Sunday, February 27, 2011

Playground Fun

With the warmer weather, Ava’s favorite hangout has been the playground. She’s there at least once per day, playing in the sand or going down slides. Plus, there are always other kids around to play with – she’s a little social butterfly!

Ava loves riding in her bike trailer to the park. But her favorite things is to take the flag off of it and march around the park.

Here she in in mid-flag pull.2011-02-24_17-08-51_499

And proceeding to march around the park.

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She also is attentive for her educational videos. Especially when she gets to sit on the ottoman and kick her legs.DSC04008

Ava of course has fun with her riding toys. Here she is with her zebra around the house.

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Later that same day with Alexander and Charlotte, all playing in the wagon.

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And toys at someone else’s house are naturally more fun.DSC04005

All that works means you still need to relax afterwards….Chillin’ with Dad.DSC03992

Note that Chase wanted to be featured too….even with his “bad hair” day.

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And for those of you in cold weather, we do get snow here…this is snow on the peak about 5 miles from our house…

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Time to go catch the little energizer bunny before she gets more toys out!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Trains

Ava is into trains. Or maybe Dad is into trains, and Ava just likes to follow along. This week the Mom’s group had an outing at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, which of course means that we all had to go. Ava was definitely excited by the trains and by the carousel there.

Anxiously awaiting the train ride.

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As we are going around the park.

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Ava was anxious to pose on the engine after the ride.DSC03960

Ava and Mom on the Carousel.DSC03947DSC03955

On the car ride home, Ava was still “all smiles”.

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Later in the week, Ava decided she needed to coach Mom on her workouts.

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Here she is demonstrating the proper form.

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Ava (and Dad) are definitely ready to go to the railroad park again soon – maybe next time we will get the annual pass…

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Chilling in the chilly weather

While the rest of the country has been hit with snow, the southwest has been hit with some cooler than usual weather. With Ava still recovering from a cold, this means that we can’t play outside quite as much. Last weekend we took advantage of some of the sunny days to play at the park near our house.

Here’s Ava running through the park.

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And seeing if I am watching as she tries to go into the desert area.

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Later in the day we took her to the Tempe town lake. Here she is trying to see all of the ducks.

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Followed quickly by a “mission” to go pet a dog that she saw.

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We moved Ava’s picnic table inside recently. She like having a little indoor picnic with it for lunch.

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On Wednesday evening we took Ava to the Phoenix Art Museum. She loved running around and looking at everything, but was a little disappointed that she couldn’t touch it all.

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Flashback to the same spot from November 2009:

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Ava’s favorite activity was cleaning the condensation off of the windows….

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In addition to art, Ava has also managed to stay up on pop culture. Here she is with her “There’s Something About Mary” impression.

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For now we are looking forward to a return to our normal warmer weather and more time outside – not just to wear her out, but so that she can practice some art with her sidewalk chalk.