Happy Fourth Bday!!

Despite my threats that if she didn't stop doing this or that thing* she wouldn't turn four, Avery made it to the big day. She has already informed us that she wants to turn four and then five and then stop (because at five you can be a dolphin "trainer"). She also asked me, while semi-fake weeping, if she could live with me forever, even when she has a baby and gets married. As long as it's not in that order, she can.

When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday she simply replies "celebrate" so celebrate we have. On Saturday I took her to see Enchanted with a friend from church (super cute, I totally can't wait to buy this movie...and I don't usually care to own movies), they danced in the aisles during the credits. Today, I am taking her to get ice cream with two of her other friends then we will have a quick celebratory meal with dad before he goes to work.

*this or that consists of stunts like stealing her brothers binky, not going to bed when I say, talking back to adults - for instance she is really into no smoking or no whatever signs, we were at a doctors office recently and a lady was talking on her cell phone while standing right next to a sign that indicated no cell phones with the red circle & slash and I could tell that A. was dying to say something to her but was getting glared at by me to not say anything and when I left the waiting room to talk to the nurse I observed her proceed to (kindly) inform the lady that you weren't supposed to use phones in the waiting room.

This kind of self-confidence/righteousness is highly annoying to me in a child and I am trying to do everything I can to stop her from thinking she is "in charge" (any suggestions from anyone on how to reign in the strong-willed child?). Of course privately I do see the humor in some of her antics, like most recently, at church when she tried to leave her seat to go into the foyer and I threatened her that she would have to go sit in the car she instantly bared her teeth, and drew up her arms and legs into the Karate Kid pose at me in defiance. Yikes! Which leads me to a further warning - watch out, because she is into fake slapping too, but don't worry, she'll give you a tutorial on how to move your head before she throws one on you. I always thought being a stunt woman would be cool so maybe that's what she's going for. I am a little scared at what age 4-5 will bring but I'm sure it will be both entertaining and challenging.