BRING YOUR DAUGHTER TO WORK DAY

The day finally arrived . . . Avery has been waiting for YEARS to go to work with her dad! The rule is that kids have to be 8 years old. At just a week shy of her 8th birthday, Avery was thrilled to be able to go to work with Dad today. She met two new friends and got to participate in many science experiments that involve things like ethanol, hydrogen and liquid nitrogen. She even got to ride in a fuel cell car! Avery and her dad had lunch at Eric's favorite pizza place, followed by ice cream on the walk back to work. She brought home a "keepsake" folder of all of her day's activities. She is already excitedly looking forward to this day next year. Ella is counting down the days until her turn . . . just two more years :)

BIRTHDAY TREE

One of our favorite things about our home is the special tree in our backyard. When we moved in (December 1999) the tree looked dead and especially un-lovely to a pregnant wife who had just left perpetually green Atlanta. I decided that if it remained that ugly in the spring we would cut it down. Early in April the tree began to bud. At 36 weeks pregnant, I declared that the baby would be born on the day that the tree bloomed. Sure enough, on April 30 we saw our beautiful tree bloom for the first time. That same day, Avery Elizabeth made her way into the world, 5 days early. From that day forward, we have dubbed it "Avery's birthday tree" and we look forward to this time every year!

SPA PARTY

Avery and her friend, Serena, are turning 8 this month! To celebrate their birthdays, we had a spa party on Saturday. Nine little girls enjoyed painting their nails and doing their doll's hair. Avery's big-girl cousins, Sam and Erin came to help do the girls' hair while the grown-ups gave the girls "facials" and pedicures. Avery declared it "the best birthday party ever!"

Serena's mom, Bonnie, made adorable flip-flop cakes! To see more pictures of our memorable spa party, click on the title link above.

SPLASH WEEK

Avery and Ella had a ball with the free swim lessons offered through the YMCA this week. As we expected, Avery was right in the water, swimming like a fish and loving it. Ella, however, had been very hesitant last summer -- often not leaving the side of the pool without Mom or Dad. It was so fun to see how she has grown! She was jumping off the side with no one catching her, "bobbing" underwater and floating on her back with her head in the water. Big strides!

H.O.R.S.E

This week we put up a fun new basketball hoop (thank you, cousins Sammie & Ty!). Today Avery told me, "I didn't know that I loved basketball this much! Of course we had to purchase a PINK basketball!

The rule is that Daddy has to squat while he shoots, just to make it fair. Their favorite game is H.O.R.S.E. (or D.A.D. if it's getting close to dinner or bedtime).

When Ella shoots she not-so-quietly coaches herself to "push" as she sends the ball up in the air. We are loving this warm weather and the promise of summer ahead!

MOMMY-DAUGHTER DATE

Avery and Mom went on a date on Sunday afternoon. It seems that Avery is outgrowing the Strong Museum -- she chose to go there for our date but we could never quite find a good place to settle in and play. Finally she said, "Can we just leave and go get an ice cream?" I don't even feel sad to see her growing up -- she just gets more precious every day!

LIVING INSIDE OUT IN AN UPSIDE DOWN WORLD

Last Friday night Avery and Ella enjoyed a highlight of their school year -- the NBCS school play! This was Ella's debut and she shone brightly as she read scripture and accompanied her class with special readings. Avery performed in the front row of the choir and lit up the stage with her contagious smile and expressive singing.

An excerpt from one of Ella's readings: "Have you ever seen a city on a hill? The lights can be seen for miles and miles around. Jesus said we should be the same way for Him. We have the light of the Holy Spirit living right inside of us, and naturally, His light is going to leak out, pour out. In every little space of every little minute of your life you can be a humble servant so that Jesus can shine through."

MEET SLIMEY, SLIMER & EARTHY!

Slimer, Slimey & Earthy are worms, dug fresh from the backyard. Avery & Anaja did most of the digging, as you can see from their hands! The worms all have a common last name: Connor-Martinez, in honor of the little girls who found them. Tonight the worms are sleeping comfortably in a old Cool-Whip container with lots of dirt and leaves (outside, of course!). I wonder . . . what other creatures will this Spring bring?