"I" "LOVE" "DAD"

Ava is just so cute and I loved the pictures from Father's Day, so I wanted to share the 3 we picked.

Father's Day

The first thing we did on Father's Day was open presents.  Ava was so excited for Rich to see his surprises.  Ava picked out a "Mr. Incredible" shirt because her dad is, well, INCREDIBLE.  She also picked out some Angry Bird band-aids because she knew daddy would share them with her.  Ava put her presents inside a bag she decorated with cute pictures.

I also made a gift (with Ava's help) for Rich.  Earlier in the week I asked Ava to make 3 signs that read, "I", "LOVE", & "Dad".  We then took these signs up to the temple and took a whole bunch of cute pictures with Ava holding the signs.  It was hard, but Ava and I picked out the three pictures we like the most and put them in a collage frame for Rich to take to work.  I think the gift turned out really cute and I'm grateful Ava was excited to make it happen.

After presents we had a special Father's Day breakfast.  The day before I made English muffins from scratch.  I used them to make breakfast sandwiches with eggs, prosciutto, and cheese.  They were really tasty and something I will have to make again.

We enjoyed time as a family, then headed to church, and then off to Gridley to spend the rest of the day with Rich's family.  Ava was excited to see her two newest cousins, Levi & Tavi.  She was especially happy to see Tavi and hold her for the first time (she held Levi in the hospital).  Ava was so sweet and gentle with the babies.  She held both of them and for a long time too.  She quietly sang to them and sweetly "ssshhhed" them when they cried.  It was bitter-sweet watching her with them.  I'm so glad she loves them so much, but it made me a little sad to think she may never be a big sister.  She would be a wonderful big sister  I am grateful she has so many wonderful cousins to play with.

Ava with her gift for Rich.  She did a good job keeping it a secret.

Rich is pretty "Incredible".  We are blessed to have him as a dad and husband.

Ava picked these out for Rich because she really wanted them.  She is lucky to have a wonderful dad that likes to share.

Ava made these signs all by herself for my project.

It is hard to see the pictures, but this is my gift to Rich.

Usually Ava is happy to take pictures, but this day she was not cooperative.  This is the best smile we could get from her.

Ava holding baby Tavi for the first time.

I sat down with Ava to help her support Tavi's head.

Ava is holding a sleeping Levi and I have an unhappy Tavi.

Levi is still chilling with Ava and I finally got Tavi to sleep.

Soccer

A couple months ago I had the idea to start a parent and me soccer group.  I asked some friends at church and a few other families were interested.  So, a couple months ago we started meeting once a week at a local park to learn some soccer skills.  The kids ranged in age from under 2 to 12 years old.  It was a big age ranged but we all had a good time (at least I think we did).

I taught the kids how to dribble, kick, and throw-ins.  Each week we spent a little time on each skill.  I let the kids kind of guide the group depending on energy level and desire to participate that day.  Some days were more successful than others.  No matter what happened during our practice we always ended with an obstacle course.  I think that was everybody's favorite part.

The obstacle course was broken up into a four parts.  The first part the kids would run forward, backward, and sideways.  Sometimes I would also have them crab walk.  After running the kids had to hop like bunnies through 3 hula hoop and then crawl through a tunnel.  The last obstacle was to dribble and shoot at a goal.  It was fun watching the kids race each other and try to get the fastest time.

Fishing

For months Ava has been asking me to take her fishing.  She tells me "Daddy I want to catch fish and eat them".  She has been practicing her cast in out back yard 50 gallon fish pond.  I took her to the pond at our local park for more practice (sometimes they actually stock it with fish, but not recently).  We decided to go to Rancho Seco.  It is close and they stock it with trout over the winter.  We got there a little late so the fish weren't biting. I hooked into one but it got off the line before Ava could come over and reel it in.  We had fun even though we didn't catch anything.  I'll have to find a better place.   Her attention span for fishing was short, but I think it would be a little longer if we were actually catching fish.

Sunscreen first.

Looking at the frogs and tadpoles.

My little fisher girl all ready to go with her Scoobydoo fishing pole.

Daddy put the bait on the hooks.

"Reach back and toss!"  Not sure where Ava got that from but she says it before every cast.

Ava almost hooked a Daddy.

"Reach back and toss."

Us out fishing on the boat dock.

It was hot out.  Ava enjoyed putting her feet in the water.

This is Rosie. Ava found a ladybug that she named Rosie.

Backyard Campout

Ava has wanted to go camping for a while.  We decided to set up the tent in the back yard for a trial run.  Lisa enjoyed the comfort of our bed inside the house. Ava had a great time. She was so excited to be in the tent that it took several hours for her to settle down and sleep.   She loved looking out the window at the stars.  We read books and I told her stories about when I went camping as little boy.  I was impressed at how well she slept (once she finally fell to sleep around 11:30).  She slept through the night.  I wish I could have slept as well as she did.  The funny thing is that Lisa probably had the worst night of sleep.  The dog was pacing back and forth in the house, and the neighbors cat got in a fight around 04:30.  We will have to find a time to take her to a real campground now. It would be a fun family activity and she would love it.

Ava is ready for the night.  She has her baby, panda, pointer, gloves, and several flash lights.

Luca came to visit but he went back in the house to sleep.

Snuggles in the tent.

Cherries = Happy Ava

 I love that the simple things in life like fresh cherries make Ava happy.  During the summer months Ava is in heaven with all the fresh fruit she gets to eat.  She has been enjoying strawberries, cherries, melon, and pineapple.  She is looking forward to the peaches and apricots on our trees in the backyard.

Strawberries

Ava has been enjoying strawberries from her garden for the past couple months.  She loves going outside and picking strawberries from her plants.  Last year she had 3 plants and this year we planted 6 more.  Even with 9 plants hardly any strawberries make it into the house.  Ava usually picks them and eats them outside.


Ava getting ready to pick a strawberry and Luca hoping she will drop it.  Ava is nice and shares the tops of the strawberries with Luca.

Ava with her treasure.

I try to remind Ava to wash her strawberries before she eats them.  Sometimes she is so eager she forgets.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day morning I woke up to an excited Ava.  She had been waiting since Thursday to give me the gift she made at school.  I was amazed at how well she kept the secret of what it was.  Before I did anything else I opened her gift.  Ava decorated a beautiful picture frame with her picture in it.  She also made me a heart card.

After church we headed to my brother's to celebrate with my family.  I had requested pasta carbonara, so that is what Rich made me for my special dinner.  My brother made a tasty lentil soup for his fiance.  My dad just brought my mom and we all shared food.

It was a nice day of relaxing and family.  I enjoyed not doing anything and being taken care of by my husband and daughter.  It is nice to be appreciated and pampered.

Yes, I know I look terrible.  I literally just woke up.  Ava didn't let me do anything before I opened her gift.

The decorated picture frame and card.  Both are beautiful.

We wore our matching skirts that I made.  I am holding a yellow tissue paper flower gave me from primary.

Ava likes to do jumping pictures.

The ladies of the family:  Me, My Mom (Nonna), Ava, & Elizabeth

Ava made this picture for Nonna Carole.  She cut out the sun and grass.  She made the flowers a family and they are holding hands.  I LOVE it!

Ava had so much fun at Uncle's house she fell asleep after being in the car for only 10 minutes on the way home.