Willary Inc.: Happy Thanks-birthday!

Hello friends!

Since Will is busily preparing for his exams, I thought I would take a moment to keep you all updated on recent events and to (most importantly) share pictures. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with Rachel and Walter in their new home in Massachusetts. Will's parents also came out. It was nice to see everyone. Claire disappeared for the duration of the visit to play with her older girl cousins, and Avery could be heard making appropriate boundaries with DeShaun, also 2, who just wanted to hug her and hold her hand. (She was frequently heard saying, "No!", "Don't!", and "I need my space!") It was pretty comical really. Sometimes she would play with him, but most of the time she spent avoiding him. Now that we are home, of course, she can't stop talking about him. Ah, the fickle 2 yr. old.

Before Thanksgiving, Avery had her birthday on the 25th so she is now officially 2. I am relieved that she has reached this milestone, so I can truthfully say she is 2 to strangers that ask. She is tall for her age and speaks fairly well, so I have had the burden (it's awful really :) of either explaining why she doesn't look X number of months or how she is almost 2. Hopefully, the explanations are over for at least a month or two.

Anyway, Avery had a great birthday. She doesn't quite have all the birthday traditions in order, but the thing she does know about is the candles. Every time we asked her what she wanted for her birthday she would simply say, "candles", usually followed by something like "blow them out."

Claire tried to get her excited for cake and presents, but until she really discovered what 'cake' and 'presents' meant, candles were the reason for any excitement. Now, of course, she sees the roll of wrapping paper and says, "I know what this is for!" and proceeds to unroll it, searching for the gift inside.

Claire was so excited for her sister's birthday that she let her teachers, her class, and her bus driver know that it was her little sister's birthday. She was also patient and helpful in coaching Avery in proper gift unwrapping technique. What a sweet sister she was! And it is always interesting how Avery's birthday gifts help to refine Claire's Christmas list. :)

Well, I think that is all for now. I have included several pictures of Avery's birthday below. Unfortunately, we got very few of Thanksgiving, but just imagine us for 13 hours in the car, interrupted by 2 days of gorging ourselves, and 13 hours back. See? Now you have all the mental pictures you need. :)

Special shout-out to our neighbor and friend who recommended a more reasonably priced mechanic so we could get our car fixed in the nick of time (and for a fraction of the price!). Thanks Lauren!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We missed all we couldn't be with and wish you all a Happy Holiday season.