We had a fun weekend at the lake! 
....Daddy's Birthday is today so we got an early start on celebrating 38 years... 
...traditional angel food cake...yum!
....Family Birthday lunch after church...
We went to our hometown's High School football game tonight with some dear friends. It was a perfect Fall evening with cool weather and lots of school spirit! My students from my first year of teaching are now Seniors...so I felt pretty old as I saw many of them kissing and holding hands with their boyfriends/girlfriends. Eeek....while I love people watching at these events- it's hard to believe that my girls will one day "socialize"...NOT "kiss" at football games. Yes, I am 31 and thrilled beyond words to be in this stage of life rather than those growing years of High School. I'll take "Mommyhood" any day of the week!
My sweet girl!
Ava started Pre-School on Tuesday. Scott and I walked her in...the only thing she wanted to kiss was my tummy. She had a great first day and was excited to go back this morning.
Ava and Mrs. Jennifer on Thursday morning...Oh, how we LOVE Mrs. Jennifer.
We had a great start to pre-school (pictures to come) today. My sweet girl is still resisting naps. After dinner, she fell asleep...yet again...while taking in the Republican Convention. I love to cuddle a sleeping girlie...one of the finer things in life!
Grammy and Pappy came to pick Ava up early Friday morning for a full day of fun and sleepover at the lake! I packed the camera so Grammy could capture the fun! They started out at the outdoor mall. Ava packed her wallet full of pennies for the fountain.
After picking out a few accessories for her Build a Bear it was time for the huge candy store. Candy bones and pacifiers are among her favorites......
Scott and I joined the fun at the lake for the weekend....Our very own little Sally Jesse Raphael enjoyed Grammy's glasses at the bar.....She had a great time and didn't miss us one tiny bit...which I guess is a good thing. I loved having a day to myself and would welcome more in the future. I must say though, it's good to have her back in action around here.
...and don't think I need a nap anymore...eek...please tell me this isn't happening. This was Ava at 4:00 AFTER 2 hours of time spent in her bed singing, making up stories, and "needing" to come out of her room to kiss the baby (while yawning pathetically). Although I am thankful she stays in her room - I pray this is a little phase that will one day pass and naptime will return to our household. She clearly IS tired and DOES need her sleep during the day. Here's to hoping pre-school wears her little body out! And yes, my girl prefers to sleep in her undies only...what a lady! Oh the joys...
We had family pictures taken last week....one of the things I really wanted to do before the baby makes her debut in December. I am officially 25 weeks into this pregnancy and there is a lot to be done....projects are everywhere to get things ready for a baby again! Ava's big girl room and the nursery are top priority. Ava starts pre-school (pretty school) in a few weeks and I am anxious for schedules to get into full swing!
We're practicing dressing ourself for pre-school, or as Ava calls it, Pretty School. This is what Ava came up with today. Total style!
We spent most of the week in Texas. Ava's real #3 Birthday was on Wednesday. She chose what we ate for dinner. We ended up with tater tots and Hebrew Nationals with cookies from Cookie Bouquet for dessert. FYI...those are the BEST iced sugar cookies around! Thanks Aunt Sissy!
Ava ate on the "You Are Special" Red Plate
We ended with our annual A&W floats since "Ava & William" have Birthdays two weeks apart. It's the perfect excuse for a rootbeer float!
We had a fun afternoon with family after the party and a good long nap.
We sang Happy Birthday and took a dive into a yummy cookie cake.
A big and busy day for Ava!
Ava had a Cowgirl Round-up for her 3rd Birthday party.
....Tia Lorena ordered special cookies and made a super neat pinata...
...Papa cooked his famous Mickey Mouse pancakes...
....ummm ummm good.....
...Ava taking the first hit...
...kids collecting their goodies...
...Ava opening gifts... 
Ava and I went to Dallas for a few days for William's Birthday. Ava had fun pretending to be "Queen Esther" in Aunt Sissy's bed. She got to fall alseep there while the grown ups played cards. Dreamy for an almost 3 year old!
Play-Doh with Mum
Pancakes with Papa
Practicing for her party
Papa's Creation!
William's party was on Sunday at Peter Piper Pizza. Good times were had by all. Ava loved the idea of tokens and tickets. She scored lots of "junk" with all of her earnings. So fun!!!
Happy 7th Birthday William! Can't wait to see you soon at my house!!
