Festivities...

Ava's birthday festivities started a couple days early with a surprise balloon bouquet from her Mimi & PawPaw.  This child LOVES balloons.  (not that most kids don't...)  We couldn't have timed it more perfectly, Ava had just gotten up from a nap when the balloons showed up. 

(bad angle, but I tired)

She was thrilled, and the balloons lasted until just this week.  And they probably would have lasted a few more days but they were starting to droop.  Not only does Ava love balloons, but she loves popping balloons.  So with Daddy's help, Ava popped the remaining balloons yesterday.  Who knew they would bring double the fun. 

Ava's birthday was on a Tuesday this year, and since I work on Tuesdays we took the day before to hang out and do some birthday activities.  Being so ridiculously busy, we hadn't bought Ava's presents, so Ava and I headed to Toys R' Us.  Last year I signed Ava up for Geoffrey's Birthday Club, so I knew she'd get the special treatment and a balloon - which of course would make her day.

I'm sure you can't tell how excited she is  :o)

The Birthday Girl @ Toys "R" Us

We spent a little time playing with Thomas and the other trains, she had the whole table to herself.  Then purchased Ava's present, somehow without her seeing it. 

We waited until Daddy got home and then had dinner and cake and then let Ava open her presents.  We added to her legos, which she loves, and got her a whole bag of Dr. Seuss books. 

(Please disregard the potty chair... I didn't edit these photos before uploading. It's also funny to look at the pictures in our living room, as it's not that color anymore.... you can see 1 coat of the new color at the bottom... including the painters tape that is still up!  LOL )

 On Saturday, we had a little get-together for Ava and a few of her friends.  This gave us an excuse to see some of our friends... at least that what I had planned and hoped for.  Inevitably, after 30 minutes I thought, "What the H**L was I thinking?"  As the host you can never truly enjoy yourself unless you have someone else do the party for you.  But we had fun anyone, and I did manage to stand still for a few minutes.  Ava's party was a pool and sprinkler party, and we had been worried about the weather since it had started to cool down.  But it turned out to be the hottest day we had had in weeks, it was in the 90s and sunny. 

Ava & Callie

Hali & Maddie at the water table with Christan

Andrea dipping Lydia's feet in the pool

Ava, Hali & Callie taking turns in the sprinkler

Daddy lighting the candles on Ava's cake.  She chose the cake, it was tropical themed... I think she liked the flowers.

singing Happy Birthday

 Blowing out the Candles (Joshua wanted to help)

And just a few more pictures of our 3 year old.  It's hard to believe how fast the these three years have passed.  We both go to call her "the baby" and realize she isn't a baby anymore.  (She'll always be our baby though)

Ava and her attitude, she's 3 going on 16.  One minute it's this:

"yes?..." 

and the next it's this:

Ava started pre-school last week.  She absolutely loved it.  It's 3 days a week at her daycare, and on Thursday when she was just going to daycare for the day, she wanted to take her special pre-school tote bag they had made earlier in the week.  Ms. Alissa had told all the kids it was their responsibility to remember their tote bags and their Mommy & Daddy had enough to remember.  Ava remembered.

Ava & Daddy on the morning of her first day

She was so stinkin' excited she wouldn't stand still.  I was lucky to get this picture.  And apparently she wouldn't sit still in class either, she ended up sitting with Ms. Alissa her teacher.  She sure is one handful...  but a wonderful handful and a wonderful Blessing.  Like I said before, 3 going on 16... here we go!