Christmas Part III

Christmas Eve night, Grandpa and Nanna came over. I was scheduled to work on Christmas, so we celebrated everything a day early. Even Santa came a day early- you gotta love that big guy :)




Stand back Nanna, I can handle this myself.







She loved her bean bag chair and her Barbie car!

Here she is just being silly and wearing a box for a hat.
Thanks Nanna and Grandpa!

Christmas Part II

The day before Christmas, Ava and I made cookies for Santa. She was so excited for Santa to try them!







The first thing she saw was her train table with her Thomas the Trains. She was so excited when she saw it coming down the stairs. She yelled, "oh, thank you santa!!" Too stinkin' cute. We had to wait a while for her to play with her train so she could open the rest of her gifts.


Ok, so we finally got to the rest of the presents.








She loved unwrapping everything.


Some of her favorites besides her train.
Elefun!












And her Wonder Pets! Dad loved this one so much it is now at Grandma's! I guess it is kind of loud, but she loves it and that's what matters :)










And of course, paint. It was so exciting to see her this year. I think this was the first year that she somewhat understood what was going on. Next year should be even more fun!

Lazy snow days and masterpieces

Today it was my turn to be on call at work, so I decided Ava and I would have a lazy day. What's wrong with staying in your pj's until noon? Instead of wrapping the last of the Christmas presents (which I need to do) I hung up some painting masterpieces.




























This one is my favorite. It looks like a frog sitting under the bright, blue sky. Can you see it?

Christmas Party Part I

Well, Our first Christmas party came on Sunday. We headed over to my Aunt Diane's house in the falling snow. Ava couldn't wait to see her cousin, Bella. They played at the piano for the longest time.

Ava has gotten to the age where it has been quite a struggle teaching her to share. I couldn't get over how fabulous Bella was with Ava, even though Ava wasn't always the best playmate- sorry Bella :(






She got lots of great gifts. She got A LOT of paint which is perfect for her. She was ready to open them up as soon as she opened the gift bags.
She also got a really cool puzzle from her grandpa. It's a wooden fish puzzle with a magnetic fishing pole. She has been going to bed with it every night since Sunday!


We left the party a little early because Ava hadn't had a nap that day, and things were getting a little hairy. We couldn't resist tromping through the newly, fallen snow. Yes everyone, she is playing in the snow in tights.





Besides a temper tantrum and a squabble or two, we had a great day!

First Movie Theater Experience.

Sunday, my mom, two sisters, Ava and I went to see The Princess and the Frog. This was Ava's first trip to the movie theater. I was a little worried that the movie wouldn't hold Ava's attention the entire time. Boy was I wrong!
















She was mesmerized the entire time! Well, until she fell asleep that is. She lasted almost to the end, but her nap time was calling.









My little tootsie had a fantastic time! I can't wait to take her to more fun movies and fill up on popcorn and slushies!

Mmmmm, Delicious!

So our original plans for today were postponed due to weather :( Maybe next week, Julie.
I felt bad that Ava wouldn't have anything fun to do, so she spent the afternoon decorating the house, a gingerbread house that is.



The decorations.
When Ava came out to the table she said,"mmm delicious". I think she thought this was her lunch :0









She got the hang of it right away.




























And, Drum Roll Please..........

Ta Da!!!!

Disney Princesses on Ice!

Last week, Ava and her cousin Chloe went to see Disney Princesses on Ice! I was a little worried that Ava wouldn't be able to go because she started getting some upper respiratory problems a couple of days before that. Luckily, the day of the show all she had were some sick looking eyes, a runny nose, and an occasional cough. Both of the girls had a lot of fun. I think the two moms accompanying them enjoyed it a lot too! I didn't get the best pictures because I didn't use my flash. I didn't want to be held responsible for any accidents on the ice due to a blinding flash:)



This is Cinderella's carriage. They had these really cool glow in the dark horses.













My favorite the fairies from Sleeping Beauty.













Ava during intermission trying on her Minnie Mouse ears.













We can't do anything without some popcorn!































All of the princes and princesses.









Look at those poor, sick, little eyes :( She had a lot of fun though!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Christmas is coming so fast this year. I am pretty proud of myself having all of my Christmas shopping done, but I still need to wrap almost everything. Besides the shopping, we had to decorate the house. This year we (ie me) decided to only put up the bare essentials. I get so tired of hauling everything up from the basement, put things out for a month, and then cart everything back downstairs. You may call me a scrooge, but I prefer simplistic :)

























































Part of the "essentials" is all of the Christmas toys that talk and sing.
































































Fitting for Ava, don't you think?














































I had to include this masterpiece. Ava and I just made this today. Isn't it cute?!