Strawberry Picking

Spring Break is always a little nerve wracking. I am always nervous about filling our time with fun things to do that will keep an active 3 year old boy happy. Well, I always worry, but you know what, it's always fun and we never seem to run out of things to do. This year, we tried Strawberry picking with one of Connor's best friends from school and his two brother's and his really nice Mom (who I really like). It was so cute to see the boys pick their own strawberries. They were perfectly ripe so we got quite a yummy batch. We polished off a pound in no time. Despite the 40 minute drive to Froberg's Farm, we'll certainly be doing this again soon.

Best buddy Dylan showing Connor how to pick only the red ones at Froberg's Farm.

Connor wasn't so sure at first and wanted me to point them all out, but he eventually got it. Luckily, strawberries pull off the vine really easily.

Everyone's buckets are getting full. Of course they would all compete for the same strawberries even though there were strawberries everywhere. Silly 3 year olds.

This isn't a good picture of a strawberry plant, but I was amazed at how many strawberries grew on one plant.

Heading back after some very successful picking.

Check this out Mom.

Wow, he could barely lift it, it was so heavy.

After picking, we let the kids play a little in the small playground at the farm before we went and got lunch.

Is that Connor, the human snow cone?!

The boys play so well together. Connor and Dylan are 3, brother Conner (with an "er") is 5 and little Tyler is 1 and a half. 3 boys under 5. Doesn't their Mom have her hands full. They are all really sweet though.

All 4 boys in the car. I kept asking if Marcie wanted to take one more boy and she surprisingly said no. I mean come on, doesn't Connor fit right in?

Connor sitting on his new friend the Armadillo. Oh and yes, Avery came too, but I guess I just didn't take any pictures of her. She's too small to strawberry pick, so she stayed in the stroller and was very content to watch the wild boys play.

St. Patrick's Day in Austin

We traveled to Austin to see my sister and her family over St. Patrick's Day weekend. We realized that we hadn't been to Austin in over 2 years since we tend to just meetup in College Station at my parents house. It was nice to go back and it was a really fun time. 

Connor showing off his excellent guitar playing skills.

Happy cousins playing in a box.

Of course Avery loved the stairs at my sister's house. Oh boy.

Messy mama eating pasta.

Hanging in the kitchen. Oh wait Avery, you can't have a beer!

But I want it. Please...  I don't think so little lady.

We had a tasty and fun crawfish boil on Saturday. All the kids loved playing with the crawfish. Here Connor is holding one.

My sister has a trampoline in her backyard and it was a big hit with all the kids, even little Avery.

All he big kid cousins bouncing.

Uncle Arthur showing Avery the family chicken coupe. They have fresh eggs every day.

Can I pet one?

Cousin construction company.

Look at all that crawfish. Wow! We actually did quite a number on it.

Everyone with a crawfish. Yikes.

Now we're cooking. We kept joking that we were honoring our Irish roots by having a traditionally Irish crawfish boil. Ok, maybe not, maybe it's a cajun thing, but it was still fun.

Arthur is trying to raise 8 year old Martin to be a cajun like his Daddy. He's off to a good start as a good crawfish boil assistant. Grandma and Grandpa are proud.

Yummy! Enjoying the fruits of our labor. Thanks Arthur for such a yummy crawfish boil.

Poor Connor was beginning to feel sick, but he tried to party down the best he could. He ended up having a fever and later on Tuesday I took him to the doctor and he had strep. Of course he gave it to Avery too, but no one else at the party got it. Feww.

Avery having a heart to heart with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa is telling Avery all about her Irish heritage on St. Patrick's Day.

Irish lassy and her Irish Grandpa.

It was right before Easter so Erin brought out this cool shaving cream craft project. The kids had a blast.

Of course it ended with shaving cream everywhere, but that's all part of the fun.

Martin and Winnie got a Wii system and the boys had fun playing it. Admittedly, the parents had even more fun playing it.

Avery Turns 11 Months!

Avery turned 11 months old on March 10th. What a big girl. As you may have noticed, I'm trying to catch up on some blogs, so I'm going to just write up the new improvements in Miss Avery's life and save a bigger post for when she turns one...really soon. :(

She is still eating really well and we're starting to give her whole milk to drink as we start weaning her from breast milk. She still nurses twice a day, but I plan to stop soon after she's a year old. I think it will go Ok, because she's not drinking all that much now. Luckily, she eats so much regular food, we're not worried.

Her sleep schedule is still the same, although it seems like her morning nap is shortening and she's taking a longer afternoon nap. She may be able to drop that morning nap all together, which would be kind of convenient.

She is finally starting to talk a little. We think she knows "Da da", "Ma Ma", and something to indicate "doggy." It's something like "diggie".

The biggest news of course is she is WALKING. Yes, she starting walking right around her 11 month old birthday and she hasn't stopped. She now walks across the room, while holding things, with no trouble at all. She plops down and stands right back up. She's a champ. When I think that Connor didn't walk until he was right at 14 months, I'm amazed. She seems so tiny to be walking, but I guess they do that.

She is also starting to mimic more and more. If you open your mouth wide, so will she for example. Also, the other day I was putting hand sanitizer on my hands and sort of wringing my hands together and I looked over and Avery was doing the same thing with her hands. Very cool. 

She has also started dancing, which is of course adorable. She does that shoulder shimmy that all babies do. See the video below.

She has been sick a few times this month but for the most part, she is still just the sweetest, smilieyest thing. Boy do we love her.

Silly girl.

I want to walk Daddy. Look how tall I am.

Standing all on my own.

Ah ha, the sign I can destroy.

Ok, I'll take one sweet one.

Now can I be silly again?

Yes, Ok good.

I'm so funny.

Ahhh, I see you up there Daddy.

Hi!

Oh look at these. I could do some damage with these.

Look I see the "diggie".

Anyone up for a game of peak a boo?

Peak a Boo!

Here I am.

I'm hiding. Can you see me?

Avery walking. She is now sooo steady and walks all over the place on her own.
http://youtu.be/sinp9IAT0IU

Avery loved this musical card that Connor got for Valentine's Day. Here she is dancing to the music.
http://youtu.be/ASECvNBMccg

Avery is much more of a dare devil than Connor ever was. Here she is sliding down the little slide in the playroom by herself.
http://youtu.be/rEfepMhryiY

Little girls that have big brothers apparently only like their brother's toys. Ha!
http://youtu.be/lv6DKnU_FIc