Chef Ava

Ava has found a new love.... cooking. She loves to pour, stir, taste, splatter, and repeat.





















"Watch out Dada, I can do that myself"

Operation Christmas Child

This year we decided to try something new. You fill a shoe box full of goodies, and the shoe boxes get distributed to kids around the world who probably have never received a present before. I was only going to do one shoe box this year, but it was so much fun, I couldn't stop myself.


It was so much fun gathering all sorts of presents for the boxes. Ava even helped pack the boxes. At first I thought she would have a hard time giving toys away, but she was eager to have other kids get their "birthday presents"- well, close enough.











I'm planning on making more boxes for next year. This time, I'll have the whole year to collect a lot of little treasures :).

Wordless Wednesday- Yikes!!

I think we need to work on her makeup technique.

All Aboard!!

A couple of weeks ago, Ava and I took a trip up to Chicago with my good friend, Julie, and her kids. This was Ava's first "big" trip. Needless to say, I was a little nervous about how Ava would behave on the train. All the kids did absolutely awesome on both the way there and the way back!! We even had several people comment about how well behaved they all were.


We went to the Shedd Aquarium and saw lots of neat things!! We watched one of the shows that had penguins, whales, and dolphins.











I think the kids had the most fun playing in "penguin land".

After the aquarium, Ava took a much needed mini- nap. (It was getting a little hairy at the aquarium for while. On a total side note- when you have a screaming child, it just doesn't seem like there are as many people crowding around you. I guess that is one positive to a public meltdown.)
Anyway, next we went to the American Doll Store. I had never been there before, but boy was it sooo much fun. Since Ava slept through that part, I took full advantage and bought a set of American Girl Doll twins for christmas. I couldn't have her miss the experience and have nothing to show for it :).





Then we went to a Lego Store. By then, Ava woke up and was raring to go. Brooklyn and I, however, needed a little rest. The two of us sat by this lovely gentleman :)- while Julie, Jack, and Ava looked at Legos.









I had to throw this one in. Ava just loves Jack to pieces, and he is soooo good with her. Ava calls him her "sweetie", too cute.

It was a great trip! I was so proud of how good the kids did. Julie and I decided that we had so much fun, we have already booked our next trip in a couple of weeks. We did only book two tickets, though. I guess we'll just have to make the most out of a "mom only" trip:). I can't wait to see all of the stores decorated for Christmas and get some shopping done. It should be a really fun time with one of my good, good friends. A thought: Doesn't the Lord do his work in the most wonderful ways ?!

Mama's Little Papoose

Ava had so much fun at Halloween! A friend at work let me borrow one of her daughter's old Halloween costumes. Ava loved it! The first night I brought it home, she kept twirling around the house. She even had to sleep in it that night :)

We started out by going to my little sister's Halloween party at her school.




























Then we got ready to go Trick or Treating. Ava loved looking at all of her goodies that she got in her basket.


















She couldn't wait to get back home to go through everything.

Off to the pumpkin patch

A couple of weeks ago ( I know really slacking here) we went to the pumpkin patch to ride the tractor out to the patch and pick our very own pumpkin. Ava was so excited!!



She started out the trip by playing on the slides and club houses.












Then, we went into the petting zoo. Ava is still kind of scared to feed the animals. She will decide to be brave and pulls her hand back right at the last second.















Have I ever mentioned that my daughter is part monkey?
Even though she is afraid of the man eating goats, she is not afraid of heights (much to my dismay).















Daddy and Ava riding out to the pumpkin patch.














She was more interested in running down the paths than looking at the pumpkins. She kept running,
























and running,










and running.

















Until......
she found just the right one(notice that it's still green).








We all had a great time picking out our pumpkins.

Start the countdown!

Ava and I are riding the train up to Chicago tomorrow with my good, good friend, Julie, and her kids. I am very excited and a little nervous all at the same time. This is the first time Ava has ever been on a "major" trip. This will be the longest ride that she will have to sit through. I have a backpack full of goodies to ,hopefully, keep her entertained and quiet.
I have some prayer requests:
1. We arrive safely with no dirty looks from fellow passengers.
2. I don't forget/lose my child anywhere (cabs, american girl doll store, penguin exhibit)
3. trip free of asthma attacks.
4. Fun and stress free (I'll even take minimal stress) day with a great friend and make many memories.