Chillaxin' with Daddy

I don't have anything clever to say about this picture, I just wanted to make sure you got to see it.  Cuz it's really freakin' cute.   Enjoy.

Toddler Wisdom

Ava has taught me a few facts about life that I didn’t know; I thought I’d pass them along in case you’re as clueless as I was:

1. No toy is interesting until it has been put away.
2. Food is more delicious when taken from the person who was about to eat it.
3. Good books should be read a minimum of 3 times in a row. Really good books, at least 6.
4. There is never a bad time to dance. If the music moves you (even if it’s playing over the sound system  at Home Depot), go for it.
5. Getting paint on your fingers is gross; picking your nose is not.
6. Potties are where you keep your valuables.

So go throw your watch in the toilet, swipe somebody’s chips, and dance to whatever moves you. The smile on Ava’s face tells me that life is better that way.

"Tumble Tots" Rocks!

Ava and Ollie started tumbling class today, and what a fabulous room full of adorable chaos it was.  Ava was in heaven from the second she toddled through the door; she was almost impossible to keep up with the entire 45 minutes we were there.  She spent the first 5 minutes pushing these giant balls around the room.  I have no idea why this was fun, but since I'm the kind of person that actually enjoys cleaning, I certainly have no room to judge.
  

(I thought she was going to rumble with that kid that came out of nowhere and hit her with the lawnmower.) 

The kiddos were all 3 yrs and under, so the teacher was kind enough to tell all the parents that it was ok if your kid ran amok like an wild animal during the structured parts of class.  (Ok, so I might be paraphrasing a little.)  I was grateful for that concession, because this was my little darling during "circle time". 

Fortunately for our rebel-baby, most of the class was free time, allowing the kids to climb, play, and explore without any of us pesky grown-ups getting in the way.

The class wrapped up with a little parachute time (it's not a metaphor; there actually was a parachute) and some songs.

 It was the kind of morning that makes everybody smile.  Hope you had one of those this week.

You must've been a beautiful baby.

Ava is a Girl.  And yes, I realize this has become a recurring theme in this blog.  It has also become a recurring theme in our house.  With each passing day it becomes more and more apparent that we are not dealing with a tomboy here.  She's spends her days nurturing her dolls and stuffed animals with kisses and cuddles, "talks" on anything that even remotely resembles a phone, and now turns anything shiny into jewelry.  If it fits on her wrist it's a bracelet; if she can get it over her head, she's found a new necklace; and if I happen to leave my earrings laying around, she does her best to stuff them in her ears.  It's just who she is.  And it's damn cute. 

Yesterday she decided to style her hair with the help of some Sesame Street stickers. 

(But just to prove that she is, in fact, my baby, she also loves her books.  Gorgeous AND brilliant.  Mama is proud.)

And to further illustrate my point, I'll tell you again that Ava loves to talk.  In full sentences, no less. Now, we don't yet understand all of what she has to say, but that doesn't stop her.  As long as each of her declarations is met with a heartfelt, "Oh really??", she is happy.  The only person that seems to understand her every word is Ollie. 

He listens attentively, and even laughs at intervals.  They seem to have a language all their own.  Thanks to Lisa for this picture; have you ever seen anything sweeter?

Tumbling lessons start this week, so much more fun to come!

This post has aboslutely no common thread.

So don't look for one.  Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the random pictures and meandering thoughts.

Want to see what happy looks like?

That is the face of a child in total bliss at the opportunity to spend the afternoon at the children's museum.  It would have been the perfect outing if Ava hadn't insisted on playing within 2 feet of a child who had clearly pooped his pants, and whose parents had (I hope) not yet noticed that fact.  I was pretty pleased when he left.

Ava developed a bit of a crush on this (pleasant smelling) little fellow, and thrilled him to no end when she threw her arms around him for a hug.  I think Andy and I are in big trouble when the teen years come along.  How do you think she'll feel about an all-girls school?

Ava, live at the Denver Zoo

Sunday was gorgeous here, so we packed up the family and headed straight to the zoo.  The animals were active, and Ava had a ball chasing the free-ranging geese, but as always, the height of fun was had on the carousel.  It never fails to make her - well, all of us really - smile. 

How much do you think art school is going to cost?

Art projects have become a favorite pastime for Ava and Ollie.  In keeping with this new hobby, the kids made Valentine's Day cards for their dads. 

          

Pure genius.

We might need to work a little harder on sharing.
Ollie made the mistake of trying on Ava's necklaces when he was here for a visit.  Ava made it very clear that this would not be tolerated.

Ava tries to prove that she's the Alpha Baby

That second picture says it all; Ollie looks devastated, and Ava couldn't be happier about how the whole thing turned out. 

Sorry, Ollie.  If it helps, she takes stuff from me too.

Happy Thursday!

You only think you know what you're doing.

Is laundry confusing to you? Do you sometimes wonder why your clothes don’t look quite as perfect when you put them on as they could? Well I have recently learned some valuable tips from Ava that she has given me permission to pass on to you. You might want to take notes…
First, make sure your laundry sorter is in the right place. Mine clearly was not, so Ava moved it for me.



Next, remove all items from their respective baskets and throw them into one big pile on the floor. Sorting is for losers.


Once your clothes are clean, you might think that you should fold them and put them away, but you’d be wrong. Now this next step is crucial, so pay attention. You need to climb into your laundry basket and stand (or sit; your choice) on your clothes, then bundle them up in your arms and squeeze. You must then throw them, one piece at a time, onto the floor. You may now proceed to folding.


Trust me, follow this advice and you’ll look fabulous in those clothes. Especially if you have some place important to go.

Now relax.  Laundry is hard work!

Lightening in a bottle...

Ever managed to get 3 small children to sit still and listen to a story? Not only did Lisa and I do it, but we were quick enough to get the evidence on camera. We rule.



How sweet are those babies?