Oh-Bla-Di

Lest you think that we’ve gone and princess-ified  (I know, it’s not a word) everything in Ava’s life, she does occasionally go for a slightly less “ready for the ball” look.  We’ll enter these photos in the “toddler rebel-for-no-apparent-reason” category.

Must be the next evolution of her personal style after this.  Whatever it is, sure is cheap entertainment.  

Dressing up is still one of Ava’s favorite things to do.  And, just so we never forget what this looks like and how much she loves it, here’s some photo proof of one of her best get-ups.

Ava’s going through a wonderful toddler stage in which she really likes to help out around here.  She’s been helping with our daily chores (dusting, scrubbing bathrooms, etc) but she was super-excited to put on her swimsuit and help Matt wash the car a couple of weeks ago.  Given that it was well over 100 degrees when they tackled this task, it was a good thing there was water involved.

Here’s hoping that this helping phase last through the first few weeks of Doozy’s arrival at the house!

On July 23, 2010, Ava perpetrated her first con.

Scene of the crime: Red Robin

Facts of the case:  When approached by the manager of the restaurant to ask how her day was, Ava responded that it was her birthday.  Even when informed that that statement was a lie, the manager offered Ava ice cream if she finished her dinner.  Ava snarfed down a whole dinner of mac n’ cheese.  The manager made good on her promise and ice cream was delivered along with a whole group of singing waitresses.  Matt and I laughed in a fair amount of embarrassment, Ava loved the song, thanked the nice ladies and went to town on the ice cream.

Verdict: Can’t argue with free ice cream, right?

So, we celebrated Ava’s second birthday, again.

I’ve been wanting to get a snapshot of Ava written before she’s too much past two and a half for it to count. Life’s been busy lately and, with traveling and Doozy on the way, the months are slipping by. But, I find myself treasuring little moments with my favorite girl lately (oh, nostalgia) and wanted to capture some of them here before they slide from my mind completely.

Here they are, in no particular sense or order…

*Ava is a talker. She talks non-stop all day long. She talks to dolls, toys, people, Libby, trees, flowers, everything under the sun. When she wakes up in the morning, she has a lot to say…eleven hours of not talking catches up with her and she overflows with words.

*We’re raising a fish! Our girl can swim! She’s down to wearing just the inflatable water wings now and can float on her back all by herself. She knows all the gear she has to wear to go in the pool and helps us run down the checklist each time. Earplugs, swim shoes, sunscreen & floaties are must-have items for pool time.

*She still loves Clifford Dog and Sesame Street. We’ve put Ariel on hiatus for a while since we were getting a little burnt out on the mermaid. Ava walks around singing like Ariel does when Ursula takes her voice, though.  Side note: When Ursula laughs her evil laugh as she’s swindling Ariel, Ava always says “That’s not funny, right?”  So perceptive, that one.

*Whoozy is a huge fan of classical music and requests “violin music” whenever we’re in the car. Since the situation has gotten a little out of control, we’ve instituted a take turns policy for the van. Ava chooses the music in the mornings, and I get to choose in the afternoons.

*Puzzles have recently become really awesome parts of Ava’s day. She got this one when we visited an awesome toy store in San Antonio and has totally mastered it. She does and redoes the thing for long stretches of time and her face reflects a huge sense of pride and accomplishment each time she finishes it. *Note to self: buy more puzzles!

*Ava is a very empathetic little person. She likes to check on people (“You ok over there?’) and especially likes to check on your mood. Whenever I speak to her sternly, the first thing she says is “Mommy, you happy?” Cute the first time…but she continues to ask until your answer is yes. Guess it’s her way of making sure we don’t stay upset with her forever.

*Likes to walk around with a floatie on one hand and shout, “Votes for women!” a la Mrs. Banks from Mary Poppins.

*Knows all of her letters and at least one word that starts with each.

*Has been pretending she’s a dog lately. She puts on her “leash” (it’s imaginary) and walks around on all fours. She even begs for treats! But, she’s the most polite dog ever because she says, “treat, please.”

*Ava has a go-to excuse for avoiding requests.  Of course, it doesn’t make any sense.  For example, “Ava, will you turn off the light to kitchen so we can go?”  “No, I can’t, my legs are too strong.”  Don’t know how a person’s legs get too strong to flip a light switch, but the excuse applies to any number of other situations as well.

*Today was the last day of Pirate week of school.  Ava’s been reporting back every day on the fun pirate things they’ve been doing in class.  For the party today, they were supposed to dress up.  Here’s our growing-up girl doing her best “Yo Ho Ho” in her pirate costume for the day.

*Ava has made her official prediction regarding Doozy.  According to our resident fortune-teller, Doozy is definitely a girl and when she’s born, we’re going to write her a book and tell her “Thank You.”  When asked if it would be ok if Doozy is a boy, she says, “No problem, Doozy isn’t a boy, Doozy is a girl.”

Can’t believe how fast our baby girl is growing up.  We’re looking forward to spending these last few weeks with our little family of three.  Love you, Whoozy.