I will be a doctor!

On Monday, Ava and I went to Dallas to eat lunch with my aunt and uncle. 

Ava was sporting her new stethoscope she got from Santa.  

(Ava's requests from Santa were a talking dollhouse, stuffed kitty, real fish, fresh flowers and a stethoscope.) 

She wears this stethoscope around her neck pretending to be a doctor.  

We were walking through the mall and several people looked at her and smiled.  She whispers to me that everybody thinks she is a "real" doctor.  LOL 

As we are turning the corner to our restaurant, a woman bends down and says, ''do you want to be a doctor when you grow up?" Ava looks at her very determined and says, "no, I will be a doctor when I grow up."

 

Holy Spirit

This past weekend we took Massimo to the new dog park in our area.  I guess we had a mental pause and forgot that it had rained all night!!! He quickly turned from white to brown, so we dropped him off to get a bath before bringing him home.  While killing time, we decided to drop in the SPCA to look at dogs they had on  their adoption list.  Dustin wanted to look because he had never been there, and while we were in Orlando his sister adopted a puppy.  He became obsessed with the idea that instead of paying for a Westie (which is what I want and have already sent deposit money on) we would adopt a "mutt", which would in  turn be the BEST dog we have ever had.  

So, we walk in and spot a Chihuahua.  Ava says immediately that she is taking him home.  We are there for about 2 hrs playing with him and waiting for him to poop.  Dustin wanted him to pass the poop test.  Ava runs around telling everyone that she is getting this puppy and will have him forever.  So being the suckers we are, we now have 2 dogs.  

Here is a piece of the dialogue: 

Me: Okay, I guess we are getting him so what should we name him.  Lets take a family vote. 

Dustin: I really like Cujo and think its a funny name.

Ava:  I really like Charlie and thats going to be his name.  

For a day we decide to name him Cujo.  That name soon fades, so we are back to the drawing board. 

Me:  Ava, do you still want to name our new dog Charlie?

Ava:  No, I don't.  I did yesterday, but today I have the best name ever!

Me: You do.  What is it? 

Ava: His name will be....Holy Spirit.  

Me: That name is already taken and we can't use it again.  

Ava: Well I guess I will settle for Charlie or Daisy. 

Me: Charlie it is.  

Charlie is a 2 year old Chi Chi Terrier mix and we already love him dearly. 

Ava's Party in Arkansas

This past weekend we celebrated Ava's 5th birthday and my mom's 50th.  We had the party at my parents and invited family and friends.  We had 32 family/friends show up....and had a total blast. 

The weather was cold, so we chilli with all the fixings.  I made guacamole and we made rotel dip.  

We had another "wedding" cake as Ava describes them. She was big on having two tier cakes this year.  I don't know where she gets the idea for these things....at least we all know she comes by in honest.  

We planned a hayride, pinata, cake festivities and a bonfire.  It was by far the easiest party this year for us.  (Maybe because I could share responsibility...who knows!) 

Ava's Party in Texas

We had Ava's birthday party with her friends last weekend.  She had a total blast! 

We had her party at a gymnastics venue, which of course spelt like stinky feet.  

I won the party from a local e-newsletter that goes around and won a birthday cake. 

Ava insisted that she get a wedding cake for her party so we got a two tier (stacked) cake....for her 5th birthday. 

She is more excited about this birthday than any other.  She realized the concept of growth and age now.  Right now she is learning the piano and participating in Mud Works(a pottery class) at her school.  

Birthdays are so stressful!!! My sister in law and I have a new tradition that after the parties of our children they go home with their aunt.  So after Hayden's birthday, we took him home for a sleep over and after Ava's party, she went home with Krissie.  It is GREAT!!! 

Halloween 2008

We had a great Halloween.  

Ava was Giselle from the Disney movie, Enchanted.  

Ava was out of school so we got to do a lot.  

She went with me to VOTE!

Then we went to lunch and I made a dirt cake for a party we attended. 

After the party (hosted by Snow White), we stayed with some friends and went Trick or Treating in their neighborhood.  

Ava really enjoyed it.  

Roadtrip to Piney Country sans Dustin

Ava and I packed up and headed out to east Texas on Nov 1st.  We went to see family there and get away from the "city".  

My aunt and uncle built a boat dock last year and we had yet to see it.  

We had a great time with them and got a double dose of Babs.  (as she came in this weekend for Ava's bday party here.) 

I love seeing the bond that Ava and Bailey share.  It reminds me of my own relationship with Bailey.   

The Arboretum

Monday Ava was out of school, so we decided to have Hayden stay the night Sunday and head to Dallas on Monday for the Arboretum.  It was so cold.  I got introduced to a double stroller...man those things are a workout! I am not use to pushing 80 lbs up hill in gravel.  LOL 

The kids enjoyed it though.  We went with my aunt Mary.  She is 90 and a breast cancer survivor. 

Hayden didn't have a jacket and didn't want to wear a pink and leopard one so he decided to wrap up in a blanket.  

The kids had a blast and we all went to eat at "Betty's Place" afterward.  A chinese restaurant that we have eaten at with my family for nearly 15 years.  

Our Saturday OUT

We left early Saturday morning to run some errands.  Decided to stop in on a football game, remembered Founder's Day was going on and then planned for another Fall Festival late afternoon.  

We were literally outside ALL day and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day.  

We went with some friends of ours to Founder's Day and I didn't have my camera.  Ava won the stick horse olympics, played with a python (held it herself and wrapped it around her arms), jumped to her heart's content in bounce houses, rode a pony and before leaving hopped on a kiddie train ride.  She had a blast.  All the adults had fun too.  We got free food and fellowship.  It was at at local high school with a parade to start it off. 

Next stop, another Fall Festival.  Ava, N, and N had a blast.  The girls got their faces painted (suppose to be ponies) N played laser tag with Dustin.  We waited in line to go down the huge slide and were told no due to the girls not having socks.  I was beside myself.  O well. 

After all the fun we relaxed in our lawn chairs with blankets and hot chocolate to watch Spiderwick Chronicles outside on the jumbo screen.   It was a great day. 

Oh, and Ava rode the "mechanical" bull for 20 seconds.  LOL