Ranger!
A big shout out to Matt’s brother, Michael, who graduated from Ranger school three weeks ago. After a very long and challenging journey, he managed to time it just right to graduate on his very own birthday. What a super-special day!
Congratulations, Michael! We’re really proud of you!
UNLV Class of 2010
It’s finally done. The third masters’ degree in this household is finally complete.
It’s the UNLV version of “Where’s Waldo?”
On May 8, 2010, I graduated with my M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership. I’m so very glad to be done with this program and ready to get to doing the work without having to go to classes. Also, I’m very, very grateful for all the support that made this whole thing possible.
Mostly, these two…
On graduation day, I had a whole cheering section. Both sets of our parents were here to help celebrate as well as help with the baby wrangling during the graduation ceremony.
And, now, finally, that it’s done, I can hang my hard-earned piece of parchment on the wall and get back to the things that are a lot more fun to spend time with in the evenings than the books.
Painting the Playhouse Red
Last fall, Matt built a great playhouse/slide in the backyard. Nothing fancy, but enough of a playground to keep a few kiddos occupied while adults enjoyed a cocktail hour or something. It weathered the winter ok, but we had always meant to paint it to seal it up and protect it from the rain and sun of the backyard. Well, a good six or seven months later, we finally got around to painting the playhouse red (and blue).
A few weeks before that painting experience, though, Ava got to practice her painting skills on our fence. Oh, how I wish I’d thought of this activity sooner! Water + Paintbrush + Dozens of feet of fence = busy, happy toddler (& no mess for mommy!)
Anyway, by the time we were finally ready to paint the playhouse, Ava was totally up for it. She got to help stir the paint and then slop that stuff just about anywhere on the structure. We were really ok with it looking like a toddler painted it. In fact, when Ava pooped out and Matt was finishing, I had to remind him to be sloppy so that it wouldn’t look like Ava quit halfway through the job!
Funny side note, we had to cover all the grass with painter’s plastic. You know, because plastic grass doesn’t grow out. Oh, the challenges of desert living! 
A couple of weeks later, while Matt was out of town, I made a topper for the playhouse, so now it’s even more colorful and shady!
We had a great time transforming Ava’s playhouse from something pretty drab to something pretty fab and fun!
Smile!
Ava’s finally had her first dentist appointment. She did awesome!!
We started talking about this visit early in the week – mostly during bathtime, since that’s when we brush her teeth. We talked about opening her mouth wide so the dentist could clean her teeth and about taking pictures of her teeth. By the time the Friday of her appointment rolled around, she was really excited to go!
Ava did a great job with the x-rays, although she had sort of a tough time with one side. She didn’t show any signs of being nervous and followed all the technicians directions really well. She liked the cleaning part and did a great job when the dentist checked her teeth.
The report on her teeth was great…she’s got a perfect smile, but we sort of knew that already. So grateful for such a positive first dental experience. In fact, ever since, when we brush her teeth at night, she says, “Just like at the dentist!” I think we’re both looking forward to her next visit!
For Memories
Today….on the drive home from work/school
As we’re getting in the van…
Her: I want to listen to violins. (We’ve been listening to classical music in the car for the last few weeks, per her request.)
Me: No, I’m sorry, today we’re going to listen to Mommy’s music.
Her: No! I want to listen to violin music. (Cue mini-toddler fit.)
Later, as I begin to sing along with the Glee soundtrack (Thanks, Matt, for the awesome Mother’s Day gift!)
Her: No! No singing! No singing!
Me: Sorry, Ava, singing makes me happy, so I’m going to sing. Also, you don’t get to yell at me.
Her: Please, no singing, Mommy, please.
Me: Why don’t you want me to sing?
Her: Because when you sing it hurts my ears.
Gotta love the honesty, right? Guess I’ll have to do my singing alone in the car now…whenever that might be.
