Not as much fun as I remember ...

Avery trying to play with her lame old baby toys

So I just don't get it. I remember that I use to have so much fun playing with this floor mat thing with all of the baby toy things hanging from it and now it doesn't seem like that much fun. Why can't things that were the most fun in the world always be the same level of fun??? Here's even proof of all the fun I had playing on this thing years ago (
http://averyclaire.blogspot.com/2008/10/mission-accomplished.html ) where it was just awesome (although Suzie always made things more fun). Maybe this is just one of the many reasons why getting older sucks ... ah, the good ol' days just don't last forever.

Avery just not having as much fun on this as she use to

Hard Headed Little Lady ...

Avery after her "smash, bang, boom" accident

Daddy always says I'm being hard headed (just like Mommy), but who would have thought that might have been exactly true!!!

Case in point, I was just minding my own business like usual when Daddy forced me into playing "hide n' seek" with him ... next thing I know, he was chasing me like a crazy madman all around the house and the only thing I could do was try to duck for cover and then all I heard was "smash, bang, boom". Next thing that I know was that I'm on the ground rolling in smokey glass shards with a sore head and a steady steam of red dripping down my face. The horror ... the horror. At least Daddy knew what to do next ... he immediately called Mommy for help!!!

Scene of the "accident"

Surprise Mommy!!!!

I took out all your clothes and climbed into your luggage for your big conference in Philly this week. I knew you would rather have me along than all your stupid clothes anyway.

Avery getting ready to surprise Mommy in Philly

Trot, trot, trot, ...

Mommy and Avery on Diano

Since Mommy STILL will not let me ride solo, I have to make her feel at easy by letting her be in total control while we're on Diano. I just pretend that I'm a simpleton, just tagging along for the ride, although I know Diano responds much better to all of my commands anyway. And Mommy will see all of my skills soon enough ... then I'll be in the rider's seat and she'll be in MY lap. I just need to keep up my weight training and riding regiment.

Here's a video of how our tandem rides have been thus far ... tell me what you think of my positioning, skills, and style?

Avery and Mommy trotting around on Diano

And yeah, we also go fast ... really, really fast! Here's a video of us trotting around the ring into a full-up gallop!!! Look out Olympics 2028 ... here I come!!!

Please just tell me the truth ...

... do these pictures seem "plain ridiculous" or "just too adorable"??? I really can't tell ... part of me thinks I look as goofy as can be, but then the other part of me thinks that there is a very fine line between goofy and adorable.

Avery showing off all her teeth to the paparazzi

Avery posing in her full authentic
German/Holland/Norwegian outfit

And for the record, I typically like to style my hair somewhat, but on the day of the big photo shoot, Mommy and Daddy said we were just too rushed for time and they forgot to help me style my hair. Note that they both seemed to make time to style their hair though ... figures!!!

Oops, Mommy blinked in that one

Avery as Mommy and Daddy's
"center of attention"

Mommy cuddling up with Avery

Daddy giving Avery a big kiss

And a special thanks goes out to Auntie Em for arranging the photo shoot (as a Christmas present). I'll have to return this special gift sometime soon!!!

All technical difficulties have been fixed ...

All technical difficulties have been fixed and all my videos should now work again ... Thanks for the "quick" response action, Google!

The heat is on ...

Just a typical Wednesday night, right before bedtime.

Avery Names Names ....

I heart Shannon ...

Avery and Shannon

It seems hard to make such good friends these days, but that has never been a problem with my friend Shannon ... she is way awesome and we have so much fun together. Here's a few video clips of some of the fun times ...



Goofing around on the rock'n spinner ...



... and spinning while standing up is even way much more fun!!!

What does "Time Out" mean???

Avery in "Time Out"

What is this "Time Out" thing anyway??? I was having lots of fun, doing exactly everything I wanted to do, and all of the sudden Mommy and Daddy get all crazy and mean towards me. I think they have issues with me expressing my freedom. They'll just have to learn the hard way.

Snow, fun, & more snow!!!

"Oh yes! Oh yes! I do like snow."

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!! I've always loved reading about that magical mystical white powdery cold stuff called "snow" and finally had the chance to see it all up close this last weekend. We loaded up the car and drove North on this long never-ending trail to spend the weekend in the mountains with some friends. Luckily, Mr. Snow got there before us and sprinkled his white stuff all around for us to enjoy. Here's a video of me and my buddy Mathew playing in the snow for the first time.



We then all went on a long hiking race where it was below freezing with icy trails all around us!

Avery (hidden behind Daddy's big head) and her
friends Mathew and Sophia (with all the parents
crowding into the picture as well)

Avery and Daddy leading the big hiking race

We also had a lot of fun down time in the cabin as well. Since Sophia can't walk yet, Mathew and I would get down to her level ... rolling all around on the floor!

Avery, Mathew, and Sophia rolling
around playing on the floor

Here's a video of us playing in the cabin. Notice my great sharing skills.




We even had lots of fun in the kitchen. We kids had to cook breakfast that last morning before we all left since Mathew's Daddy was sick and not feeling all that well. And who would have known that Mathew would be such an excellent "utensil master", wielding a spatula like no adult I've ever seen!

Mathew showing off his spatula skills to Avery

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Daddy showing off that he can still carry
Avery on his back (up a very steep mountain)
even in his accelerated old age

I like to party ...

... especially when balloons are involved!

Avery and her favorite thing ... a balloon

My friend Noah turned the big 1.0 the other day and his parents had a huge party for him. My buddy Mathew was there as well, so it was a super duper fun day with a bunch of my friends.

Avery and the birthday boy Noah,
with each of their Mommys

Doesn't Mommy look natural and relaxed
with TWO kiddos in her lap???

Avery having fun with her friends in the grass

I miss ...

... my Auntie Em ... when, oh when, are you going to come visit me again, Auntie???

Avery sadly saying goodbye to her Auntie Em

It just always so much more fun
when Auntie is around!!!

Avery's new friend ...

Avery and Pup-pet

I found a new friend the other day. He followed me all the way home, so Mommy and Daddy said I could keep him. I named him Pup-pet, mostly because he does anything and everything I ask him to do. I guess that makes me Pup-pet's master.

Here's a video of us playing together ...

Avery's first publication!!!

Avery's book cover

Yes, you read that correctly ... I am now a published author!

Over the holiday break, I decided it was time to test the waters with a few select memoirs and open up my fan base, expanding from my blog-o-sphere beginnings to now include the literary literate elite.

If you want to search for it on Amazon, the full title is "These are the Days in the Life of Avery Claire ... First 100 Blog Entries". It's around 150 pages and is a quick, fun read with lots of entertaining pictures ... perfect as a gift for anyone of any age!!!

Avery flipping through her memoirs ...

... and taking a walk down memory lane

Look who's on the big-girl saddle now!!!

Avery letting Mommy ride Diano with her

Mommy wanted to learn some new tricks from me (you know, all those tricks and that fancy riding I do on all my toy ponies), so we went to the barn and hoped on my horse Diano for a ride ... well, Diano is actually Mommy's horse right now, but maybe he'll be mine by this time next year!!!

Avery leading the rein for Mommy

New Years Eve 2009 ... Whoo-Hoo!!!

I wanted to wish everyone an early happy new years, so ... "Happy New Years"!!!!!!!!

This is how I'm spending new years eve tonight!!!



And this is what I was doing previous to my berserker video ... I had around 10 "rrr-pops" ... they are so so good!!!"

Avery enjoying a cherry "rrr-pop"

Winter Wonderland ...

Starting our tour through the most
Christmasy neighborhood in town

For fun this holiday season, Mommy and Daddy took me out to walk around in a neighborhood of town where everyone gets a little crazy on decorating their homes for Christmas. Grandma, Grandpa, and a bunch of other friends came along too!!! And as a bonus, we just happen to pick one of the coldest nights ever where it seemed like it was going to snow at any minute (too bad it never did ... maybe next year)!!!

Avery watching all the Princesses dance
and twirl ...

... "This is awesome!!!" ...

... "Vrroom, Vrroom, goes the train of lights"

Avery seeing that main man who makes
all little girl dreams come true

Two days of Christmas!?!!??!

Santa must have known I was an extra good girl this year since he gave me TWO full days of Christmas!!!

Mommy and Daddy kept trying to tell me that poor weather conditions were the main cause of my situation (which was mainly that Christmas with Auntie Em was delayed by a day, thus extending my Christmas to an extra special "Two Days of Christmas"), but to that I say, "SOMEONE had to have CAUSED those poor weather conditions and that someones name is SANTA!!!", to which they just respond by staring blankly at me like they can't understand what I'm saying. Oh well, as long as I know the truth your secret is safe with me, Santa.

So, enough of all this talky-talk, here's the breakdown of all the goods that Santa and all my friends and family gave me ... thanks to you all (I know Santa reads my blog as well) for all the great books, toys, and clothes!!!

Avery starting off the first day of Christmas by
treating the dogs to their Christmas Day bones

Avery memorized by this new magical
talking red furry animal named Elmo ...

... "I heart Elmo and Elmo hearts me"

Avery going at it again for her second
straight day of Christmas

Behold, Avery the Bejeweled modeling off her new accessories ...

... and then taking a ride to nowhere ...
going round and round is so much fun ...

... and then Avery rushing to help get the Christmas feast
all finished ... what would my family do without me???

Everyone liked the feast of a meal I prepared so much that I was allowed to do the main Christmas toast this year ... the video of it was slightly corrupted, but luckily the very end is still viewable (just below) ... see for yourself how well everyone just adored my elegant and unforgettable toast ...


Avery's Toast

Avery ready to finally nap after finishing her second day of Christmas ...
maybe Santa will allow me three days next year, wink-wink?!??!

Merry Christmas!!!

Just a quick wish to everyone out there in my blog-o-sphere to have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays ... I gotta run to go see all the good stuff that Santa and everyone sent me ... hopefully it's all fun stuff (and not any boring stuff like clothes) ...

Avery and the dogs on the Christmas card

They are just so unfair ...

... I put my sneaker-booties on all by myself this morning to go outside to play and Mommy and Daddy won't open the door for me!!!

I think they're just too controlling about what I wear (both inside and outside) ... just wait till I'm big enough to let myself out that door ... there will be no stopping me then ... ha ha ha!!!

Avery ready to go play outside

Being Daddy ...

... means you have to wear big shoes to do everything he does ... I say "No problem!" ... I can doing anything/everything that he does ... just you watch!!!