Party Pictures

Everyone just relaxing, the weather was beautiful!



Some of our family..


The birthday girl on her way outside, she was asleep at the beginningAva in her Abby Costume loving it!

snow cones and popcorn, who needed real food! A huge thank you to Marcy and Mystery who worked the machine and helped with countless other things yesterday!





Ava chatting with Kaylie and Aunt Jenn


Peter and Amanda in the sandbox



Opening presents, she loved the chair she got that she is sitting in

The new toddler ATV from Grandma and Grandpa


Miss Thing in her new shades
How cool are these Elmo cupcakes? Mia and Tanya made them...


Ava clapped as everyone was singing to her


A little pool time

Pinata time...


Grandma, Grandpa and their grandchildren

She pushes this with her feet, the button scares her for right now

After the party, the princess lounged in her new chair...not nearly as exhausted as mommy!
We had a great day for Ava's party. It was supposed to be on Saturday but with all the reports of rain we moved it to Sunday. Thank goodness, it would have been a mess otherwise. I woke up Ava really early so she would nap before her party and it worked. She went to bed and the backyard was normal and then she woke up and there was everyone she knows and balloons, etc. poor little thing was so confused.

Ava was not into opening presents, I'm sure next year will be a different story. She was quite content with her popcorn and snow cones. I was impressed that she allowed so many little kids to play with her things. It's not usually how she rolls!

It was so nice for so many people to celebrate with us! Tomorrow is Ava's 2 year check up. At 18 months she was 23 lbs, we'll see where she is now...

It was two years ago today that I got my referral call about Ava.

Birthday Pictures

Ava, September 3, 2006


Ava, September 3rd, 2007

and September 3rd, 2008

Poor Ava was forced to wake up and get moving and mommy insisted on taking pictures


She quickly became excited when she got to put on her hat, all week she wanted to wear it. She went into daycare with it on


Ava putting her fingers in her ears, refusing to buy into this "big girl" stuff


I love her expression in this picture...


Ava's birthday party at daycare

Mesmerized by the candles....


Each time she heard about cupcakes, she would go "mmmmm"

"Do I have anything on my face?"

The daycare crew...they made her a card with all the handprintsWhen Ava got home she got her birthday surprises



Guess what she liked best? The balloons!

Opening up her kitchen...



Back to the balloons...boy I could have saved a lot of $$

Opening presents from Mia (aka Mimi)
Swinging at the park, she would stay in this swing all day if she were allowed to


Round and round with Mimi

Yummy, ice-cream at DQ

Anyone who follows this blog may remember her first cone on her birthday last year, she was a mess! Now she's pretty neat...
We had a great day with Ava. She doesn't quite now what her birthday means but she knew something was special about the day. She helped me bake cupcakes for daycare and we would sing "Happy Birthday" so as soon as I walked into daycare at pick up with the cupcakes she yelled out "Happy". So cute! She wore her hat all day. She truly liked the balloons better than her present but I think she will grow into it. If nothing else, the kitchen matches my living room and dining room! Finally a toy that is not in bright primary colors...

It was so fun to watch Ava have her little daycare buddies celebrating her birthday. Then Ava's idol Mia came over. The only way I got her to leave daycare was to tell her that her mimi was coming over! We went to the park and they had a McDonald's picnic. Then we went to DQ for dessert.

We're having a small little party on Sunday for her. I'll post pictures afterwards.

I cannot believe I have a two year old!

Sesame Place and other random pix

Waiting for the parade to start with this huge Abby Cadabby Balloon

Dancing to the music!

Ava loved the parade and shows the best

No fear of the characters, we saw them all numerous times and all Ava would do was hug them and give high 5s



No lollipop could ever be too big

Very messy!



Ava and Ben taking a rest

Days end at Sesame Place--two toddlers out cold

nap time

watching a DVD since it rained a lot

strolling down sesame place



Off we go!

skee ball...she just liked to hand the balls to whomever was playing

Ava hit the jackpot twice on this game and won hundreds of tickets

which got her a giant fish--yet another stuffed animal!

bubble bath fun

Avoiding having to get dressed!

Aunt Jenn and cousin Kaylie

Ava was too quiet too long....

Two cans of coffee and breadcrumbs....she was creative though




The EAC picnic in NY



Alone again...this time with sharpie markers!


chunka munka art!


Pool time fun!



a preview of Abby Cadabby


At the county fair...I bought Ava this hat for the winter but she insisted on wearing it despite the heat!


Petting the bunny at the fair

and the goat which she loved


We went to Sesame Place with good friends of ours. We had a great time. Ava did not like any rides but loved the shows and characters. We also saw the Wiggles which was great. She was amazed when they came on stage, it was too cute. We also had the adoption agencies local reunion. Moving, moving, moving...all the time.

Things remain hectic. I'm back at work and Ava is adjusting to full time daycare. She is a little more clingy but she seems to love it there. All is well though and Ava is getting so big! She will be 2 tomorrow and I cannot believe it. She is chatting up a storm and it always takes me by surprise. Her favorite things to say are "I want to see" and "I want tea". She is starting to gesture with her hands and is definitely her own little person. She is definitely going on 2--everything is "mine" and "no". She is still so affectionate and sweet though. Ava is really starting to play with her dolls. I catch her kissing them and rocking them. She also likes to hide...not always fun for mommy.

She is really into Abby Cadabby which is the theme of her upcoming birthday party. She keeps telling everyone that she is going to be 2. I tell her she is a big girl and she insists she is a baby. It's hysterical. I say big girl and she yells baby! Two years ago I had no idea she was about to enter the world and now I cannot imagine a second without her in it.

We are starting potty training this week....yikes, not looking forward to that!