Aven's Spring Show

Aven's daycare just put on their big spring show. In the past Aven has reacted to being on stage in many different ways: she has been oblivious of the crowd, so upset by the crowd that she wailed at the top of her lungs, and so excited that mom and dad were in the audience that she ignored the crowd and was completely focused on us.

This time she pulled out the shy card and either stared at her shoes or covered her mouth with her hands. She didn't actually sing but I could see her subtly mouthing the words to the songs. Pretty dang cute.

'Waddle waddle waddle, quack quack quack quack, feathers on my tummy, wings on my back!" We've been singing this one at home for months now. Look at that shy little duck.

This song was about a skunk. She managed a few looks at the audience, but mostly tried to make herself invisible by staring at her shoes and hiding behind her hands.

Three

Aven turned 3 this weekend. She has been eagerly anticipating her birthday party for well over a month, so it was nice to finally have the big day here. It was totally chaotic, but I think everyone, especially the kids, had a good time. 

The beginning of the chaos.

Aven and her best friend, Alyssa. Alyssa's mommy and I work together and Aven and Alyssa just happen to be in the same class at daycare. Small world.

Present opening chaos.

Blowing the candles out on her cupcake. A couple of interlopers tried to sneak in and blow them out for her.

Aven and friends pretending to sleep in her new big-girl bed.

Not Far From the Tree

It seems as though this apple did not fall far from the tree. Last night she insisted on having almost every stuffed animal and doll she possesses in bed with her. Like mother, like daughter.

Easter Dress

I'm not sure why I feel so compelled to buy Aven an Easter dress every year. We don't attend church and she has very little reason to ever get dressed up since we're a pretty casual family. I guess it's just fun to dress her up occasionally, which she definitely enjoys.

Today, like last year, we went up to Red Butte Gardens to take pictures of her wearing her Easter dress. We had a lot of fun playing in the garden since it was such a warm, springy day.

That looks like the face of a child who would never, ever disobey her mom or throw a temper tantrum. Looks can be deceiving.

The daffodils were blooming all over the garden. 

Aven and Ian swinging.

This picture captures Aven's reaction to feeling the baby kick. The second before it was taken she had her head laying on my tummy and the baby kicked pretty hard. She was both surprised and delighted.

The Innocence of Youth

My good friend, Amber, asked me to help her decorate the new play room she and her husband were preparing for their son. She wanted paintings on the walls that looked like they were painted by kids. Today I took Aven with me so she could play with Amber's son Payton while Amber and I painted. They got right down to business playing trains and cars and painting with watercolors. Then came the comment from Payton that that made Amber and I laugh despite the complete and total innocence of it: "Aven, will you sleep with me?". While our adult minds wallowed in the gutter Amber said "at least he asked nicely"- very true. Aven continued to play with magnetic letters at the art easel as Payton pleaded and begged for her to sleep with him. Typical man. Aven finally relented and they went and hopped into Payton's bed, got under the covers and pretended to be asleep for approximately 30 seconds before jumping up and reading books to each other. This will be a great embarrassing story to tell to them when they're older. Why is racking up embarrassing stories one of the most enjoyable parts of parenthood?

The little sleepers.

Current progress on the wall painting project. It's turning out cute!

Spring!

Last fall Aven and I planted about 100 daffodil and tulip bulbs in the front yard. We are finally getting to see the results of our labor and our house looks pretty fabulous. Pretty soon we'll be turning the planter box on the left into an edible garden, but for now it just looks really pretty. I hope everyone if having a happy spring!

Tea Party

Ian is a huge tea aficionado, so he's been excited about having a tea party with his daughter ever since we found out Aven was going to be a daughter. The problem is, Aven doesn't like tea. Ian has brewed all sorts of different flavor combinations and has even added *gasp* sugar. No matter what he makes she turns her nose up at it. He's not giving up yet, but for the time being he's going to have to settle for pretend tea parties with dolls and teddy bears.

Serving dad some tea.

Tea from mom.

Belly

Believe it or not I still have four months to go- yikes. I've gotten way bigger way faster this time around. Aven is loving the idea of a new baby and is convinced that she also has a baby in her belly. Here's to a comfortable and non-swollen four months! 

In the not too distant future I'll have to use Aven to help prop up my expanding belly.

Little Girls Are Just Precious

Aven and Teddy

It doesn't get much cuter than that.

It's a . . .

Girl!