Archive for the ‘Ava’ Category

Down on the farm

We spent yesterday at the fabulous Deanna Rose Farmstead in Overland Park. Bottle-feeding the baby goats was one of the highlights.

Stages for which I am not ready

At the fair last weekend, I mentioned to Bryan that wasn’t really looking forward to having a teenage daughter, let alone two. They seem to be rather naked and loud these days, and that concerns me.

Granted, we do have a few lovely babysitters who go against the grain in that respect, so perhaps there is still hope. Nevertheless, my blood pressure increased a bit when Ava came home from preschool with a boy’s phone number scrawled across her homework.

It seems as though they are planning a trip, and they needed to spend some time on the phone to work out the details. (Thankfully, Ava assures me they both have their driver’s licenses, and they won’t need to borrow our car because Ava just bought one of her own online.)

I wrote this off as extremely creative play, until my mom (who, by the way, had two teenage daughters herself not so long ago) said something that made me picture my five-year-old packing up her belongings and letting herself out of the house at 2 a.m.

I suppose, though, I do have about 10 years before I have to worry too much about that, or about phone numbers from boys in general. Right?

In the meantime, I have this handy new meditation podcast that seems to be helping…

Ava Fix

All’s Fair

We took the girls to the county fair last night. When they were finally ready, I realized they’d blend right in with the carney folk.

It probably goes without saying, but Ava dressed herself.

Once we talked Olivia into leaving her two blankets, three lovies and teddy bear in the car, we made our way to the petting barn.

This nice cow really enjoyed the feeding, and he left Ava a little something in return. Thank goodness for anti-bac.

When the kids saw the midway, they were pretty much done with the farm animals. It was at this point that Bryan decided the rides didn’t look safe, and suggested perhaps we skip this part of the fair.

Sixty minutes later, we’d spent roughly $648 dollars on tickets and thoroughly enjoyed the ferris wheel that Bryan was sure would end up rolling down the countryside with his family inside. (That’s assuming, of course, that we hadn’t already fallen out of the “really low gates.”)

I wish I had video of my sweet husband yelling, “AVA! HOLD ON!”

Olivia was barely tall enough for most of the rides, but we found a few just for the little ones.

If the tears on the way back to the car were any indication, I think the girls were sad to leave. Bryan says the midway is open until midnight tonight…

Ava’s B&B

I hesitate to say this out loud for fear it will come to a screeching halt, but we’ve had some pretty relaxed weekends lately. Some of them have even involved children that sleep until 8 am. Beyond that, Ava’s taken to making us Sunday morning breakfast. Last weekend, she served up eggs in toast, which she made entirely herself. I had to flip the slices of bread, but it was a small price to pay to for such a delicious start to the day.

Ava Fix

Ava Fix

Catch of the day

Bryan spent a bulk of his vacation fishing, which I think is a sign that I’m just that much closer to convincing him that we do indeed need a boat. In the meantime, though, he had a blast catching sunfish and bluegill off the dock with the girls. I’m not sure who decided that every fish needs a kiss before it goes back into the water, but all involved oblige.

Ava Fix: Vacation edition

Fourth of July photo round-up

We drove halfway to the cabin the night of July 3rd, just after a fabulous 30th birthday party for my wonderful sister-in-law, Laura. We finished the trip the morning of the 4th, arriving at the cabin just in time for the annual Fourth of July parade.

The parade was a bit smaller than usual, but there was still free beer. The girls were far more excited about the candy and water balloons.

After the parade, we went back to the cabin. Parties sprung up around the lake, and the neighbors invited the girls over for face painting.

After a bit of swimming, Grandpa and Gramma treated us to a cookout by the fire.

And, of course, there were a few fireworks…

Happy Fourth of July!