A vegetable garden...

Avery loves to help Grandma Donna and Grandma Van Dyke in their gardens, so when she received a vegetable garden of her own to plant, it.was.a.must! We recruited our "green thumb" neighbor, Tim, to help us...

How appropriate, a taco garden...we love mexican food!

Avery labeling the seeds

Tim's planter box...

Last Day of Pre School...

Daddy's status on facebook: Bittersweet day for us...today I dropped Avery off at her preschool of the last 3 years for the very last time. While she is more than ready for her next adventure, I'm not sure I am #timeflies — with Caroline Harris.

Mr. David-Avery was lucky enough to  have him in 3-4's and Pre-K. We will miss him!

Ms. Janine- Aves is a big fan. Super sweet teacher!

Ms. Laura...huge fan of one another!

Ms. Elyse- one of the assistant. Aves had fun w/ her in art!

Maggie and Kate- a few of her friends

Ms. Allison- educational director

Helena- they have been friends since 2-3's

Sisterly love...

Mother's Day....

Thank you mom for setting an example of how I should be as a mom :)

 This is a photo of me with my mom when I was Stella's age.  Stella looks more like me and Avery looks more like Todd.I had a wonderful mother's day...thank you Avery, Todd and Stella!

Happy Half Birthday, Stellie!

Stella you are 18 months old today.  Hard to believe we've been sharing laughs and love for 1.5 years!



Picnic at the Zoo...

 This weekend was suppose to be nice, so Todd and Avery had big plans...

A picnic at the zoo!

Friday after school, Avery and I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond and got a picnic basket. (I foresee many picnics this summer.) Todd and Avery created our yummy feast- chicken salad, tuna salad, quinoa  & fruit and off the the zoo we went....

(It was in the 50's today and rained last night, but that didn't stop us.)

(The grass was wet)

                                      

Sweet Mandy B's...Good thinkin, Daddy!

An iced rice crispy treat...I will be getting that next time! YUM!

Stellie licking her finger. She loved her strawberry cupcake!

Random...

Avery is accepted into Kindergarten...

Drum roll, please....
       Avery has been accepted into John C. Coonley Elementary for kindergarten!!!!!!

Let me back up and explain the excitement...Here in Chicago, getting into a (desired) school is
sort of a process.  We began researching schools when Avery turned 2 1/2.  We researched the CPS website to find the schools that had the highest test scores, desirable neighborhoods, full day K, extra circular activities, etc. We compiled a spreadsheet, took school tours and filled out applications.  During this time, her current school- Lincoln Park Preschool encouraged us to have Avery tested for gifted.  WHAT?!  We knew Avery was bright, but all parents think their child(ren) are gifted.  But, we also knew that having Avery tested for gifted opened up our chances of her getting into a school. 

Avery began meeting with a reading specialist who tested her for being gifted- Ms. Annemarie.(Annemare Vickers Quin, Ed.D. Literacy Consultant)  Avery enjoyed her time with Annemarie, looking forward to their Tuesday 1 hour sessions together.  Annemarie  has tested 1,000+ students and informed us that Avery ranked in the top 10 of the brightest students she has taught/evaluated.  She thinks Avery will be one of our future leaders...we agree she is capable!  (www.theliteracyconsultant.com)

In October of 2011, we took Avery to CPS to get tested for gifted (or the selective enrollment schools) and then applied to 17 schools. After this process, we had to wait until the week of March 23rd to find out what school-if any-Avery was selected for.  On Monday, March 26th, we recevied the exciting news that Avery was chosen for John C. Coonley's Regional Gifted program!  Yippie....she was accepted into a school!!!!! 

Now, Avery knows she is going to a new school in the fall, however she does not know that it is a gifted program...who cares, right!  We are proud of her either way.  She doesn't understand the "title" anyway, nor do we want her talking about it with other kids.  Just be YOU Aves...we love you just the way you are!!!!!

So, our house in on the market (more on that in another post), and we are moving to the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago! Wish us luck!!