Orange Belt

Don't let the serious demeanor fool you, Ava was SO proud of herself for earning her orange belt. She did work really hard, going to classes 2x a week and listening to and engaging in what the instructors had them work on. She is a strong and serious girl!

However, since this is a contractual activity, we will be taking a break from Martial Arts to pursue other interests. We just couldn't justify a year long contract for a wishy-washy 4 year old. She rocked her classes, it was just the getting dressed and getting there part that was like pulling teeth for mommy. So, Ava is (temporarily?) retired as an orange belt in Martial Arts and she is darn proud of it!

Pure Joy!

Griffin is in that cute phase right now. He has such a great sense of humor and can hang with playing and teasing with Ava, as if he was her peer. He totally gets her and they play so silly together. He is a smart little guy and can follow multiple step directions, even if he has few words, he knows exactly what is being said. He throws tantrums that can be knocked out with a little distraction, so it's almost comical to see how quickly he gets over things like not being able to walk around and/or play with sissy's scissors. I just look at him and realize what a big boy he has become, yet he is still so little, toddly and sweet; an age I would like to freeze forever. I love it!

Halloween!

These were taken the night before Halloween going to our neighborhood block party. The Toy Story fam, as chosen by Ava.

Pumpkin Patch Pics

Thanks again for the Irish Whistle, Grandma.

Thanks a ton. :)

17 Months and Wearing Us Out!

I forgot how tiring it is to chase a toddler. NOT that my 4 year old isn't in constant motion, all. day. long., but add a toddler in the mix and I'm one tired momma. Griffin Davis is into everything. Just this afternoon he somehow got ahold of a dry erase marker and wrote all over Ava's carpet. He scampers, he runs, he bangs, he kicks, he hits, he throws, he kisses, he loves, he is one-of-a-kind!

I love when it's time to go night-night how he says "mmmm" and puckers his lips to give kisses to everyone.

I love when he is doing something devious and gives that look and bolts.

I love how tickled he gets at my butterfly kisses.

I love when he asks for more.

I love that he waves to passers-by in the grocery store, he loves attention.

I love his smile behind his pacifier.

I love his obsession with all types of balls.

I love seeing his coordination with kicking, hitting, and throwing said balls. A basket of balls, and the boy is golden.

I love when he calls for me "meh meh" in times of need (i.e. stairs, opening doors, etc.)

I love that he has a special name for his beloved sissy, "ga-ga".

Griffin's Words:
mama, dada, pa-pa (pacifier), ga-ga (Ava), mo mo (more), yeah, baw baw (ball), kick

Signs:
More, please, all done, bunny, point-n-whine

The Highs and Lows of 4.5

This early morning, after Ava came into our bed for morning snuggles--seems to be her new thing--she decided that we needed breakfast in bed. What an amazing thing it is to have such a self-sufficient little girl who got cereal out, got the milk out, poured both and delivered it to us in bed. This small feat was a great start to our day. She then decided Griffin needed breakfast too and made him a peanut butter sandwich and banana. There was a little spill when she went to pour his milk, but that only makes for a good story.

Oh, Aves. You are one strong-willed little girl. Not surprising, seeing as how the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. However, I was a rule-following, mild-mannered, needed-to-please-kind-of-girl growing up, so your quest to have your way and pure sassiness is kind of making me pull my hair out. I mean, you are FOUR. These days, you are sent to your room no less than 2-3 times a day, I have to be honest, because of the talking back (and having learned a new phrase from where, I'm not sure, but that doesn't matter....I can't believe it, but it has happened!.......shut up!) and blatant disregard to our requests. This too shall pass. I hope. I also know that we are not alone as this seems to be prevalent in a lot of friends this age. We are just starting to get a glimpse of the brutal teenage years that lie ahead. And, oh my, have we got our hands full! There is no doubt that these same character traits will prove to be an asset for you as an adult, but for the time being, lay off the attitude a bit and we will all be more happy. I promise.

Bring on the Rain!

We finally got some much needed rain a few weeks ago. Once I determined that there was no storm threat, we headed outside to play. I LOVE watching kids play in the rain, as it reminds me of when I was young and loved playing in it. Watching Aves and Griff didn't disappoint, they were as excited as ever!

My Kids, in a Nutshell

Looking through some recent pictures, I came across these two and they made me giggle. Just my kids, being who they are.

My little "der Junge" sporting Ava's jazz shoes and a monkey back pack.



And my little baker, who when told we were going to bake, surprised me by coming out in her chef attire.

Peek-a-Boo Magic

Sis and Griff playing peek-a-boo behind the curtain, while sissy performs some magic to make Griffin appear.

Soccer Star!

Something happened this season in soccer. I'm sure it's that Ava understands the game a little more and has matured an entire year since last fall, but the lightbulb went off and Ava is out there hustlin' and keeping up with the game. She has a come to understand defense a little more and gives her all to keep the other team from scoring.

I have to note that the first game of the season was awful. She wasn't feeling it. She was tired. Gigi and Poppy were there to watch her, which we've come to realize might make her feel pressure (self-imposed, because we always go just to have fun). But she fell twice and just had an absolute meltdown. Like couldn't control herself and played maybe a quarter of the game until we just had to leave. I hadn't seen a temper tantrum like that in years. WOW!

However, game two, she decided that she was going to get back up after falls and being run over. She told us, "I'm just going to ignore it and keep going." We never told her to do this, but she decided that was how she was going to handle those situations again. And I have to say, I've never seen her play with so much gusto! At one point coach directed her to block the other team from scoring. However, Ava was only at midfield and the other team was about 10 feet from the goal (remember, the fields aren't that big). But, Ava raced down to the goal, blocked the girl, made a breakaway, and marched it all the way down the field to score! Oh my, I can't even explain how proud she was! After the game, I made sure to reiterate that it wasn't the scoring (she made 3 goals) that made me happy, but I was so proud of her for going out there and participating and having fun. She agreed! And she told me how proud of herself she was.

Here are some pics I snapped at our first game and first practice. Go Sassy Sidekicks!

Silly Boy!

Griffin is SUCH a class clown! He loves to do silly things just to get a laugh. He is able to get Ava out of a sulk, almost instantly, by cracking her up.

Homemade Paint

Wordless Wednesday: Temper Tantrums

I am seeing more of these faces lately because at 15 months old, we are beginning to see some temper tantrums, with an emphasis on temper. Uh oh!

Ava Stories

The other day, I asked Ava how she felt about there being so many other little girls with the same name.

Her reply?

"I think it's special. Ava is such a beautiful name and it's special because so many people like it and have it as a name. It makes me feel special."

Now that was an answer I didn't expect. Way to see the positive, you know?!

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As we were reading the book Olivia, we came across an artist named "Jackson Pollock". Now you may be more privy to his work than I, recognizing only the name, I wouldn't be able pick out any of his pieces. However, when Ava heard the name, her eyes lit up and got HUGE!

She said, "MOM! Jackson Pollock! We (ha!) know Jackson Pollock. He is the artist who doesn't use paint brushes. His drips his paint.

I couldn't believe it. We looked it up and sure enough, a lot of his artwork is made using a dripping technique. This was something she had learned at school, she tells me. It's great to see she is listening during art and applying her knowledge. And now I can identify a piece of Jackson Pollock's work!

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On a related note, Ava was at Gigi and Poppy's this weekend and she about burst when she saw a picture of Bach, as in Johann Sebastian Bach, on television. Gigi was delighted to tell me the story of Ava shouting out, "That's BACH! He plays Minuet in G!" And told Gigi all about her learning this in music. That's just so neat.

The Iceskater

She always keeps us entertained, that's for sure. On this day, an iceskater was born and coasted around the living room in her socks....I mean, skates, of course.