ONE great party

We had a wonderful time playing with Ava today on her 1st birthday! Kim, thanks for letting us share this special day with you!

" Is this all for me???"

(thanks for the photo Aunt Val)

(Thanks for the photo Aunt Val)

"Burp"

What a great looking kitchen crew!!

"For me from Uncle Adam"

"Auntie Kait and Uncle Andrew helped me out"

Ava's grandma and grandpa came all the way from Pennsylvania for her first birthday!

"This is my Auntie Val!"

Ava with mommy and great grandma, Gigi!

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa!

Ava LOVES Tinker Bell Puppy Dog!

"Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty"

Smart Tiger Kitty!

Pool time!

"I have the nicest mommy EVER! She takes me swimming!!"

Ava had so much fun with this birthday card that played the "Winnie the Pooh" song. It was fun watching all of her different expressions as she discovered that she could control turning it off and on. She even started dancing to the music - so cute!

So even princesses need a nap eventually. Sweet dreams, Princess!

Chill out!

I have found that as much as I loved (and still love) being a mother, I am even fonder of being a grandmother. I find I am much slower to say no, much slower to scold, much quicker to hug and kiss and reassure. So what if we get a little muddy, or a little wet, or even a lot wet! We are washable!! This was such a sweet day watching Ava play with the hose. She loved the water and exploring what she could do with it. The joy on her face was priceless and well worth having another bathtime.