Ava Is Going to be FIVE!

Tomorrow, our baby girl turns five!  I do not even know where the time has gone!  This evening, we had Ava's grandparents over for pizza and ice cream.  She had been up since 6am and was wired, to say the least.  But she had a great time hugging on her family, bouncing around and opening gifts. 
Tomorrow she gets to take treats to school and next weekend she'll have a party with her friends.  She is pumped! 

Love

The pictures aren't the greatest quality since they are from my phone, but I love them.  I love who is in them even more! :)  The Littles and I had a fabulous, melt-down free sort of day and went to a beautiful wedding this evening.  The kids did great--had cupcakes, smiled at all of the strange people telling them hello, and ran around the dance floor like crazy people.  They are now officially worn out!
I wish weekends were longer.

Last Day...

This was the last weekend of summer break for the Littles.  It was slightly sad, but we made the best of it!  Saturday morning we went to breakfast in Old Town and then walked around the Farmer's Market for a while.  We walked over to the fountains and discovered something fabulous!  The ChalkArt Fest 2012.  It was really a perfect morning.  Ava even said, "This is our special day.  I love this day."  Melted my heart. 
The line for face painting was too long, so I told Ava we would buy some at Michael's and paint faces on Sunday morning.  And we did just that.  I painted flowers on her face and stars on Brecken's face.  Ava painted clouds and flowers on mine and she painted Erick like a duck.  Seriously, his entire face was covered in yellow and orange paint.  Super funny!  We had a picnic lunch in the backyard on Sunday and Ava and I went to the pool in the afternoon.
I've been back to work for a week, but this weekend I really felt that summer break was ending and I didn't like it.  I love being with my kids, having PJ Days, and doing whatever we want, whenever we want!
Oh well!  We always have evenings, weekends and days off!  The kids went back to school today and had a great day!  They are quiet and tired tonight.  Hopefully it'll be an early night so they can get rested for another busy day with their friends.  I'll say a little prayer. :) 
My classroom is almost ready for my 25-ish Firsties.  I'll try to remember to take some pictures tomorrow so ya'll can see what it looks like this year. 

At breakfast

Eating a cherry Chilly and a wedding cake Chilly at the Farm & Art Market.



Adding to the artwork at the ChalkArt Fest 2012.

Fountain time!

Had to change clothes to listen to the band! 

Getting ready to paint my face.

No make-up, just face paint by my favorite four year old girl.

Sunday Funday

My parents came over today and spent most of the day with us.  It was such a beautiful day!  Anyone that wasted it away inside is just plain silly!  The kids had a blast splashing Nanny and dumping water on her...and I had fun watching.

Today is the last Sunday of summer break.  Back to work on Tuesday.  I am sad and excited at the same time.  This summer definitely went too fast but the kids and I had SO MUCH fun!

Nutty Buddy

Just a little funny...
Yesterday while in the car, Ava was talking to Brecken about playing baseball (he loves football, baseball, basketball, anything with balls!).  In the middle of talking to him about him wearing a uniform, practicing, etc., came this conversation:
"Mommy, does Brecken have to wear something on his penis so he doesn't get hurt when he plays baseball?"
I covered my mouth so she couldn't see my laughter. "Well, yes, he will at some point.  It's called a cup."
"And a cup will make him not hurt his penis?"
"Well, yes."
"How does it work?"
"Huh?" I asked, as I was trying to figure out how to answer.
"Do you just stick it on?"
"Kind of.  He could just put it in his underwear and it would protect him."
"Protect his penis?"
"Yes."
Oh my.  I was driving and trying not to pee my pants.
So, then Ava proceeds to tell Brecken all about the cup he will wear while he plays baseball so his penis won't get hurt.  Like a fifteen minute conversation, where B-man just kept saying, "Ya?"  and "Uh huh?"
Oh well.  At least his big sis is looking out for him.
http://www.nuttybuddy.com/baseball-gear.html

Pacifier Fairy

Last week we decided it was time to get rid of B-man's pacifier.  It went pretty smooth, thank goodness.  We did the same as we did with Ava and got a couple of balloons.  We attached his pacifiers to the balloons and he let them go up in the sky to the "Paci Fairy".  She takes the pacifiers and gives them to babies that need them.
The first night without was a little rough--he went to bed easily but was up for about an hour in the middle of the night.  It has gotten better since then, though.  And I am so happy that I don't have to worry about giving it to him each time he lays down and taking it away when he gets up!
Here is a video and a couple of pics!

Theater and Dance

Ava finished up her summer session of theater and dance classes.  She did tap, ballet, read stories, acted out the stories and did crafts.  She had so much fun that she is going to take the class again in the fall!  Her favorite part was "being on stage" and doing the plays.  I love that she enjoyed it so much and hope she continues to do so because I think it will help her come out of her shell a little more.  Enjoy the pictures and videos!