Goblin Garden Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday Ava's preschool went on a field trip to Goblin Garden Pumpkin Patch.  Rich took a half day, so he could go with us.  It was a lot of fun and we came home with some nice pumpkins.

The lady that owned the pumpkin patch had the preschool meet at the hay pyramid for information about the day.

The owner is in black trying to get the kids to come down and listen to directions.  I think she realized her mistake.  It was pretty silly to ask 40 or so preschoolers to sit still on a giant haystack that was meant to be climbed.  Ava is in the middle of the picture in blue.  She was almost to the top.  She didn't want to come back down.

All the kids and teachers went on a hayride first, so the teachers could talk about things they had been learning this month.  Can you see Ava?

Kids and teachers coming back from their hayride.  We got to go on a hayride with Ava later.

While Ava was on the hayride we played.  I rode a rocking turtle.

Rich the pumpkin robber?  I'm not exactly sure what it is.

There was a cool tractor seat teeter-toter.

Rich and Ava climbing to the top of the hay pyramid.

At the top looking down.  It was pretty high.

Ava and me at the top of the pyramid.

Ava and Rich entering the hay bale maze.

Ava loved the maze.  She had fun leading us through.

Ava made it to the end of the maze before us.

Ava and Rich heading out to the pumpkin patch.

Trying to find the perfect pumpkin.

The rule was we could pick any pumpkin we could carry.  Ava tried to find the biggest pumpkin she could pick up.

Disappointed she couldn't pick it up on her own.

Rich cheated and helped her a little bit.  She was able to hold it for a few seconds alone....does that count?

Searching for Daddy's perfect pumpkin.

Ava wrapped her shirt around the pumpkin stem to pick it up, so it wouldn't poke her.  She is a good problem solver.

Ava with all our pumpkins.  Not a bad score considering we each paid $5.50 for all the attractions and one pumpkin.

All done.  Headed back to the car.

"Baby, Baby"

Ava loves to play with her baby doll.  She often asks to me play, "baby, baby", with her.  She pretends to be the daddy and I am the mommy.  Ava tells me that she will get dinner ready for me and baby.  She also likes us to go shopping and to the ice cream store.  When we go to the stores Ava makes us use her bed or the couch as the elevator.  She is good at using her imagination.

Sometimes Ava asks me to play, "baby, baby, doctor, doctor".  During this game she is the "daddy-doctor" and I am still the mom.  I have to bring my baby to the doctor's office, so Ava can exam her and make her feel better.  It is fun watching her pretend to be like Rich and help her baby.

Taking baby's temperature.

Checking baby's ears.  Ava always finds bugs in baby's ears.

Listening to baby's heart?  Looks more like her stomach.

Ava giving baby medicine.

Ava giving baby a shot.

Fairytale Town

Once a month Ava's school goes on a field trip.  The first field trip was to Fairytale Town.  This was Ava's first time at this fairytale inspired park.  She had a blast and loved all the slides.

Barn slide

This was probably Ava's favorite slide.

On this slide Ava insisted that someone catch her.  I went to help, but she told me no.  She only wanted one of her teachers to help.  Miss Elena was kind enough to help her.  Ava loves her teachers.

Ava is pretending to shoot me with the canon.  She thought it was funny.  Ava's teacher, Miss Chaundra, is behind her.

Is that Cinderella?  No another beautiful princess named Ava.

Ava took this picture of me in the Japanese Garden.

Ava and I had a snack beside the duck pond before heading home.

Little Miss Chatterbox

Ava continues to say the most amusing things.  She is my little chatterbox.  I have decided to occasionally add "Little Miss Chatterbox" posts to record the funny things she says.  I cherish these moments and don't want to forget them.

*At the end of a "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" episode Ava turned to me and said, "Three words means, another Mickey Mouse."  This meant she wanted to watch one more episode.

*A couple weeks ago Ava and I bought some Sea Monkeys as a surprise for Rich (Ava was excited too).  When the first creature hatched we asked Ava what we should name it.  This was our conversation:

 Me:  "What should we name the Sea Monkey?"

Ava: "Choose the right, or Ava, or Nemo." 

Me:  "What name do you like the best?"

Ava:  "I think Nemo."

*This past week our local library had a special program hosted by the park rangers at Effie Yeaw Nature Center.  The lady talked about the local wildlife and brought four live animals and a dead display rattle snake.  We learned a lot of interesting things.  Ava did well and liked to raise her hand when the lady asked if there were any questions.  Ava never asked a question, but instead liked to share information about herself.  Once she told the park ranger, "When I was a little baby I saw one of those" (referring to a small falcon).  I appreicated the lady being kind and patient with Ava who raised her hand 3 to 4 times to repeat something similar.

The last time Ava raised her hand she ended up sharing too much information.  I busted up laughing and felt slightly embarrassed.  Two of the animals the ranger showed pooped on the floor.  It wasn't much because it was a turtle and an owl, but Ava took notice.  After the owl pooped Ava raised her hand and held it up until the lady called on her.  I thought for sure she was going to say, "When I was a baby I saw....", but no.  Instead, Ava said in a very matter of fact tone, "When I was a baby I peed on my bathroom floor."  The ranger gave her a strange look, said okay, and moved on.  Most of the audience were other mothers with their children and they were busting up.  It was pretty funny and more so because Ava was proud that she shared this statement.

*This Little Piggie Went to the Market...

Me:  "Let's go to the farmer's market tomorrow." (talking to Rich)

Ava:  (pointing to her big toe) "My piggie, the big one, already went to the market."

*We have been making a lot of smoothies recently with our new blender.  It is great, but Ava does not like the noise.  Today when Rich started the blender she plugged her ears and took off down the hall.  When Rich was done she came back and this is what she said...

"I don't like that noise.  It is too loud.  I had to run for my life."

S.F. Farmer's Market and Ferry Building

Last Saturday we went to San Francisco with my parents, my brother, and his girlfriend, Elizabeth.  I have been wanting to go to the farmer's market and Ferry Building for a while now.  This was a great way to spend our Saturday morning.  We hopped on Bart and road it into the city.  Ava was so excited.  She loves to ride "trains".  Riding Bart was the most exciting part of Ava's day.

Personally, I was more excited about the fresh food and stores inside the building.  I have been wanting to go to the mushroom store, Far West Fungi, and check out Boccalone Salumeria owned by Chris Cosentino from the Food Network.  We were able to do both and see a whole lot more.  There was so much to see and a lot of people so it was a little overwhelming.  We bought some delicious food and have been enjoying it this past week.

Waiting for Bart on a chilly Saturday morning.  Nonna, Uncle, Ava, Elizabeth, Papa.

Ava plugged her ears while waiting for Bart because the train is "too loud" for her.

So, happy to be on Bart.

Watching the boats come and go from the pier.

Mushroom Store

They had several wild mushroom varieties.  We tried Hedgehog, White Chanterelles, and Lion's Mane.

Rich at Boccalone eating a meat (sampler) cone.

Ava enjoying an custard filled Bamboloni.  It was a tasty treat.

Cowgirl Creamery.  We bought some fresh, creamy, and delicious Mascarpone.  We plan to make a Mormon Tiramisu.

Ava riding on Uncles shoulders.  It was nice to have other people around to help entertain Ava.  She had fun with Uncle and Elizabeth.

Old man playing a horsehead fiddle.  It sounded pretty cool.  I always enjoy the street musicians.

Ava's Birthday Wishes For Me

Ava cracks us up all the time with the things she says.  Last week during my birthday it was no different.  Ava made a few comments that just made us smile.

Green Game for Mom
Rich wanted to have Ava help pick out my present, so he asked her what she wanted to get me.  Ava's response was "a green game".  Ava loves her "green game" (Leapfrog Leap Pad) and thought I needed one too.  She insisted that is what they should give me for my birthday.  Rich being a wise man convinced Ava that the silhouette cameo was my green game and she was happy with that.


Pink, No Green Cake for Mom
Last week we made plans to visit my parents.  As I told Ava about it and that Nonna was going to make me a cake she said, "Nonna needs to make you a pink cake."  I told Ava I didn't like pink, so then she said, "Nonna needs to make you a green cake.  Green is you favorite."  I thought that was so cute, so I relayed the message to my mom.  Ava was pleased to find a chocolate and vanilla (with green food coloring) checkerboard cake when we got to my parents house.  It tasted good and looked super cool.

35th birthday

Last week I celebrated my 35th birthday.  It was pretty low-key since it was during the week, but this is how I like it.  After dropping Ava off at preschool my good friend picked me up for breakfast at Estelle's Patisserie.  This is the first time I've been there and it was really good.  I enjoyed an almond croissant that was almost as good as the one I crave from a bakery in Monterey.  It made me happy to find a wonderful bakery much closer to home.

After I picked Ava up from school we enjoyed lunch out.  We went to Round Table and had pizza.  Ava was pretty tired from school so she was a little wild.  We didn't hang out too long, so I could get Ava home for a nap.  As a little birthday bonus she took a long nap which allowed me to enjoy a quiet afternoon.

Since it was a workday Rich decided to bring home dinner.  He picked up Chinese from Chinois.  I love their fried won-tons with a cream cheese filling.  We didn't have cake, but brownies instead. 

After stuffing ourselves I opened presents.  This year turned out to be a craft themed birthday.  My parents gave me a folding cutting table for cutting fabric and a giant cutting mat.  I plan on using this to help me improve my sewing skills.  Rich and Ava gave me a Silhouette Cameo which I'm really excited about.  I'm still trying to figure it out and explore all the different things I can do with it.  I already have plans for cutting a vinyl quote to decorate our new kitchen area and some other things I have found on pinterest.  In the future I will have to blog my creations.

This birthday was great!  It was quiet and relaxing.  It is exactly what I wanted.  I just love spending time with my family and knowing that I'm appreciated.

Ava helping me unwrap my presents.

Rich and Ava putting together my cutting table.  Ava actually did a really good job helping and even tighten down some of the screws by herself.

Special 1st Day of School Dinner

 A few days before Ava's special day I asked her what she wanted for her first day of school dinner.  I thought for sure it would be pasta because that is what she always says when you ask her what she wants to eat.  I was wrong.  Instead, Ava asked for pancakes.  Not too shocking because that is also one of her favorites.

That night I got ready to make pancakes.  I usually make Mickey Mouse or other fun shapes, but I wanted to make it even more special.  I had seen some colored pancakes on a few websites and thought I would give it a try.  Ava is always saying, "I love lots of colors", so that is what I gave her.  I made rainbow pancakes.  It was really easy, a lot of fun, and a big hit with Ava.  She was so excited when I showed her the plate.  She also got really excited when she saw the bacon on the table...this girl loves her some bacon.  Ava ate at least as many pancakes as me and ate more bacon than Rich or I.  The dinner was a success and a great way to end a special day for my Ava.

Pancake batter separated and food color added.

Ava ate almost all these pancakes.  On the top is her name, then a rainbow, the hungry caterpillar, and a flower.

Ava chomping on some bacon.  This still cracks me up because just a few months ago I thought Ava was going to be a vegetarian.  She used to not like meat, but now she loves it.  She loves bacon, hamburgers, and even hot dogs.  It is crazy how her taste has changed so dramatically.

Ava's 1st Day of Preschool

September 4, 2012 was Ava's First Day of Preschool.  It was an exciting day and a new chapter in our life.  I have to admit I had mixed emotions.  I was happy because Ava was so excited.  She had been looking forward to this day all summer.  But as Rich and I hugged her, said goodbye, and walk out the classroom tears filled my eyes.  I thought I was ready to let go and enjoy some free time, but I missed her.  I missed her all morning and anxiously wondered how she was doing.

When we picked her up she was happy to see us.  She had a good time, but was ready to go home.  She was also tired and ready for a nap.  When we got to the car Ava found a surprise waiting for her.  While Rich and I ran some errands that morning we also picked up a balloon bouquet to celebrate Ava's first day of school.  She was so happy and kept saying, "I love my balloons!".

It was a nice first day of school and Ava enjoyed it.  Now each day she asks me, "Is tomorrow my first day of school?".  She doesn't quite get the concept of "first" but I reassure her that she still get's to go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I'm glad that our first school experience has been positive.  I am look forward to the rest of the year and the fun things we will do.

Ava is excited and ready to go.  She is wearing the Curious George dress I made her and the Boba Fett light-up shoes she picked out.

Ava reminding us how old she is...3 fingers old.

This is Ava's doggie backpack she picked out.  She was so excited to get a backpack for school.  She has been calling it her "suitcase".

Rich took a 1/2 day, so he could be apart of Ava's special day.  She was so excited to have Rich home in the morning.  She was sad when he had to go back to work after lunch.

I can't even begin to express how much I love "My Ava".  I am so proud of her and excited to continue to watch her grow.  She is a special little girl and I feel privileged to be her mom.

It was important to Ava that we all missed her while she was at school...even Luca.  She kept asking me, "Did you miss me while I was at school?  Were you sad?  Did you cry?".  She is so funny and of course we did miss her.

Ava waiting outside her classroom.

Ava got tired of being still while we waited for the door to open, so she started climbing.

Ava enjoyed placing her balloons, then backing up really far, and finally running full force to attack the balloons.  It was pretty hilarious.