Go, Go, Goers!

So, no new news on the potty training - Ava goes when she wants, and she may or may not let us know when that is.  However, we did pass a milestone this past week - she was able to pick two items from her "potty treat bucket".  Normally, that's not a combo of words that I would usually use together - but in this case, it works!  When she goes at least 5 / 7 days AT HOME in one week, she gets to pick a bigger "treat" out of a bucket.  Last week, she picked a fancy-schmancy lavender headband with a huge flower...and at the same time, she scoped out what other items were available.  Ava saw there was a pink purse in there, and kept that in mind for the next round!  There's also a set of pink and red nail polish, so I'm hoping that she picks that next time.  All I have to say, is thank goodness for the $1 bin at Target! Ava helped me bake some yummy brownies last week - and she actually DID help!  She followed my directions, and got everything stirr...

I have no pics this week.  Partly because we, once again, were too busy to have a lot of fun.  Also partly because Ava's been a real handful, and had there been any pictures, they would have been of me getting angry, Scott losing patience, and Ava bossing everyone around.  I don't know what happened to my sweet little girl. This intruder who has taken over my child's body is demanding, bossy, sassy, and downright mean at times.  More than once this week, I've heard, "Get away, Mommy.  I don't like you.  I only want Daddy."  I can only imagine what she will be like when we hit the teen years! One tiny, fun little story from this week - we did manage to make it to the playground one night after dinner.  It was packed with kids - running around like they hadn't been outside in FOREVER!  Oh wait - this is Minnesota...it HAS been months since they could play at the park!  Ava quickly made a little friend, and they had a grand time ...

We had a wonderful Mother's Day last Sunday...after we picked up Ava from Grandma Deb and Grandpa Whitey's house, we were able to spend the afternoon together as a family.  That night, we went back to Deb and Whitey's house for a Mother's Day dinner.  It was a relaxing way to end a great weekend! Ava and I managed to dress alike on Mother's Day totally by accident.  We actually had similar shirts to wear that were bought specifically for Mother's Day, but it completely slipped my mind after the busy weekend we had had!  Ava wore her adorable Mother's Day shirt this past week, so we were just a few days late - sorry Mom!!! Sometimes it's hard to get people to look at the camera.  Notice Ava's tongue. Well, one looking is better than none, I guess! There we go! Rockin' out The weather is GORGEOUS right now!  Sunny blue skies, in the high 70's, with a slightly cool breeze.  And Ava suggested we come inside to watch The Little Merma...

Last week we purchased an annual membership to the Children's Museum in St. Paul. We had been there once before, and realized it was a great place to bring Ava - any time of the year.  We were only there for a few hours on Sunday, and we still had several exhibits to visit.  I like the idea of the membership, so we don't have to squeeze everything into one visit! The current rotating exhibit is a Legos display - set in medieval times!  There was an area where you could joust, sit on thrones, peer into a spooky dungeon, and even get your picture taken with a dragon!  We also built a little pink (of course) Lego castle!  There was a big box of dress-up clothes, and while I know Ava would have loved to wear the purple princess cape, I also know we would have had one heck of a time getting it off of her.  Sometimes, avoidance is the easiest route! I told Scott that this year, I want to do MORE with Ava.  I don't want to just go to the park.  ...