What Makes Life Divine: August 2010

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ava's New Love

Ava has always had a love of horses. Now she not only loves playing with them, watching them, and pretending to be one, SHE LOVES RIDING THEM! I am so happy Ava loves riding, I think it's going to be great for her. I feel like I pushed her into Ballet because I wanted her to do it and lets face it, Ava is NOT going to do anything she doesn't want to do. It took me three ballet lessons to realize it was not a good fit for her, even just to socialize her with some other girls. No, Ava is not a ballet girl, but she is one heck of a riding girl!

ready to ride some horses

Ava was very sad when we had to leave "her" horse. She had a great time with Spot the pony and Ericka her instructor. Ava's instructor told me she would move Ava up to a horse after a couple of visits, and I'm sure Ava will be thrilled about this. During her lesson, she learned balance, and how to pull her way in and out of cones. Her instructor knew Ava has a hard time talking so she used physical and verbal commands for Ava to direct the horse.

I could tell Ava was very comfortable in the barn setting, and she was so excited she got to groom the horse after her visit.

I promised my sweet Alex when he shows an interest in something we will encourage him as well, the next post will be all about my little man.

watching the horses while she waits

checking things out

safety first

off she goes

learning how to get on her horse

learning the ropes

Ava did GREAT!

Learning balance, I'm so proud of her!

Looking closely

Ava walking Spot

walking all by herself

All Ava's practice at home paid off ha ha!

Friday, August 27, 2010

State Fair 2010

Ava loves her horsies

We arrived at the state fair around 6:00 and left at 10:00. We had so much fun! The first thing we saw were miniature horses! Ava was thrilled to say the least. After the horses we saw pigs, sheep, and cows. The kids were hungry so we washed our hands clean of the animals and ate some yummy BBQ, Next on the agenda we decided to stand in the long line for tickets to ride. I measured Ava and she was over 36 inches, which meant she could ride the majority of the rides! I knew she would ride the carousel, even though this carousel went pretty fast, but I wasn't sure about the other ones. She loved the mini roller coaster, boat ride, and wanted to ride some of the other ones but we ran out of tickets. We ended the night with a funnel cake and a walk through the cake and balloon exhibit, and one last walk through the animal exhibits as well. When we got home it was late but I insisted everyone take a bath considering we all smelled like cattle. I love love love my kiddos and could never imagine my life without them, they make me so happy, and I love making them happy. Bert and I had such a great night, and I am so thankful for it!

Ava may be a rider one day

Ava enjoyed the BBQ and sliced potatoes

Alex had fun!

My big girl on the roller coaster

Getting ready to go

I was afraid she would get out of the boat to swim

go Ava go

my little man

sweet sweet boy

under the sea balloon exhibit

Alex was thrilled with the animal viewing

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

First day of Preschool

Ava gets on her horse first thing in the morning

Ava's first day of preschool was Monday, and she did great! No crying at all, which I completely expected. Ava's always been the see ya later kind of kid. She found her star (which is her symbol for the year) and hung her backpack up. Then she walked into her classroom and told me bye! I could not have asked for a better first day. Her teacher Mrs. Secrest is super cute and organized. When I picked Ava up from school they were outside playing on the playground. I asked her teacher how Ava's day was and she said "Ava is a very confident little girl, she jumped right in and participated in all the activities, she did have a little trouble pushing some friends, but had a great day." I immediately thought, great she is pushing people! I let that go though and realized she will learn at school just like she learns at home we don't push people when they take something, we "use our words." My sweet little Ava will probably be playing with the boys in her class, in fact she was playing with two little boys on the playground when I picked her up. The girls in her class are half her size and are VERY shy. Ava loves dresses, ponies, horses, pink, babies, barbies, etc, but that's about as girl as she gets, she is NOT going to back down to anyone. I am so excited for Ava because I know she will grow and blossom in this class. I am very happy Ava is happy and settled.

My princess

Ava is getting so big

Ready for school

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Happy first birthday Tillie!

make a wish

My sweet niece Tillie turned one year old yesterday! I remember my sister calling me after she had Tillie, I couldn't wait to hear what happened, how it went, etc. I was so happy my sister had a little girl, a world of pink can be wonderful thing! We all went to see sweet Tillie in the hospital and she was perfect, and my sister was perfect too. She did an AMAZING job bringing her into the world. I love you sweet Tillie girl, you and Ava can be the best of girlfriends! Here are some pictures of Miss Tills strawberry shortcake birthday!