The Graduate!

 May 25th was Avery's last day of preschool!  Earlier that week she had a parent tea.  Where we were invited to her school.  She did a performance with the rest of the four year old classes.  We had snacks and drinks and then returned to her classroom where diplomas were handed out.  She did a great job and the songs were so sweet.  One of the neat things at her school is that they have a music teacher.  They have music every week.  They had music on Mondays and nicknamed it "Ms. Moe Monday" as her name is Ms. Moe.  It certainly was an emotional day to see our baby up on stage getting ready for kindergarten but we couldn't be prouder!

Ammy was able to come watch and even grab lunch at the bakery afterward!  Dylan got a very special big cookie that he didn't feel like sharing! 

It just popped out!

Sunday May 28th Avery mentioned her tooth was hurting.  She went into the bathroom and came out saying "ummm.... my tooth just popped out!"  Trevor and I couldn't believe it.  We are still getting used to the idea that she is no longer a preschooler let alone now she is minus one baby tooth! 

Never the less, we put it in a little tooth pillow Grammy and Grampa had given us.  Reread our tooth fairy book and prayed the tooth fairy would stop by that night and she did!  She brought Avery a five dollar bill!  Avery is a fan!  

Memorial Day...

and another birthday celebration too! Boy did we enjoy time with our family this weekend.  Monday we had the Trussell's over for a little swim and cookout.  It was loud and fun!  My cousin Quinn recently moved to Atlanta and was able to come celebrate too! It was so good to catch up and we can't wait to do so more often!  Avery enjoyed her fifth birthday celebration and was so good sharing the spot light with all of her cousins!  She is such a big girl!  We love you Avery!

So glad you could come Quinn!!

Letting the boys help her open!

A huge thanks to all the men and women that have fought and continue to protect our country!  Thank you!  

Happy Anniversary!

We were lucky enough to have the entire Atkinson family together for three days over the holiday weekend! We got to celebrate some great things...Tina and Bruce's 39th wedding anniversary (such a huge accomplishment and wonderful couple!), Avery's fifth birthday, and the pending purchase of a home in Georgia.  We are really going to love having them close.  When we are all together we sure do have a great time!

We had a wonderful dinner at the Buckhead Diner!  All of us loved the food and Avery particulartly liked the calamari and banana cream pie!

Of course birthday time was fun!

And we had to cool off with lots of pool time!  Dylan made some huge progress and will venture out on his own with his new puddle jumper!  

Thanks for a great weekend Tina, Bruce, Scott, and Lyn-Ann!

A few things...

Looking through my pictures from last month I noticed I missed a few fun things.  One Sunday we went to the American Girl Doll store and had some fun with Megan and rode the carousel.  Avery was very serious about bring her stroller and making it a perfect afternoon.

On our first warm day we got out the slip and slide and blow up pool.  It was a good warm up for the summer!  Avery got the hang of it and Dylan just wanted to get his feet wet :)

Lately it seems we are always outside racing and riding! Here they go again!

Best Buddies!

A few weeks back Uncle Scott came to town for the weekend.  He and Trevor went on an overnight canoeing in a state park in South Carolina.  We then enjoyed his company for the rest of the weekend.  On Sunday we went to the Sander's to celebrate Jake's big 3-0! They made a delicious spaghetti dinner and the kids played and played.  It was so hard to come home!  It is so funny to see Dylan and Truss have such a great time.  They just go off and do their own thing and have a blast!  Avery waits on Scottie hand and foot and just follows her around making sure she avoids trouble.  I think it is going to be a very fun summer!  As I am hoping they will have lots of time to just be best buddies!  

Who can forget Avery's soccer season is over and she earned another trophy!  

My Little Princess

Just had to share a quick story from tonight...

As I was reading Avery a book before bedtime, I felt something under her pillow.  Now I often find unusual things hiding under that long pink pillow.  Usually, it is a flashlight she keeps under there to read when I turn out the lights.  Tonight it was a marble from the Hungry, Hungry Hippo game.  As I was reminding her how we have to be sure all the pieces get put back where they belong so we can play the game properly next time.  She just looked at me with those eyes and whispered, "Mommy, I just wanted to see if I am a real princess."  My heart melted a little, and a huge smile covered my face.  Avery was using her imagination tonight.  She was imagining that little marble was a pea and wanted to see how she slept.  If she slept horribly she would know for sure that she is a real princess..  Just like the book the Princess and the Pea.  Needless to say, that little marble is under her pink pillow as I type, and although I hope she gets her rest. I know my baby girl won't sleep very good tonight because she is my Princess!

I love you Avery Reese!  Sleep tight my little princess!

Renaissance Festival!

Looking for a fun day, head to the GA Renaissance Festival!  It is a ball!  Lots to do, look at, and taste!  We enjoyed the jousting show, a birds of prey show, a few comedians, a petting zoo, rides, shops, and exotic foods!  

 Trevor with a delicious pickle!

Say cheese!

Me with a walking gargoyle!

Awesome face painting!

A souvenir of swords!