Halloween, before & after...

At the end of September, Ava's preschool class took a field trip to Sorgel's Orchard.  We had never been there, so we were both excited.  Unfortunately we couldn't spend the whole day as I had to get back to work, but we had fun learning about apples and getting a glimpse of what was there.  I promised Ava we would go back and pick a pumpkin later.

Ava after her field trip

We went on a Monday and scheduled enough time for her to play in the play areas, and for us to pick a couple pumpkins.  

Ava's funny face from jail

 

 Moo!

 

After playing for a while, we grabbed a wagon and headed off to find pumpkins.  One thing about Sorgel's that we didn't like, was that the pumpkins were in crates... no pumpkin patch?  That's no fun!  But Ava chose a big pumpkin and several little ones, that cost us a fortune.  That would be a second thing we didn't like so well about Sorgel's.  (nothing against the orchard, may people love it.  Including Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes who were there two days later with their daughter Suri) But I think we'll head back to Yeck's next year. 

Ava and our pumpkins

We only carved one pumpkin this year, compared to our three last year.  We have several pumpkin books so we let Ava choose the face she liked best and she and Daddy went to town.  Ava even said the "pumpkin goop" wasn't so bad this year.

(even with Mom's urging, this is the pumpkin we ended up with:)

oh yes, we had pre-Halloween SNOW!!!

On Halloween, Ava had her first Halloween party at pre-school.  The kids were allowed to wear their costumes if they wanted, but I figured it was a safer bet to just let her wear the ears and tail to school.  

she melts my heart!

As we did last year, our friends the DeBalsios came over to trick or treat with us.  Unfortunately it was incredibly cold and rainy, but the girls didn't care.  (Ben isn't dressed up for Halloween, he is a security guard and testing for the police depart)

Within an hour of starting it was raining quite a bit and we ended up heading home early. But by then, the girls had so much candy they were barely able to carry their buckets.  We dried off while enjoying some hot chocolate, before we said "goodbye" to our friends and headed to bed. 

Oh, and a funny thing... none of us likes Butterfinger.  Ava got a full sized Butterfinger last year, it ended up in the bowl again this year (hope it was still good!), but dag-on-it if she didn't get ANOTHER full sized Butterfinger this year.  It went into the trash!

As I mentioned, Ben was going to be testing for the police department, so Miss Bella came to stay with us on Saturday.  Ava was so excited.  I had the hope of doing a craft with them, but instead they watched Cars, played with every toy Ava owns, and around nap time when they had settled down to watch one of the Toy Story movies, Ben showed up to take Bella home.  It was a fun day, the girls has a blast, and I was able to get a few things done.

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!