Shark week

I am obsessed with Shark week.  Yes I know a little weird but I have always loved it.  So I was super excited when the toy in Burger King's Kids meal was a "shark fin".

I just thought it was so cute and fun.  

Is it bad that my 3 year old watched Shark Week and liked it ?

Ava's First Day of Preschool

I can't believe that my baby is 3 and starting preschool.  I know so cliche', but time really does fly.  Its hard to believe she is already at this point.   She is going to the same preschool that me and my brother went.  As I walked in the school Monday I felt so many memories rush back.  Yes I know I was 3-4 but I do remember bits and pieces of it.  Even some of the smells are familiar.
Ava did good.  I was expecting a huge meltdown.  She was so excited about putting on her "pack pack" (backpack).  I could tell she was getting nervous as we got out of the car.  She got very clingy and quiet.  I just reassured her she was only staying for a while and then somebody would be there to pick her up.   When we got in the classroom all the other kids were running in and playing.  Not Ava.  She stood close by me and observed.  She walked away from me a time or two but looked back to make sure I was still standing there.  Then she came over and asked me to hold her.  At this point I was getting chocked up because I knew she was getting upset.  Its SO hard to see her like that.  I knew I couldn't cry in front of her though.  She said "hold me a little bit longer".    OH goodness how can you say no to that ??   Finally I put her down and took her over to a play area.  I kissed and hugged her and she told me about 5 times she loved me.  As I walked away she turned and started running and crying.  She said "I didn't give my daddy a hug".   So Adam gave her another hug and the teacher got her hand.  I walked out with a huge lump in my throat.  Thankfully I had to go to work so I composed myself.  Honestly if I was just going home where nobody would see me I would have squalled :)

She did great though.  Her teacher complimented her on how good she was.  She was even the first child to go to sleep at nap time.   She was so excited to tell me about her day.  They painted their hand prints and did some other artwork.  You know I have that decorating my fridge :)  

So here is to a great year!!!! I hope she meets a lot of new Friends, learns a lot, has tons of fun, and gains a little bit of independence.   I said a little. :)

Happy Anniversary Adam!

Sunday, the 19th, was our 7th Anniversary!!!    How time flies?
We had a great night away Saturday night.  We ate at Connors in Bridgestreet.  It was yum as usual.  I ate so much I was miserable.  We stayed overnight at the Westin and enjoyed the peace and quiet.  I went to the spa!!!   Aww......it was wonderful.

Here are some flash back pictures from our Honeymoon in Maui....aka my favorite place on Earth!!!

Just Ava

Oh my little comedian.  This kid is hilarious!!!!   I am having to note everything she says because she says so much.  I don't want to forget it all.

She likes watching the Olympics.  Or as she refers to it....their "exercises".
We were watching them and she was watching the men run.  She said "On your March, Get set, GO"!   She also told her dad she wishes he could do the balance beam.  That is just funny.....to picture a man that wears size 12/13 shoes balancing himself.   Not to discriminate I am sure there are plenty of men that can rock the balance beam.  I just don't think her dad is one of them.
The next thing I know after the men's racing is over she has her head on the floor and her legs in the running stance.  She darts off across the room and through the house.    We have an Olympian on our hands people!!   Lets sure hope and pray she get her athletic ability from her dad because if not her hopes of ever even playing little league are pretty slim :)

The other night at supper she said look at me.  I literally about chocked on my food.  She had her legs in the Indian style position, her eyes closed, her hands raised up with one finger up, and she was humming.  I said are you meditating?  She said YES.  

I had a video to share but can't get it uploaded. :(  OH well maybe next time.

We are going to Disney World!!

We have had a trip to Disney World planned since early Spring.  We are counting down the days!!!  

I am trying to plan and make this the best 1st trip for Ava.  Yeah, I know she is 3,  and most likely won't remember much.   OH well.   I went when I was 3 and I do remember parts of it.   I am secretly really excited.  Well its not a secret anymore.....

So in preparation I am getting the ole sewing machine out and getting back into the grove of it.  I love doing crafts and making things, its just hard to find time and patience.  

So my thing is I wanted to learn how to sew a ruffle on a pair of pants, shorts, capris, whatever.  After some research and stumbling across a GREAT YouTube video here is what I came up with:

TA DAH!!!!

Ok let me just note that shorts are WAY harder than pants.  These didn't come out exactly as I planned so she might not wear this outfit as a day outfit.  It might be a play outfit or pjs :)

I also did the Mickey head on the top!!   Oh and I cheated.  I didn't sew the shorts and tank from scratch.  

Ava's Swimming Lessons

I knew as soon as Ava was born I wanted her to learn to swim....And enjoy it as I do.   Well fast forward 3 years...And its time to learn!!!   The problem is Ava is terrified of the water.  I mean we have a awesome splash park in our town that is free and the kid doesn't like it.  NO she isn't my child.  My mom would have had to literally drag me out of that place kicking and screaming.  I still have the urge to run through it and act like a kid.  I refrain though :)    So I knew it was going to be a not so pleasant thing trying to teach her.   One of my Friend's little girl is a great swimmer.  She is on 2 separate swim teams and I have watched her swim. I knew it was the perfect person to teach Ava because Ava adores her!!   So last week every night of the week for an hour Ava went to Swimming lessons with her.  The first night she had no clue what we were doing so she was excited.  I left her and there were no tears.  She actually did good the first night.  She was going under water and holding her nose.  She slipped once and went under not ready so that terrified her.  The next night I think I heard about a million times from the time I got home till the lesson, "Mom I don't want to go underwater"!   There were tears that night.  She ended up trying and doing good though.  Wednesday night she cried a little but still improved. She was learning how to float by then.  Thursday night she started jumping off the side of the pool into her arms.  That is huge for Ava.  She was also improving her floating skills.  Friday night before I even left she was jumping off the diving board.  I was SOOO proud of her.  I didn't expect her to swim by herself in 5 days, especially with her fear of water.  I was so glad that she tried and got more comfortable with the water.

Play, Play, Play

Playing at an indoor play area...Because its been 100+ degrees.

She looks like a turtle.

Lately we have been playing.....and Playing some more.

She is a Rockstar!!

 Yes my living room is over taken by toys!!!!

Playing at Nana's with my old barbie house my dad built for me. 

We have been to local parks, Nana's and just hanging out in our house!!!!