The balloon...

On Sunday afternoon, Peter took Mia grocery shopping. Along with all of the items on the grocery list, they came home with the "baoon". I was told that Mia spotted the balloons immediatly upon entering the grocery store and expressed much joy and excitment over them. So of course, Daddy couldn't say no to his littlest sweetheart.


The balloon is the object of Mia's affection and it warms my heart to see her get so excited about seeing it over and over again.


Here aree some photos of Mia and her "baoon" that I took yesterday while Ava was at school.

Back to school...

Ava's first day back at school was marvelous for both of us! She didn't shed a tear and I had an entire hour-and-a-half to myself (Mia was napping)! I didn't realize how much I had missed Ava's school days. I feel as though I am a new person and a better mommy because of our time apart. Now, if I could only switch her to the four day preschool instead of the two day then I could really get some stuff done ;)!
Here are some precious photos from my little three-year-old's first day of school.

All smiles on the way to school

Wearing her backpack

Talking to her new teacher, Ms. Tracey

A special day....

Today is Ava's official birthday. Happy Birthday to you, my little Ava bird! I can't believe that it has been THREE years since she was born, but I also feel like I have been a mommy forever.



Today is also Ava's first day of preschool. What an exciting day for us! Last year Ava was enrolled in the Mother's Day Out program one day a week. This year she will be in the preschool program and will go TWO days a week! We are both very excited about the school year starting.



Since today is Ava's birthday she will be snack helper in her classroom and we were assigned to bring a special birthday snack (yes, we're STILL celebrating). However, there are rules about what can and can not be brought for snack. No cupcakes, no cookies, no super sugary treats. So, you ask..... How does a mommy make a birthday snack special? Well, we had to get creative! Ava's birthday snack is a mix of her favorite snacks ( smiling ritz crackers, goldfish, pretzel fish, chocolate alphabet cookes, Teddy Grahams and candy coated mini hershey's kisses) all dresssed up for the occasion.

A few more party pics....

Jackson and Nathan are not so sure about the girly cupcakes

Yummy juice!

Cate, Ava & Emma in the pool

Mi Mi and Gi Gi came for the party!

Shane shooting the water gun
Mia walking with Gi Gi
Emma on the steps of the Lazy River

Cate enjoying her second cupcake

Present time at home!

Hop on over!

Back in May when Ava's best friend, Emma, turned three, we settled on a theme for her party, "A girl frog pool party". I LOVE planning parties for the girls and I had a ball with this theme. Ava wore a pink & white polka dot swim suit, with a frog dress as a cover-up and had a Pottery Barn Kids frog towel. I made pink and white polka dot cupcakes topped with frog cupcake picks and we served the food on pink and white polka dot plates. In addition, all of the kids recieved froggy goodie bags that had gummy frogs, a light up frog key chain and pink and white candy cane adorned with a cute sugar frog. Ok....I admit it.....I tend to get carried away, but it is just so much fun!

We celebrated Ava's 3rd birthday last Saturday (a bit early so that Daddy could celebrate too). As you may have read in a previous post, there was a threat of thunderstorms for the big day. Thankfully, we were blessed with unseasonably cool, sunny weather and were able to continue with the party as planned! Thank you to all of the wonderful friends who came to the party and made this a special birthday for Ava!

Here are some pictures from the party:

We're back...

After a few weeks, of busy times (impromptu AL trip, gearing up for visits from family, birthday parties, birthday playgroups and the start of the school year), we're ready to get back into the business of blogging!

We've been having fun too! Here are a couple of cute photos of the girls:

Mia's first bubble bath

A Saturday afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese

Rain, Rain, Go away...

Normally here in TX we welcome the rain, especially during the hot, hot, hot summer months. However, this Saturday we hope that the rain stays away. We have been planning Ava's third birthday party at the local water park for a couple of months and I think she'll be devistated if we have to move to plan B. Oh, by the way, there is no plan B at this time.....So, any suggestions are welcome ;)!

Ava will be one sad puppy if we don't get to have a water park party!

The Latest Version....

Mia has modified her version of peek-a-boo. It is so funny to watch her play! Here are some photos of her playing taken the other day. She now covers one eye and peeks through her fingers with the other eye (so cute!) You can see how proud she is when she's finished the game.

So you say its your birthday....

Today is Mi Mi and Great Uncle Miles' birthday! I think that it is pretty amazing that our girls are 2 years and 10 days apart, but what is even more amazing is that my mom and her brother share the same birthday. What are the chances? Happy Birthday to you both. We love you very much!

Mi Mi click here for your card:
http://preview.picaboo.com/Webview/CoverPage.aspx?user=0000000000027B2909&album=0000000000027C2244

What's she into now...

Mia has recently found a new past time. She loves to go into her big sister's room and raid the book shelf. Mia loves "buhs", but still hasn't learned that they are to read and not to eat!

Caught in the act!