Wilderness in the Smokies

Normally, we always do pretty big parties for the kiddos.  After about 3 weeks of trying to find a place to have Ava's party indoors due to the out of control temps we've had this summer, finding out it was going to be at least $300 for just a room, and running out of time...we decided to take a little family getaway instead.  Ava was super excited!  We headed to the indoor/outdoor waterpark "Wilderness in the Smokies" for some family fun.

The kids had tons of fun playing in the indoor and outdoor parks.  Ava rode the big slides without any fear and BB had fun in the wave pool and lazy river.  Nick and I were a little apprehensive on the "germ" factor, but I do have to save everything was super clean!

 Bennett loved the water spouts that shot out of the ground.

 Chillin in bed...they were some very tired kiddos after playing non stop for 2 days.

 My 3 favorite people!

 You can't see it here...but BB busted his chin wide open on this thing.  We settled on a butterfly bandage and bandaid, since two EMT's said he didn't need stitches.  Never phased this wild thing one bit!

Another one "bites" the dust!

Well, her second tooth has been loose for which seems like forever.  This past Saturday, we noticed that her permanent replacement was coming in behind it....not in the right place.  So with a little help from Ava's tongue and apples at lunch it finally was loose enough for me to pull.

Bless her she was so brave, and I know it had to have hurt!  I think her adrenaline from all the excitement took over.  She was shaking afterwards and kept saying how excited she was and she couldn't believe it!

 Yep...so now we have a hole with a gangster tooth behind it :0  Oh well...guess that's what braces are for!

She wrote a sweet note to the tooth fairy, and the next morning "Fiona" her fairy had left her a note back and a nice crisp $5 bill! 

Now let's hope the top two don't come out until AFTER Uncle Chris & Aunt Julie's wedding in November!

 First Day of First Grade!

That's right first grade already!  Sweet Ava girl started school today, a little too soon on my opinion, but no one asked me so off she went.  We are so lucky to be able to send her to such an amazing school.  Ava was so excited and had been counting down the days until she got to go back.

All ready for her very first day!

 Bennett was super excited too!  He thought HE was going to first grade...

 Daddy got to walk her in.

Again...BB thinks it's his first day and didn't understand he has to wait until next year.  Poor thing cried all the way home.  He is really going to miss her.

So excited that Mrs. Walker is her teacher!  Once again, Ava has been blessed with an awesome teacher who's love for learning and her students shines in her big smile.

Time stands still for no one...so here's to all new adventures in First Grade!

Summer...

I can't believe I'm writing this on Ava's last official day of summer.  BOOOOO to the schools that think it's okay to go back so early!  Even though she goes to a private school, they've decided to follow the local counties school schedule.  I am so sad that are fun busy summer together is over, but Ava on the other hand LOVES school and cannot wait to go back.

We've had a great very busy summer.  Ava went to two art camps and both her and Bennett had two weeks of swim lessons.  We had fun playing with friends and just doing nothing important.

We went to the lake...can you tell Bennett hates the life jacket.

 Ava loves to drive the boat with daddy.

 catching fish off the dock....

 swimmming with daddy...

 And BB's favorite eating juicy watermelon.

It has been so hot outside, the only way we can enjoy it is when water is involved.  Slip-n-sliding is one of our favorites.

 Especially with great friends!

 We celebrated daddy on Father's Day!

 BB enjoyed every minute of swim lessons and definitely has no fear of water.

They even taught Ava how to dive.  She was so brave and actually enjoyed it.

 More time outside, running aroud in our bathing suits.  Love my crazy boy!

 We spent the 4th of July at the lake with Uncle Chris and Aunt Julie.  Can you tell how much Ava loves Julie?

 He likes his puddle jumper vest better...but still is not in love with the idea.

 We also enjoyed a fun day with Mimi, Papa Guy, Gigi and G-Paw at the Aquarium!

Sad to see this fun summer come to an end, but are excited about all the fun things we have to look forward to in the next couple months. So on Monday, it's back to school for Ava :(  I don't know who will be more sad...me or BB!

Today you are two...

 Remember May 28th, 2009 7:20am like it was yesterday.  The day our second miracle arrived safe, sound and 8lbs 5oz of pure health.  Forever grateful we were able to bring another another healthy baby into the world, when so many cards were stacked against us.  Just another reminder of God's grace

 Sweet handsome little man on your first birthday!

 And now you are TWO!!! God certainly knew what he was doing when he sent us such a sweet, smart, snuggly, goofy, determined, and wild little boy.  He knew we needed the balance!  There are so many similiarities between you and your sister, but let me just say there are differences too!

Here you are on your actual birthday with your birthday waffle.  You were so excited to have us sing Happy Birthday to you again....

  And again...at dinner time!

 

You guys really do love each other! 

 So excited...for more cake & presents!

 Oh sweet, sweet boy.  What we would have done without you these past two years.  Our lives are better because you are in it!  We are so proud of you in each and every way.  I pray that you never stop trying to figure out how things work, you always keep your sense of humor, that your strong will and determination never get the best of you, and you always remain happy and healthy.

Here are some 2 year old stats:

*You weigh: 29lbs 6oz (70%) and are tall 36" tall (75%)

*You wear 2T shirts/pants but I am buying you some 3T's

*You have I think 20 teeth, and we know your 2 year molars will arrive in the near future.

*You've had 1 haircut...and are so close to need another one.

*You talk non-stop and we can understand just about everything you say.  You carry on a conversation so well, just like your smart sissy.

*You can count to 10, and I know the other numbers are in there as we've heard you say them. In typical boy fashion you are just not that interested.

*You know your colors...when you want to

*You sat down at Mimi's piano the other day and starting singing "Our God is an Awesome God" might be the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

*You love to sing, dance, play with your tools and dinosaurs, watch Mickey Mouse & Sesame Street, love animals, and most of all playing outside.

*You are attached to your paci and burpies (especially the dog one and and old one of Avas)

*You are not fully interested in potty training, but we are slowly working on it.

We love you sweet BB and Happy Birthday!

"Goodbye Kindergarten...we're Moving on to 1st Grade!"

Yes, it's true all wonderful things must come to an end.  We officially have a 1st grader on our hands.  How that happened, I am not exactly sure but like it or not our sweet Ava girl is a first grader.  What a wonderful experience, what a wonderful school, and what a wonderful year our sweet girl had.  We couldn't have asked for a better place to send our sweet girl every day.

Our sweet girl is an amazing reader, has memorized dozens of bible verses, knows spanish (can even sing Jesus Love Me in Spanish), is doing great learning math, has made wonderful friends and I could go on forever!

Tonight we celebrated with the kindergarten teachers, and all 30 of the kindergarten student's families at graduation. They had the sweetest program and perfect send off to a great year.

They had all of the children's silhouettes hanging on the wall.

 Sweet girl had a speaking part.  She recited John 3:16

 With her amazing teacher Mrs. Howell.  Once of the kindest, sweetest ladies you will ever meet.

 Granny and Pop celebrated with us.

 Papa, Mimi and Gigi came too!

 So proud of her!

 Ava with her sweet friend Anna.

 No words....I guess he is proud of her too!

 4 generations!  You don't find that very often!

 Clearly he was non to pleased that he couldn't go with his Papa.

 Last day of school!!!  I think Bennett is most excited as that means his sissy will be home to play all summer.

 Ava received the "Creative Bee" award!  Mrs. Howell loved reading her journals, and says she has the most creative artwork around, and also loves all of Ava's creative ideas.

What a happy happy year, and we look forward to an equally amazing time in 1st Grade!