Last day of 3rd grade!

Moose pictures from work. Bull and cow.

Test post from the computer: Avery at Hershey Track and Field meet last week.

Acadia

Ave misjudged the wave and got a boot full!

Bar Harbor

Ave bouncing at an adventure playground.

Bar Harbor

Ave cheezin it for the camera

Bar Harbor, ME

Ave and I took a long weekend to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Great times, a lot of rain and a ton of laughs!

Winter fun day!

Avery riding the snow bike!

Winter fun day!

Winter fun day!

Snow fort

Opening of snow fort with Avery still inside.

Snow Fort!

We got about 12 inches of snow last night so after school Avery and I made a snow fort. Avery is sitting cross cross about five feet in from the opening.

My beautiful date for the Father Daughter dance tonight!

They had a science tent up and Avery got to try a marshmellow that had been frozen in liquid nitrogen, as if marshmellows left outside in single digit temps were not cold enough!

Finished!

At the festival.

Ave and I went to Fredericton, Canada for their WinterFest. This is breakfast of fresh fruit and French toast.

Avery sledding!

Snow pictures

Nice day to live in Northern Maine!

Avery with Highest Honors!

Last Post by Kate

As everyone knows, 2012 has brought a lot of changes for us. Along with this I decided to reassess how, if and where I wanted to keep blogging about my life and Avery's life. I decided to turn this blog over to Ralph if he wants to continue using it. 

So this is the last post here by me. I have loved the opportunity to write and share on behalf of our family for the past 4 years. I recently turned this blog into a printed book and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. I look forward to being able to hold it in my lap and share it with Avery in a more tangible format for her. 

I started a new blog called Bird & Buggle (our nicknames). I just posted an intro with my plans for that space over there. In the midst of daily life, finding the time to share a new home project or meal or weekend adventure can be challenging. However, taking the time to write a short note to Avery about something I want her to know about our life together can absolutely happen. And then I can print it and give it to her. My mom kept handwritten journals for us and this way I can give the same thing to my sweet daughter while also keeping interested parties in the loop. Insert unsettling idiom involving 2 stones here. 

Kate

Ladies Who Lunch

I'm so happy to have a daughter who likes real food.

And a few more NC pics

Photos from NC visit

Avery and a Goat

I'm living from update to update while Ave is visiting family in NC and SC. Here is a picture from earlier today. She also touched a meerkat, skunk, rat and snake.

Breakfast in Bed

I'm not sure the pin Ave made of "World's Greatest Mom" would pass a non-partisan fact checker BUT I am definitely one of the luckiest.

Ave asked me to stay in bed this morning until she got up because she had a surprise.

She did this all herself and carried it in to the bedroom. We just enjoyed it together. Best reason to be late to work ever!

Thar She Blows

After work/school yesterday, Ave and I headed to the mall. The frustrating search for winter work clothes took longer than expected so we had to go to the food court and partake. Yes I said WE. I ate vegetable delight over fried rice with a side of Benadryl (known allergens were soy and wheat). I got two hives but that was it. No breathing problems. No fatigue. Woot woot.

To thank Ave for being the best shopping assistant know to (wo)mankind, I let her try the wind booth. Speeds reached over 60 mph. Right before this picture she was screaming "let me out" but then got into it. And for the record, she was not locked in there and could have opened the door that she was clinging to at anytime... As I had explained before it started.

Halloween Sorceress

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Ave designed it this year and did a lot of the cutting. With a knife! Yikes!

Fire Truck!

Ave won another art contest at school for a picture on fire safety. The prize for this one was a ride to school on a fire truck. She was actually shaking with excitement this morning. Fireman Scott said they would turn on the lights and siren before getting to school and she will get her picture in the newspaper.

Road Trip

Heading back north after a trip to Massachusetts to see family and take part in my grandfather's memorial service. We had a wonderful time despite the reason for the occasion. Great food and even better company!

Now if the miles would just tick by a little faster...

The Little Activist

Avery got in my car after school all in a tizzy. To celebrate the end of 2 weeks of standardized testing, third grade is watching a movie tomorrow. Problem is there are two movies. A "boy" movie for the boys and a "girl" movie (one of the American Girls) for the girls. Ave's rant on this escalated to likening it to racial discrimination in less than 3 minutes. She wanted me to get involved directly but I felt it would be better for her to express herself to her teacher through an email that she dictated. I typed and helped her focus her argument so it wouldn't be 6 pages long. I'm happy that she is able and confident to express her many opinionated viewpoints to other people... I know she is willing to do so with me!

Dear Ms. ************,
I don't think it is fair that boys watch a boy movie and girls watch a girl movie. There could be one movie that boys and girls might both like. Like Smurfs or something. Why are there two movies? And why is third grade being split as boys and girls? You told me today that the teachers want to keep it simple, but it would be simple to show one movie and split us up by classes. I want to watch the Elephant movie more than the American Girl movie. That's true. But even if I wanted to watch the girl movie, I am still upset that the decision was made based on boys vs girls. I don't think that what I say will change tomorrow's plan (but if it does I will literally celebrate in my mind "I made a difference for the whole school") but maybe it will change it for next year.
I am not upset with anyone but I just wanted to tell you this.
You are a great teacher.
Avery

Rainy Day #2

We did the corn maze this morning despite the rain and mud (tough girls) and now it is tea party time!

Mustache Girl

Fun on a rainy Saturday.

MBK: 4 Years Since

Last night I had my Matthew fall apart. I let myself feel the weight of many losses in my life, some mature and others fresh. There were big tears but I woke this morning with a grateful heart full of peace.

Tonight I decided to go on a jog. Cool, dark, alone. No predetermined route. Just my favorite RATM tracks blasting at high volume. One foot in front of the other and then I'm on the other side of town, out of breath but content and ready to make my way home.

You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy. ~John Calvin

3rd Grade

And she's on the bus! I think this is the first year I haven't cried... But when I realized I didn't cry I almost did... So it's a gray area? I can't wait until 3 when I can pick her up and get the first day report. It's guaranteed to be detailed and opinionated.

Viking Run 2012

Ave had another great running race. 1/2 a mile with no walking! I can't wait to cheer for her at the youth Tri on Sunday.

And for all our southern friends - yes she has on a fleece and yes I know you are jealous.

First Soccer Game