No Duckies

We've had 2 spring-like days in a row here so no complaining. Daddy was on-call all weekend so Ava and mommy spent some quality (and quantity) time together. She also took over a three hour nap both Saturday and Sunday... she had been getting up so early in the morning and falling asleep so late.

Grandpa Tony and Nanny Vicki visited yesterday afternoon and stayed for dinner. Ava enjoyed their visit and had then both wrapped around her little finger. She got to play with her markers and crayons while mommy cooked.

Today Ava went to daycare and had a great day. She was anxious to see Mrs. Ruth and her friends b/c Mrs. Ruth was on vacation last week. She had a good lunch and 2.5 hour nap. After mommy picked her up from daycare, we played outside on the slide then went for a long walk. We purposely brought a few slices of bread but there were "no duckies".

Ava ate one of those Gerber Graduate meals for dinner and licked it clean which really surprised me. Her dessert was a home made *popsicle* mommy made from drinkable yogurt. She enjoyed it but it got to be too cold for her after awhile.

She enjoyed reading "Wheels on the Bus" with daddy before bed and didn't put up much of a fight once in her crib.

Michigan, Easter and the Indians at Miller Park!

Ava and I left last Saturday morning to drive to Michigan to see Grandpa Bob and Grandma Nancy. Daddy had to stay home because he had to work. The drive to Michigan was not too bad... a few snow showers and one minor white out. We stopped once in Paw Paw, MI at a Big Boy and made it to Grosse Pointe in 6 hours 20 minutes.

We had a wonderful visit! Ava was slow to warm up to Grandma and Grandpa but I know she enjoyed every second of our visit.

On Saturday evening we colored Easter Eggs. It was Ava's first time but she was an old pro. She especially enjoyed helping Grandma put the stickers on the colored eggs. She even surprised me by eating a hard boiled egg when we were all done.

On Sunday, we stayed around the house as it was quite wintry outside. We had an Easter dinner with ham and rolls, egg salad, potato salad and some lemon cake to celebrate Ava's birthday. Before bedtime, Ava enjoyed sitting with Grandpa for a bedtime story. Doesn't she look comfy?

On Monday, Grandma and Grandpa left for a bit to go to a doctor appointment. While they were gone, we walked across the street to the GPP Library. Ava enjoyed playing with the wooden puzzles, looking at the fish and browsing through the board books. Once back at G&G's, Ava helped me clean up and vacuum. She was quite fond of Grandma's vacuum. It was just her size! While Grandma rested after her appointment, Ava, Grandpa and mommy went to the park to play. It was pretty cold outside, but Ava still enjoyed going down the slide several times and swinging on the swings. She got very upset with me when it was time to go. She kept running back to the playground yelling, "me go on da swings!" For dinner on Monday, we went to an Italian restaurant and Ava was well behaved. She kept flirting with a little boy a few tables away. When she wasn't distracted, she enjoyed some spaghetti and tiramisu for dessert.

We left to head back to Milwaukee on Tuesday morning. Both Ava and mommy were sad to go. It was such a pleasure to see that Ava made Grandma and Grandpa smile and laugh so much. We stopped for lunch just east of Benton Harbor at a McDonald's with a very nice playland. Ava got upset again when I told her it was time to go. The weather was perfect for our drive back and we were home in less than 7 hours. On the way home, daddy called and asked if I wanted to go to the Indians game tomorrow. What?!?! I had not been watching the news (or reading the newspaper) so I was totally out of the loop. Due to the severe weather in Cleveland, the Indians were unable to play their last 4 home games and ended up scheduling three at Miller Park on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. By the time I was going through Chicago, I was already on the phone ordering tickets!

Oddly enough, we ended up getting almost 6 inches of snow before we left for the Indians game on Wednesday night. Thank god for the roof! We took Ava and she enjoyed herself. She actually sat on both of our laps for a period of time but it was helpful that we had raisins and jellybeans to keep her occupied. I got her a hot dog but she wasn't too interested. I'm sure she'll learn to love them, especially with the Secret Stadium Sauce!!!

April showers? or Snow?

Brrr... We woke up to snow flurries this morning. I actually attempted to clean off my glasses then realized it really was snowing. We've been getting teased lately with some warmer temps only to feel the Wisconsin freeze when we pull out the t-shirts and spring coats. No fair.

We ran some errands this morning to the post office and grocery store. I got some ingredients to make chicken noodle soup today... really the only positive thing to come from a blistery cold day. After shopping, Ava and I read a few books and played with her dolls before having lunch. She likes to put her diapers on her "baby" and has even resorted to using the kitchen towel to do so!

Ava had cereal for lunch today, per her request. She is now sitting in her booster seat at the table during all meals. Last night she tried it for the first time while eating Mac N Cheese and seemed quite proud of herself. I put her baby doll in the high chair while we ate to and made a big deal about her being a big girl... she's lovin' it.

Tonight she had some of the chicken noodle soup and some blueberries. She has learned how to lift the bowl and slurp really loud. She had me and Joe really cracking up about it. After dinner, she sat with daddy and read several books. She has really started to LOVE this night time routine of reading with daddy. It's funny because she won't sit with me for more than a few minutes but she'll lounge with daddy for an hour to read books.

Both Ava and I are heading to Michigan this weekend to spend Easter with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Nancy. Daddy has to stay home and work. :(