Kind Words

On Sunday at church I was feeling a little discouraged while looking at the sign-ups for an upcoming Relief Society activity.  It is a cultural night where the women are going to display different talents.  We have many talented women in our ward, so when I was asked if I would display something I felt discouraged.  I don't have great performing or artistic talents to display.  I don't feel like my amateur work compares to the beauty that others create.  I feel average and ordinary which aren't bad things, but when it comes to talent I don't feel I measure up. 

As I stood there talking with the other women someone said something that made my day and will be something I will not forget.  One of the other sisters commented that I had the talent to teach and entertain Ava during sacrament meeting.  She said she was impressed with some of the things I do with Ava during church.  She also said that I was a good mother.  This put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.  I don't think this is a talent I can really display during the Relief Society activity, but it is probably the most important thing to me.

Just a few minutes later in Primary another sister lifted me up with her kind words.  As we met for our Primary presidency meeting I informed the president of the upcoming Relief Society activity and sign-ups so we could make an announcement.  As we talked about the activity and I shared some of my reservations the music leader overheard.  She said that I have a talent to share my testimony.  She told me I do a good job sharing my testimony when I teach sharing time to the primary children.  Again my heart was touched.

I don't think the talents these two wonderful sisters shared with me are things I can display at the upcoming activity, but it made me feel good and made me feel I am special.  This is something I struggle with, so it is nice to be recognized by others and know I do make a difference.

Family Snuggles

A couple nights ago Ava woke up around midnight and called for "daddy".  Since he was sleeping I checked on her. She was half asleep, but she said "I need snuggles.  I want family snuggles."  Family snuggles is the same as a group hug.  I told her daddy was asleep, so she rolled over and I comforted her.  A few seconds later Rich walked in, so I guess Ava got her wish.

Sweet Innocence

Ava is very vocal now.  She talks all the time and likes to tell me everything that is going on or that she sees.  Most of the time it is funny, but every once in awhile she says something in public that makes we want to crawl under a rock and hide.  I guess that is the beauty of being three, sweet, and innocent.  You can pretty much say whatever you want.

Here are a few of unforgettable moments...
-The other day Ava and I went to get our car smogged.  It is a quick process, so we were waiting in the waiting room.  Ava was playing on the chairs across the room from me when an older gentleman walked in.  He appeared to be in a hurry and had to wait to be helped.  Ava watched him for a few minutes and then announced, "mommy that man is grumpy."  She said it loud enough for me and a few other customers to hear, but I don't think the man heard it or at least he pretended not to.

-Our hotel in Utah had a swimming pool that Ava enjoyed each night with Rich.  One evening there was a couple in the hot tub.  When the man got out and began to drive off Ava started to sing, "the man is drying off, the man is drying off."

-The other day we were sitting at the dinner table and Ava says, "I'm furry."  I replied, "you're not furry".  She then said, "I'm furry like daddy", while rubbing Rich's arm.

Ava's favorite things to say...
-"I don't like that"
-"I can't remember"
-"Nothing, Nothing.  I want nothing" (when she doesn't want to do something, like take a bath time or comb her hair)
-"Sssh, Don't wake the birds."
-"I like to be cold"
"I almost forgot"
-"I Ava a big girl"
-"Luca is sad.  He misses me."

Things Ava tells anybody that will listen...
-"When I this many old (8 fingers), I will get baptized."
-"Mommy's tummy is broken and Daddy's tummy is broken and I came from Kim's tummy."
-"Papa Harry has a mustache."

Rainbow & Snakes

Ava has been drawing and painting quite a bit lately. It is fun to watch her imagination and creativity grow. These are two pictures I especially like.

Rainbow

Snakes.  These are rattlesnakes.  The big blobs at the end of the snakes are the rattles.  She made this painting shortly after our encounter with a rattlesnake.

Sandbox

Yesterday with the help of my parents we built a sandbox for Ava.  My mom kept Ava entertained while my dad, Rich, and I did most of the work.  We bought the supplies the night before thinking that would help speed things along.  Unfortunately for our lack of measuring skills and post-hole digging we spent almost 12 hours working on it.  It was a LONG, TIRING, and (at times) FRUSTRATING day, but by the end Ava had a completed sandbox and a giant smile on her face.  Ava's joy and excitement was worth all the pain we went through.

The dump truck showed up bright and early to deliver the sand.

We were all up and ready to start, but Ava was still in her P.J.'s and kind of sleepy.  I was glad she was awake enough to see the dump truck because she would of been disappointed if she missed it.

Some of the supplies and the location where we put the sandbox.  It is right off of our patio, so I can still see Ava if I'm inside.

Rich working hard.

Ava actually helped Rich drill in the last few screws to the box.

Ava used her wheel barrow to put in the first sand.

Nonna had to help Ava steer the sand filled wheel barrow.

The first sand going in.  It was pretty exciting.

Ava cautiously entering her sandbox for the first time.

Checking it out and making sure it meets her approval.

So Happy!

Ava with her two favorite guys, Papa Harry & Daddy.  Thanks for all your hard work!  Oh, yes the sandbox does have a roof too.

Celebrating A Super-Duper Big Girl

On Friday we finally celebrated Ava completing her potty chart.  Ava has done a great job potty training and got 56 X's on her chart to prove it.  She actually finished her chart a couple weeks ago, but due to some unexpected events we weren't able to celebrate until this last weekend.  I really wanted to make it a big deal since she has done so good.  We are really proud of her and it does make life just a little bit easier.

Ava choose to celebrate officially becoming a Super-Duper Big Girl with pizza.  Papa & Nonna were in town, so we all went to Round Table.

When Ava asks for pizza she really wants garlic-parmesan breadsticks.

We made sure to get the salad bar so Ava could have some healthy things to eat, but her favorite things were the "crunchies" (croutons).

At home we had some delicious chocolate cake Nonna Carole made.  Ava decided since she is a big girl she would cut the cake by herself.

After cake Ava got a few presents to celebrate.  One gift was her last reward on the potty chart that she knew she was getting.  The others were a surprise just because Ava is so awesome.

This Minnie Mouse Princess doll was the last reward on Ava's chart.  She has been waiting patiently to get it.

New Princess bed sheets.  Ava is still wearing nighttime diapers, but since starting potty training she has always had a dry diaper in the morning.

Ava got a Minni Mouse statue and Mickey welcome stone for her garden.  They are currently next to the flowers she picked out next to her sandbox.

Curious George & The Man in the Yellow Hat

 Ava's drawing and writing skills have been improving lately.  She is writing her name and drawing with more detail.  This week she has been drawing a lot on her aquadoodle.  One time she made a picture of Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat.  I was impressed that she drew the face, arms, and legs.  This was the first time she has made a complete person/animal.  It is exciting to watch her skills and imagination grow.  I can't wait to see what she draws next.

Curious George is on the right.  I took the picture before Ava finished the Man in the Yellow Hat because the picture started to dry and fade.

Curious George.

Temple Square

This past weekend we traveled to Salt Lake City to celebrate the life of my good friend.  While we were there we decided to take Ava to Temple Square.  This was her first time seeing the Salt Lake Temple or according to Ava "the big temple".  It was the first time for all of us to see the Conference Center.  It was being built when Rich and I were at BYU.  We all enjoyed the afternoon and seeing the sights on temple square.

Ava was so excited to see the "Big Temple" and "Big Angel Moroni".  She loves visiting temples.

Ava and Mommy

Daddy and Ava in front of the reflection pool.

Ava playing in the reflection pool.

Ava drew a picture with the water and announced it was a picture of President Monson (our prophet).

Us in front of the conference center.

On the roof of the conference center.

I didn't realize the original of this painting was so large.  It was amazing.

Inside the South Visitor Center we bumped into President Monson.  Not really, but Ava wanted to meet him so bad that this picture was perfect.  She was a little disappointed and hopes to meet him someday.

Inside the South Visitor Center we found this cool Angel Moroni.  I didn't take a picture of it, but there was also a neat model of the inside of the Salt Lake Temple.

We stopped by this picture inside the North Visitor Center, so Ava could show us 8 fingers.  Ava is always telling us she is going to get baptized when she is "8 fingers old".

Ava with "Big Jesus" in the North Visitor Center.

Ava taking pictures of the flowers.

Ava also took a picture of herself.

The flowers at the temple are always so beautiful.  I love tulips, so it was a treat to see all the varieties.

I added this picture not because it is cute, but because Ava is such a little flasher lately.  She flashed several groups of people while walking around and I'm constantly reminding her to put her shirt/dress down.

The other day I dug out my old cowgirl outfit for Ava to wear.  She was actually pretty excited to wear something I wore as a little girl.

Me in my cowgirl getup.

Ava the cowgirl.

Ava's mean cowgirl face.

Sweet cowgirl

Ava with her Jesse (Toy Story) hat on.

These are some of Ava's favorite shoes.  This is her 2nd pair.  She had some last year and loved them so much she got another pair this year.

Ava with her best bud Luca.