The girls are taking a series of special classes to master the back handspring. It’s hard work, and they’re owning it.
Archive for the ‘Ava’ Category
4 Jun
Photos from home
From New York, I asked Bryan (who was in Chicago until the day before yesterday), to send me a photo from home. Now I’m sharing it with you, wherever you may be (if you’re reading this, you’re likely in Nebraska). Hope we are all together again soon!
21 May
And summer starts
The girls wrapped up a great school year today. First and fourth grades are in the books!
And since it’s Thursday, here’s a throwback to the beginning of the year – just nine months ago.
What do you think – do they look older and wiser?
Summer camps – gymnastics, art, STEM/science, and music – begin next week. Piano and gymnastics classes continue, but it should be a relatively low key season (for those not yet old enough to drive…).
12 May
Ava fix
Earlier this month, Ava and her friend Sophia completed the last of four volleyball camps at a local college. I was surprised to learn “Nebraska roll” isn’t a universal term, and equally surprised to learn they teach this maneuver quite so early! The girls were no worse for the wear.
2 May
A night at the zoo
A couple of weeks ago, Ava and I traveled to Omaha with her Girl Scout troop for a night at the zoo. Roughly 18 sets of mothers (or fathers) and daughters met in the Old Market for dinner, then headed to our home for the night – the Hubbard Gorilla Valley (made semi-famous the day before, thanks to this “breaking” news).
The night began with tours of the nocturnal exhibits (where it was as light as day at 9 pm in order to be dark as night 12 hours later), as well as a very dim tour of the rainforest. As fruit bats flew at our heads, the tour guides reminded us to remain calm and avoid flailing (not possible, as it turns out, when a bat dive-bombs your person).
Here, Ava and her best friend Sophia come close to a stingray.
The Desert Dome (home, at least temporarily, to another set of campers that evening) must look pretty impressive on an evening approach to Epply Airfield.
At midnight(!) we were finally able to settle in. Ava selected a spot under a window to the gorilla enclosure. The occupants made their presence known at night via thunder-like noise.
An incredibly short six hours later, our guides woke us up for the morning tour, which delivered on the promise to include very active animals. We wore ponchos to ward off he rain, and visited the aquarium to find sea turtles and sharks pretty thrilled with their breakfasts.
The cats were also very active (and vocal) that morning, and Ava snapped this photo of a three-legged tiger. Lions (including the mountain lion Omaha) were all engaging. The kids (and really, I think, the parents) were pretty impressed with this behind-the-scenes look of this remarkable zoo.
2 Apr
Happy 10th, Ava!
Ava had a nearly month-long birthday celebration (with more to come) for her 10th year. Double-digits are a big deal for kids, and this felt like a real milestone from my perspective, too. Ten years! Ten.
We began with angel food cake at my mom’s early in the month, a family tradition I’m so glad she carries forward.
On the 24th, we bookended the occasion with blueberry pancakes and dinner with Tom and Katie.
For the first time, my number cookies weren’t numbers.
Then, last Saturday, the main event: a pop star party and sleepover for six friends, with Taylor Swift karaoke, a whole of fun and very, very little sleep.
Happy birthday, Ava! I can’t wait to see what the next decade brings.
25 Mar
Ten!
Ava Kate celebrated her 10th birthday yesterday. Thanks so much for the sweet calls and messages from near and far–much appreciated! More on this occasion very soon…
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