Ballerina

Avery has become quite the little ballerina lately.  She absolutely loves to dance while watching Angelina Ballerina.  Then, to her delight, Daddy went to Target.  He went in for a toothbrush, but Avery really scored because he came out with a ballerina swimsuit.  Avery has worn this to dinner, she's worn it out and about, she's worn it to actually play in water, and she's worn it to bed.  She LOVES her ballerina swimsuit.

Pop Pop, Megan's dad, just left after a visit of several days.  When I said let's get a picture, Avery wanted to sit in her red chair; I wanted her to sit on Pop Pop's lap.  So we compromised:

You may notice her hair is a bit shorter. I was sick of doing battle with the tangles, so we cut off about 3 inches and that helps immensely.  While Avery hates when D or I comb her hair, she hopped right into the chair, let the woman put the cape around her, then proceeded to request a comb in a color matching her shirt.  We had to compromise on that, too, but managed to find a green comb matching an element on her shirt.  Avery is very into what matches and what doesn't.  She loves to point out when something matches her, or to eat using a fork the same color as her shirt.

I will soon post some video of Avery's ballerina moves, but for now, I'll sign off with a picture of Avery on her scooter ... in her ballerina swimsuit, of course.

Daddy Daughter Camping Trip

Avery stands in our newly erected tent

This weekend Avery and I went on a daddy daughter camping trip with 10 other dads and 11 other little girls. Big thanks to Matt O. for arranging everything - it was awesome.

It was the first time either I or Avery had been camping in the US. So, armed with a brand new tent, brand new sleeping bags, brand new camping chairs and a bunch of food and drink, we headed down to Silver Falls State Park near Salem, OR.

Our first job was to set up the tent. Avery was very helpful and also very proud of the result. I would like to point out that the Mike's Hard Lemonade outside the tent was mine not Avery's :)

All the girls together

Next we got all the girls lined up for a quick group shot. Notice that Avery already has a plate and is busy tucking into some special camping hard boiled eggs.

Luckily one of the dads had stopped at the dollar store on the way to the camp ground and bought a whole bunch of watercolor paint sets, so we had a group activity to keep the girls busy while the experienced campers got the fire started.

And finally it was time to cook some hot dogs and s'mores over an open fire. I'm sure mommy will do a much better job of editing these later, but here are some unedited videos of Avery cooking hot dogs and enjoying her first ever s'more.

  

Avery Making Dinner

Avery Eating S'mores

After dinner the dads tried to put their respective daughters to bed with varying degrees of success. Avery was good at first, but then unzipped the tent and sat outside until I came back. In the end we both fell asleep in the tent together. Just before falling asleep Avery announced "What a great day!"

The next day Avery put on her hiking shoes and her favorite green polka dot top and we went hiking to see the North Waterfall. Here are a couple of pics from our trek. 

Ready, Set, Go!

Ready, Set, Go! This is Avery's current favorite phrase.  She gets ready, says the phrase, then runs as fast as she can.  It was a great way to get her to and from the pool while we were in Mexico.  It was also what she shouted as our plane was going down the runway for take off during one of our flights.  That definitely got a chuckle from a lot of the other passengers. 

Speaking of Mexico, we're recently back from two weeks there.  Avery had a great time, particularly since Nain (Megan's mom; pronounced "nine"; it's Welsh for grandmother) joined us.  Nain is much more into walks where you stop and examine things.  And Nain loves the beach.  I do not love the beach.  So almost every morning, Avery and Nain would take the short walk down to the beach to play in the sand and see what new things they could discover.

Our friends Christie & Henry joined us in Mexico for the first week of the trip.  Christie is an amazing photographer, so I didn't even attempt to compete with that and took virtually no pictures.  However, fear not!  You can just look at Christie's pictures!



While not in a league of photography skills with Christie's photos, my mom and I did snap a few pictures, so here are some of those.   FYI, Damian didn't join us until the last weekend, so there are few pictures of him.  I've also posted some pictures from a recent zoo outing and some dog walks.

Avery is fearless in the water and can swim with her vest on without assistance.

On the boat heading out to a white sand beach for a few hours.

View of dolphins from the boat

Nain, Avery, and Megan

Christie & Henry and Megan & Avery

Dog walk!

The zoo!

I forgot to bring a baby doll for Avery, so she started to use the camera tripod and pretend it was her baby.  She'd wrap it up in the ducky towel, then take it to each person and ask if we'd like to hold baby.  It was so darn cute!

Mother's Day Visit

We were able to spend a good chunk of Mother's Day visiting with Nikki, Grandma J, Grandpa Paul, Shauna (Nikki's stepsister) and Garrett!  It was the perfect way to celebrate the day.

Below are a few of my favorite Avery and Garrett pictures.  

Date Night Video

I must be in a video editing mood lately.  Here's another video of Elise and Avery on a recent date night (when Elise's parents were out on a date while we babysat Elise and Nolan).


Avery and Elise from Megan Smith on Vimeo.

Avery's Adventures Episode 4

Another video compilation of recent activities.


Avery's Adventures - Episode 4 from Megan Smith on Vimeo.

A few more pictures

Some pictures my mom took while we were visiting ...

First, a series of three pictures.  Avery finds it funny when I make fish lips at her.  

Avery and Mommy in the hammock

Avery "reading" at the local library.

Say cheese!  Avery with the granddaughter of one of my mom's friends.

Avery leans in close for a story being read by my mom's friend.

Jamie Oliver, look!  A 2yo in America using a knife!  We exist, we really do!  Avery cut up the whole pancake herself ... and didn't object that the pancakes were half whole wheat.

Happy at a restaurant