Hill Ridge Farms

Sorry that it has been a month since I posted anything. I have some random fun pictures of Ava, but just haven't taken the time to do a posting. On Friday, Michael and I took Ava to Hill Ridge Farms as part of an activity with my mom's group. My friend Elizabeth, and her son Quint were the only other ones to come. Even though it was chilly and the ground was wet, Elizabeth and I were both so excited to take the kids. So we went anyway. We were so glad we did. We all had a really good time. Especially Ava and Quint. Neither of them wanted to leave.

We took a hayride to the pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins. Ava liked the hayride a lot. We went through mazes and fed the farm animals. The kids liked playing in what I call "the corn gazebo". Ava really liked the "Hay Jump". You will see a picture of her and her daddy lying in the hay. If you want to see even more pictures, go to my Facebook album.

Community Day

Our town had a community festival today at a local park, and they had a lot of nice things to do out there. All of the activities and games were free. We don't have pictures of any of the activities, really, because Ava is still a little young. Plus, she was a bit cranky. They had different bounce houses in the gated tennis courts (so toddlers couldn't escape). They had a pony ride, rock climbing wall, and a huge bouncy slide. I think they had some toss games and maybe a little putt-putt type course. They had some different live animals from a local petting zoo. We had a pretty good time. I'm looking forward to next year when Ava is closer to age 3.

Ava's Entourage

Well, I guess this is the age for attachment objects (don't know for sure; I stopped reading the development books). For several months, Ava has loved her little pink beanie baby bear and her blanket. They stayed in the crib, but were always present for bed and naps.

Now she has grown quite fond of her Elmo and purple plush doll (a gift from our friend Debbie Gossert when she was born). She tries to take all 4 of these things everywhere. It's "bent" (blanket), "Melmo", "baby", and "baby". We call them her entourage. She has fed Elmo Dairy Queen, water, juice, bananas... but, she also brushes his teeth. I just thought you all would get a kick out of Ava and her entourage.


Cute pics of her feeding them breakfast, and pulling the whole entourage in her train.

Funny Face

I'm guessing she learned this from the TV show "Yo Gabba Gabba". They have a brief segment called "Funny Faces". Michael and I never showed her this, but we think it's hilarious. I was so glad to get a picture. That's our funny girl!

Ava the Photographer

Ava has decided to follow in the footsteps of mom and dad and be a photographer. Seriously though, she had a ton of fun with my grandmother's disposable camera. She held it backwards, which was hilarious. Then she would aim at you and say, "Cheese!" The funniest part was when I took a picture of her doing this, my flash would go off, and she would think that SHE took a picture. She would giggle and "hee hee". Too cute.

Taking a picture of great-grandma.

Taking a picture of mommy.

Mr. Potato Head at Marbles

We had a fun day today at Marbles Museum. There is a new section called "The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head". I didn't quite follow everything that you can do in there, since Michael and I were trying to keep up with a toddler. Her favorite thing was actually assembling Mr. Potato Head (do I sense something for Santa Claus' list?) We had fun in other sections too. It is so much fun to watch Ava's mind work. She started to play at a little picnic table, then got up to go somewhere else. I was like, okay... but then I realized that she went to get play strawberries to go in the empty bowl at the picnic table. She kept going back and forth until she got all the strawberries. It was really cute. We also discovered a drawer that contained one of her favorite things.... rocks! (AKA "Yock") She really liked those and was disappointed to find out she couldn't take one home. Now we have a couple of new things to do at Marbles.

Carrying the strawberries over to the picnic table.


Mmmm... now I am ready to picnic!




Putting together Mr. Potato Head with daddy. It was not unusual for Ava to put an arm where an ear should go.

"Yock!"

Putting them against her cheeks to feel how cool and smooth they were. They were actually stones, not rocks.


In other Barnard news, our church celebrated 140 years last Sunday. Michael put together a 15 minute video with old photographs and interviews with current members. He put it together so well, and several people were brought to tears (and yes, that may be including myself). Wednesday, Ava and I went to Pullen Park again with some moms from my mom's group. I was hesitant to go again because Ava didn't do well the last 2 times we went. But the weather was cool, and she had a great time! This time, we rode the train. She also rode the carousel and didn't cry this time! In fact, as we walked past it later, she kept saying, "Again!" She rode the little boats (not paddle boats) twice with her friend, Aiden. She loved turning the wheel and ringing the bell. She didn't want to get out the second time! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera. But ever since Wednesday, she has been making a lot of "choo choo" noises. She really, really had a good time.

The Beach

Ava had her first beach experience this week. She loved the giant "sandbox", but was unsure of the ocean at first. We went to Southport, where the beach is less commercial and the parking is free.


We finally got her back down to the water after a lot of playing in the sand. I think she wanted to be down with mommy and daddy.



Apparently I used to run from the waves like this when I was a toddler. I'm sure most toddlers do that. It was cute.




I was too busy focusing on the kids and cut off my dad and sister's heads. Not my best photography. But the kids are cute!

Other Fun with Cousins

I love being an aunt!

Ava just started doing this recently-putting her fingers in her ears. We don't know if she thinks it is too noisy or is just something fun to do that will make people laugh. Either way, I caught it on camera.

Pullen Park

Michael and Ava gave the Merry-go-round a try, but Ava didn't like it at all. She wasn't in a great mood. She wanted to be carried almost the whole time.

Having sno cones because it was HOT.


Ava missed the train ride because she didn't want to get off the swings.