Fall Fun with Daddy

The week before Halloween Rich had to conduct his first funeral.  It was a sad event, but meant Rich took the day off.  After the funeral Ava had the whole day with her daddy.  We had so much fun just being together.

First, we went to a local pumpkin patch.  This year the pumpkin patch was rather disappointing.  The farmer decided not to plant very much to allow the ground to rest.  The pumpkins that were planted were pretty much picked over.  Ava was excited to get a Jarrahdale pumpkin to make a fresh pumpkin pie, but they didn't have any.  We played for a little bit, took some pictures, and then headed home empty handed.

At home we decided to take care of the enormous amount of leaves all over our yard.  Ava and I raked while Rich used the leaf blower.  We made a giant pile for Ava to play in before we put them in the yard waste.  Ava had a blast and ended up getting really dirty.  She was so happy to be with her dad and the smiles on her face show it.

Ava thought it would make a good picture for her and Rich to pretend to be tied up.  She had some whole story about the bad guys capturing them and tying them up.  It was weird, but I went with it.

Ava liked it when Rich dropped her in the pile of leaves.

Ava loved being buried in the leaves.  She had Rich cover her up several times.

Epic Failure

This past week we tried to do an official science experiment.  Ava checked out a video about clouds from the library and on it was an experiment to make a cloud in a jar.  It looked like fun, so we decided to replicate it at home.  We gathered all the equipment and gave it a shot.  It didn't work.  We decided not to give up and try again.  Once we realized the second jar was not forming a cloud we decided to try one more time. 

This time Rich got out his giant 2 gallon drink dispenser that looks like a mason jar.  Unfortunately, we did not read the instructions or we would have known it was not meant for hot boiling water.  As soon as we put the hot water in, the jar cracked and water went everywhere.  Luckily, nobody was hurt.  The cool jar was just broken and our experiment was an epic failure.  Ava was not too disappointed and we decided we would give it a try another day.

Our young scientist excited and ready to start the experiment.

The jar on the left is our first failed attempt.  Ava is optimistically watching for a cloud to form in the second jar.

Ava starting to look disappointed as we realize the 2nd attempt is not working.

A big piece of glass and a whole bunch of water (hard to see but there).

Our broken jar.  Ava was really disappointed because she loved this thing.  I think she was more upset about the jar than the experiment not working.

Pumpkin Patch

I almost forgot to post Ava's school field trip to the pumpkin patch.  We met her class at Goblin Gardens and played.  Ava had fun with her friends on the many activities and then Ava picked out a pumpkin.

Ava with one of her school buddies on the tractor seat teeter toter.

Ava climbing the hay pyramid.

Ava on top of the pyramid.

Ava with one of her friends in the hay bale maze.

Ava picked this pumpkin.  It was the biggest one we could find.

It was a bright day and difficult to get a picture.  Ava kept putting her hands up and closing her eyes.  It was kind of funny.

Loves her pumpkin.

Too bright to look.

Ava pulled the wagon for a little bit.  Eventually, it was too heavy and I had to take over.

Little Miss Independent

Ava is learning to do things more and more for herself.  It is wonderful and exciting to see her get ready all my herself in the morning.  It is fun to see her interesting fashion choices.  Sometimes she matches and sometimes not.  Sometimes she has no accessories and sometimes she wears every necklace she owns.  I just never know what I'm going to see.

A few weeks ago Ava was determined to do her hair on her own.  It lasted for a few days and I even let her do it for school.  She did a good job combing it and then decided to put many barrettes in to help her see.  It definitely was interesting and something I'm kind of glad she has given up on.  She has gone back to asking me to do her hair with one big ponytail and a flower.

Ava admiring her work.

Ava with her accessory wall.

What a cutie!  On this day she had 6 barrettes.

Halloween

On Halloween Ava was feeling better.  She had her energy back and was excited about the day.  For dinner Ava and I made mummy hot dogs.  She loved them and keeps asking me to make them for dinner.

After dinner we went to our friends the Norman's.  Ava knocked on their door, said "trick-or-treat", and then we ended up staying for a hour.  They gave Ava more than enough candy and we had fun visiting.  When we got home I realized I didn't take pictures, so we took a few before rushing to get Ava ready for bed.

Preschool Harvest Festival

The day before Halloween Ava's preschool had a Harvest Festival.  Ava and I went to the party.  She decided to be Rapunzel and I made her costume.  We went to the fabric store and I let her pick out the fabric.  I then slowly sewed the costume.  It took me about 2 weeks to complete the project.  Ava even helped me with a few parts.  It turned put pretty cute and Ava was happy.

Ava with her Scooby Doo trick-or-treat bucket and her pal Pascal.

Ava decorated a cookie.

Fishing Booth

Ava looks like a pro, but I don't think she ever made it.

Pin the nose on the pumpkin

Saying Goodbye

On October 5th our dog, Luca, passed away.  It wasn't a complete surprise, but happened a lot sooner than we anticipated.  I thought we had another year or two left together.  I was glad we were all together when he passed and it was quick so he didn't suffer.  We were there to comfort him and each other.  It was a rough night and we cried a lot.  Ava even slept in bed with us that night.

The next day and the following weeks have been hard to get use to life without Luca running around.  Our house is quieter, the kitchen floors dirtier, and we each miss his friendly greetings at the door.  The first day I came home to an empty house I cried.  I was so use to him greeting me with a happy wagging tail.  He always knew when I wasn't feeling well or sad and would snuggle with me on the couch.  He was a good buddy and got me through some difficult times.  Luca and the joy he brought to our home will be greatly missed.

THINGS I WILL MISS...
I will miss how gentle Luca was with Ava and how she played with him like a sibling.  I will miss him cleaning up the crumbs off the kitchen floor and always following me around while I cook.  I will miss taking Luca on family walks and watching him track animal scents.  I will miss him chasing squirrels in our backyard and keeping them out of my planters.  Even though it was annoying I will miss Luca eating up our garden.  He loved to eat the tomatoes, strawberries, and blackberries he could reach.  I will miss his soft fur and him sitting on my lap to keep me warm in the winter.  I will miss how he use to run around the house crazy after we gave him at bath...that always made us laugh.  I will miss how he made me smile and laugh.

Luca's favorite toy!

Luca use to love to play with a ball in the backyard.

Ava and Luca had a special relationship.  He was always protective of her and she loved him from the start.

Ava loved to feed Luca.  It started with his food and then she started sharing hers.

Luca loved to stick his head out the window and this picture always cracked us up.

Ava was sick this day and Luca stayed by her.

Luca LOVED french fries!

Luca was a great dog, so it will be sometime before I am ready for another one.  I am so grateful we got him from a wonderful rescue group, Second Change Cocker Spaniels.  When it is time for a new friend to join our home I will check with the rescue group again.  The lady that we got Luca from has recently started another group called, NorCal Cocker Rescue.  Click on their name to check out the website.