It might be September, but it feels more like July. At least there’s football…!
Archive for the ‘Ava’ Category
2 Sep
Ava fix
Ava helped her good friend Aubrey celebrate her ninth birthday this weekend. These little girls are growing up!
19 Aug
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
I found this in Ava’s homework folder today. It would appear the author took some creative liberties…
14 Aug
Third grade!
Ava started third grade today. She spent the morning dancing and singing to music, pausing only long enough to plead with us to allow an exception to our “no wedges at school” rule. (“MOM, it’s the first day. FIRST DAAAAAAAY.”)
She remarked her outfit made her look like a “work lady” rather than a schoolgirl, and then added a very sparkly, large ring to her left hand.
She’s confident and cool and ready for the year.
Ava with her teacher, Mrs. Harrison (who, by the way, is reportedly QUITE fun).
Off to a great start!
6 Aug
Lucky 13
For months, Ava has been asking to see Taylor Swift in concert, and for months–while the Red album blared in the background–I have told her she’s way too young for such business.
On Wednesday night, though, our neighbors said that they took their daughter a couple of years ago, and found a majority of the crowd was Ava’s age. At that point, Bryan admitted to having looked for tickets earlier in the week, finding only singles left.
The next morning, I was still telling myself that it was perfectly fine to say no to such ridiculousness, but by 9 AM, I was looking for at least a couple of seats together. I did not have any luck through the concert promoter, so at Katie’s suggestion, I bought three tickets from a ticket broker. (Because, of course, if eight is too young for a concert, five surely isn’t…?)
We surprised the girls with the news at Katie’s house on Thursday evening. I think it took a little while for it to sink in, but Ava was very excited come that night.
We left home after work on Friday, driving to downtown Kansas City. As we waited in line for soft pretzels, Ava asked that I draw the number 13 on her hand. She said that Taylor had a lucky 13 on her hand for every show, and sure enough, every girl in my line of sight at the concert had the same.
The opening act was someone that I had never heard of, but when Ava saw him, she said, “It’s Ed Sheeran. OMG, MOM!” Apparently the other 13,999 people in the Sprint Center knew him, too, because the crowd came alive.
When Taylor Swift took the stage, Ava was blown away. At this moment, I was so grateful that I had decided to take her. To see her reaction made it worth every penny. She was completely mesmerized.
She sang along to every song, often holding a homemade sign above her head. It said, among other things, “You inspire me” and “Find us online at Smith Family Weblog.”
This was easily one of the largest shows that I’ve ever been to, and definitely the one with the most costume changes. That’s probably what held Olivia’s interest the most. That, and the pyrotechnics…
Well it might not have been exactly my scene, it was pretty incredible to see how much fun Ava and Olivia had. It was certainly a glimpse into the great things yet to come as these two little girls grow up.
26 Jul
Ava the entrepreneur
Last weekend, under the watchful eyes of Aunt Katie and Uncle Tom, Ava opened a lemonade stand at the end of our driveway. She netted a respectable $27, but perhaps more notably, she secured a catering opportunity with a local running group.
I wasn’t on hand for the booking, so I was surprised to learn Thursday evening’s engagement would bring about 40 runners from the Hash House Harriers, a local chapter of the international running club, to our driveway for glasses of lemonade. (My enthusiasm was slightly damped when I learned the run was billed as a “trip through the suburbs,” warning participants not to return with mortgage and 2.3 children. THEY COULD BE SO LUCKY.)
Ava was really in her element, though. Along with Tom and Livie, she happily served up lemonade to the group, securing a $30 payday, $8 in tips and a growing thirst for entrepreneurship.
20 Jun
A&O Fix
The ice went out a mere five weeks ago, and the water temperature is a chilly 66 degrees in Little Birch Lake. Perfect swimming conditions…if you happen to be eight and five.
13 Jun
Keeping in touch
This summer has brought a bit of business travel for me, and while a quiet hotel room is most certainly a luxury every now and then, I do find myself missing my sweet family. I’m grateful for opportunities to video chat with Owen and the girls, but receiving this email as I wait to board a flight in Dallas just made my whole day.
Smith Family Weblog 