Archive for the ‘Ava’ Category
13 Jun
Camp, closed.
Ava and Olivia attended Girl Scout camp this week, returning home every afternoon wet, muddy and utterly exhausted. They had a blast learning how to build fires, hiking creek beds and preparing their own food.
Ava tent camped overnight last night, and both girls came home with awards for their efforts today. Despite a rainy, warm week, socks that just needed to be tossed and more bruises and bites than we can count, it was a huge summer success. Next week’s art camp may pale in comparison.
6 Jun
Overheard
Rebecca: “Girls, it hurts my heart when you argue like this.”
Ava: “Maybe you have mild tachycardia.”
3 Jun
Overhead: Empathy comes with age
I left work today in teeth-clenching, eye-twitching state. I expressed this to the girls on the way home, saying that I wanted to find a way to relax ahead of what was going to be a fun night—Bryan returns from a long trip away, Katie and Tom are joining us for dinner, and we’re expecting good storms this evening.
I said that I was feeling anxious and stressed, and I asked if they had any suggestions to feel happier—music? Dancing? After I poured my heart out to these two little people, I received two responses.
The first, from Olivia: “I have an owie in my nose.”
The second, from her older (and perhaps wiser) sister: “Well, first, you could stop reading work emails at night. Then, you can go home, take off your heels, and sit on the deck with a drink. Maybe look at shoes online.”
When I caught her eye in the rearview mirror, she said, “What? I know you.”
Indeed.
29 May
Throwback Thursday
Here’s a sweet little photo Doug shot during the Christmas holiday in 2008.
For comparison’s sake, here are Ava and Olivia handing out programs at my cousin’s wedding last weekend.
17 May
Overheard
Rebecca: “Owen, you are a crab and a half.”
Ava: “Actually I think he’s two whole crabs today.”
10 May
Smith family addition
Ava asks for a dog at least four or five times a day. This is not an exaggeration. Usually, when I say, “No, not right now,” she asks for a ferret. (“Yeah, also no.”)
Last night, she worked her way through a list that included hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs. (“No, nope, not a chance, no.”) By the time she got to “hermit crab…?” I think I surprised her: “Sure, fine.”
So, today, we got a hermit crab. Do you know hermit crabs live A LONG TIME? One of these children might be able to take little Shelly here to college. Fair to say I didn’t really think this one through, but the girls seems content. For now.
Smith Family Weblog 