Shall we Shrek?

Maevy,
This week, you and Daddy went to the Movies in the Park to take in (the first 30 mins of) Shrek.  It was just us two, and we had a pretty good time.  You were not familiar with any of the characters from the movie, but enjoy getting out and doing these kinds of things.

Well, as you may recall (either from actual memories, or previous blog posts) you are a big fan of the popular song "Call Me Maybe Maevy", which was played on the (really) loud speakers at the movie and I have to tell you that very little in life gives me more pleasure than seeing your joy & excitement at a moment like when you recognize something like a song that "has" your name in it.  You are so cute and with pigtails, the smile and excitement are infectious.

You are also a bit bossy sometimes (your mother inspires this trait), and when the team of people starting throwing t-shirts into the crowd, you insisted that we not get one.  And with you in my lap, as I was waving my arms to get a shirt thrown my way you began to cry.  After a boy came roaring past us, grabbing the incoming shirt from about a foot in front of us, I saw you crying (with tears and everything) and whining about not wanting a t-shirt.  I'm not sure what you thought was going to happen if we accepted a t-shirt, but whatever the outcome it was probably going to be innocuous.  Probably give it to your mother for use as a sleep shirt, or I may wear it while doing random "dirty tasks" around the house.  Either way, no real need in freaking out about receiving a free t-shirt from a local, hippy paper.

But after all that, the movie soon began.  The Pink Panther took up about 10 minutes and dented into our allotted time at the park, and by the time Shrek started it was 815pm.  Your mother and I decided (through texts) that about 30 mins and you and I had to get going back home.  I made you get up with me and leave about 9 or so, and I felt horrible since you kept saying something like "...but I want to stay and watch Shrek" and  "I'm not tired." and "can we stay and watch the movie?" all in that really cute 3-year-old daughter way that makes a father melt inside and want to give you whatever you ask for.

With a normal bedtime of 7 - 730p, the eventual 930p arrival back home was a pretty big gap to get you to sleep.  But you were not tired.

One more thing about our night out - it was the first time that we told you about Carter's hearing problems.  I was telling you about what we had just learned and you sat in the backseat, on the way to the event, saying "OK" to whatever I was telling you.

Anyways, I had a great time with you that night.  We laughed, we cried, we tasted bug spray in our mouths.  And no matter what we do in the future, I'll always have Shrek with you.

Love,
Daddy

So call me Maevy...

There's always a few "songs of summer", and this summer one of them is Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe". Here's the chorus-
Hey, I just met you and this is crazy,
But here's my number so call me maybe
It's hard to look right at you baby,
But here's my number so call me maybe
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy,
But here's my number, so call me maybe
And all the other boys, try to chase me,
But here's my number so call me maybe

While we were in Memphis for Memorial weekend, Aunt Lesley and Aunt Robyn took you with them to the mall, and the song came on in the car. They decided to change up the lyrics and sang "So call me Maevy". I think you thought it was pretty silly, but weeks later it came on in the car with Mom, and you remembered it. You said, "Aunt Lesley and Robyn like this song too!"

Here are you and Aunt Rob dancing to it. Aunts are fun. I like your moves.

Love you,

Mom

Summer Time

Maevster-

Since Mom's been home with baby Carter, summer has arrived! Yay! Here are some of fun summer activities we've done so far-

Swim lessons-
Your YMCA teacher, Ms. Rachael, was great. She said you were one the best in the class. Here you are floating on your back, almost unassisted. Great job!

Strawberry Picking-
When Aunt Lesley came to visit we went strawberry picking. You were a big help! Plus you love strawberries.

Dance/Tumbling Recital-
You had your 2nd dance/tumbling recital. You've been showing off your forward rolls for months now, but Mom and Dad were also excited to see you crab walk and gallop. We also recreated a picture that we took last year after the recital- on the swing, outside the firehouse. You with all your boyfriends- Carmen & Elias (Monty had already left.) 2012-

 2011-

You look like such a little lady in the 2012 one. Plus you and those pig-tail curls are so stinkin' cute!

Backyard Fun-

Mommy and Daddy spent some time this spring making our backyard a little more kid-friendly. We added a seating area, a music corner, a water wall, a balance beam, a chalkboard, and even some tires to climb on. It's fun having friends over and breaking out our make-shift slip and slide. You usually prefer to just hold the hose, but here's a picture of you actually sliding!

Looking forward to more summer activities...

Love you,


Mom

Bike Rider

Hey Maevy-

For a year now, we've trying to get you to ride your tricycle. Well you've enjoyed riding it, but not necessarily pedaling. The tricycle came with a cool handle that let Mom and Dad push you. We eventually took the handle off. Typically you would pedal 2 to 3 times and then say you were either tired or just not interested in riding your bike.

Both sets of grandparents scored sweet deals on used "real" bikes with training wheels. I think Grandma paid $5. Nice! Maybe it was lots of practice with the M & Pop or maybe you just woke up one day and decided I'm ready to pedal and ride a bike, but now you're a pro.

You still like riding your tricycle, but prefer your "new" bike. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa brought it up to Nashville last weekend when the visited. So far, our favorite spot to go riding is the Bicentennial Mall. There's lots of concrete, and fun places to visit- the globe, the amphitheater, and the bells.

Mom and Dad are really proud of you, and can't wait to take off those training wheels. :)

Love you,

Mom