For her fans

Happy Friday, everyone!

Our Little Picasso

We bought Ava a Magna-Doodle for Christmas and she's just now really able to use it.  She's starting to hold the pen right and really scribbling up a storm.  Next, we're on to crayons!

This video is a little long, but hang in there to see the latest of Ava's tricks.  

She can point to most of her body parts!

Old-Fashioned Train Ride

This weekend we got a real treat.  We went with the Hoffmans and the Freedmans to Boulder City to ride their restored train.  It was really beautiful and a really good time.  The train runs along a seven mile track and, once it moves up into the mountains a bit, it's easy to imagine that you're really on an old-fashioned train headed into the Wild West.

Ava loved the train ride.  One of the four cars was open, so we got to enjoy the real sights and sounds.  Despite the cold and the rain, it was awesome.  We'll be ready to go back next time we have visitors!

    

Good thing we got to take the coolest chic in the world with us on our trip.  :-)

End of an Era

First there was this....
Then there was this...

And, coming soon, the exciting newest development for our family.  (It's just  got to be light out when we're all home!)

Headgear

Ava loves to put things on her head.  

She comes by that trait quite honestly, as you can see.  In fact, there's a bit of genetics on both sides that lead to this particular delight of hers.  

Anyway, you might remember that right after moving to this house, Matt dug out a couple of metal mixing bowls and played "moon hats" with Ava.  

Well, those moon hats are still in the toy box and still come out to play a lot.  But, as a sign of how much she's grown, Ava's moon hat doesn't fit anymore.  Sigh.  Doesn't mean she won't wear it, but balance is more of a factor in keeping it on her head now.

Guess she'll be ready when NASA wants to go to Mars.  At least she'll know which hat to pack.

Ava's New 'Do

The girl got a haircut courtesy of Momma.  Isn't she just the cutest?

Don't mind the ketchup-face.  :-)

One more.  Just because she's pretty...

Bike Ride

Finally bit the bullet and bought a bike for myself.  Didn't manage to get a picture of that.  

We also bought a rickshaw-type thing to haul Ava around in.  Managed to get pictures of that.  :-)

She was set-up like a queen in there with a blanket, milk, snack, dolly, pacifier...the whole smash.  Her helmet didn't fit so great...we're returning it and will get another.  Overall, she liked the ride.  It was, though, pretty windy and colder by the minute.  We'll go earlier in the day next time and she'll do just fine.

By the way, the rickshaw will carry two passengers.  So so so tempted to put Libby in, too.  Think she'd like it?  :-)

Oh yeah, she liked it.  :-)

Got the Knack

Did we mention that our pool pump went kaput a couple weeks ago?  Well, kaput it did and Matt spent his free time over the last couple of weeks fixing it.  He replaced the bearings and the impeller and the thing is like new.  I think he was a little nervous as he reconnected it and hooked up the electrical.  His fix-it skills (and a $700 savings) were, after all, on the line.  But, when all was said and done, it works perfectly (knocking on wood {so to speak}) and it's even quieter than before!

Truly, if we weren't sure of it before then now we really know Matt's got the knack.  

Of course, it would seem that the knack is genetic.  We've got proof.

Bundles of Bows

Hey, friends!  I need you to go check out my good friend, and fellow Bond girl, Carrie's new Etsy shop.  She's making and selling some adorable hair bows.  (She was TPS-famous for her bow tying abilities.)  I've just ordered two for Ava and can't wait to use them.

After you've browsed around, pop over to her blog and let her know what you think.  If you comment on her blog, she'll enter you in a contest to win some of her creations.  Fun, fun stuff!  :-)

Also, if you haven't yet discovered Etsy, now's the time.  All the items there are home/hand made, unique and affordable.  Gift buying (for self or others) has never been more fun and easy.

I'll post pics of Ava with her new bows as soon as I get them in which, knowing Carrie, will be sooner than later.

Have a great end of the week!