the last of the pumpkin patch pictures...

more pumpkins...

Pumpkin picking with mommy's new camera...

Okay, so the camera didn't actually pick pumpkins... but it might as well have! Ahhhhhhhhh - i love it! Enjoy it's documentation of the day - what fun!

cute, but dangerous

"We had a bad day today." I love how Miss Trish always refers to Ava as we... like she played some part in Ava's decision to be a stinker. Although, the truth is that Miss Trish probably did have a bad day too because she had to deal with Ava and her shinanigans all day. Last week she threw a book at Colby's head. She also refused to keep her shoes on after Trish repeatedly asked her to leave them on. After the third time she was told to keep them on, Ava responded to Trish by saying "What? Are you going to tell my mother?" And to top the day off, when Miss Trish asked her why she was being so naughty she responded with "because I am cranky today!" I wish you could hear these statements in her high pitched minnie mouse voice as it is even more appalling. Where has my sweet baby gone? A couple of weeks ago, she said to me as serious as ever "mommy, we don't say crap." As I giggled inside, I very seriously and calmly responded "that's right, we don't" and left it at that. I wish I could remember all of the things she says. One minute she sounds like an innocent baby and the next like a thirteen year old. Today she leaned over the toilet with her hands on the seat and said, "I want to go potty like this mommy."

I told her "we don't potty like that."
"Colby does," she responded.
"Well, Colby is a boy."
"I want to be a boy. Why can't I peepee like that?"

hmmmmmm... I settled with "because you are a girl" and breathed a sigh of relief when that seemed to be enough of an answer for her.

She is not even 2 1/2 yet. I am in so much trouble.

a haircut...

So I have continuously been cutting Ava's bangs trying to get the sides to grow out and refusing to get her a real (real, meaning we paid for it) haircut. Greg and I stared at her this morning with her bangs hanging all over the place and decided that today was the day. She was unsure at first, but once she found the right car for her and Dorah was dancing on the television screen in front of her (brilliant idea, by the way) she was good to go. Then, the sweet girl who cut it offered to put it up for her. As you can see below, she was thrilled with her new look! :) And any event that ends with a sucker and a balloon is good with Ava!

Greg and I would rather Charlie live in someone else's home. He is quite possibly the neediest cat ever to walk the face of the earth. However, this makes him perfect for Ava because he is willing to take whatever abuse she may dole out just to get a little attention.

Last summer trip to Mimi and Papa Eric's house.

BFF

Ava and Emme... growing up too fast!

More end of summer photos...

Ava would prefer to never wear shoes... unless of course they are her thlip-thlops or her cowboy boots. And despite my emphatic announcement that she will not wear anything that says princess, she loves all things jewelry and makeup. This includes having her toenails painted. And to top it off, while having a conversation about the olympics (she loved the diving and gymnastics) my mom suggested to her that she could be an olympian some day. "NO!" she stated firmly. "I want to be a princess!" And finally, despite my attempts to show her some other "really cool costumes" she has her heart set on being Cinderella for Halloween. I suppose I get what I deserve.

Push me high mommy! I want an underduck mommy! Watch mommy, I can touch the trees! Watch mommy, I can hang upside down! Watch mommy, I can give you a heart attack! Okay, she really didn't say that last one, but she might as well have.

summer is over...

There is so much I want to blog but I am having a difficult time keeping my eyes open so, as usual, I will save it for later and blog a few of my end of summer photos before I head to bed. The time for laying in the grass and searching the yard for caterpillers is over. Today we took the air out of the pool and pulled the flowers from around the mailbox. All sure signs that I am back to school and Ava is back to Miss Trish's house. The transition has been a piece of cake this year as Ava is so excited to see her friends and do all of the fun projects Miss Trish plans for them. She is growing up so fast that I wish I owned a pause button.
Since I can rarely talk my husband into taking pictures for me... Ava and I spent and afternoon playing with the timer on my camera. This was my favorite shot!

The last summer popsicle.

Miss Trish welcomes us back with a trip to the playground. Ava was devastated when we had to leave.

more fun...

The kids love to play with, well, okay, mostly they enjoy harassing my cousin John. He is an incredible sport about it. It wears me out just watching them!

Ava loved the four wheeler. My uncle Bob had mowed a path into the little field in the front of the house. (Don't worry mom, we didn't go over 8 mph!)

Alex and Ken goofing off in the yard.

Bob and John enjoying the fire and the conversation.

more wisconsin fun

What is it with boys and fire. Jake didn't leave this spot once the fire was lit.

Every kid loves water balloons! Well, except Ava once she realized what happens when they pop!

The un-birthday cake with too many candles to count and too much melted wax on it to eat!

No problem, there was strawberry and blueberry shortcake!

the trip home...

I love going home! Don't get me wrong - I love living in Indiana, but a piece of my heart will always belong to Wisconsin. What I love most is that when I go back we do the same things we have always done. We ate great food (thanks to my Aunt Luanne who should own her own restaurant), we visited and relaxed, we rode the 4-wheeler, we watched the kids run and run and run, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery (including the sunset below), we ate some more, we opened un-birthday presents, we ate strawberry shortcake with homemade ice cream, we sat around a camp fire and laughed, and we swatted at the mosquitos. Yes, even the mosquitos make it feel more like home. My aunt and uncle are the king and queen of hosting a party and this was a great one! Ava is still talking about riding the train with "unca bob" and "aunt luyann". As usual, I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.