Today my little Ava turns 3! I can't believe how quickly time flies. We are spending the day together and then heading to Jackson tonight to enjoy some time at Chuck E. Cheese (or as Ava calls it, Kentucky-Cheeses). Then the big party on Saturday.
Happy Birthday Little Ava! I can't believe how big for your britches you are!
She's a helper (when she wants to be) and has really wanted to help Daddy as he finished painting the stairwell. I am so glad that after a year it is finally done! Ava enjoyed sitting on the steps watching Daddy paint and he even did a little bit of painting with her. We have been busy getting ready for Ava's birthday and trying to complete some unfinished projects around the house. Ava's bedroom is completely painted and so is out stairwell/hallway. I haven't posted pics of Ava's bedroom because it is not finished, but I promise as soon as it's done, I will post some. We haven't even started on Baby Boy's room. He needs a little paint touch up and some reorganization. Lots to do in a little bit of time. Anyone who wants to come help is more than welcome! ;)
Back in July, Nana and Pop went to visit Aunt Bethany in Nashville. It was right after our anniversary, so when they got home, they brought us an anniversary gift and a little something for Ava. Our anniversary gift was one of those brownie pans that makes lots of edges. The edges are my favorite so I am excited that I can have so many delicious edges in one pan! Ava got a Hi Ho Cherry-O game that she has spent loads of time playing. We are still working on the concept of taking turns, sharing, and following rules, but she is getting better. She loves playing and just doesn't understand why landing on the dog is a bad thing (you lose 2 cherries). She also doesn't understand why you can't just spin until you get the dog. But this is a start and a way for her to learn rules and how to play a real game.
Just a little eye candy since I haven't been posting much since school started. I took a few photos of Ava before church yesterday. They aren't the greatest because of the sun/shaded area of our front yard, but I love them anyway!
Not really sure what Little Miss Personality is doing here!
Why do all little girls have to pull their dresses practically over their heads?
A few months ago we were excited to learn that Stacy and Jonathan's son, JT, had gotten a part in a production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. There is not a lot of theatre around these parts, and for his first try, he got a HUGE part. He was cast in the role of Gaston's little henchman, Lefou. Today we got to go see his last performance and it was fantastic! Ava and I went alone because Bradley was working on some painting, and she did fantastic. The only hard parts for her were when the lights would go out for scene changes and she had a really hard time because to her the beast looked like a witch since his face wasn't completely covered. But she enjoyed the show and we were so happy that JT did such a fantastic job!
Yesterday Bradley and Pop painted Ava's room that is transforming into her big girl room. We choose a pink color and she was amazed at the transformation. It only took about 3 hours for them to do and the results are completely different. Of course Ava wanted to hang around and watch the whole process, but I convinced her to leave so we could do a few craft things and give them some time without her hanging around. When she saw the pink color on her walls she said, "That color is beautiful!" I can't wait to get it completed and then I will share the finished product with you.
This is gross, but when we pulled Ava's bed away from the wall, there were little dirty footprints on it! Can we say grocery feet!
I took this picture of her while she was saying, "I like it."
These two are the Mickey and Minnie that Ava covered in diaper rash ointment a few weeks ago because, "Their booties were hurting."
I had planned to do a 10 on Tuesday yesterday, but didn't get to since Ava and I made a quick trip to KY to take my Nanny's dog back to her. It was a nice little day trip, but would have been much better if it hadn't rained on us for most of the day. So here is a little recap of what is happening around here.
1. I have been working on Ava's birthday party. Invitations will be going in the mail tomorrow, but if you usually come, it will be on August 15th this year.
2. Ava loves to help with things (except cleaning up), especially in the kitchen. Here she is on the 4th "helping" me with a cobbler I made. Peach cobbler, yum! I actually think Ava ate more of the pecans then she put on the cobbler!
3. Several pictures here from a few eeks ago. How did she manage to spill a container or bubbles on top of her head?
4. Ava is big into dressing and undressing herself right now. She loves picking out her own outfits and for the most part does an okay job of matching, though last week's magenta top and Christmas pajama pants was a bit much! If you notice in the pictures above her tank top looks too big, it's because she insists on trying to take things off and slide them down her waist. Which never works, but she really tries hard.
5. A few recent scrapbook pages. I really need to find time to do some more, but it doesn't look like that is happening!
6. No, we have not decided on a name for the new baby yet. I call him Cletus and for some reason, my friends on facebook keep messaging me really concerned that his name is going to be Cletus. Seriously, people? Seriously?
7. Last week Bradley and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary. We made a quick trip to Jackson and ate at the Olive Garden. You would have thought Ava had never been to a restaurant because as she was eating salad, she kept saying, "I love this meal!" Yeah, it was good and to celebrate we did a little quick self-portrait.
8. Ava is all excited because we bought supplies for Nana to sew her a "Dopey" costume. At least that's what Ava calls it. It is actually a Dorothy costume from the Wizard of Oz which she loves!
9. On one of the last hot days that we had, I filled up Ava's pool. She was sitting in it waiting to go down her slide and said, "I'm so egg salad!" That's Ava speak for "I'm Excited!" Cutie!
10. I go back to work tomorrow. Summer is over for me. Back to the grind!
Ava has loved doing crafty stuff this summer and we have spent a lot of time coloring, drawing, gluing, stickering, and making all sorts of things. She has a little basket in my craft room and digs in it for stuff all the time. Nana also gave us a huge box of craft stuff that we have used and played with. Anytime I tell her it is craft time she is beyond excited. For the most part, I just give her the supplies and let her do the rest. Here are some pictures of Ava crafting some animals that came in that box.
I couldn't help laughing when Ava brought me this cow and said, "Mommy, why does her tootie look so funny?"
A couple of our animals with their eyeballs attached.
Scene: Driving in the car after leaving the Dollar Tree where Ava wanted to buy 3 or 4 gross looking baby dolls. (Now the Dollar Tree has great stuff, but their baby dolls, not so much!) I told her maybe she would get a new baby for her birthday and then we left. Fast forward to in the car driving.
Ava: I want to buy some babies...
Bradley: Okay Madonna.
Me: laughing
Bradley: or Angelina
So while this little conversation played through my head and I was laughing, I saw this running through my mind. It is a scene from Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update making fun of Angelina and Madonna. You will prob have to view the commercial since this comes from NBC, but they have TONS of SNL cips including some older ones. Browsing fun!
Here are a few pictures from our actual 4th of July celebration. We had supper with Joe who cooked a delicious meal accompanied by my peach cobbler (with help from Ava). We did a few fireworks in the backyard and then headed to Dyersburg to watch the fireworks. We had some storms roll through right after the fireworks, but luckily we got to see the good stuff (not that Ava paid attention because she had to go potty!). Ava got more enjoyment from helping Daddy light the smoke bombs and throw the poppers. She didn't much care for the sparklers or things that made loud noises. You can see in some of the pictures she was plugging her ears. We all had a great time and enjoyed the holiday.
She was annoyed because I wanted a picture of her in her shirt.
Happy with Daddy because he had the little popping things that you throw.
Tiffany is the lady of the manor. Teacher by day and Mommy/ Wife/Photographer/ Cook/Maid/Scrapbooker/TV watcher/ Jack of All Trades by night. Bradley says I have way too many hobbies and I need to put some aside. I love to take pictures and scrapbook our lives. I used to read alot, but I find that I don't have as much time as I used to. I am entranced by my DVR and because of it I watch way too much TV! I also tend to make jokes in uncomfortable situations.
Bradley
About Bradley
This man of the house enjoys all things sports related. There appears to be no season that he doesn't enjoy. I think the only sports he won't watch are golf and soccer. My guy is a fan of The Price is Right and Andy Griffith. During the day you can find him at work in the family water business, and at night you can find him watching the news and Wheel of Fortune. He is an excellent story reader with multiple voices and a pro at making stuffed animals talk and dance.
Ava
About Ava
Ava is 5 years old. She is a kindergartener this year and has been giving them a run for their money. She enjoys Disney Movies and playing, especially with her Build a Bear, Flower. She loves reading and is starting to listen to chapter books like Junie B. Jones. Ava loves all stuffed animals and if possible would own a zoo full of stuffed animals. Her imagination is really starting to take off. She is an excellent big sister and a complete drama queen! She takes dance and cheer and loves going to church for her bible study class.
Harrison
About Harrison
Harrison (aka CAPTAIN DESTRUCTO) is almost 2 years old. He is a messy eater who prefers empty carbs. He loves to snuggle and I call him a cuddlebug. He also likes to put things up his nose. :( He enjoys playing with Ava and going outside. He loves watching the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" and loves to torment his sister and the girls at his Daycare. He can be super sweet, or super fierce. He keeps me laughing and on my toes.
(photo taken last Halloween)
