement all year last year, but this year, the daily practice is really paying off.

*One area where we haven't made headway just yet is lunch time. Avery doesn't seem bothered by it, but we absolutely cannot get her to eat her lunch. I've tried everything, but Big Girl comes home with an almost full lunch box every day. The library aide has even mentioned it to me, so it must be pretty obvious to the lunchroom helpers. I mean, she's not starving, but why would anyone turn down eating lunch?!

*For better of for worse, Avery is a very successful, mostly happy full-time Kindergartener now. One thing our family has found to be an enormous blessing from all of this is the appreciation for time spent together. Our family fun nights are far less extravagant than they used to be (no more long trips out of the house - there's homework to be done and bed times to respect!), but they have become so tender. We'll often just choose to read, or play a board game, or ride bikes in the front yard. But now that Avery is away from us for 8 hours every day, we are given a new appreciation for our time with her and for how quickly the other two will be full-timers as well.

*As you would guess, Jordan and I are in the school at every chance we get. This gets tricky with scheduling and child-care, but we've been so blessed with a willing Nana to keep Reese and Kate, and I have LOVED being an active member of the PTA, volunteering in the library, work room, and class, and just being a part of Avery's schooling in whatever ways I can. Jordan will be at the school all day next week as a participant in the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program. Rumor has it that Watch DOGS are celebrities at Stanley, and I am certain he'll be a hero in one very excited Kindergartener's eyes.

If I could go back in time 2 months, I'd tell myself: Yes, it will be hard. Yes, it is a bittersweet occasion. Yes, the tears are for good reason. But have faith in that Big Girl. She's resilient. She's smart. She's a natural born leader and she's good at making friends. She's going to rock Kinder and all you have to do is love her, support her, and pray her through. Exactly like every other year of her life... just slightly more intensified.

Click here for pictures of the week

Birthdays, Birthdays!

2011-10-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

During the months of August and September, we never have to wonder what we'll do with our free time... it's birthday season around here!

This birthday season, we had a great time celebrating each friend on their special day. The parties were each unique and perfectly fit the guest of honor. We splashed to Star Wars theme, spent tokens galore at Chuck E. Cheese, fed ducks and enjoyed the outdoors at Mary Jo Peckham, learned how to bowl all over again, ate as much sugar as we could handle, and basked in the glow of so much love for so many special friends.

Birthday season is a blast. And it's not quite over yet... this month, we celebrate Kate's big day and Daddy's as well! Kate is one smart chica - she was torn between a Belle party and a party at The Children's Museum. Her perfect solution, which she came up with completely on her own: Kate gets a Belle party and Daddy gets a Children's Museum party. Voila! Birthday party perfection!

Click here for pictures

Avery's Sonnet 43

2011-09-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

How do my Nana and DD love me? Let me count the ways...

My Nana and DD's love is like lots of date nights for Mama and Daddy so their marriage can be blessed and I can be fully known by my grandparents.

My Nana and DD's love is like a 6 am wake up on a Saturday.

My DD's love is like driving through Whataburger on the way to a pizza joint so that everyone gets to eat their favorite meal.

My Nana's love is like a trip to Sam's to load up on snacks.

My DD's love is like a questionable nickname that stuck.

My Nana's love is like a big hug when no one else gets me.

My DD's love is like a castle... or wands... or anything mom or I dream up for birthday parties.

My Nana's love is like a swim in the middle of September when everyone else has said goodbye to summer but I just can't bear to yet.

My Nana and DD's love is like a date to the theatre to see Mary Poppins or Annie.

My Nana and DD's love is like a sick kid (or adult) that needs nursing back to health. Or a sickness that gets passed around because of all the cuddles and love.

My Nana and DD's love is like a band-aid on a make believe boo boo without question or doubt.

My DD's love is like hours of my favorite movies on repeat.

My Nana's love is like new literature, old favorite books, and the ones that she could read from memory.

My Nana and DD's love is extravagant, sacrificial, dependable attention, affection, and comfort.

And I am blessed by them!

Click here for pictures

Love,

Avery Blessed McClinton

Happy Two Months, Reese!

2011-09-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

Reese turned two months old on Tuesday. During the last month, she has been busy...

Between four and six weeks, she started really using her neck muscles and holding her head up to try to see the world.

At six weeks old, she began smiling at Mommy, and by the end of the week, she was blessing everyone with her smile. It is heart melting and so earnest. We are suckers for her smile.

Right now, Reese still takes a 3 am feeding (11 pm, 3 am, 7 am), but if she's realllllly tired she'll skip it from time to time - which gives this Mama lots of hope for the future!

That baby is the biggest McClinton baby by a long haul. She's already in 3-6 month clothes (it feels like she's trying to grow faster than even time dictates! And time already goes by too fast!) Her 2 month stats are: 11 lb 9 oz (68%tile), 22.75 inches long (63%tile). Reese was born into roughly the 50th percentile for weight and height but isn't following the average bell curve... she's jumping up to the heavy weight division. We're super glad that she's so healthy and so unique. Way to grow, Reesie!

Reese is an active girl, although she still lays flat on her back most of the time. The girls like to giggle when Reese flails her arms and legs and make up what they think she's doing. "Mommy, Reese is fighting with the air!" or "Mommy, now Reese is trying to ride a bike!" She's quite the mime.

Reese has earned herself even more nicknames. Kate's favorite is "Ree Hee Poo" (Reesie Poo), but Reese also goes by Ree Ree, Cheeks (sometimes Cheeks McGee), Pieces (yes, after Reese's Pieces) and sometimes even Piecie.

The most accurate nickname she's been given, though, comes from Nana. When we text about the kids, we always use their initials... "K had so much fun in the pool!" or whatever. Reese, on text, is "TGTBT". Too Good To Be True.

And she really, really is. She is an angel of a baby and goes along with whatever the family is doing. If an infant can learn to be a team player, then my kid has done it.

Reese, you bless us with your precious cheeks, your easy-going demeanor and your endearing coos and gurgles. You are pure, ridiculous cuteness and joy.

Click here for pictures

While Big Sister's Away...

2011-09-11T18:04:00.001-07:00

At first, when Avery went to Kindergarten I thought it was unfair. She went off to important big girl school every day and I was stuck at home...

But this week was different. I guess it just took a little while for my life to get exciting, too. Now, I go to big girl school twice a week, do gymnastics (which I keep calling ballet), and my playgroup even decided to start going on field trips this year! On Wednesday, we went on our first field trip of the season - to The Children's Museum. It was such a special time playing with my best pals and having Mommy focus more attention on me. I liked the Children's Museum so much that I wouldn't stop talking about it in front of Avery. Since she thought that was sort of unfair, we had an encore visit to the museum on Saturday. Tell me that isn't an extra bonus of having Avery in school!

Don't get me wrong... I miss Avery when she's gone. But a girl could get used to the extra attention and activities!

Click here for pictures

Love,

Kate My Turn McClinton

Epic Week

2011-09-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

It was an epic week...!

On Sunday, Avery, Mommy, Daddy and DD all got to take a trip to the ER for a badly sprained ankle.

On Monday, Daddy wrapped a special brace on Avery's foot and she hobbled off to school. By midday, she felt fine and the brace came off.

On Monday, Kate also took her first gymnastics class (without Mommy) at Westwood. Nana came to watch (and to babysit afterwards), and Katie did pretty well... until one of the coaches tried to correct her stretch and startled her. Then she cried for the next 15 minutes, until Coach Nichole helped her feel better.

On Tuesday, we made preperations for someone special's big day.

On Wednesday, Avery turned 5! She celebrated with a cookie cake at school, a dinner with Nana, DD, and Nonnie, gifts, and a princess cake.

On Thursday, Kate went to her classroom's Meet the Teacher. She did amazingly well; while Mommy and Daddy were greeting other parents, Kate disappeared into the home center and played happily the entire time (in the same Belle dress that her sister used to wear in this class!).

On Thursday, Mommy also came down with a mean case of mastitis and Daddy played Mr. Mom and nurse on top of his other duties.

On Friday, Kate had her very first day in the Froggie Class at St. Peter's. She loved it! She practically skipped into the class and didn't cry a single time the whole day.

On Friday, Uncle Trey and Aunt Erin also came in town to meet Reese and spend some time with the family.

On Saturday, Nana and DD got their annual Mother's/Father's Day feast, put on by the entire Wales clan (and Mommy started feeling better!).

On Sunday and Monday, everyone enjoyed more time with Nana, DD, and the Lances and Wales IIIs.

It was a week full of fun and family. We're so blessed!

Click here for pictures of the week

Anecdotal Notes about Kindergarten

2011-08-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things are so big and emotional that I just don't have words to say to put a succinct summary out there. This week was one of them. The transition to Kindergarten feels like the biggest thing I've ever personally experienced, and I know for a fact it is the biggest thing my tiny girl has encountered as well.

Avery has done amazingly well, once again showing me that she is far more resilient and capable than Mama Bear sometimes wants to believe. Sure, we have the crying fits or the overly excitable screeches in the evenings, but that is all normal for any almost-5-year-old going through such a big change. By and large, Avery has risen to the challenge and absolutely blown us away with her success. She loves her teacher, loves the reward system, retains so much of what she's learned each day, and has made friends with most of the girls in her class. At the end of every night, she shared her highs and lows with us and they really accurately summed up what we heard from her all week:

Monday:

High: "Being at school! All of it!"

Low: "Being away from Kate"

Tuesday:

High: "Coming home and seeing Mommy across the street at the walker area." (Mommy: "That was my high, too, baby! I love seeing you at the end of the day." Avery: "Mommy, is that why your voice always sounds so funny when you hug me?" ...Funny enough, I was just wondering how many days would have to pass before I stopped crying at the sight of that beautiful girl.)

Low: "Daddy being away at band practice"

Wednesday:

High: "Coming home and playing with Kate"

Low: "Going to school. Because, I mean, it's okay. It's just not the best."

Thursday:

High: "Coming home and being with Mommy "

Low: "We didn't get to do anything in PE today. We just sat and waited."

Friday:

High: "Coming home and being with Mommy" (I think she figured out that this gets a favorable response)

Low: "Dismissal. It just takes so long to get there."

In addition, there were some anecdotal notes from the rest of the week:

*Avery, telling me about lunch on the first day of school: "We don't even have to wait for everyone and we don't have to pray! We just get to eat when we sit down!"

*The first day of school, her class filled a bag with items to help them remember what is important in Kindergarten. In the bag: a Kleenex to remind them to help friends who are sad, a sticker to remind them to stick together, a cotton ball to remind them to use soft words, and my favorite, an eraser to remind them that we all make mistakes but that together they can erase them away.

*When we passed Stanley (her school) on Saturday: "Look! Even the teachers aren't there today!"

*On Tuesday, she began asking, "But when do I NOT go to school?"

*I pulled her hair back into it's usual style one morning and noticed that when I picked her up, she had taken the pony tail part out and was only wearing her bow. When I asked her about it, she skirted the issue ("Um, the pony tail holder just popped." "Well, it just sort of came out.") I assured her she wasn't in trouble and I was just curious, and finally it came out that no one in her class wears their hair like that. They all wear just bows or headbands, so she had to fix her hair once I was through with her. Isn't it something that I am already the uncool mom that Avery has to clean up after before she can hang with her pals... ;)

*And then Kate, who lost her best friend and had not yet started her weekly routines: On Monday after drop off, we made it about half way down the hall when Kate realized what had just happened. She threw herself onto the floor in tears because we were leaving Avery behind. Luckily, being the queen bee and a bit of retail therapy with Nana's exclusive attention helped *some*, although she also had to cry and be comforted when we got in the car and forgot her new water bottle (that matches Avery's). It seemed at first to Kate that Avery was on an incredible adventure with big, important things like water bottles, and she was left behind. The week got better and she's adjusting well to holding down the fort while Sister is away.

*And me. I think my sister expressed for me what I've been trying to pinpoint all week. This new phase of life makes me miss Avery with an ache all day long. It's actually very good for us, because I am able to appreciate the time we have together and make the most of it, but it is a new feeling for me. And, as Amanda put it, I think it is largely because, "I wanted to be with her today showing her that it's okay to do new things and guiding her through the transition. It was strange to walk away and make her face all that newness by herself when I'm mama, the one who makes it better."

Stanley Elementary, brace yourself for a year with the McClintons! Avery is going to rock it!

Click here for pictures of the week

The End of An Era

2011-08-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

It seems fitting that the night before I send Avery to Kindergarten, the blog post would focus on her playgroup friends. Avery's past 5 years of growing all happened within the context of our precious group of friends. In many ways, they've helped carry us both through and prepared us for tomorrow.

These women and children have walked with me through the best era of my life: new motherhood. I think they've seen it all from me: my best, my worst, and especially those moments I wouldn't ever admit to had there not been witnesses. Sometimes we were on our game: we planned twice a week playdates and parties and crafts and snacks galore. Sometimes I couldn't wait to get to playgroup to share great news, fun events, and excitement over this phase of life. Other times we would show up at a location, collapse from motherhood-exhaustion, and chat while our kids ate goldfish off of the floor at Katy Mills (that may just have been me)... I cannot count the number of times I've arrived at playgroup disheveled or been at a loss as to how to best parent my child. Somehow, just being with these other moms made my outlook sunnier. And for all of the times that Avery expressed herself through hitting (and boy did she!), not one mom ever asked me to get my act together already. They were the supportive backdrop to my life as I learned what it was to be Avery's mom. These women collectively are my stay-at-home-mom support base, but individually are also some of the most wonderful and important women in my life.

While I found support and encouragement from the women in our playgroup, Avery was forming bonds of her own. What started as a group of infants has turned into a clan of 5 year old pals. It strikes me most when I look at the picture from our most recent camping trip: a bunch of kids, arms around each other, completely happy and comfortable with one another. And I am also struck with how much each of those kiddos means to me as well. I have loved watching them turn from babies to chubby little toddlers to pre-schoolers... to full-on kids.

Playgroup has been the most consistent thing on our calendar over the past 5 years. On Tuesday, we had a very upbeat celebration to close out this era of life. It was the perfect ending: instead of sadness over the end of an era, there were smiles, shared memories, a thoughtful memory book, story time about Dinos who go to Kindergarten, crafts... and pizza. It was such a good way to say goodbye - not to our friends, of course, but to the consistency and to this part of these kids' lives.

I am blessed, and Avery is blessed, by these amazing families.

Click here for pictures of the week (and a walk down memory lane)

It's Avery's Party (and I'll Cry If I Want To!)

2011-08-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Avery celebrated her 5th birthday (a little early to make sure she has time to focus on Kindergarten later in the month). She had a Woodland Fairy party, complete with gnomes, elves, fairies, and an amazing cake by Miss Ella.

Avery's party was at Westwood Gymnastics, both of our favorite place. It was super fun for everyone for the first 30 minutes or so, but then... my elbow popped out of joint while I was playing in the pit. For the rest of the party, I moaned, cried, and refused to use my arm at all. Luckily, there were lots of people there to pass me and Reese around and still to take pictures and be there with Avery for her birthday.

After the party was over, I still wasn't acting any happier, so Mommy and Daddy decided it must be worth a trip to the ER to get it looked at (Daddy had figured out what was wrong but they felt better letting a doctor do the dirty work of popping the elbow back into joint). It was the shortest, easiest ER trip ever, and I was feeling back to 100% as soon as the doctor popped my arm back into place. I even got a popsicle. Now, whenever I have a boo boo, I ask Daddy to go see the doctor so that he can give me a popsicle to make me better. It's worth a try.

At Avery's 4th party, as you may remember, I tried to cause drama in the swimming pool. Mommy says next year, maybe I can come up with a less scary or painful way to make sure I get some attention! :)

Luckily, Avery still had a blast at her party and didn't seem to even notice my injury.

Click here for pictures of the week

Happy Birthday (a little early), Avery Leigh!

Love, Katie Beth

Happy One Month, Reesie!

2011-08-10T15:13:00.001-07:00

At one month...

*You LOVE the vibrating bouncy chair and the sling.

*You're starting to have more awake time. We love 'Big Eyes'.

*Your sisters are absolutely enthralled with you.

*Sleep is still touch and go. Some nights are amazing (only two quick feedings in 12 hours!) and some nights you cry and can't seem to sleep. We still haven't figured out why.

*You weigh 9 pounds on the baby scale we have at home.

*You're the sweetest, easiest baby I've ever known. You roll with the punches and accept waiting without a fuss.

*When you eat, you gulp and sigh loudly. When you start getting upset, it sounds like either a mad cat or a hog snorting, depending on what you're trying to communicate. We love your little noises and think they're totally unique!

*We're still looking for a nickname that is as flattering as you deserve. We've nixed Reese the Beast (meant to be braggadocios because we're so proud of how you're growing, but it's somehow not flattering) and Reesie Bean the Spit-Up Queen (although Reesie-Bean the Patient Queen is still in the running). We love Reese-Sue and Avery's: "Reesie Poo We Love You" (said in one breath and meant as a name).

Reese Suzanne, you are so welcome in our little family. Happy One Month!

Hyatt Hill Country Resort

2011-08-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

This week, Daddy had a business retreat in San Antonio... but this time, it was a family business retreat, which meant that we all got to go along!

While Daddy and his colleagues worked the days away, Nana, Mommy, Kate, Reese and I enjoyed the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and all of it's offerings. Sometimes, we'd sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast in the room. Sometimes, we'd enjoy the Ramblin' River or the pool or the baby pool (Kate's choice). We also got our hair braided, played at the park, and enjoyed the big open areas where we played 'kitty' (a game that is exactly as it sounds).

At nights, when Daddy and DD were done with their work, we'd all get to play together. And for dinner every night, we got to eat big meals with all of Daddy's colleagues and their families, too. I especially liked my new friend Amara.

My favorite part of the whole trip was the Ramblin' River. I took everyone in my family on the river (minus Reese). The river was Daddy's favorite part, too. Kate's favorite part was swimming in the pool on the last day with Nana and DD. Mommy loved getting to experience a little bit more summer fun with us big girls (it's been since Reese was born that she's had a chance to be in on the summer fun) and this was such a great place to have one last summer time hurrah.

What a special trip. Daddy sure does work for an awesome company!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love,

Avery Ramblin' McClinton

Life as Usual

2011-08-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

There are details of life that currently seem as usual as breathing, but that will change or disappear without me even realizing it. I know this because when they brought Reese to me in the hospital, I was overcome with the smell of a new baby in a clean diaper... such a familiar smell and yet something I didn't even realize I'd forgotten along the way.

There are so many parts of life right now that make up life as usual. The good and the bad... I don't want any of it to get lost to my poor memory. To that end, here are a few details of life that will likely be foreign to me one day:

*The smell of Lavender Baby Bedtime lotion smeared all over a clean baby

*The sounds and smells of a newborn diaper that needs attention

*Nursing a baby and dressing a Barbie at the same time

*Finding lids from markers and Play-Doh containers all over the craft room floor

*The feel of a fat baby stomach to stomach with me while I watch tv

*Pulling a shirt from my drawer and finding a tiny sock or tiny undies stuck to it

*Smiling as I find glitter in my sheets because immediately after the latest craft project, it's time to feed the baby and that requires help from the big girls

*The grunts and gulps of Reese while nursing

*Forgetting that certain foods are on the 'do not eat while nursing' list and then apologizing to the baby later

*The way it feels to watch my girls interact, to see them all cuddled up with Daddy, and to feel surprise that I have the capacity to actually love them more every day when each day I already feel like my heart could explode

We are blessed beyond measure, and the work required of us has such immeasurable dividends!

Click here for pictures of the week

Transitioning and Adjusting

2011-07-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

There are two new buzz words in our house lately - transitioning and adjusting. Everyone who talks about the new baby ends up using one of those buzz words, and I get the sneaking suspicion they're talking about me.

I love that new baby. I squeal and get in her face and kiss her and sing to her and bring her toys. She's something special. BUT I also have been having a lot of bathrooming issues, whining issues, direct defiance moments (a first for me!), and a specific problem with keeping my bowel movements under control while I'm swimming...

When we pulled up to Mom and Dad's house one night, I told Nana, "This is where Mommy and Daddy and Baby Reese live!" and later, when it was time to decide if we were spending the night at home or at Nana's house, I told Mom, "I go to your house with you because I Reese's sister. And Eggie come too because she my sister too." Nana figured out that what I was really wondering about is if that baby took my place and if I was supposed to live at Nana's from now on. Once they explained things a bit more to me, I understood and things have been slowly getting better... especially if I get to be close to Reese. Mom's not the pull. Dad's not the pull. My house isn't the pull. It's that spectacular new sister that I miss when I'm away from her.

No one expects the two-almost-three year old to adjust perfectly right away, but I'm working on it, and it helps that life at Nana and DD's is so special - swimming in my jammies or princess dresses, breakfast by the pool, visitors (great-grandparents!), birthdays to celebrate, and lots of attention to go around.

Click here for pictures of the week

Click here for Reese's newborn photos from Kristin King Photography (Reese at 4 days old)

Love,

Kate Transitioning McClinton

Introducing Reese Suzanne

2011-07-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

Reese Suzanne McClinton

July 13, 2011

10:34 am

7 pounds, 12 ounces

18 inches

Perfection.

There is so much more to say, but I am staring at a blank computer screen, wondering what words are big enough and happy enough to share about our Baby Reese. It's humbling to have been given such a piece of heaven.

As the nurses were transferring me from the post-op room, one of them looked at me and said, "Well, if I've ever seen someone glowing before..." It's an odd thing, I think - aren't most new moms a bit euphoric from the drugs and the new baby happiness? But it was so true - in all of my life, I've never felt such a sense of peace, happiness, and completeness - I have three absolutely unique, perfect, healthy girls. I am unable to even describe the way Reese makes me feel. She is so wholly a McClinton and yet has such a uniquely Reese look to her. She is the missing puzzle piece to our family, and until we met her, we could only guess what it would be like. Now we can hold her and love her and know.

There are a lot of things I hope I remember later about Reese's birth:

*The week before my surgery, my doctor went into labor and had her baby. After a bit of scrambling, the practice assigned me a new doc to do my surgery. I'd heard good things about her, but was still a little unsure of how my nerves would go with a stranger in the OR with me. When we walked in on Wednesday morning, low and behold... in struts my doctor, 8 days post-partum, suited up for surgery and looking about as energetic and bright-eyed as ever. She completed my surgery beautifully (with another doctor in the room with her, I'm guessing as a precaution), although apparently I was concerned about her memory, because I found out later that I asked her three times if she was remembering to tie my tubes (she says she did).

*There is something very unsettling about voluntarily walking into an operating room, but the surgery was quicker and easier than even Kate's. I think I was in and out in 30 minutes flat, and I listened to my iPod during the second half of the procedure and was even able to sleep.

*Once Reese was cleaned up, her doctor noticed she grunted while she was breathing. To us, she looked like the most robust of the McClinton babies, but he was able to discern that her breathing was labored and kept her in the nursery for several hours to watch her. I've never had to wait to meet one of my babies (I met both of the other two in the recovery room), but I knew it happens from time to time. I started getting nervous, though, when we were rapidly approaching the 6 hour cut off. If Reese didn't self-correct her breathing in 6 hours' time, she would be taken to NICU to be intubated for at least 12 hours. Her long-term health was never called into question, but the sheer thought of sending her away before I ever met her and of pumping rather than nursing was more than I wanted to consider. At 4:15, 15 minutes before the cut off, I called down to the nursery. They said she hadn't shown any signs of improvement and were about to call her doctor to get the orders to transfer her to NICU. I texted a friend to pray for us, and she sent back a prayer immediately. Not 5 minutes later, the nurse walked in WITH MY BABY. While they were on the phone with the doctor, Reese's grunting completely disappeared. It is apparently somewhat common for babies to heal themselves after about 6 hours, but for us, it was nothing short of God's perfect timing and intervention.

*Recovery this time around has been a bit slower. Both times before, I felt completely normal within a day of the surgery. This time, on day two I started getting horrible tension headaches and my body reacted poorly to the pain medicine they gave me. I spent Thursday through Saturday in a fog. Luckily my parents and Jordan stepped in and required that I do very little but sleep and nurse the baby. I woke up Sunday morning feeling much better, but am still obeying the advice of those who love me not to do "too much" (what is "too much", anyways?:))

*The big sisters are amazing with Reese. Avery has stepped up to the challenge and I cannot even believe how well she is handling the whole event. Kate is a doll and loves her new sister but is having adjustment issues of her own. But that's a whole different story that I'll wait and tell another day...

Click here for pictures

All About Eggie

2011-07-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Our precious Eggie (who does NOT prefer that nickname) is almost 5, will be starting Kindergarten in a short month, and is completely, whole-heartedly, unabashedly herself. The same feisty spirit we brought home from the hospital 5 years ago and the same nurturing gentleness that has played baby dolls since she was old enough to carry them around still reside in our growing girl. We adore our Avery and all of the many facets of her personality. A few favorites of Eggie as an almost-5-year-old:

*Avery as Daddy's Playmate and Counterpart

Jordan has finally found his buddy. I mean, he and I are best friends, but there are some things we've just accepted are never going to be common interests. Rough housing, bug-exploring, and excessive teasing, to name a few. But now that Avery is getting old enough to play, she and Jordan spend lots of time giggling over silly games they make up. She loves it when he dares her to do something (most recently: eat crickets), when he 'surprises' her with tickles and growls, and especially when he is her pool-time buddy. The two of them spend hours coming up with games like falling into the pool from a chair backwards, talking to each other from under water, and underwater chase. It brings me such joy to watch them interact. We've always teased Jordan that his middle name is Danger (maybe it'd be more accurate to call him Adventurous), and I'm pleased to say that Avery has certainly inherited this part of his personality.

*Avery as our Out-of-the-Box Thinker

It has been evident from a young age that Avery is not the classic textbook child. What works with other children usually does not work with her, and not only because she's a strong-willed child. When being disciplined, Avery has an uncanny ability to look at a situation in a unique way and explain why she is still right, or to come up with a way to show us that even if we've won the battle, she plans to win the war. She's kept us on our toes from the very beginning in terms of discipline, but now that she's older, we're getting to see the beautiful side to her out-of-the-box, creative, but somehow also analytical thinking as well. There are so many instances where we look at her and wonder, "Who taught you that? How could you have possibly deduced that?" But a favorite moment of late that highlights her unique perspective happened when my mom bought her a Kindergarten-readiness book. The book mostly is fun for her, but a few of the activities made her very indignant. The book required Avery to place events in order, and she absolutely could not see how there was any one right answer. Who is to say, she argued, that the story starts when the child in the images wakes up? What if it is night time? Then wouldn't the order go: sleep, wake, play? Who got to decide that the story started in the morning? Watching her argue her point with clarity and resolve made me think of all the teachers my parents had to meet with to explain why I answered questions the way I did. It's coming for us. And we're up for the challenge!

*Avery as our Social Butterfly

Our girl's love language could not be more clear: quality time. Avery would rather sit in the same room as me and watch me read or clean a room than find a way to play on her own. She loves loves loves her playgroup friends and is always thinking of a way to include more people in any activity.

*Avery as our Planner

In some ways, Avery is so much like her mother - whether because of Nature or Nurture, we don't know. But like Mother, like Daughter. She's already planned out her next 3 birthday parties (subject to change, of course) and loves to talk about the big activities we have coming up. We have a Family Fun Time every night and Avery finds incredible joy in planning the week's activities for us. She plans out playdates with a box of activities to go through. She loves to look forward to pretty much anything and to have an idea of what is coming her way.

*Avery as our Nurturer

Avery is primarily passionate, and it plays out so sweetly when it comes to others. She's able to turn her passion into compassion and love working itself out in helpfulness and nurturing. I love to marvel at her ability to turn it on. It's beautiful to know that inside that larger-than-life spirit, there is larger-than-life love and compassion.

Click here for pictures of the week, including an impromptu 4th of July trip to Lockhart with Nana and DD and Big Sibling class at the hospital

Regarding A-Little-Bit

2011-07-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

Our Katie.

Kate has done so much growing and changing lately, and there are parts of her right now that I think I'll never forget because they are the essence of who she is... but the details of what makes Kate our Kitty Bit are so fleeting. I can't know when she's going to call her sister Eggie for the last time or tell us her name is NOT Peanut Butter McClinton. Here are things I don't want to forget about our Kate at 2 and 3/4 years old:

*A-Little-Bit (said: "Ah-Widdah-Bit")

Kate likes to play princesses. She usually comes downstairs dressed in a princess dress and then she tells us, "I Mulan!" or "I Pocahontas!" or "I Ariel (or Melody)!" It's a good thing she tells us, because the dress never matches the character.

When she's done playing, though, she lets us know by telling us, "I reg-er (regular) Kate." This is my favorite: if we catch her in that moment, we can ask her, "Are you Kate Peanut Butter McClinton?" And her response is priceless: "NO! I Kate A-Widdle-Bit Ah-Kwinton." I think I love it more than anything else about her right now. Whether she's trying to pronounce her middle name or whether she genuinely thinks her middle name is A-Little-Bit, I don't know. But hearing her state her name with such authority and certainty always gets a grin... usually a full-on laugh.

*Discipline, Laughter, and how personality plays into it

Which brings me to my next thought on Kit. It took Kate until she was 2 1/2 to realize she was two at all and to start acting out some. And even now, Jordan and I will often have to remind each other, "Avery would've gotten corrected for that behavior." Because when Kate does it, there is such a playful nature to her disobedience and it tends to throw us off. If we've asked her to do something, she will usually comply (which is still sort of shocking to us - children who obey with little correction? What is this?). But when she doesn't, she adds a little comic act to her disobedience - like sticking her tongue out and talking baby talk instead of responding appropriately or pinching our lips into funny shapes while we try to talk to her. We've always thought Kate had perfect comedic timing for such a little squirt, but the more she's grown, the more she's grown into it. There are instances when Jordan and I have to trade off on disciplining because we're having such a hard time keeping a straight face.

*More on Comedic Timing

Avery taught Kate recently how to hide when you know someone is coming. They laid under the sheets when they heard us, and sure enough, Jordan came in and rewarded them with tickles. Now, any time Kate knows someone might be coming, she hides under the blankets. Her patience with this game is remarkable. She was waiting in bed the other day for someone to bring her an Ooh Ooh, and a good 3-5 minutes had to have passed. When I walked in (too quietly for her to have heard me), I saw a little lump under the sheets... wiggling a good bit, but completely covered and hiding. There was no reason for her to expect me in that moment, so she must've committed herself to hiding until someone came, no matter how long it took. She is willing to go to some great lengths for a good laugh - her own and ours, too.

*Eating

It's hard to believe that a few short months ago we started seeing our OT, Miss Darlene. Kate is our super-star eater these days (the weight gain doesn't always follow... but that's another story). We started rewarding the girls for trying new food items with temporary tattoos, and it is common for Kate to have roughly 4 tattoos on at any given time. She is completely open to new flavors now and recently devoured a raw orange bell pepper. Her favorite meals are at restaurants, when she can load up on critical calories from favorites like rice and beans, mac and cheese, onion rings, and of course, french fries. I'm constantly amazed at how far she's come in the eating department and how much she can fit into her tiny tot body when she's motivated.

*Loving Eggie

When the girls are having trouble getting along, it is a full-time task to correct and guide their play. But, most often, those two are inseparable. Kate is perfectly happy to play second fiddle to Avery's wild notions most of the time. The last time the girls spent the night with my parents, we got this message about bedtime: "After snuggling Avery off of the bed twice; Kate: 'But Eggie is my sweetheart!' Avery: 'I don't think this is going to go well!'" Yep, that just about sums it up.

*With Cousin Amelia

One of Kate's favorite people to spend time with is her cousin Amelia, and of late, the feeling has been mutual. Amelia (almost 2) calls Kate 'Keats' and asks her Mommy, "Keats...More?" Keats, for her part, loves to hug Amelia (sometimes a bit too much), nap with Amelia, and trade places with Amelia (it is often that the 2 year old acts more like a 3 year old and Keats takes on the role of Terrible 2 when the cousins are all together).

*Refusing to Be Forgotten

Kate may be about to take her very distinguished role as middle child, but she is not going to be forgotten there. Her gentle, unassuming personality has a very silly, assertive side to it. When she notices that she's not getting the full measure of attention she has deemed necessary, she'll break out in baby talk, in peek-a-boo with a napkin, or in a myriad of other adorable but demanding ways to clarify... it's as if she's saying, "I'm easy to get along with and generally fine with not being the Alpha, but I'm also not going to get walked over by anyone!" We're so glad, really, because one of her teacher's goals for us at the end of the last school year was for Kate to practice asserting herself more. She's gotten really good at that lately, and I love watching it because when she turns to share her boundaries with another child, it conjures up images of a chihuahua taking on a pit bull. No one tell that girl she's tiny... only Tiny but Mighty!

I could go on and on about this kid. She's my favorite anomaly to try to describe: shy but loves attention, tiny but ferocious in eating, fully two but somehow primarily obedient...

Kate A-Little-Bit McClinton, I could eat you up I love you so!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

VBS at BCBC

2011-06-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

This week was my first time ever at a summer camp! I went to VBS at the church my Mom and Dad met at... BCBC. Mom felt sentimental all week. Something about life being full circle... without BCBC, there would be no Mommy and Daddy, and without Mommy and Daddy, there would be no Avery. I didn't pay much attention to her sentiments, because there were much more fun things to think about!

Every morning, I met my friends Summer and Alyssa at the front of the church and played with them until it was time to go to class. Then, Alyssa and I would head to our classroom. I had so much to tell my family at the end of the day - all about how we changed classrooms all the time and did crafts and sang and learned about loving God and missionaries. And, at the end of every day, we had a chapel time with singing, people dressed up in awesome costumes, and games!

Kate wasn't going to be forgotten this week. Every day, she came to pick us up early and watched "Avery's movie" (chapel time), and she became totally obsessed with the Big Apple character. Mom and Kate spent many days searching the halls for the Big Apple Girl and talking about where she might be. Kate even loved singing along at the end of the week program to "Big Apple Adventure", our favorite song.

Even though I'm the only one old enough to go to VBS, Kate and I both enjoyed the time at BCBC to it's fullest!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love,

Avery Big Apple Adventure McClinton

"Digging Shells"

2011-06-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

This week we went back to the beach, but this time we went to Corpus with my family. As soon as we got there, I discovered digging shells! Digging shells became the most important thing in my life for the time we were there (well, digging shells and playing Pocahontas in the swimming pool...)

A digging shell is a special shell that you can find if you look under the sand. There are tons and tons of them if you know where to look! Another choice is to put Avery in charge of finding the digging shells. She's very determined and way more successful than me at finding them. And, then I could be free to just watch what happens next.

Once you dig up a bunch of digging shells, it's time for the magic! They lay there for a while, and then... all of the sudden!... they start to dig back under the sand! Sometimes, they need a little help, because Mommy says if the sand is too dry, they don't dig as well. No problem! I just stand, looking at the ocean, and yell, "Ocean! Come here!" Usually, that works. If not, a watering can and a short sprint into the waves will do the trick.

This game can keep a gal busy for hours on end. Often, I would sing to my special 'garden' of digging shells about how they were going to grow since I watered them so well.

Digging shells. One of about 100 magical moments I enjoyed in Corpus with my family. The beach really is an endless supply of happiness!

Click here for pictures of the trip

Love,

Kate 'Digging Shells' McClinton

Galveston with some Smug Mugs

2011-06-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we went on our first annual trip to Galveston with my playgroup buddies. The Mommies always seem to be ironically smug about things they don't really have their act together on, so they've been calling our crew the Smug Mugs.

Galveston was so much fun! It was the perfect weekend getaway and we had an unbelievable time. Miss Kathy interviewed us all on the last day, and here is what we said our favorite parts were:

Miss Kathy: Emilee's Tollhouse Pie

Mr. Eric: Playing in the waves with Macy and watching Macy beg to have the net put over her head... over and over and over again!

Macy: Swimming at the pool

Baby Noah: Eating sand and watching the big kids play

Miss Ella: A three-way-tie: Tollhouse pie + milk + snuggie, watching Cole and Chase feed the birds, and watching my boys play contentedly in the sand and waves

Cole: The waves on the beach

Chase: The TV

Mommy: Late night laughs with some smug mugs and knowing how happy and fulfilled my girls were while playing with their friends

Daddy: Catching hermit crabs and playing in the waves with the big kids

Avery: Making drip castles

Me: Going to the swimming pool

Miss Emilee: Making drip sand castles with the kids and the moment that Ella realized she had done the iron on transfers backwards for our shirts

Mr. Chris: Drinking homemade brew, listening to the Smug Mugs' (or is it Sgum Gums) personal assessments, and watching the cast of Jazzercise appear before my eyes.

Hannah: Swimming in the pool and making drip castles

Abigail: Playing on the beach

After the weekend of fun, we McClinton gals headed up to Lockhart to celebrate Great-Gran's 92nd birthday. Turning 92 is something special and we weren't going to miss that fun, either!

It was such a great weekend. Avery's prayer on Saturday night went like this: "Dear God, thank You for my friends and for today. And please can You make tomorrow not so busy?" Amen, Big Sister.

Click here for pictures of the trips

Love,

Kate Beach Bum McClinton

Signs of the Times...

2011-06-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ways to tell that the Momma of the family is rapidly approaching full-term pregnancy...

*Kate walks around with a baby hanging out of her shirt (she's pregnant, of course). Avery and Kate both play "Hospital", where they go to the hospital to have a baby. (I've never been more thankful to be able to honestly tell them that when the time is right, the doctor will 'take the baby out of my tummy for me' rather than having to explain the alternative.)

*Although we still sometimes ride bikes and swim at nights, most of the time it's sno-cone hunts, painting, or something indoors.

*When we arrived at an event recently, Kate looked up at me and apropos of nothing, said, "Mommy need go potty." Yes, yes I did.

*Nesting *was* in full force, so much so that it once again bled into DD and Daddy's lives. A new bookshelf (a real beauty!), a completed big girl room, and a completed baby room are to show for it!

*These days, my energy levels are unpredictable, so some days we have lots of fun activities and the dishes get done, and some days... well, the dust piles up and the toilets might be in need a good scrub.

*Usually, when we go to places for playgroup that have food as an optional activity, there is a strict "we'll eat when we leave" policy. But, when Baby Reese says to eat... we eat. On Tuesday the girls were treated to nachos and on Wednesday Baby Reese dictated we eat McD's fries... that's right - Mommy's arch nemesis, McDonald's, even won out. A sure sign Mommy isn't in her right mind! ;)

*The most notable sign of the times is the enormous, ever-growing watermelon I'm sporting where my belly used to be.

Let the countdown begin!

Click here for pictures of the week

The Return of Date Night

2011-05-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

When I was a baby, my Mom and Dad used to take Eggie on date nights and let me stay at Nana's. Mommy always said that when I turned two, I'd get to go on dates also. But a while back, Avery started asking Mommy and Daddy if I could go with her on her dates - it was more fun for us to be together than for her to get one-on-two time.

Lately, though, Avery has been asking things like, "How come I don't get any attention?" and "Why did you tell Kate 'Good Job' and not me?" She also said she's ready to start date nights again. They were happy to oblige.

Mommy and Daddy took Avery to Chuck E. Cheese for her return to date nights. I wasn't upset; Nana and DD picked one of my favorite restaurants to take me to while Avery was with Mom and Dad, and then Avery got to spend the night at Nana and DD's with me after her date.

Then, as it happened, I got invited to a birthday party at Monkey Joe's for a classmate. Since Avery didn't know the birthday boy, Nana and DD played with her and I got a date of my very own with Mommy and Daddy. It was so much fun! I got to be the center of their attentions, and when it was all done, I ended date night the same way Eggie did: a sleepover at Nana and DD's house with Eggie.

Mommy says that once Reese is here, we'll probably have to have one date night each month... Eggie's turn and then my turn. But it was pretty special to get to work two date nights into the same month this time. And, with the special attention, the fun plans, and the bonus sleepover... I think I love date nights!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love,

Kate Gal on the Town McClinton

Goodbye, St. Peter's...

2011-05-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

It happens every day. Some days I am more aware of it than others, but every day, nonetheless, my babies grow up more and more and get closer and closer to the day they will spread their wings and fly away.

It may sound melodramatic, but I'll beg for grace: I'm pregnant, and my biggest baby just graduated from pre-school.

I've been emoting about this event all year - I vacillate between pride, fear, excitement, worry, sadness, determined readiness... but it really hit home last Friday. We were picking Kate up from her last day of pre-school. No biggie, right? She'll be back for 3 more years. But Jordan looked down at Avery as we were walking to Kate's room and asked her, "Avery, are you going to miss this school next year when you don't come here anymore?"

And it hit me. Avery will no longer consider those hallways familiar. She is not a pre-schooler any more. She is my grade-school child. And it is so, so bittersweet.

I am so thankful for Avery's pre-school experience. And Avery is going to rock Kindergarten with eagerness, intelligence, and a pocketful of attitude. I know she's ready. It's just that I sent a little girl to pre-school every day for the last 3 years. When did she grow up? Isn't the cliche of time flying prevalent enough to encourage me to stop and soak it all up? But even when I did... she kept growing.

And I am so proud that she did.

One thing I did, somewhat flippantly and for no real reason, is sign Avery up for half-days on Fridays and Kate up for full days. I couldn't have guessed that this would turn out to be such a precious, precious time for Avery and I (and, as often as possible, Daddy too). This past Friday, as we shared our final Friday lunch date, I praised God for the extra hours we got to spend every week. Next year, she'll be a big kid in 5 full days at school. But this year, I got to have those extra hours, once a week, to know my big girl.

St. Peter's gifted us with such a special parting gift - both girls received photo albums from the year, chronicalling their days. I'm so glad they did, because this Momma has looked over those pictures 100 times in the last week, reveling in each moment that my girls have been blessed to experience. And there are two pictures in particular of the girls meeting up at the playground that may go down in McClinton family history as my favorite photos of them of all time. It is so sweet to get a glimpse of their love for each other outside of our familiar environment.

Avery girl, I've loved watching you take St. Peter's by storm. In just a few months, I'll get to watch you embrace your new school, "the Stanley Horses". There's no doubt, you were born to fly.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Mayfest!

2011-05-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend, my gymnastics class got to show off some of our skills to our families. For about a month, we've been working on a dance to warm up with. Sometimes I paid really close attention and sometimes... sometimes I was more interested in the new decorations going up. But on performance day, Nana and DD said they were really impressed with my dance and with my skills. Just like in anything in life, some of the skills are really fun and easy for me (jumps into the pit and the 'high bars' included) and some are mostly just fun for now... I'm sure I'll get better and better at them if I keep practicing (trampoline and 'squat ons' are in that group).

Of the whole year of gymnastics and our Mayfest this weekend, I told Mom that the thing I remember most is the Purple People Eater dance and my favorite thing of gymnastics was getting flowers from Nana and DD and a shiny trophy from my coaches. Never mind all of the skills... flowers, a trophy, and a funny song will win me over every time.

Watch out, Shawn Johnson! Here I come!

Click here for pictures from Mayfest

Love,

Avery Gymnast McClinton

Mommy's Garden

2011-05-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

This year for Mother's Day, I decided Mommy needed a flower garden. Daddy thought it might make more sense for us to get her a vegetable garden instead. So, for about a month, I've been making big plans for the garden. I've tried to blow the secret to Mommy so many ways: telling her it'll take a while to really get her present because it will have to grow, whispering about it to Hannah in carpool... and finally blowing it completely the day before Mother's Day.

I had so much fun with Daddy at Home Depot picking out the plants and getting the garden all ready. Daddy let me pick, and I chose: an orange tree, zucchini seeds, bell pepper seeds, sugar snap pea seeds, 3 kinds of tomatoes, a watermelon vine, a jalapeño plant, and three herbs. Mommy has quite the garden now, and Daddy says he'll help keep it alive since that's not something Mommy has ever done well before.

We celebrated Mother's Day also with our first swim of the season and breakfast and presents with Nana. It was such a special weekend. I think I love Mother's Day as much as Mommy does!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love,

Avery Green Thumb McClinton

Ready for Reese?

2011-05-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Mommy is getting bigger and bigger! In about 10 weeks, Reese will be here. It seems like a long time still, but Mommy is quick to point out it's third trimester. Who knows what that means, but I do know we're all busy getting ready.

Avery and I are processing what this baby really means for our family. Some days are good days (I say, "I love Baby Reese soooo much!") and some days are not ("Daddy love Reese? Daddy love Kate? But Daddy love Reese?").

The story's the same for Eggie. Sometimes she likes to tell her friends about the baby and invite them over to hold her. Sometimes she's not so sure. After leaving a friend's first birthday this weekend, Mommy asked Avery what sort of party we should have for Reese next year when she has her first party. Eggie said, "An at-home party. She can't invite anyone and she will have to take a nap the whole time." She stood firm on the theme until she realized she might also have to take a nap at a stay-home-no-friends-nap party.

Mommy and Daddy are busy getting ready too. We've been redoing our bedroom and painting Reese's room. Mommy's been on a list-checking-off kick (she called it nesting but I don't get it). Daddy is even doing his own special thing for baby Reese... he's home brewing beer to pass out at her birth rather than cigars. The process is a long one, but it's going well and as soon as we're more certain of her birth date, he's even custom ordering her labels. Avery and I didn't get our own beers, so I guess being the last baby isn't all about being ignored and shuffled into the mix after all!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love,

Kate "Too Cute to Be a Middle Child" McClinton

Easter Overload

2011-04-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

There seem to be two types of people in the world... the kind of people who can't say no to a good time and the type of people who balance their activities a bit. Mommy and Daddy both lean towards a good time whenever there's one to be had, and it makes for a very fun, full holiday celebration.

We celebrated Easter thoroughly. We had parties, family, friends, egg hunts galore, confetti eggs, cookies, cake pops, cake, candy, a road trip, late nights, skipped naps... the fun just kept going and going.

To be sure, I loved every single second of Easter fun. It's just that at the end of it all, when the parties are over and the eggs are all found and the confetti is all over the many yards we cracked them in, sometimes I'm a little tired. Sister and I have found two different ways of coping.

For Avery, the best way to express Easter Overload is to scream. Avery was the picture of perfection the entire week - sweet and loving, obedient. But when she's done... she tells us all. Suddenly, it would seem that obedience or politeness would do her in, and instead of giving in to sleep, she'd cry over and over, "I want to stop crying! I want to stop crying!" This can last for hours. Amazing.

I find the way Avery handles exhaustion to be... well, exhausting. Instead, I'd crawl in Mommy's lap and say, "I wan' go home. I tire." And then I'd sleep. It took me most of yesterday afternoon and today to recover, but I find my way works well. I'm already feeling 100% again and was able to keep Avery awake tonight after lights out with lots of questions.

Avery may still need a little time to catch up on sleep, but we both agree... the Easter fun was WORTH IT!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK (Not included: Avery's school party... only party moms go and it wasn't our turn)

Love,

Kate "I not Bunny Foo Foo... I Kate!" McClinton

Camping Trip 2011

2011-04-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

We got home from Vegas right in time for the annual Rowdy Rebel camping trip. We missed it last year, but Mommy says we'll never miss again - too much fun and togetherness to skip out on! It was the perfect way to unwind after Las Vegas, and being with my original playgroup is always a blast!

I loved some parts of camping. I loved getting in the water and when we were on the boat. I loved having my friends so close (Hannah and Cole were right next door!) and when me and Kate readed books.

Some parts weren't my favorite. I didn't like the bugs. They were everywhere! I didn't like when we went so fast on the boat that the wind pulled my lollipop right out of my hands! (And according to Mommy and Miss Ella's screams, they didn't like the fast boat either... sorry, Daddy!)

Click here for pictures of the trip!

Love,

Avery Outdoor Pro McClinton

From Riches to Rags...

2011-04-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

(Sort of)

This week we spent Sunday through Thursday in Vegas and then camped with some precious friends Friday through the next Sunday. We literally flew in from one type of vacation and drove straight to a very, very different kind of vacation (blog about camping coming soon).

Jordan has been back and forth to Vegas repeatedly for work, and this time we hopped the plane with him to see the sights of Vegas. It was my first time there, and we decided this was perfect timing for our little family of four to get away one last time before Reese joins the crew.

The time in Vegas was so special, despite not being a place meant for young children. It was the only trip where I've been alone with the girls for so much time with no agenda but to be together, and I will absolutely cherish the memories of watching them interact, being totally available to them (no dishes! no laundry!), and of the way the girls lit up when Daddy got home from his trainings each night (it meant two wonderful things: Daddy was here AND the real excitement of the day was about to begin). For an impromptu 'babymoon', the week couldn't have been better suited in terms of family adventure and loving on each other.

We have a little family tradition for trips. Each girl gets a folder full of blank paper and uses the pages to draw and dictate the important parts of the vacation. Vegas is such an interesting place, and I thought the girls did a pretty accurate job telling about it in their books. So, without further ado, Vegas, as seen by a 2 and 4 year old.

Sunday:

The flight in, by Avery (apparently she has inherited her parents' anxiety about flying... note the 'bumpy' part of the picture at bottom right).

Monday:

Watching tv, by Avery (even with all of the activities, what struck Avery the most was that Mommy loosened her belt some on tv watching time).

Tuesday:

(We did this both Mon. and Tues.)

Swimming with Daddy at the pool, by Kate (the artistry is nothing compared to the sound effects that went into drawing this pic).

Wednesday:

Avery's impression of Vegas (I think she was drawing the view out of our window - strip to the right and desert to the left, but isn't this true on so, so many levels?)

Thursday:

Things Kate thought were important: lions from MGM, the trains we rode (so many of them), and froggies (which we asked her where they were from, and she replied, "Nowhere. I just yike them.")

Click here for more pictures from the girls' books as well as actual photos!

The Cat Came Back...

2011-04-03T21:09:00.001-07:00

This week, we had a little adventure with a stray kitty. What follows is a series of emails I sent a friend of mine as the drama unfolded.

Tuesday, 9:57 am:

"If you need me, call my cell bc Avery wants to play in the front yard with the cat. Haha. Jordan's arch nemesis is a 5 lb feline."

Tuesday, 10:08 am

"So the cat's been in our backyard and he just threw it over the fence and it hopped back over with a little meow. His face. Oh I am so happy right now. Hehe."

Tuesday, 10:37 am

"The battle lines have been drawn. The cat and the girls. The dogs and the dad (and unlikely union, but desperate times lead to desperate measures).

The only neutral party is the mom. (Can she be called 'neutral' if she laughs at every encounter?)

Who will win? The fight is on. For the love of a cat...

This is the best.day.ever. Well, not really, but I am thoroughly enjoying watching this play out. Recently, Jordan sighed heavily, said, "Oh geez. Oh heavens," picked up the camera, and took pictures of the girls holding the cat. You think he's already to acceptance?"

Tuesday, 11:38 am

"The cat tried to eat my kids' lunches and scared Eggie. Jordan took it in a car to the other side of the neighborhood. When he got home, he said, "If that cat finds it's way back here, it can stay," with a smug grin. Poor kitty was obviously hungry but it crossed a line. Ha. The story won't be complete unless the cat shows up at our home again tomorrow. I'm seriously not sure if I'm pulling for it because it'd make a better story or if I really don't want it to because I'm not a fan of cats...."

The cat never showed up again. I guess he found a new home to love and feed him for a bit...

Click here for pictures of the week, including the cat, Easter with Mimi and Papa, and Katy Folk Life Festival

Itty Bitty Kitty

2011-03-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

The thing Mommy says most to me (after "I love you", of course) is, "Kate, I can't understand you." Mommy says it so much that she called some nice ladies to come see if I needed something called Speech Therapy. I don't, Mom just needs to listen more carefully.

While they were here, the nice ladies noticed some things about me. They told Mommy that my 'failure to thrive' could be because I have poor core strength and that makes me fatigue easily when I eat. If this is the truth, which is likely, then I have probably dealt with it since birth and it explains why I never eat much. They told Mommy that I probably only eat until the hunger pain goes away, but never until I'm full (I'm not telling!) because it's so much work. They also said they wanted to help me strengthen my jaw and chewing muscles since I probably never developed those either.

Miss Mary Ann, my nutritionist, comes and weighs me and teaches Mommy how to hide fats in my food. Chocolate milk?? No complaints! I gained 1/2 a pound in two week's time, which she said was good since I'm growing. But average weight gain for my age is 1-2 pounds a week. We still have some work to do.

Miss Darlene, my Occupational Therapist, is a rock star around here. She lets Eggie help me during the practice sessions and brings really fun things to do. I get to make funny faces, play with party blowers, use a straw to make bubble volcanoes, and chew gum sometimes! Mommy thinks she's a rock star, too, because this week she helped me with a major life milestone.

I've never put a piece of bread in my mouth. I refuse to let it near my plate. If something looks like bread or if Eggie tells me it's like bread, I refuse it. I will NOT do bread. (Miss Darlene says it's probably because it is hard to chew once it starts to break down in my mouth.) This week, Miss Darlene asked Mommy for a piece of bread. As soon as I saw it, I said: "Kate NO do!" But Miss Darlene is smart. She took the bread and made tiny balls out of it. Then she used a straw and stabbed the bread. She asked me to practice chewing it and acted like it was just gum or something else. I did it! And then... I swallowed it! Mommy and Daddy stood by and cheered while Miss Darlene helped me eat a bunch of bread balls. It was such a proud moment for all of us!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love,

Kate "No Do It!" McClinton

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-21T09:19:00.001-07:00

During Spring Break, Daddy traveled on business, so that left Kate, me and Mommy home together... for 5 long days. I had to be creative about what I was planning to do with our time. I wanted it to be memorable.

So, I started on the first night Daddy was gone. I woke up at 1:30 am and demanded to call Daddy. Unreasonable as she is, Mommy told me no. So I turned on all the lights upstairs, woke up Kate, and had a little playtime. It took Mommy about an hour to realize I wasn't singing myself back to sleep before she came up and cut the play time short. Spoil sport!

Next, we got to pet-sit Mitzi and Rascal for Nana and DD. I thought it'd be fun to send Mitzi down our new slide. Mom is so boring... she said no more of that and instigated an 'ask before you touch' rule for the dogs. Luckily, she's not always watching me, and therefore doesn't always know if I'm obeying or not.

Things were starting to get more exciting, but just to be sure, I decided to style and cut my Barbie's hair. Mommy disciplined me for 'being destructive'. This was absolutely unacceptable. Who does she think she is? I figured out the perfect way to show her... I gave Kate bangs! That should teach Mommy to think she's the boss of me. (Except she somehow came up with a consequence for my actions that put her back in the driver's seat... how does she do that?!?)

We had had almost enough fun... almost. For my grand finale, I had to plan something really awesome. The plan worked perfectly!

After I got in bed Saturday night, I heard Mommy searching the house, calling Mitzi's name. I heard her call Daddy and frantically tell him to hurry home from the grocery store because Mitzi had run away. I heard her take the flashlight out to the street and yell for Mitzi. When Mommy finally realized that there was no way Mitzi could have gotten out of an open door and she couldn't find a spot where Mitzi had dug out, I knew my gig was up. Mom came upstairs. It went like this:

Mom: "Avery, is Mitzi in here with you?"

Avery: "No, she's in the cabinet."

Mom: "What??? She's where???"

Avery: "She's in the cabinet. The one I play in. I put her in there earlier today."

Mom (as she sprints downstairs): "You did WHAT?!?"

Sure enough, there was Mitzi, covered in her own urine, hiding in the cabinet in the kitchen. I'd say she was in there a good 3-5 hours before that little game played itself out (Mitzi seemed happy as ever...amazingly). Mommy wondered why Mitzi didn't try to get out or bark the whole time she was in there, and DD says maybe it's because it was one of the only places Mitzi actually felt safe.

Mitzi and Rascal are safe at their home now. I'm back to school and 'real' life. But I think I did a pretty good job of making this a Spring Break to remember!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,

Avery 'Mischievous but not Downright Evil' McClinton

Taking Mommy to School

2011-03-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

This week, I got to take Mommy to school for a few hours to show her what it's like to be a Panda. I showed her how to play in the music and science centers, how to make a boot art project, how to sort colors, and what we do in circle time. I especially liked sharing with Mommy just how smart I am. Avery is such a smart (and loud) girl that it's easy for me to sometimes be overshadowed. But, in my own classroom, with my peer group, Mommy could really see and enjoy all of my many strengths: I know my colors, my gender, how to wash my hands all by myself, and I'm really good at the fine-motor skill of picking stickers off of a page. Mommy was proud, and I was proud!

Soon, Avery will get to celebrate her half-birthday with a lunch date at school. She delicately looked at Mommy, and with a super sweet voice, asked, "Mommy, do you think on my half birthday, Daddy can bring me lunch... instead of you?" It's her half birthday, so Avery gets what Avery wants - Daddy and mac and cheese from Willie's.

Taking Mom and Dad to school... super special!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

Love,

Kate Panda Class McClinton

Things That Kept Us Busy This Week

2011-03-07T15:21:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to tell about this week. I really don't think I can cut any of them out. So, here is a list of the things that kept us busy this week:

1. Fish

This week, the fish that have been living in our house for less than a month have multiplied. One afternoon, Jordan found babies swimming along the bottom of the tank. After googling "Molly fish babies", we learned that Molly fish (we have two) almost always leave the pet store pregnant and can have 12-15 fish a month for up to 6 months even without a mate. So far, we have 11 baby Mollies, but there is no telling how much excitement the next few months will hold. It would figure that we ended up with very fertile fish. The *little* idea of getting fish for the girls for Valentine's Day has turned into quite the situation, with a separate baby net in the tank and everything.

2. Growing a baby

And I do mean growing a baby. I am rapidly expanding. I ended up taking the advanced track on pregnancy weight gain and am roughly double the recommended weight for my stage of pregnancy (I'm mirroring about what I gained with Avery). Baby Girl is almost 1 pound now and has begun moving enough to let Jordan occasionally get a kick.

Baby Girl also has a name. She will be Reese Suzanne. Reese is derived from Theresa, Jordan's oldest living relative (and Reese's great-great grandmother!). She is the matriarch of the McClinton side of the family and we are thrilled to have the chance to honor such a fun-loving, welcoming bunch of folks. Suzanne is after my sister's middle name, which we feel is fitting - Reese's gift to us and our gift to her is sisterhood, and it seems appropriate to name her after the very same gift I've enjoyed throughout my life - my sister.

Avery seems excited about Reese and has big plans to wake up when she cries at night to feed her. Kate has taken to lifting up my shirt, yelling, "Oh, Reese!", and spanking my stomach repeatedly.

Baby Reese deserves her own blog post. Maybe she'll get one soon... riiiiight.

3. Avery's animal obsession

Recently Avery has become obsessed with Dottie. Dottie has never been highly favored in this home... until recently. As Jordan and I have said, anyone that my beloved loves becomes my beloved. So, in retribution for Dottie's endless hours of being chased, pounced on and drug around, we repay her with love and acceptance. We think the worst part of this current obsession is that she cannot get away - if she hides in her dog bed, Avery will drag it across the floor, Dottie in tow. It's a dog's life.

Avery and Kate stayed their first night with Popi and Mimi recently and Avery was in absolute heaven. Their dogs are very friendly to children and the dogs would allow Avery to hold them, rub them, and attack them with sweetness for hours on end.

4. Floors

Jordan has been hard at work on upgrading our dog-dirty carpet to new wood floors all week. With a LOT of help from his dad and mine, the progress has been amazing. I cannot believe what a difference the new flooring makes.

Our home is currently in absolute disarray... furniture everywhere and a thin layer of dust covering everything. By the end of this week, my nesting can go into overtime and I can clean and arrange to my heart's content. I'm so, so thankful for the hard work of the men in our lives this week and for the difference the floors are going to make in our home.

5. The Great Ooh Ooh Rescue

On the way to school today, we had the car windows down. Kate's beloved lovey, Ooh Ooh, somehow took a dive out the window. Kate, Avery and Hannah were all devastated, so I promised to circle back and get him on the way home. Sure enough, once we dropped off the older girls and headed back down Kingsland, I found Ooh Ooh in the middle of the street. We pulled over, put on the hazards, and then watched as no less than 10 cars ran Ooh Ooh over. Once the cars had cleared, I was able to dart out and get the treasured Ooh Ooh. He looks none the worse for wear - no skid marks or dirt. Kate was proud to get the guy back and couldn't wait to tell Daddy all about the adventure: "Ooh Ooh fly 'way! Out window!"

If we stay this busy on an average week with 2 kids, I have no idea what to expect with 3! It'll be a ride worth sharing, I'm sure.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

The Great Outdoors

2011-02-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

It feels so warm outside and we've been loving every second of the outdoor time. Great Outdoors, we've missed you!

Kate and I like to play Sleeping Family outside (Mom's not sure how this one originated or why it has to happen outside, but she's not arguing). We also had some sand in the sandbox last week, but Kate threw it all out onto the ground. I consider this to be intolerable!

Since the weather was so beautiful last weekend, and since Daddy's home improvement project has been put off another week (back orders from Lowe's), we had a beach day on Saturday! We got to go feed the seagulls, chase Daddy on the beach, build sandcastles, make sand angels, collect sea shells, and dip our toes in the cold water. It was so much fun! Mom had big plans for trying out her new camera on the scenic Strand, but as it turns out, we were there on Mardi Gras weekend and the crowds weren't worth the effort for us. That was fine by me... the beach was all I really cared about!

After Galveston, we spent more time outside - in Nana and DD's sandbox and in their hot tub. Being outdoors is so much fun!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,

Avery "Outside at Long Last" McClinton

Fish!

2011-02-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

For Valentine's Day, my Daddy bought me fish!

More accurately, for Valentine's Day, Daddy took me to the pet store, where they told him he couldn't buy fish until the tank had been set up for a week. So, he let me and Eggie pick out tank decorations (a turtle for me and a castle for Eggie, and a bunch of fake plants). Daddy decided to buy two 'tester' fish (19 cent goldfish) that night, too, since we were both so set on getting fish.

Setting up the tank was so special. And it was exciting to let the tester fish go into the tank. They stayed alive that evening - but didn't make it until the morning. Avery accepted their passing well, but I was a puddle. Daddy had to console me and promise me more fish soon. Even still, it was a hard blow to take.

That night, Mommy reheated leftovers for her dinner. Eggie asked what it was; Mommy answered that it was fish. Eyes wide as saucers, I whimpered, "Like like like like Kate-Kate's fish?" Mommy quickly explained that this is a different kind of fish. She says she'd never eat one of my pets, but I am watching her carefully.

Several days later, we got more 'tester' fish. Two "Mickey Mouse" fish. I named mine Mickey Mouse Club House and Eggie's is Cupcake (we picked the names all by ourselves). The next morning, I ran straight to the tank when I woke up and yelled, "Still 'live! Still 'live!" Since they made it in the tank, we got to pick out two more fish: a black one named Molly for me and a spotted one named Perdi for Eggie (Daddy's name suggestions).

Mommy and Daddy are glad they set the bar so low, because every morning when I check on the fish, it is a joyful occasion and the chance to yell, "Still 'live!"

Click here for Pictures of the fish and a super fun cousin park day

Love,

Kate 'Like My Fish?' McClinton

Daddy is My Valentine!

2011-02-14T15:18:00.000-08:00

I love Daddy. I mean, I love love Daddy.

When we eat dinner at night, we talk about our highs and lows from the day. About once a week, the question goes like this:

"Katie, what was your happy part today?"

"Ummm... see Daddy!"

I just love the guy. When Mommy and Daddy showed up to pick me up from Nana and DD's house this weekend, I squealed and ran for a big Daddy hug. Later, Mommy asked me to come see her (I ignored her until she called me over), and I walked over, stuck out my tongue, and started "plft"ing at her.

And... whenever Mommy tells me she loves me today, I answer her, "I love Baby!"

I'm not worried about hurting Mommy's feelings. She laughs at me when I tease her like this and she seems to think this is just another funny stage. We'll see about that!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love, Kate "Daddy's Girl" McClinton

Sometimes, Mommy Can be a Hassle...

2011-02-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

Mommy is full of ideas that seem fun... to her. To Daddy, they sound like a lot of extra (needless) work. Usually, Mommy and Daddy are both right.

Like the time she decided we needed deer feeder corn in the sand and water table. It was super fun... and it was everywhere! There are lots and lots of birds that hang out in our yard now. And the corn got spread all throughout the living room and stuck in our vacuum cleaner... which made it stop working for a while.

Then came the idea to put the playdough and our coffee table in the carpeted craft room. Playdoh that gets trampled into the carpet and dries... not removable.

And the many, many bits of cut up tissue paper to use in gluing and decorating... all over the floor, stuck to the bottom of our feet... everywhere you look, there are little squares of tissue paper. Was it fun? Yes. Is it a total disaster in our home? Yes!

Sometimes, Mommy smiles timidly at Daddy and asks if he knew what he was getting into when he married her. He always reminds Mommy that on the third day of knowing her, she ran a car into a light pole and totalled a car. He knew exactly what he was doing.... for better or worse!

Click here for pictures of the week

Love, Avery

Weekend Fun

2011-01-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

This weekend, Mom and Dad gave me four choices for activities: go to the zoo, the Children's Museum, Nana and DD's house, or have Hannah over for a playdate.

After thinking for a little while, I asked Mommy, "Does Nana still have a food dehydrator? Because I really want to go to her house and make raisins."

Mommy called Nana, who, alas, did not still have a food dehydrator. I came up with what I thought was a good compromise: Nana and DD's house on Friday, and playdate with Hannah and Abigail on Saturday. Mommy agreed, but I think she was a little surprised that I didn't pick the zoo or Children's Museum... a girl knows what she wants!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK (and a super cute video of Kate)

Love,

Avery

Life with a Bunk Bed, the Progression

2011-01-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

Week One: Everyone falls asleep quickly. No one climbs around or talks after lights out.

Weeks Two and Three: Kate realizes that if she stays awake for about 30 minutes after being put to bed, Avery will come join her. And then the real fun begins. Avery is usually tired, but isn't quite old enough to ignore Kate's taunts. Kate climbs the bunk bed ladder, claims she needs hugs, to potty, or a tissue. And new last night: Ooh Ooh, the puppy lovey, sings and barks until Avery yells for Mommy or Daddy to come help. Sometimes Kate will come out of her room to tell us, "Mommy...? Daddy...? Kate ah' done in beh."

It's no problem to stay up late for Kate, since she's been taking 3 hour naps every day to make up for the lack of sleep. Avery, who no longer naps, is pretty tired by the end of the day these days. But, still, three weeks in, there is nothing sweeter than the mornings. Whoever wakes up first begins to sing to the other sister, "Ka-a-ate? (Or: Ehhhh-ggggy?) Are you ready to wake up?" over and over until there is a response. And then the two of them climb to the top bunk and spend the next 10-20 minutes reading, playing Leapster, or giggling together. It's beauty.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Nana and DD's Big Day

2011-01-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

Every year for Mother's Day and Father's Day, Nana and DD get a gourmet meal prepared by the entire family. Since Trey and Erin live so far away, it almost always happens months and months after the actual days of celebration, so that they can be in town for it.

This year, the theme was Iron Chef. Nana and DD picked an ingredient for each course and the guys squared off against the girls in a course-by-course competition. Nana and DD were the fair and impartial judges, with score cards and everything.

Even though Kate and Avery kept everyone busy, Amelia was scared of Trey and needed her Mommy the whole time, and one of the chefs had to stop for her mid-day pregnancy nap, things went off without a hitch (unless one meal prepared in 6 hours is considered a hitch).

The guys presented Avocado Critters for appetizer, Spinach-stuffed lamb for the main meal, and Bananas Foster for dessert. The girls countered with Avocado Bisque, Spinach-Almond Pesto on Bow-Tie Pasta with chicken and veggies, and a strong (but amazing) Rum Creme Brule. The competition was tight - a one-point victory! (There was some discussion on if the ladies were to be deducted points for having the judge - DD himself - grill the chicken for us...)

Next year, there is some discussion of if we can pull off a six-course meal again (with four kids instead of three!), but everyone agreed, it was a fun, delicious way to honor everyone's favorite matriarch and patriarch.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Big Bunk Bed!

2011-01-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

(Our big news, as told by Kate:)

"Kay-Kay-Kay-Kay New Bed! Kate-Kate boh'um. Eggie toh bonk."

In other words, this week we got a new bunk bed! Kate sleeps on the bottom, and I sleep on top. Mommy and Daddy are rearranging and redecorating the whole upstairs. The game room is all done (the rest of the house is in process).

My old, purple room is being used to hold a bunch of stuff right now. Kate and I both live in the pink room now - in bunk beds! Mommy is working on making my room a Fancy Nancy "flowers and butterflies" room. She says it's going to take a long time and Daddy is going to paint some, but this week we got all new furniture and got to put all of our clothes and toys away in our new room! I love to play Rapunzel on my top bunk and use my lovey as my long hair. Mommy gets to be Mother Gothel and Kate gets to be Flynn. The fun never stops in a room with new furniture!

Two special things happened when I started sharing a room with Kate. I get to spend nap time on the couch playing my Leapster Explorer instead of staying in my room, and now at night time, I get to do something important with Mommy or Daddy for while after Kate gets in bed. Some nights I watch a show with Daddy, some nights I fold laundry or sort toys with Mommy, and some nights, we color or play Play-Doh. Mommy says it's to let Kate fall asleep, but some nights she just plays and waits for me to come to bed. Those nights are especially fun - we chat and sing to each other until we can't keep our eyes open anymore.

Sharing a room with sister is so much fun!

Click Here for Pictures of the Week

Love,

Avery and Kate "Bunk Bed Buddies" McClinton

About a Baby

2011-01-02T19:01:00.000-08:00

About our bonus baby, that is.

This summer, Jordan and I started feeling a sense of completeness, like our precious family of four was everything we could've asked for. The decision to be done having kids is a huge one, so we began praying that we'd know what to do, and specifically, that God would protect us from making a decision that was outside of His will for us.

We became completely settled in the idea of calling it quits, and even started planning our future around a family of four. But, God is gracious to us and answered our prayers. In November, to our absolute shock, we found out we are expecting our third baby (due July 21st). What a blessing to know without a doubt that this baby belongs in our family, and that nothing - not even us making up our minds to the contrary - would've stopped her (or him) from joining us. Praise the Lord for His wisdom in our lives!

In about two years, I am likely going to sit down and attempt to make this baby a scrapbook. I won't remember anything, though, so this is my attempt at chronicling the first trimester memories I am sure to lose.

This first trimester has been blessedly less intense than the other two. I still struggle with illness, but it is not nearly as all-encompassing as it was with Avery and Kate. The flip side to that, though, is that it lingered about double the time. Less intense for longer is still a win in my book, so I can barely complain.

I was worried a little about being sick during the holidays, but as it turns out, the timing was an immense blessing. I have been able to lean heavily - and I mean heavily - on my family - my sister, parents, grandparents, and of course, husband - during this time. It worked out beautifully for me to be too ill to manage a meal when my kids were well loved, cared for, and distracted by my amazing family. I kept telling my sister I hope to pay her back someday...

We'll go in to meet the baby via ultrasound this upcoming Friday. Now that first trimester exhaustion has begun to wane, I am all abuzz about rearranging the upstairs, combining the girls' room and redecorating, and preparing the way for all things baby to come out of the attic.

The most common comment we receive when people find out that we're pregnant again is something along the lines of, "Fingers crossed for your boy this time!" We feel pretty strongly that if God has given us this baby, He knows much better than we do what gender our baby should be. If every good and perfect gift is from the Father of Lights (which it is), then who are we to hope for one gender over another? And how could we look at the beauty He has given us in our first two children and not delight in the thought of another one of them? Which is to say, we are excited to know the gender (hopefully by February) and plan to walk whatever road God has called us to with excitement, joy, and His full equipping.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

A Christmas Conversation

2010-12-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

Kate (while watching Avery stir cupcake batter): "Why, Eggie?"

Avery: "So we can make cupcakes for Jesus' birthday."

Kate: "Why, Eggie?"

Avery: "Because Christmas is when Jesus was born."

Kate: "Why, Eggie?"

Avery: "Because He came to save the world."

Kate: "Why, Eggie?"

Avery: "Well, because He didn't want the world to break in half."

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM CHRISTMAS WEEK

A Tale of Two Families...

2010-12-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite family traditions is enjoying a character breakfast and then the Kid's Crazy Christmas Show at Second Baptist Church. This year, we ended up with two extra tickets to the breakfast and so Avery and Kate got to invite their BFFs Hannah and Abigail. It was such a fun morning of vast differences...

When we first arrived, Hannah, Avery, and Abigail sprinted through the parking lot to hug Avery's Nana. Abby went immediately to DD and let him hold her while we waited in line. When the characters began to appear, Hannah and Abby pressed their noses to the glass, trying to get a better view. Kate grabbed Daddy tightly and yelled, "Go 'way, 'noman!"

During the breakfast, Kate and Avery chose to avert eye contact and cover their faces with napkins when the characters came around. They were persuaded to take one picture with the Snowman, as long as Nana and DD were holding them. Hannah and Abigail, on the other hand, walked around the room, finding more and more characters to pose with. They even went up on the stage and took a picture with Santa! (To be fair to Kate, she warmed up some and waved at the characters as long as she was safe in Nana's arms.)

During the puppet show, Avery chose to sit down with the rest of the children for the first time ever. I was concerned that she might get scared, but Hannah put her loving, protective arms around Avery and all was well!

It was so much fun to have Hannah and Abby along for the trip - Avery and Kate loved their company, and I got to experience the breakfast in a whole new way from years past with my two children, Timid and Shy!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

In Sickness and In Health...

2010-12-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

This week, Avery was sick, sick, sick! For two days straight, she laid on the couch, moaned, complained of a stomach, tooth, and headache, and generally was absolutely miserable. Poor Avery even felt so bad that she fell asleep on the examining room table at the doctor's office! I didn't understand why she wasn't playing with me and why Mommy would tell me no when I tried to sing to her and kiss her on the couch.

Luckily, Daddy was home this week and Mommy was still able to take me to Little Gym and other fun Kate time things. I got to help shop for Christmas and had lots of quality time with whichever parent wasn't in the sick room (usually Mommy... I gather that Daddy is the nurturing one when we're sick).

Avery didn't really feel well for most of the week, but luckily she perked right up in time for us to go to school Friday and in time for weekend fun. On Friday, I had my Panda Class Christmas party that both Mommy and Daddy got to come to. Then, to give tired parents a break after a long week of sick, Nana and DD hosted us for a sleepover. To end the healthy weekend, we went to our annual Rowdy Rebel Christmas party at Clay's. They had leftover snow from their Snow Day, and even though Avery told Daddy, "It's not snow, Daddy. It's dirty ice," in the end, she came around and we had a blast.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,

Kate "The Picture of Health" McClinton

Mommy's Birthday!

2010-12-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

This week we celebrated Mommy's birthday. I decided a few weeks ago that I really wanted to make Mommy a fondant cake and it had to have flowers. We were pressed for time on Saturday, so Mommy baked the cake while we shopped for the ingredients for the fondant. When I found out Mommy was making her own cake, I was deeply bothered. "But she can't make her own cake! It's her birthday!" Mommy assured me it was okay, Daddy helped me decorate the cake, and in the end, it turned out faaaaaan-cy.

I also told Mommy that I thought we should go ice-skating for her birthday. One time around the rink and I was done with the heavy shoes, but Katie had a blast going around with Daddy (especially when he picked her up and skated super fast).

On Sunday, we got to eat the cake and celebrate with Mommy some more. Kate caught Nana singing, "Happy Birthday, Jesus... I'm so glad it's Christmas..." and had a stern word for her: "No no, Nana! Mommy 'Irh-day!"

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK (including Daddy's trip to Vegas)

Love,

Avery Professional Birthday Celebrator McClinton

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

We're thankful for...

*An Aggie win! Whoop!

*Chalk:

*Family:

*Pecans!

*Gingerbread houses and traditions:

*Aunt Erin and her amazing photography:

*God's amazing blessings. He continues to be more gracious and more gentle to our family than we could ever hope or expect. And Thank You, Jesus, for the most important... and amazing... gift of all!

*So, so much happiness... CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THANKSGIVING

Changes!

2010-11-23T05:57:00.000-08:00

It's been a big week of changes in our house:

*On Friday, I came home from school with one pigtail in tact. The other pigtail... well, I had used Free Play time at school to give myself some striking layers. I cut my hair into four different lengths! Mom and Dad gave me a haircut to even it out, and now I have a cute little bob.

*On Sunday, Nana and DD took us shopping for a new bed for Kate. She's getting big enough to not stay in her crib anymore, and I thought it would be super cool to pick out bunk beds so we could sleep in the same room together. Kate found her favorite bed right away - a crib - and kept climbing into it. Despite her wishes, we all found and agreed on a bed that is just right for sharing sisters. It's not ready to come to my home yet, but soon, I will get to sleep with Kit every night if I want.

*Yesterday we went to go pick out a new car. Our 11-year-old Pathfinder has been amazing to us, but with a road trip coming up and with Daddy about to leave town for more travelling, Daddy said he'd feel safer if we just went ahead and made the trade. Four hours later (with everyone being patient and happy except one very tired Momma), we have a new car with a special sunroof just for me! I told Mom, "I like this car, but I wish we would have gotten the mini-van." Mom told me she'd be more than happy to buy me a mini-van if it's what I want when I turn 16. She better be careful - I may hold her to it!

Click here for pictures from the week

Love,

Avery Big Change McClinton

Fancy Nancy!

2010-11-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

Guess who I got to meet? The illustrator from Fancy Nancy!!

Mommy says she's met authors before, but never anyone as fancy as Robin Preiss Glasser! Miss Robin showed up in the fanciest dress I've ever seen, and she had special stickers and glitter for all of our faces. She showed us how to curtsey and let us practice walking with a banana on our heads... you know, because that's how you practice walking like a model.

Mommy let me pick my outfit, and I looked exactly like Fancy Nancy would've if she was a real live girl. Mommy picked Katie's outfit, and she looked more like a picturesque Fancy Nancy. Nana and DD came, and just like in the book, they got fancy too! We got to eat at a posh restaurant afterwards and I made comments all night like, "This cake is delectable."

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Love,

Fancy Avery

San Antonio with These Two

2010-11-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

This weekend, we had a family reunion with the Wales side of the family. Every single one of the 23 member family was in attendance. A few favorite moments from the weekend, as it pertained to the girls:

Avery:

*Avery was so excited to see her "Disney" family and requested that she get to ride with Mimi and Gran on the way up. Mimi and Avery read, told stories, and snacked all the way to San Antonio. She loves her great-grandparents!

*As we were leaving San Antonio, Mimi gave Avery some money. Jordan caught her just as she was about to rip the bill in half. Turns out, she was trying to half it so she could share the money with Katie Beth.

*On the way to San Antonio, we stopped through to pick up Mimi and Gran and drop off the dogs with Nanny. On the way home, we did not. Avery kept asking me how long until we got to Nanny's house. I figured she meant Nana... When we got all of our misunderstandings cleared up and Avery realized we would not be stopping at Nanny's on the way home, she cried big sobs. She wanted to see Nanny's face and hold it - the computer and the phone won't let her do that! Such a sweet heart. Luckily, we'll be back in a few short weeks and a phone call eased the pain after all.

Kate:

*We left Kate's newest froggy stuffed animal in Houston and thought it was okay until it came time to ride the boat. It was the highlight of Kate's trip and she looked at me as we were getting ready and whimpered, "Froggy. Boat. Home!" Sure enough, Froggy wasn't going to get to ride the boat because he was at home. Luckily, Nana purchased a ceramic frog for Kate and he made the trip (in a protective bag), which forgave Mommy for the blunder of leaving Froggy behind.

*After the reunion, we took the girls to the zoo with Trey and Erin before heading home. Kate hid her head from the monkeys and cried when we tried to get her to look at them. For some inexplicable reason, she was terrified of them. However, at our next stop, the Reptile Room, Kate climbed out of her stroller and pushed her face as close to the glass as she could to see the snakes, frog, and lizards. The enormous Reticulated Python was bigger around than Kate, but she thought he was fascinating and loved it when the Komodo Dragon climbed the wall to try to get out of its cage.

*On the way home from the zoo, an exchange:

Kate: "Mommy, ow!"

Me: "Kate, do you have an ow?"

Kate: "Yeah, feeng."

Me: "Your finger hurts?"

Kate: "Bain."

Me: "Why do you need a band-aid?"

Kate: "Aah-gay bit me."

Me: "Kate, I don't buy it. No way an alligator bit you."

She's been finding 'ant bites' all week that need 'bains', and so I guess she thought that it was just as likely that I'd believe an alligator bit her at the zoo.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE TRIP

So Much!

2010-11-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

There was so much this week:

Avery's Costume Parade at School

Kate's Playgroup Halloween Party (complete with Pumpkin Painting)

Avery's Class Fall Party (which Mommy got to be a part of)

Our Rowdy Rebel Halloween Party

Miss Shannon's 30th Birthday, including a Spa Day for Mommy and Shannon and a Surprise Party

Daddy's 31st Birthday, including breakfast in bed, lunch with the fam, a new(ish) Kindle, and Key Lime Pie

Trick or Treating with Nana and DD

And these extra goodies for you:

*Where's Kate?

*All week we talked about helping Daddy carve the pumpkin, but when the time came, apparently the smell was too much and two little girls had to "hide" from the smell behind the wall while Daddy worked... can you find them?

*For about two months, our camera has had really bad resolution in pictures, and we could not figure it out. As it turns out, someone (maybe Avery... maybe Katie...) had turned our camera's preferences to the smallest picture size possible. So, two months' worth of memories will never be able to be printed without a grainy look. So much for assuming that if a camera is water- and shock-proof that it is also child-proof.

*Kate changed costumes 4 times this week (one of which never made it to pictures because she suddenly deemed it too tight). On the night of the Rowdy Rebel party, we were struggling with a weather-appropriate costume for her. Daddy found a random bear/dog costume and as soon as Kate saw it, she lit up: "Kate! Pooh!" She was wholly convinced that she was dressed as Winnie the Pooh. Maybe that is exactly what it was meant to be...?

*We passed a group of people passing out Taquitos to all the adults who were trick-or-treating. Kate, just doing what she had been doing all night, reached up and took one, and started eating it. We thought she had dropped it on the ground after she realized it wasn't candy. In fact, she stuck it in her bucket, and we didn't think much of it until we were digging for candy. Can you find it hiding in the candy basket?

And, because there is always more, click here for more pictures of the week

They Get Me!

2010-10-25T14:21:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I celebrated two years of life. I'm happy to report that after expressing my desires for two years, my family has figured out what I love.

The attention and main stage is best saved for Avery. I prefer lots of fun, some affection, a little bit of an acknowledgement, and a lot of action.

Things my family realized I love and provided for me on my birthday weekend:

*FROGGIES!

*The Aquarium... with a train ride, carousel, my first trip in the ferris wheel, and a horse-drawn carriage ride in "Rella's" carriage

*The Little Gym!

*A handful of precious friends

*Presents and the chance to yell, "Mine! Mine!" every time Sister looks at them.

It was a wonderful, froggyful weekend. Today when I went in for my Little Gym class, I asked Mommy, "Goggy? Poh-eee?" Mommy promised we could do it all again next year... but for now, it's time to guard - I mean enjoy - my presents.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Love,

Katie Beth "Goggy 'Day" McClinton

Expressing Ourselves

2010-10-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

This week, we've been busy making sure we're understood...

Kate (to Avery, on repeat): "Daah Doo, A!" ("I love you, Avery.")

Avery: "Mommy! Daddy! Hurry! Kate is masterly stuck!" (Sure enough, she was.)

Avery (in prayer): "Thank you for everything, thank you for Daddy, and thank you for this blessing I'm praying." (This girl gets that even the capacity to pray is from the Lord.) ;)

It was a super week, with Daddy travelling (and making his return trip a day early!), time with Nana and DD to break up the long, lonely week, a pumpkin pie for Daddy's welcome home present, our Pumpkin Patch visit, Cinco Ranch Homecoming, birthday parties, and butterfly cupcakes!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,

Avery and Kate "Masterly Expressive" McClinton

Best (Ordinary) Week Ever!

2010-10-11T06:45:00.001-07:00

This week was just another ordinary week, except that a few special things made it the best ordinary week of them all.

For one, Daddy was in town! I got a double dose of Daddy this week because he and I had a date to Dad's Night at my school. He got to see what I do all day at class and we painted a frame together.

Then, we got to spend the night at Nana and DD's house this weekend. I was busy having a silly tea party with DD (he makes slurping noises when he sips his tea... I've been counting and can think of 9 reasons that "that DD is crazy"!), but Kate was busy doing her own thing. She has taken after her Daddy and loves all things slimy. She spent a good part of the morning examining a half-salamander that she found.

We also had our Fall Festival at school this week. Amelia and Nana joined us, and we had so much fun! Trains, games, horses, snow cones, a cake walk (that Amelia won!)... what a blast!

We finished up the weekend with a party for Uncle David's birthday and one for Chase's 2nd birthday.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

It was a super-special plain-old week and I am so thankful for the time with Daddy and all the family fun.

Love,

Avery "Fall Festival Queen" McClinton

My Obsession (No Surprises Here)

2010-10-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

Mommy and Avery keep talking about my Froggy Party that I'm going to have later this month. Avery loves parties and Mommy is glad to have a sidekick who will obsess over ribbon colors with her. Since they talk so much about it, I've figured this thing out.

Every time I hear the words, "birthday", "party", or "froggy", I yell, "Goggy Poh-ee!" For example, when Mommy was telling Avery about Miss Steph's going-away party, it was sort of hard for them to hear each other because I wouldn't stop shouting, "Goggy Poh-ee!" When we called Chase to wish him a Happy Birthday this week, I got so excited and couldn't stop yelling... you guessed it! - "Goggy Poh-ee!"

This week, my outfit for the Goggy Poh-ee came in the mail. Mommy let me try it on, but then she tried to take it back off of me! I was forced to yell and scream and cover the froggy on my shirt gingerly to protect him from Mom. I'd hover in a corner and stroke the froggy on my shirt... it was a valiant battle but I finally lost and Mom separated the Goggy and his Kit.

Sometimes I get shy around people, but lately Mommy and Daddy have found my magic button. If I don't want to talk to someone, all they do is say, "Kate, are you having a party?" No matter how shy I am, it is impossible to resist the chance to yell. "Goggy Poh-ee!"

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,

Kate Goggy-Pohee McClinton

PS - Daddy has taken up my cause and is trying to talk Mommy into letting us get a real, live Goggy. He says if it makes me the happiest kid on earth, how could Mommy say no? That Daddy's got my back!

Things I Love

2010-09-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

Things I Love by Kitty Bit

1. Shoes! Always have. Won't go anywhere without my Princess heels or boots.

2. Gunkey, Ooh Ooh, and Baby. All three are mandatory for a good night's sleep.

3. Pacis! Yes, I gave mine up a year ago, but I found a stray at Nana's house and suck on it the entire time I'm there.

4. Frogs. Either I love them, or I hate them. But they reduce me to loud squeals, arm flaps, and spinning circles of joy. Or fear.

5. Sometimes snakes. But Mommy says that's an unmentionable. So I guess they aren't officially on my list.

6. Books. Not so much to read, but pulling off the shelves in loud, satisfying thuds and then looking at the pictures. Awesomeness.

7. Babies. Not real ones, they freak me out. But pretend ones. I love those kind.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

Daddy Traveling

2010-09-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

Daddy started a new job a few months back and, in addition to being exciting and challenging, this new job requires some travel.

A few sure signs that Daddy's traveling has begun:

Avery: "Mommy, last night my dream was about Daddy coming home."

Avery (to Kate): "After tonight is school, and then.... DADDY!"

Avery (to Mommy): "I think it's time to leave Daddy a message on his phone. Again."

Every night, we wrote letters to Daddy to keep him informed of our day's events.

Monday's letter:

Dear Daddy,

The worst part of today was getting shots.

The best part of today was playing with Cole and school. The best part was playing Rapunzel outside. And Cole did something special! He brought the Play-Doh outside and we had it on the bridge part. And we made pizzas. And Rapunzel's was the biggest of all.

I love you! Night night.

Avery

Tuesday's letter:

Dear Daddy,

The worst part of my day was when Miss Steph's dog, Sam, terrorized me while I was trying to eat. Also the worst part of my day was when Miss Ella took pictures of me instead of helping me when I was crying. So what if I'm cute? Help a sister out.

The best part of my day was when Mommy told me I was going to go see Nana and DD. "DD!" "Yes, baby, and who else will we see?" "Nana!"

I love you Daddy!

Katie Beth

Wednesday's letter:

Dear "Daddy",

The worst part of today was when the mean geese cornered me and my tiny Kitty for our bread. Luckily, a Hail Mary pass of the bread to Ella saved the day.

The best part of today was when Luke took out the trash and Adam and Ben cleaned the house and did the dishes while the women took their turn discussing the book. Is it possible that at 30 years of age, I still have yet to take out the trash? Yes, it is. :)

Love,

"Mommy"

Thursday's letter:

Dear Daddy,

The worst part of my week was being trapped on Nana's couch late one night. Nana thought I was with Mommy, Mommy thought I was with Nana, and white kitty thought guarding me as a captive was a good night's work. - Dottie

The best part of my week was commandeering the entire expanse of the bed. With you out of the picture, I am finally free to implement my plan of total bed domination. -Oscar

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM OUR MOST RECENT PHOTO SHOOT WITH Kristin King Photography

We missed you, Daddy, and are so glad you're home!

Love,

Your gals

Playing with Babies

2010-09-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

Amelia spent the night at Nana and DD's house this weekend and Katie and I went to play with her some.

We tried playing Play-Doh. It wasn't working! Kate stayed at the Play-Doh table with me, but that Amelia - she wasn't staying put! It made me sort of frust-er-ated (which, by the way, is one of my favorite words) so Nana told me that Amelia isn't really old enough to play with Play-Doh like I like to play. She told me that if I wanted us to all play together, I might have to change how I played.

Then Nana told me that it was developmentally appropriate for Amelia to stack things and knock them down. So, I stacked the Play-Doh containers and Amelia knocked them down. Kate played happily at the table with her Play-Doh. At last! We were all playing together and all having a wonderful time.

I guess when you play with babies, you can't just tell them what to do. I guess they aren't like Kate.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

Love,

Avery "Developmentally Appropriate Play" McClinton

Avery's Prayer

2010-09-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

At bedtime last week:

Avery: "God bless Mimi and Gran and Nanny. And God, please let me go to Lockhart again soon, because it's been so long."

Nana: "Well, Avery, I think we could work something..."

Avery (cutting Nana off): "Nana, I was talking to God, not to you."

Well, God used Nana and DD to answer Avery's prayer. This weekend, Kate and Avery had the chance to spend the weekend with Nana, DD, Nanny, Mimi and Gran in Lockhart. From what I heard, the weekend was full of great interaction, lots of spoiling, and some serious swimming.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

Kitty Goes to School

2010-09-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, we drove to Sister's school. Only, weird thing, we didn't go to a classroom for Sister. We went to a classroom where the lady kept talking to me and the other boys and girls looked like me, not like Sister.

Midway through our time there, Miss Debbie talked about how we were going to come back here. And Mommy must have realized she hadn't informed me that I'd be going to school because she bent down and began telling me about how I was going to school. What? (I heard later that when Avery started back to school, they spent a month talking about it and reading books about it...)

The next day, we dropped Avery off in her car rider line and then Mommy and Daddy walked me in. Mommy says I did better than she thought I would (I whimpered some and cried when they left, but only until Miss Georgianna cuddled with me). Miss Debbie said I really liked classroom time, but when it was time to transition to the playground or music class, I cried a lot. The room is the safest place I know. Don't make me leave here!

Sister saw me on the playground and gave me a good hug. I felt better when I saw her.

And then, after lunch and rest, Mommy, Daddy, and Sister all came to get me! I was thrilled. The rest of the day, I acted the silliest I've ever been. It was just pure relief. You can never be sure - it crossed my mind more than once that maybe, just maybe, my family dropped me off with this colony of crying toddlers and two crazy women who sing everything they say and I was to start a new life there.

No matter who asks me, it always goes like this:

"Katie, did you have fun at school?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to go back to school?"

"No!"

Mom says not to worry, I'm more resilient than I've ever had to prove before. School will be a blast in no time at all. Right?

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF BACK TO SCHOOL

Love,

Katie Beth School Girl McClinton

Happy Birthday, Avery!

2010-09-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

(This week is far too big to post about only once - A's birthday, Kitty goes to school, and the normal excitement. So, today - Avery Girl, it's all about you.)

Four years ago this week, Jordan and I became parents. That night, our lives changed in all of the traditional ways: parenting is amazing and indescribable. But Avery came into our world and changed it in other ways, too. That tiny baby wasted no time in opening our eyes to joys in life we'd previously missed. She, as a baby, toddler, and now as a very big pre-schooler, shows us how to take life on full-force, with excitement, resolve, and a good bit of haste.

It's hard to feel nostalgic with Avery; she takes life full steam ahead and we love throwing ourselves wholly into every moment with her. It doesn't leave much time for reflection or missing what used to be - who can slow down and remember Avery as a baby when Avery as a four year old is so much fun?!?

Avery is the life of our never-ending party. She is comfortable in the spotlight and has an advanced sense of humor and the personality to pull off some serious attitude. We love that she is so emotive; her delight is contagious and rewarding. It comes with the other end of the spectrum, too - stubbornness, tears of rage or disappointment at the drop of a hat - but we wouldn't change it if we could. Mold it into a more socially appropriate and respectful way of being presented... yes. But change it... never!

For Avery's birthday, she gathered with her family at Rainforest Cafe. The evening would have been overstimulating for some children - noises everywhere, lots of adult interaction, the limelight, and numerous gifts to open and respond to appropriately... but for our first-born (and the first grandchild on both sides), it was her perfect way to spend a birthday.

Avery Girl,

You have so much of your Daddy's adventurous spirit and so much of your Mommy's zest for life. We're so blessed to take on life with you. You make this ride so much more fun and so much more fulfilling. Here's to many more years of nurturing the best in you!

We love you!

Mommy

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE BIRTHDAY GIRL ON HER BIG DAY

Birthday Bliss

2010-08-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

This week is my birthday! I'm not sure which day it really is, because I sort of get to celebrate non-stop for several days, but sometime this week, I turn 4!

On Thursday, Mommy took me to Toys R Us. There was a whole section just for birthdays! I asked Mommy, "Mom, how did they know it was MY birthday???" And then, things got better. When we checked out, they knew my name and gave me a crown and a balloon! They even announced my name over the intercom. Wow.

Then, on Friday, we had the best time celebrating with a pool party... to the theme of flowers. Mom and Dad let me swim longer than I've ever gotten to swim before (counting a little pre-party swim), I had a pinata, I ate "Frankie Doodle Dandies" and cake and ice cream... it was perfection. The best party I've ever had!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Love,

Avery Birthday Girl McClinton

Avery's Birthday: Behind the Scenes

2010-08-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

This week had so many mishaps that it is laughable.

First, Kate ended up sick and threw up three times: once I even got to wear it for a few hours. (Praise the Lord, she was healthy by Thursday morning - just in time for partying.)

Next, I got sick (different kind of sickness - praise God!) and pulled a muscle in my neck (I'm fine... it just added to the tired feeling).

Then, Ella always makes the cakes for Avery's party and somehow needed to re-bake the cake 5 times (she's a great sport and laughed her way through 3 boxes of cake mix).

And, to finish off the week, Jordan and I spent 2 hours filling water balloons on Friday... only to have them pop within the first 10 minutes of the party. (We knew it was going to happen that way. It was worth it.)

And, during the party, Katie had a near-drowning experience. No kidding. I was standing over her, chatting with someone, and then stepped over about 4 feet to take a picture. In literally seconds, she somehow managed to get into the pool and onto the bottom of the pool, several steps away from the edge. My mom was watching Avery like a hawk (the kid thinks she's invincible!), and praise the Lord noticed a towel floating in the pool. She said it took a second for it to trigger that that wasn't a towel, but rather our Katie Beth. I've never seen my mom move so fast, nor have I seen her so scared. In full clothing, my mom was in the pool and back out again with a crying but very much alive Katie Beth. Once we calmed down a bit, we realized it couldn't have been more than 90 seconds that one of us had our eyes off of Kate. But it doesn't take much more than that. God protected my baby girl, and He used my mom as our guardian angel. Needless to say, the very first thing Jordan and I did when we got home that night was fall before the Lord, thanking Him for giving us another day with our little girls. The pool is such a fun place, but it was a powerful reminder that even with 4 pairs of eyes on 2 little girls, we can never be too careful.

In the end, the party was a blast for Avery girl and her guests, and she was never fazed by the week's comedy of errors, or the one truly scary moment. To a 4-year-old, the week was a blast. Oh, the joy of ignorant bliss! :)

Angela

Going Private

2010-08-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

We have considered taking the blog private before but kept putting it off. However, of late, a close friend dealt with a startling incident on a blog recently, and that was the catalyst we needed to spur us on toward the final decision.

Starting next Sunday, we will be going private with our blog posts. In order to read the blog, you will need to sign in using an approved email. If you want to be included in the email invitation I will send out later this week so that you can have access to the blog, please either comment or send me an email. We absolutely love that our blog is read by friends and family from past and present and would love to include you in our private blog.

For those of you who find the whole thing to be a bit confusing, I also send the blog out via email to a group of family members and would be glad to send the blog to you as an email as well.

Let me know when you email me if you'd rather me just send the text and pictures via email or if you would prefer access to the private blog (or both).

Anyone who is dependent on Google Reader or any other RSS feed for their daily blog scoop (like I am), please add http://averyandkatepublic.blogspot.com/ to your RSS feed. When I post a blog on the private blog, I will alert you via the public blog. Then you will know to hop on over and check out what we've been up to.

We're looking forward to continued laughs from the girls and can't wait to share them with you!

Angela

Birthday Season!

2010-08-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

I love this time of year. Lots and lots of my friends celebrate their birthdays right now, and I am getting ready to celebrate mine soon, too!

I love parties. I love the cake and the ice cream and the balloons. I love being with my friends and telling them how special they are to me. I love picking out the presents for each of my friends!

This week, we got to celebrate four birthdays to kick off the season. And I've been busy helping Mommy plan my party (with ideas like, "Mommy, it's ok if we change the party to be a princess party if you want to", or "I think we should have pizza, hot dogs, mac and cheese, and flower sandwiches to eat.") Mommy hardly knows what to do with herself for all of my help!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,

Avery "Birthdays Rule!" McClinton

Katie Quirks

2010-08-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Our little Katie Beth is such a quirky little thing. We think she could act in a wordless comedy and everyone would buy it. Her tiny little frame and silly faces and movements make for constant entertainment.

Over the last several weeks, I've thought to myself, "I hope I never forget that...", so this is my attempt at cataloging the Katie Quirks that I haven't already lost to a bad memory:

*Moments before she wakes up, she uses her pointer finger to stroke the silky part of her lovey. It's a sure sign she's about to wake up.

*When Katie Beth knows she is disobeying or is embarrassed, she shuffle steps. She takes tiny, exaggerated steps while she disobeys. If it is a strategy, it's a brilliant one. It is very hard to discipline such a silly shuffle stepper!

*Katie Beth is still shy and unassuming. She just started using words at the beginning of July and finally, last week, realized she could express her wants and needs using words.

*She is the cutest when she says the princesses' names! Cinderella is our favorite because she sort of loses the name in all of her funky tongue maneuvering: "Reh-lalalalala."

*She is still obsessed with Froggy. It's been weeks since he was at our house, but Kate plays the Froggy Game often: she brings me an empty container and we have to pretend Froggy is in there. When she sings her princess book, she often replaces the words with "Froggy". She tells us she wants to have a Froggy party and wants to be Froggy for Halloween. Let's not forget that when Froggy actually stayed with us, she was terrified of the thing...

*She is understated. If you watch Katie Beth, you'll notice she's always joyful, always attacking life with abandon, and always wholly in the moment. But she's so quiet and understated about it that it is often easy to overlook. It's really comical to watch a child her size quietly but aggressively attack a bowl full of food.

*Her favorite playtime activities: putting baby to bed, reading, playing with her doll house, and playing with Big Sister (who currently plays "Walk the Dog" in which Kate willingly gets on all 4s and acts like Avery has her on a leash all over the house).

*Kit sings herself to sleep by humming a monotone sound before sleeping. Still one of my favorite noises ever!

*Kate decided about a month ago that she was done wearing diapers and will not leave them on. We played at potty training until this week, when she started using the restroom on her own and calling, "Mommy! Poh-ee!" I'd verify that she had, in fact, stopped her play and gone to the bathroom, and then would give her a treat. The child seems to be training herself. We're still at about 2 accidents a day, but Kate loves her big girl panties and will not wear a diaper or Pull Up if we're at home.

Jordan and I - several times a week - watch Kate doing something and look at each other in wonder. How did we end up with this kid? We feel like the luckiest family ever!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Annual Tri-Family Get-Away

2010-08-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

Oh, the joy of having awesome friends that happen to be the kids of Mommy and Daddy's close friends.

We went on our annual tri-family get-away this weekend with my friends Campbell, Summer, Alyssa and Drew. We stayed at the beach and only had two jobs the whole weekend: play at the beach and play at the beach house. No problem!

There's nothing like having older friends to show you the ropes. At the beach house, Summer and Alyssa swept me away with their big girl games (beauty shop, hide and seek with princess toys, and more) and I hardly saw Mommy or Daddy except for meals and bedtime. Occasionally Kate and the littler kids would join in our fun.

Katie Beth and I both LOVED the ocean and the beach. Mr. Russ dug holes for us to play in and Daddy and Mr. Dustin (affectionately called, "Dude") took us out into the waves. Once, when I was ready to head back to shore, Mommy turned to walk in with Daddy and I. Kate yelled at Mommy: "No! Nan! Ooowww!" Katie Beth got her way and spent more special time with Nan (Shannon) in the deep waves.

Mommy, Shannon, and KK had a singular goal: to get Kate to talk. Katie Beth felt very safe with Miss Shannon and KK, and by the end of the trip, she was calling them by name!

KK was a special friend to Kate because she understands her on a deeper level. One time, Daddy had to fuss at Katie for running into the street, and it really hurt Katie's feelings (all discipline does). Daddy and Mommy tried to comfort her, but Katie was having none of it. As soon as Mommy put her down, she ran over to KK and hugged her and cuddled up on her shoulder until she felt much better. Looks like Katie and KK are kindred spirits.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE TRIP

Love,

Avery "Big Girl Beach Bum" McClinton

Another Birthday, Bangs, the Beach, and a Bug

2010-08-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

On Monday, we got to eat dinner with Nonnie and Great-Nonnie in celebration of Great-Nonnie's birthday. Great-Nonnie taught Avery a special rhyme and I've been the beneficiary of her new knowledge all week. (She says, "Katie, do you want to play 'All Around the Garden?'" and I run over, arm out, ready for the fun.)

Then, on Wednesday, Mommy and Avery got their hair done at a fancy place. Miss Sara gave Sister bangs! From what I can tell from Mommy and Daddy talking, it was something of an accident, but we all agree that Avery is still stunning. And, as a bonus, she got a bunch of pretty new hair clips to hold the bangs back while they grow out!

And then, we got to go to the beach with Nana and DD! We stayed on the 15th floor of the San Luis in Galveston. It was so high that we could see almost all of the island from our hotel room! We had fun on the beach (but no water for me... it made me cry and squeal), in the special pool with a fast slide, and in the room.

Unfortunately, the fever I had been sporting early this week was NOT teething after all and Sister caught my bug while she was in Galveston. Nurse Nana and Doctor DD took great care of Avery Girl, though, and she was still able to enjoy some of the fun. While Avery slept and recovered, I thoroughly enjoyed awake time with Nana and DD. I watched The Princess and the Frog (only the frog parts, of course), ran around the hotel yelling and laughing, and played like a monkey instead of falling asleep.

As a side note, Mommy says that now that she knows how sick this bug made Avery feel, she thinks I'm such a trooper for letting her drag me all around this week while I didn't feel good. Although, she also says if I'd learn to express myself with words, my illness wouldn't have had to be a mystery to everyone. I'm working on it, Mom.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Love,
Katie Beth "Beach or Bust" McClinton

Birthdays and Doctors

2010-07-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

This was a special sort of week. First, we had a non-stop baking party at our house all week. We made cupcakes, a cake, sugar cookies, and muffins. We were going to make a cake for Nana's birthday, too, but Nana said for her birthday she'd rather us be happy than tired... even if it meant her cake would have to wait a week or so.

We did lots of baking because we did lots of celebrating this week. I got to have all of my playgroup friends over for a pool party at Nana's house this week. Me and my pals spent most of the time in the deep end on floaties. We were pretty proud of ourselves for being so grown up.

Then, it was time to celebrate Amelia's first birthday! Mommy let me pick out the presents (a fish book and fish keys... "Because Amelia likes fish," I told Mommy), the balloons, and the cake decorations. Then I decorated the cake (It read: "Day Happy Birth"). Amelia got another special cake when she celebrated on Sunday, so we thought it was okay that this cake had Avery touches.

Nana's birthday is just two days after Amelia's, and so we got to celebrate her special day too! (Trey and Erin were even in town for it, and I told Nana, "Aunt Erin is my favorite girl in the whole wide world.")

Mommy and I were talking about what to get Nana for her birthday and I remembered that Nana likes books best of all. So, I picked out 5 of my favorite books from my bookshelf and wrapped them up for Nana. (Nana's other special gift was a ride-on roller coaster. Somehow a present for Nana that looks like a toy for us still brought joy to her on her birthday. Our Nana sure is selfless and loving!)

We also got to spend a lot of time at doctors' offices last week. I went to the doctor to talk about my "trigger finger", but the doc told Mommy it is fine unless it starts to hurt me (it doesn't). Then, it was Kate's turn to visit a doctor. She didn't have any immediate need for a doctor's visit, so I helped create one. In a wrestling match, I yanked her arm a little too hard and it popped out. Since it was late at night, we got to go to the ER. Katie Beth was easily fixed and even got a Popsicle for her trouble. Mommy and Daddy marvel at how for 3 years of parenting, no one visited the ER. Now, in a year's time, we've had 4 trips to the ER. What happened? :)

Luckily, the doctors trips did not spoil the fun of having everyone together for birthdays and fun. Happy Birthday, Amelia and Nana!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

Love,

Avery "Party Girl" McClinton

Avery-isms

2010-07-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

More Avery-isms from our precocious almost-four-year-old:

1. Mommy: Who loves Avery?!?

Avery: Myself does!!!!

Amen, girl

2. Avery: I was sick. I had a milk-ache. But it wasn't like when I was really sick, with a rice-and-beans-ache. (Speaking of the last two stomach bugs we've weathered.)

3. Avery, with 2 naked male and 3 naked female Barbies:

"It's a dancing freestyle!"

Mommy: Avery, why don't they have clothes on?

Avery: Well, it's a freestyle for the boys!

Mommy: But Avery, I've never seen anyone dance naked. Don't you think the girls want to wear their fancy clothes?

Avery: No, Mommy, this is the boys' freestyle. They want to be naked.

4. Avery: What is taking Amelia so long?

Amanda: Amelia had to have a bottle and now she is getting her diaper changed. It's just stuff babies have to do.

Avery: Amelia, hurry up and be a toddler!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE WEEK

Disney: Extravagant Love and Heartfelt Thanks

2010-07-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Our Disney trip was such an overwhelmingly wonderful experience. This was the kind of vacation that only comes once every decade or so, and we ate up every single second of it. We feel so much gratitude to Mimi and Gran and Nana and DD for not only making this trip possible, but for also joyfully embracing two little girls' dreams as their own.

I tried to condense the pictures and stories to one post, but I ended up robbing the trip of the magic by taking too much out. Instead, I’m going to post in five installments, each regarding a different aspect of our vacation.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE TRIP (Go easy on me with the number of pics, I edited them down from 1,200+)

Scroll down or click on the links to experience the entire trip.

Disney: Experiments in Child Sleep Deprivation Post

Disney: For the Over-Four Crowd? (AKA Nana and DD Save our Sanity) Post

Disney: Kate's Time to Shine Post

Disney: Where a Little Girl's Every Dream Can Come True Post

Disney: Experiments in Child Sleep Deprivation

2010-07-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

Because of a few incidents prior to leaving, we started our trip with the girls being about 2-3 hours low on sleep. All but one day, we skipped a traditional nap and let Kate sleep on someone’s shoulder, and gave Avery a get-out-of-jail-free pass on naps altogether. Add to that the desire to make the most of each day AND the excitement that oozed out of every pore of the girls’ bodies, and night times also became very late ordeals as well. Sleeping in was unheard of – and miss the fun?!? – so we ended up with two very sleep deprived princesses on our hands.

Despite being exhausted, the girls behaved amazingly well. Avery’s caring heart was so evident as she latched on to new relatives, as she found Kate’s lovey to comfort her when she cried, and as she chose – even when it was unbearable – to obey. She is so much happier and easier when she’s slept, but even when she hasn’t slept, she has such an obedient heart.

Outbursts abound while tired – a crying fit over Avery's muffin being cold or the water running out in her squirt bottle – but it is clear it is because she really is so tired that she isn’t able to cope with her disappointment.

Both girls weathered the sleep deprivation well, and neither one of them seemed to mind it, really. A small price to pay when we’re talking living your dreams!

CLICK HERE FOR A COLLECTION OF SLEEP CHILDREN

Disney: For the Over-Four Crowd? (AKA Nana and DD Save Our Sanity)

2010-07-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

We heard a rumor that Disney had activities for the Over-Four crowd, and on a few nights Jordan and I were able to venture out with our cousins and family and check it out for ourselves.

Even when we were around, my mom and dad were amazing at helping to manage the over-stimulated, over-tired princesses. I marveled most days at how my parents must have backs of steel. There was rarely a minute when Nana and DD weren’t each carrying a child, pushing a stroller, or actively engaged in some sort of child care. Their patience and selflessness made the trip so much more enjoyable. Avery chose Nana to read to her every night, and despite not having a voice on the trip, my mom would oblige. Then Avery would stop her mid-book and tell her, “Nana, stop talking so your voice will come back.” But not until the book is over. Priorities.

More Over-Four fun was had when Jordan headed to The Wizarding World Harry Potter at Universal Studios one day with some Over-Fours while Nana and I took the girls to Epcot. He said the experience was amazing – it was all done so well – and the roller coaster there was more intense than any he’d ridden at Disney.

Some nights, I didn’t have the energy to go out (if I’m being honest, it is more about fear of roller coasters than exhaustion), and so Jordan joined the fearless crew for a few rides. One of those nights was sadly cut short when I had to call in backup as Avery felt sick (from tiredness, see Experiments in Child Sleep Deprivation) and Kate was jumping off the walls.

Most notable was the mountain top experience Jordan and I shared. We were NOT on Mount Everest when it happened, but the roller coaster got stuck at the very top of the highest peak and the riders had to sit in the cart for 30 minutes waiting. Finally, they were escorted off of the cart and had to walk on the roller coaster track uphill until they reached the nearest stairs. I was obsessed as the story unfolded, and couldn’t stop talking about it: what would it be like to be up there? Panic attack much?!?

So, the next day, Nana and DD offered to take the girls while Jordan and I did a ride together. I mustered up just enough bravery to board Thunder Mountain Railroad (a mild coaster at worst), climbed aboard, and – no lie – it stopped on the top of the highest hill. I almost panicked, but decided that this was not that high and I could see the nearest stairs well within reach. After roughly a minute, the ride started again… no dramatic ending for me, praise God!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE OVER FOUR CROWD'S DISNEY EXPERIENCE

Disney: Kate's Time to Shine

2010-07-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

This trip had Kate written all over it. She was the perfect age for this sort of trip. She is still young enough to fall asleep just about anywhere (and of the right personality… Sister never did sleep on the go, regardless of age). She has enough understanding to be excited and enthralled, but not so much that she is scared or considers any of it real yet. At the end of a Nemo ride, she let out a deep breath, and with all the inflection a girl her size can muster, uttered a simple, “whhhhoooaaa!”

Coming into this trip, Kate had a vocabulary of maybe 10 words, and only 3 she said often. On the ride home, just from what we can remember, we were able to count roughly 20 brand new words that she began using during the week!

Kate loved everything about Disney. She loved the shows, the rides, the stroller, the fireworks (a total surprise!), the characters, and especially the non-traditional attractions, like the boat that ferries from resort to park. Every time she’d hear it’s honk, Kate would drop everything and run to the window, yelling, “Boat!”

Kate was so worked up at nights and during rest times from all of the excitement. One day, Nana had to hold her legs still so that she would quit kicking and moving. Once she had a gentle arm across her legs, she went limp and was able to fall asleep. The next night, Kate yelled, “AAEEEEEEEE! Aaaaaaa! Eeeee!” nonstop until she fell asleep. There was no change in volume or frequency before she fell asleep. She went straight from full volume to passed out cold.

Kate’s biggest moment to shine was at the Princess breakfast. Sister was tired (see Experiments in Child Sleep Deprivation) and was intimidated, but not Katie Beth. She loved the attention, loved meeting all 6 princesses, and especially loved being oohed and ahhed over by her twin, Snow White. She watched the princesses circulating around the tables for a while, and then climbed out of her chair and began visiting tables herself. She truly believed she was Princess enough to sign autographs and take pictures with the tourists. And we think she was, too.

Disney: Where a Little Girl's Every Dream Can Come True

2010-07-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Avery’s Disney experience vacillated between exhaustion and exhilaration. She absolutely loved It’s a Small World and rode it three times (which, in her opinion, was just shy of enough). She is at the stage where she believes that things that seem real must be real, and so many of the rides were “too scary” to even attempt. On the first day, during a momentary lapse of judgment, I marched my overly tired 4-year-old onto Journey Into Imagination, the Figment ride. She survived it with amazing gumption, but told me about 30 seconds into the ride, “I will not ride this ride again. Never. Not ever!” And it took a good bit to earn her trust back on our ride-approval scale.

Avery was so timid of rides after that, in fact, that when it came time to ride the Mexico ride in Epcot, she was only coerced into going when the ride attendant offered up her flashlight. Avery proudly shone that flashlight all through the ride, and sure enough, it wasn’t scary after all!

Later, when it came time to ride Nemo, Avery was again timid. Uncle David was along that day, and so we talked her into riding as long as David would come along and protect us. Later, when Daddy wanted a chance to ride Nemo with Avery, she told him, “You can ride with Kate and Mommy. That ride is me and Uncle David’s ride.”

She was such a delight with her relatives – she interacted and attached herself lovingly to each of them. She specifically requested Mimi and Gran to ride on either side of her for It’s A Small World, chose Aunt Erin to eat dinner next to and ride with on the bus, lavished love (and demands) upon Nana and DD, and was quite taken with “that white girl” (second cousin Kathryn, who happened to wear an all-white dress one night).

What was remarkable about this trip for our Avery Girl is that she really did have all of her dreams come true. Anything she could have imagined being true of her Disney vacation happened. She ate breakfast with the princesses (she later told Trey, “it was the best breakfast I ever ate, ever.”), she rode rides, she sat on DD’s shoulders through the Electric Light Parade, she had Nana and DD in the same room as her, she got ice cream and Sprite and toys and trinkets, and she got to experience the Bippity Boppity Boutique.

This is a special experience for princesses in Cinderella’s castle. One of the Fairy Godmother’s helpers do their hair and make-up. The entire event is something to behold, and Avery played the part of pouty princess very well. Then, clad in a sash, a princess dress, and new hair and make-up, she was set free to enjoy the Magic Kingdom and have tourists of all ages ooh and ahh about her. She loved every second of it! It was as if the experience was created with her in mind.

Avery turned to DD the other night and told him, “Disney World is better than Disneyland!” Whether the statement is debatable or not, for Avery Girl, the combination of family and experiences made it true for her!

Pet Sitter Extraordinaire

2010-07-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

While Nana and DD were in Germany, I took super care of Mitzi, Rascal, and their two cats. Word must have gotten around that I am practically an expert at pet sitting, because this week, I got to pet sit for a frog and two dogs!

Froggy came to us on Wednesday. Katie and I love to stand and stare at him. Sometimes, Kate will suddenly yell out "Froggy!" and we will both drop everything to run to his cage and stare.

Katie Beth and the frog seem to have a love-hate relationship.
She loves him. She shrieks about him and spends all of her time watching him.
She hates him. She refuses to touch him and has to yell at him all the time about once when he accidentally jumped at her.
She doesn't know quite what to make of him, but Froggy sure is an important guest at our house this week.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Love,
Avery Pet Sitter Extraordinaire McClinton

Guess Who is a Big Girl Now?

2010-06-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

Me!

A few weeks ago, I climbed out of my crib. It wasn't so fun and I haven't done it since, but it got Mommy and Daddy thinking.

We're going on vacation next month and Mommy says she doesn't want to mess with a Pack & Play. Daddy remembered that Sister was about my age when she moved to a big girl bed... and voila! I'm in a big girl bed now, too!

Yesterday, Baby Amelia needed the crib at Nana and DD's house at naptime. No problem, Baby Amelia. I'm a big girl, and I can sleep in a big bed with my Daddy.

And when we got home, Daddy took the front off of my crib and all that was left is a big girl bed. I had so much fun climbing in and out of it and collecting babies and laying them in bed. But once the lights were turned out, I stayed in my bed (except for one small bump in the night when I rolled out and onto the pillows below). This morning, Mommy and Daddy knew I was awake, but it wasn't until they came up to get me that I got out of my bed.

I love being a big girl!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK (including an almost-spend-the-night at Miss Ella's, Nana and DD's return from vacation, and DD's Father's Day cake, decorated entirely by Chef Avery.)

Love,
Katie Beth "My Own Big Bed" McClinton

Father's Day with My Daddy!

2010-06-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Father's Day with my Daddy is always so special. This year, I decided that for his present, I would make him a cookie cake with a guitar on it, since he loves guitars so much. I came up with the idea all by myself and Mommy told me it was inspired. I helped with cooking the cake (Kate helped by licking all of the sugar off of the counter as I spilled it), and then - for the first time ever! - I got to try my hand at decorating with icing. Mommy made the guitar and one heart, but I did all of the rest. I was so proud and Daddy says it is a perfect cake!

One of my favorite Father's Day traditions is picking blueberries with Daddy, Uncle David, and the family. After three years of practice, this year I got it! I was filling up my basket while Kate filled up her mouth. It didn't take her long to learn the blue ones taste better than the pink ones... and then there was no stopping her!

After church on Sunday, we got to go play at a lake together for more Father's Day fun. Being with my Daddy, splashing and sliding, was so much fun!

Father's Day was a really special day for me AND my daddy!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE WEEK!

Love,

Avery "My Daddy is the Best!" McClinton

"I Smile Because You Are My Mother..."

2010-06-14T06:39:00.001-07:00

"...I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it."

That's what a pillow says that Nana helped me buy for Mommy. And this week, was it ever true!

Katie Beth and I have been really busy thinking of creative ways to try to make Mommy crazy. It's not easy, but when we work as a team, we're pretty effective. Just this week alone, here are some things we are proud to say we've accomplished:

General, around the house:

*Disconnect Daddy's Wii and leave the pieces laying about the living room floor (Katie Beth)

*Create a beautiful glued art project on the back of a professional 8X10 school picture (me)

*While Mommy is cleaning those two messes, head upstairs and dig old shampoo bottles out of the trash can. Use new shampoo and lots of water to mix in the old bottles. Pour bubbles all over the sink and floor. (me)

*Cover head in an entire bottle of baby powder (me again)

*Wait until Daddy heads downtown for a meeting and Mommy is stranded alone... then throw up. (Yep... me again)

While Shopping (This set of events took a good bit of teamwork and coordination. We're quite proud of the results, though):

*Spill bags of coffee beans all over the aisle (me)

*While Mommy is cleaning up the coffee bean bags, hold on to the side of the cart and do a forward roll out of it, dangling and screaming from the edge. (Katie Beth)

*Take Mommy's credit card out of her wallet and hide it in the DVD player. But do it quietly so she doesn't notice until she is trying to pay at the grocery store. (Katie Beth)

*While Mommy is moving her groceries over so she can pay with a check, find chewed gum under the conveyor belt. Peel it off and use it as silly putty. (me)

During naptime (Surprise! These are all me!)

*Choose not to flush the potty. When asked why: "Because I didn't want you to know that I wasn't taking a nap."

*Climb the dresser in my room. Use the shelves as a ladder. Get things off of the top of the dresser.

*Climb the dresser in my closet. Narrowly escape as it falls forward. Cry and wonder why Mommy and Daddy are so upset.

*Unplug and plug in electrical devices: my night light, my noisemaker... anything I can find.

Mommy and Daddy know that Katie Beth and I are just creative spirits looking for ways to explore and understand the world. But Mommy and Daddy haven't forgotten that Curiosity Killed the Cat!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURE FROM THE WEEK

Love,

Avery "Creative and Curious" McClinton