Do you Swag?

Do you Swag? Do you think I'm crazy and/or wonder what in the name of Twinkies I'm talking about??
Well, here's the scoop (and, I'm taking this description off the actual site, because they can explain it better. Not to worry, I will later explain it in my terms):

Swagbucks.com is the web's premier rewards site. Powered by Prodege LLC, Swagbucks.com allows web users to earn virtual currency by doing the things they do every day - search the web, shopping at their favorite retailers, and by engaging in other activities such as phone recycling, submitting polls, and completing special offers. Swagbucks.com is the only place on the web to get what you want without ever having to spend a dime.

So, what does that mean? Well, basically you get paid to search! Yup, you heard me right. So, instead of using Google or Yahoo or whatever other search engine you use, use Swagbucks and earn points just for searching. You can then use these points to 'buy' prizes from their site. There's a little of everything for everyone; Toy Story stickers for the kiddos, video game equipment for dad, perfume for mom and the list goes on! I personally have been using mine to buy Amazon.com gift cards, which I'll use for Christmas gifts (there are other gift cards as well). I mean, how cool is that? You can get free stuff just by doing what you already do!
And, if you sign up using my referral code, I win every time you win! So, see...it's a win-win for both of us!
So, what are you waiting for...start Swagging (this link will take you directly to my referral sign up page)!!

Conversations with Zavion...

It's hard to believe my little man will be FIVE next month! And, also hard to believe I've been doing these since he was three! Wow, time has just flown by and while I sometimes wish I could just freeze everything, I am really enjoying watching him grow and learn.

So, stay tuned for next month's special feature 'A Week Of Zavion.' I'm planning on blogging about my special guy every day of his birthday week, so Sun Oct 17th to Sun Oct 24th (his birthday is the 19th). I have lots of fun blogs planned, so make sure to some back to check it out!

In the meantime...here's your latest Conversations with Zavion...

Z: I'd like to live in an apple tree.

M: Ok...why?

Z: Because it would be fun to live in an apple tree.

M: Why would it be fun to live in an apple tree?

Z: Because if you water the tree, you will get lots of apples and then you can eat apples all the time. You could eat your own house!!

Z: Mom, I want to be a car fixer when I grow up. I think people need car fixers, like if their air conditioning breaks or if their wheel falls off. Do you think car fixers make lots of money?

M: Hmmm...I don't know... But, how about a lawyer? They make lots of money! (Hey, a mom has to try right?)

Z: Ok, but what does a lawyer do?

M: Uhh...they argue with other lawyers & help people (It was the best I could do on the spot!)

Z: Well, I don't want to make people mad! 'Cause when I argue with you, I make you mad!

Z: Ewww!! Something stinks!

M: Yea, I think Avalee just pooped.

Z: I think Avalee just downloaded a game called, 'Stink Up the Room!'

Diary of Miss Avalee Apryl

Goodness, I guess it's been awhile since I've written in my diary! I've just been so busy lately, with Summer and all, I just haven't had much extra time!
So, let's see...where should I start? Well, how about that I'm a big girl now, like really big! When I had my last checkup in June, I weighed over 26lbs and was 33 ½” tall (they say that's 92% for height and 82% for weight...whatever all that means!). I'm tall enough to reach on the counters and on the dining room table now. And, when I use the kitchen stool, it's even better, 'cause I can reach the back of the counter! Mommy doesn't seem to happy about this, but it's really opened up some doors for me!
I'm also big enough now that I can really hold my own against my big brother! He tries to push me around sometimes, but I'm pretty tough and don't let him get away with much. I can even wrestle and play 'Tackle, Tackle' with my daddy and Z. I've gotten really good at my signature flying off the couch onto Daddy tackle!
I also love helping Mommy do chores. When she does the dishes, I try to help by rearranging the plates around or licking the extra yogurt off the spoons she forgot to rinse (silly Mommy!). Sometimes she gets frustrated (I'm not sure at who...or why...) so I shut the dishwasher door for her, to try to give her a little break. I even put away my own dishes after I'm done eating, just like my big brother!
I also like helping Mommy do the laundry. I hand her the clothes to put in the washer and she hands me the clothes to put in the dryer. Mommy always says I'm a really good helper and that she's proud of me (sometimes I try even extra hard to help and put extra fun stuff in the dryer when Mommy is distracted...)!
I really like doing everything on my own, and would rather not have anyone help me. From feeding myself to reading books to putting on my socks; I just like doing it all by myself! Mommy says I'm still little and need help, but she does let me feed myself now with my own spoon or fork! Sometimes I get a little messy, but Mommy usually cleans me up pretty quickly. Otherwise, I usually just wipe my face on my brother's shirt or the couch cushions.
I am really into reading now! I've gotten a few new books, but I also like going in my brother's room and raiding his cool library! I get special reading time at naps and bedtime, but Mommy and Daddy (and even Z) will always take time to ready to me anytime I want too. Sometimes, I just look through the book on my own, and even have a couple of my favorite books memorized.
I know probably about 30 signs now too (Mom and Dad teach me ASL, just like they taught Z)...maybe more. Some of the signs I regularly use are; Eat, Milk, Baby, Please, Thank You, Sorry and Book. I usually say these and sign them together. I have started to string some of the signs together now, and Mom and Dad even taught me to sign “May I please be excused (we have to ask to be excused from the table when we're done eating)?” At first, I could only sign “be excused” but now I can do all of it, and I'm just so proud of me (Mom and Dad say they're proud of me too!)!
I have lots of words I can say too, and people comment on my big vocabulary all the time. I just love to talk all the time, and to whomever will listen!
I also really like to use good manners, and try to always remember to say “Please” Thank You” and “You're Welcome.” I really like saying “Bless You” too when someone sneezes. Mommy says she's proud of my good manners and that sure makes me happy!
And, the most exciting news...I'm learning how to swim! I've been taking lessons for a couple months now with my daddy and I have learned so much. I can go underwater, jump off the wall, hold onto the wall by myself and kick, kick kick! I just love being in the pool and hearing Mommy, Grandma and Z all cheer me on (I just really love water of any kind, and love it when Mommy and Daddy takes me to the splash park or the pool!)! Mommy and Daddy say that next year I get to be ion a class on my own. I really love being in the pool with my daddy, but to be able to swim on my own, just like Z would be SO awesome!
And, of course, I still love being happy and you'll often find me laughing or smiling about something. I hear the work 'ornery' a lot around me, and I do try really hard to be good, but I just get so curious about things and want to just experience everything! I mean how should I know that putting my shoe in the toilet or coloring the back of the dining room chairs or trying to eat an ant are bad things?? So, I'm living and learning and doing it my own way. :o)
So, I think that catches you up with me and I promise to try to update you more often!
I gotta go...the bath is calling my name! :0)

~Avalee