Birthday Party Pics

Here are pictures from Ava's birthday party. She had lots of fun playing, we had lots of fun eating, and it was a nice, relaxing party without a lot of stress. Thanks to all who attended or sent gifts or cards!

Our Little Dorothy (aka Dopey)

Ava was super thrilled with her Dorothy costume (made by Nana). She sometime still calls it her Dopey dress, but every once in a while it comes out plain and sounds more like Dorothy. She wore it at the first part of her party, but changed right before we ate lunch. This is the costume we intend for her to wear this Halloween. Nana did a great job on it and Ava loves it. Here are a few more from here right before the party and while the kids were waiting for lunch to be ready. I will be posting the rest of the birthday party photos very soon. (All photos were taken by Aunt Bo.)

Two fabulous cakes made once again by Stacy.

Chuck E. Cheese

Here are the highlights from out trip to Chuck E. Cheese for Ava's 3rd Birthday. Thanks to Aunt Bethany for treating us!

• Even after Disney and meeting a million characters, Ava was very apprehensive of Chuck E. Cheese and wanted nothing to do with the big singing mouse.

• Ava LOVED watching herself on the TV screen and dancing while on TV.



• They had added more games this year, but riding things were still a favorite. She also loves to roll the ball up the skee ball ramp, even though it never makes it up the ramp.



• Ava was not interested in eating, she was too busy wanting to play. So Nana appeased her by letting her open a gift while we ate. She loves her magnetic "paper" dolls.



• She was excited over each and every ticket someone got. She doesn't know what they are for, but she loves tearing them off of the machine.



• A favorite game this time was a ticket game that gives tickets based on where the ball falls into a hole. Ava just loved pressing the button.



• She was so into games that she didn't even want to stop for cake.



• On the way home, she played doctor and had to doctor "Baby Brother" and me.



• You could definitely see much more independence this year, but even after having fun on the slide last year, this year she refused to slide down. She crawled all the way back down.

Watching Chuck E.

Dancing on TV

Checking out her booty onscreen.

Opening a present

Enjoying tickets

Dr. Ava

With "Baby Brother"

The Scooby Doo Cake she chose.

Like father, like daughter: enjoying the frosting off the toys.

Ava's 3rd Birthday - The Beginning

On Ava's actual birthday we started the day with a little bit if sleep in time. When she woke up, it was pretty smiley and she decided she wanted pancakes for breakfast. So I whipped up a Mickey Mouse pancake for her and then we worked on party favors and things for her big birthday party. We headed into town to buy some supplies and since she wanted McDonald's we ate inside Wal-Mart and people watched while we ate. She was disappointed that the didn't have Beanie Babies in the Happy Meal, but did enjoy her American Girl book. We laid low in the afternoon doing odds and ends and then when Daddy got home we rode with Pop to Jackson for a meal at Chuck E. Cheese's. During the car ride, Ava officially turned 3 at 5:36 p.m. and we took a few pictures like we do every year at the exact time of Ava's birth. Since we have so many pictures, I thought I would break it into segments and post a few at a time. So here is Ava's birthday up until the arrival at Chuck E Cheese.

(some photos were taken with the nice camera and others with my small digital)

Ava waking up

Enjoying her American Girl Paper Dolls/Sticker Book

Right before leaving for Chuck E.

At the moment of 3

Still wearing pull-ups...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Princess Ava!

(photo taken last Halloween)

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...

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! ;)

Hi Ho Cherry-O

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.

Eye Candy

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?

My favorite:

Sweet.

Ava's First Play/JT's Premiere

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!