A Reader or a Shopper?

Ava likes to read. She loves books and likes to turn the pages, looking at each new page. But she's an equal opportunity reader because she loves to look at catalogues, and will climb into her little rocker and pull them onto her lap to peruse the colorful pages. Earlier this week it was a home decor catalogue that had come in the mail that she was reading in her rocker, it fell out of her lap onto the floor, she climbed down, grabbed the catalogue and pulled it over to me on the couch to read her more out of it. "oooh, oooh" we say as we turn each page followed up with lots of "pretty!" Today the magazine was from "Posh Tots", how perfect is that for this little princess?

Ava's First Snow Excursion

We had a gorgeous sunny day last Sunday and I decided that Ava needed to go outside and get some fresh air. So we bundled her all up and went out to play. Our neighbor Jason and his boys were out getting ready to ride the tube behind the snowmobile and they invited us to go for a ride. Ava Reese and I climbed in the tube and Jeff drove the snowmobile back and forth behind the houses just to the west of our place. I think Ava could take it or leave it, she was rather ambivalent. Mostly she just hung out and stared. Jason shot some pictures for us, thanks, Jason!

"Ava giving kisses" or "Ava on the Run"

For those who haven't seen Ava in action yet, here's a little video of her walking around the island. This is something that she does about 53 times a day, usually carrying a toy to chew on while doing her thing. Tuesday night I swear her Dad must have challenged her to see if she could do 17 laps around the island while carrying her cellphone (a toy, yes, she doesn't have her own yet). She makes me tired just watching those little legs go. I was also able to get her to pucker up on video and give you all some kisses so keep an eye (and ear) out for that.

The Remote Control Bandit

We have a toy remote for Ava but does she want to play with that? Of course not! She wants THE remote. She knows the one that holds the power, she knows the one that we want and she ALWAYS finds it. We were all three cuddling on the couch, laying there watching tv, such a sweet little family. Little did Mom and Dad know that the baby was only after one thing. She made her move and snagged the remote from the top of the couch, giggling at her success. Into her mouth it goes! Yum! Victory is the Ava's! In the pictures here she probably plucked it off the end table and then took off as fast as her toddler legs would go, trying to find a safe corner to hide in and gnaw on it for a while.

Ava's New Ride

Watch out, folks, I have no brakes! And I don't know how to steer this thing! Or turn! Or, come to think of it, press the accelerator button... okay, maybe you're safe. For now. Daddy or Mommy has to press the button to make Ava move around and we also have to steer. But at least she's figured out by now which way is forward because as you can see she wasn't so sure about that when she first opened her present from Grandma & Grandpa.

Happy Birthday, Ava!

We celebrated Ava's first birthday yesterday at Grandma & Grandpa Kingma's house and she was adorable! She sat and listened to us sing Happy Birthday and then ate one of her cupcakes with gusto. Mmmm, sugar!! She opened presents, or rather, her cousins opened her gifts for her and she watched but it was all fun. I'm not sure which thing she liked the best, the toys or the tissue paper they were wrapped in. Here's some pictures of the party. Thank you so much to everyone who came to celebrate with Ava!

The Diaper Boogie

This is my chair. I can turn it on so it vibrates.I can climb in and sit on it. I can make it rock.

And then I can climb out of my chair and do the diaper boogie! Wahoo!

A playdate with Isabel

Ava and Isabel got to hang out last week and they were so sweet! Izzy kept giving Ava kisses and hugs then she wanted to "help" Ava walk everywhere. When Ava got sick of walking it became a race to see who the faster crawler was (I'm not sure that Ava realized this was a contest). Isabel was happy to show Ava how it was done. For those of you who don't know Isabel, she is my cousin Joe and his wife Lan's little girl and she's about ten months older than Ava. It will be so much fun to watch them grow up together, just like Joe and myself. :)

Ready for the beach!

What was that? Ready for the beach!? Did we mention we live in the middle of the South Dakota tundra? Here's what you'll need for a February visit to any beach around here: fleece pants, turtleneck, furry winter coat, fuzzy teddy bear hat, and a big, warm blanket to top it all off. Don't forget to send Dad outside to start the car, Ava Reese!

The game of the day

Ava found her missing pacifier and it became the toy to play with that day. It'd be in her mouth for a while but had to be taken out often so that she could tell me stories. Then she took it to her hiding spot under the island where she played "pick it up, throw it down, pick it up, throw it down" until she bored of that game. Then it was back to crawling around and exploring with it in her mouth until she lost it once more, probably among the mess of toys in her toybox.

Hide and Seek

When you are 28" inches tall, where's the best place to hide? Under the island! You can stay standing (being on your feet verses your knees is a big deal when you're a toddler) and you can pull the island stools close in to help hide yourself (this also shows off your big muscles). Time for Hide and Seek!

Laundry

Here's Ava helping with the laundry. She takes the laundry out of the basket and then climbs in. I want to know, why does she always get to do the fun part?? Before we start in with the laundry, we play peekaboo with my robe and I can't decide if I'm laughing harder at her hair standing on end or her giggles and grins when the robe comes up and I say "Peekaboo".