Small spaces for small people

This is sort of new, but Ava loves getting to little buckets that are JUST her SIZE!!! Check her out!!

I can use a fork and spoon!!

She insists, and it isn't pretty, but she does a fairly good job. And when she gets frustrated she goes straight for the fingers. And that works just as well....except for applesauce.

Another beautiful day at the beach

Its like a broken record, but we wen to the beach again and Annie took a few shots of us. Thought I would share. I wish I had some updates, but i cant think of any at the moment. We did got to the Arlington Reservoir on Friday with the Strom's which was fun. Elly and her 2 boys, Leo and Tynan met us there too. Ava seemed to be more at their speed. Up and down the beach pushing trucks, stealing shovels, eating sand....running away from me...you name it. It was very difficult t hold a conversation with Natasha!! However, at the beach she was much more interested in hanging out and digging a hole to walking and out of. She was also very interested in seaweed and absolutely obsessed with the seagull flying around. The most mazing thing of the day was the 40 hour nap she took on a towel on the hard sand!!! Under an umbrella of course.

Avas been upgraded

I am not sure if I mentioned in the last blog that Ava has finally moved from the infant room to the toddler 1 room. Just my opinion-but she really should have been moved earlier than she was. I have to say ever since she has moved to that room, shes a joy in the car, shes much more self entertained at home, shes super interactive and communicative with books and pictures...Its like she grew up over night!! Shes so silly.

She can point out lots of body parts, but most of all she loves showing her belly button. She also really loves growling like a lion! ha! So funny and adorable. Some other things we have been doing, LOTS of drawing. She loves it. We use washable markers and we use magnetic boards - sort of like etcha -sketch. Ever since we got her a little table at IKEA she loves to sit there and draw. She initiated it herself. Carried the little magnetic board over there set it on top of the table got on her chair and started drawing. It was unbelievable to see. Like she grew up right in front of me. Some amazing things to me anyways, she can take the caps off her markers, and put them back on. She LOVES trucks. She also enjoys toting a pho-white patent leather purse around the house. So fashionable already.

Some recent discovery beyond the above. The dirty stuff. Nostrils. Boy does she loves exploring those. Everyday this week I've walked in on her exploring those guys with her finger jammed as far as it could go. Not to mention shes got a bit of a runny nose. ewe. She also enjoys messing with the toilet. If we are upstairs and its quiet I now know what shes doing. Shes lifting the toilet seat and playing with the toilet water. Not only playing with it but sampling it. NASTY. It gets better. She can reach the window sill now and took down my 100$ plus sonicare toothbrush(gift from the dear miss Annie). This toothbrush has a handy cover on it. When i walked in on her she was scooping out water in the bowl with my cover and smiling with the expression of LOOK AT ME MOM!!! The good news is that it was flushed, the bad news is that i think she dipped my toothbrush in it. Yuck!!

I've also started the timeouts with her. Which actually surprisingly she does ok. She really sits still. But shes still biting and scratching me.....hmmm....

I had a moment the other night where she was sleeping and I was just looking at her and she was so peaceful and cherub like I almost started crying. Its so amazing to be a part of this little girls life we both feel so blessed to have her in ours. I hope I'm not the mom dropping her off at college balling and smothering her with kisses telling her how its so hard to let my baby go!! haha!

Ava School pics

I've been meaning to post these. I finally scanned them. They crack me right up!

Sunday afternoon on Singing Beach

I think this girl will be spending MANY a day on the beach this summer. After Rich and i each got our workouts in Sunday morning and relaxed in the side yard sipping water with Kim we headed out to Manchester to hit the beach with Annie and Garreth. Ava was in HEAVEN!! She stole other kids toys, played in their little pools and even stole a giant football from a mom on the beach. Im wondering when the 'cuteness' factor will wear thin. See more beach photos on our flickr account here: Ava Singing Beach There are also some shots of Ava playing at her easel that the Stroms got her for her birthday.