AVA TURNS 9!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, sweet Ava Marie. I can't believe you are 9 today -- it seems like just days ago I was holding you in my arms, rocking you and staring at you in disbelief as you were our very first baby.

Mom and Dad are so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished with dance and school this year. We love you to pieces, Ava Marie Shelton. You are such a loving and caring sister, friend and daughter. Never, ever change.

BACK TO SCHOOL

The kids were all surprisingly very excited for their first day back to school. Most surprising of all was Anthony's excitement over starting Kindergarten. Why, you ask? Well, because all summer long, whenever the subject of starting school would come up, he would tell me "I don't want to go to Kindergarten. I want to stay home with you forever and never, ever learn anything." As you can imagine, it did not go over well when I told him he didn't have a choice, and that he had to go. Every time we had this discussion, it ended in a knock down drag out tantrum. And honestly, toward the end of the summer I was having that tantrum right along with him out of pure frustration over the fact he couldn't seem to get over this whole you-need-to-go-to-school thing. Very frustrating.

So, like I said, I was pleasantly surprised when I dropped him off at school the first morning and didn't get any crying, yelling, or a tight vice grip on my leg while I tried leaving him there.

[black eye courtesy of his trying to "fly" off the rocking chair "just like Superman"]

As for Lucas and Ava, they were as easy as ever. In fact, they didn't even need my help getting to class and finding their desks. I followed them to their rooms anyway, tried to help get them settled in and said my tearful goodbyes. All the while they were busy getting the stuff in their desks situated and talking to friends they hadn't seen all summer. I got a quick wave, a look over their shoulder and a simple "bye Mom." I have to admit, it was a little bittersweet knowing they didn't need my help.

And lastly, my Liv Grace. This little girl started preschool today, and I cried. I cried when each and every one of my kids went off to preschool. It is so great to see them gaining new found independence, meeting new friends, and starting a new adventure in life, yet at the same time it is so sad to see them growing up, and not having them at home with me anymore.

She was just thrilled to be starting preschool. My girl was happy, smiling, and dancing around pretty much all morning, and it continued into the afternoon when I dropped her off at her new school. I was so happy to see her smiling face as I left her there.

So there you have it. The first day of school for my preschooler Liv Grace, my Kindergartner Anthony, my 2nd grader Lucas and my 3rd grader Ava. Whew.

You know, my Mom always told me, "enjoy your kids to the fullest - they will only be young once and they grow up in the blink of an eye." My eyes usually glazed over half way through her telling me this little tid-bit as I was thinking, "yah, yah, yah, they grow up, that's what happens, don't worry I won't miss any of it..." But I have to say she had a point, the years do indeed fly by, faster than I have really been prepared for. It is all so bittersweet.

I love you Ava, Lucas, Anthony, and Liv. Happy first day of school - Mama is so very proud of you all!

ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS DANCE, DANCE...

Today was a big day - Ava had her first dance rehearsal, gearing up for the ever entertaining and amazing Larkin dance recital this coming Friday and Saturday.

My girl was so very excited, all dressed up, curled hair, make up and all, ready to dance her pants off in a sassy little lime green costume.

She surely didn't disappoint tonight while practicing. I am so proud of my little dancer, she really is amazing.

GIRLS DAY OUT

Grandma, Liv, Ava and I made a trip out to the American Girl Doll Store in order to do some shopping and have lunch at the Bistro. We try and do this a few times each year, and this little outing never seems to disappoint.

There is so much to see, so much to do, so much good food to eat... I just love it all. Mostly because it makes the girls so very happy. I love seeing how they light up when we walk in the door, how Olivia gasps when she sees all the dolly's, clothes, and other accessories, how they carefully pick out what they want to eat and drink. I love all of it.

AVA'S SCHOOL PROJECT

On Sunday, I spent the day busying myself with helping Ava get ready for her Simple Machine's Fair at school.

I will start by saying this was a project that I had handed over to the Mr. a few weeks ago, thinking that he would be the best person to help Ava with it. Why? Well Ava was supposed to come up with an invention that included at least 2 simple machines. She was to build or purchase said invention, write a report on it and present it to the class, along with parents on the Simple Machine's Fair day. I am not all that savy with such things, and thought this was right up the Mr's alley, which it was. But I knew there may be a problem with handing the project over to him - the problem being he would not get to it until the very last minute.

And I was right.

Over the past 2 weeks, I continually asked him if he and Ava had chosen an invention yet, if they had started building it yet, if they had gone shopping for supplies yet, if they had done anything yet. The answer each time? "No, I will get to it."

For those of you who don't know me, I don't like to procrastinate. At all. My husband, on the other hand, enjoys waiting to the very last minute to do such things. I think it has something to do with him working better under pressure, or maybe he just never gets around to such things until he has absolutely no other choice. Whatever the case, it is a little something about him that I wish I could change. [We all have those "little something's", no?]

So, I was hearing "no, I will get to it" for days and was simply getting tired of that response. Ava seemed to be too, as she came up to my bedroom as I was putting away laundry on Sunday crying. Why, you ask? Because she had asked Dad to take her to work on her project, and he had said, "in a little bit." She cried and cried until he got the hint and finally took her to the store to start researching and getting the supplies for her project. For the next hour they put together her invention and I have to admit, the final product was quite impressive. What had they made?

A wheelbarrow.

Once that was done, the Mr. decided his work was done, and that it was my turn to take over, so I did. The next 2 - 3 hours were spent writing her report, drawing pictures, labeling simple machines, taking pictures, gluing, cutting, and strategically placing items on the tri-fold poster board.

By the end of the day I was exhausted. We did a project that should have taken a week to complete all in one afternoon. I breathed a sigh of relief and said, "thank goodness, I was so worried we would not get this all done." The Mr. simply said, "Why do you worry so much? I told you it would get done."

Why doesn't that surprise me?

DANCE

My girl is becoming quiet the dancer if I do say so myself.....

POOL PARTY!

20 very excited 8 year old girls + a birthday swim party = one very happy little daughter and one exhausted old Momma.

Miss Ava had her birthday party today. Swimming, cake, ice cream, and gift opening. In the midst of all that goodness there was plenty of giggling, and squeals of delight to be had by all the little girls. And let's not forget the ever coveted treat bags - the ones that I spent hours making and putting together, and if I do say so myself turned out to be as cute as ever. No, I am not above bragging over my treat bag making skills. And of course, I forgot to take a picture of them.

ANYway.... It was a good day; a very good day.

I know, weird picture, but I was trying to zoom in on those treat bags I made that are in the background. Did I mention how cute they turned out to be?