Florida Part 1

Last weekend we took a trip with the extended Ameduri family to Sanibel Island FL. After a full day of travel, we arrived at the condo ready to wake up and start the next day with some beach and pool time. Let’s just say that Ava was ecstatic about a water slide in the pool that was just her size.
Ava counted out the 6 steps up the slide (she’s really gotten good at steps after all the practice).
Once at the top, she navigates herself into position.

Then quickly slides down, with a smile on her face the whole way.


Once Ava gets down, she can’t paddle to the edge quick enough to go do it again.
Here’s a video of the whole sequence:

Click the image above for a video of Ava doing the water slide.

After water slides, we of course had to go for a stroll on the beach. Here’s one of Ava and dad checking out the sea shells.

After all that activity, time for a little lunch. Ava loves sitting in a high chair (she kept requesting it!).

Ava got a chance to meet all of her cousins – Alicia and Maya. They liked the water toys.And of course had to show off for Papa.

Ava’s favorite seemed to be the squirt gun.
Here’s a video of the squirt gun antics.

Click the picture above for a video of Ava with her squirt gun.

One last stroll on the beach…

We definitely miss the ocean and the lush green….back to the dry desert!

Neighborhood Fun

With Ava we now know a lot more of our neighbors – not only the ones with kids, but all the others that Ava likes to say “hi” and “bye-bye” to whenever we are out walking.

The other weekend we had 2 sets of neighbors over for dinner – with a 3 year old (Lauren) and 1.5 year old (Sofia). The kids (and parents) all had a blast.

Here are the kids with their drinks.

And eating dinner.

After toasting each other, Ava and Lauren each took a sip.

Over the weekend we also went to the train park. Although Ava was more interested in the flowers.

And of course we had to ride the carousel a few times…

After riding the carousel, Ava came home and wanted to continue riding horses. Here she is on her little horsey.

I think this photo was accompanied by a “giddy-up”.

Good thing we don’t have a train at home otherwise Ava would be trying to ride that!

Ava the Entertainer

Many days, Ava is our main source of entertainment – whether we’re laughing at her giggles or watching her dance, she definitely likes center stage.

Speaking of stages, a few weekends ago we went to the outdoor concert again. While Ava was not quite as showy as last time, she was still front and center with the band (and the other kids). 

This time we did at least manage to get a quick video of her dancing to the music.

Click the image below for a video of Ava.

Click the image above for a video of Ava dancing.

Ava is in love with her matchbox bus. Which happens to be Dad’s old bus – amazing that she likes a nearly 40 year old toy.

She also lovers her best dog, Chase.

Ava is also starting to be a better kitchen assistant. That is when she doesn’t try to eat what she is preparing.

Got to run – she’s off again!

Easter Weekend

But first up, some more videos and photos from Nee Nee’s visit the prior weekend.

Here’s a video of Ava decorating the eggs.

Click the image above for a video of Ava on her Easter egg hunt

And a video of her cooling off in the splash pad after the egg hunt.

Click the image above for a video of Ava in the splash pad

And a video of the Easter egg decorating.

Click the image above for a video of Ava decorating Easter eggs

 

Ava also had to show off her new dress some more.

Then she helped Nee Nee make some Easter cookies.

Followed by a hug of her favorite doggie, Chase!

Ava does of course love to eat. Here she is with her “Got Milk” campaign (or is it “Got yogurt popsicle”?)

Easter weekend was busy. On Friday we tried happy hour with our neighbors and their daughter Lauren. Here are the two of them at their own table.

Saturday morning was an Easter egg hunt at AJs. Ava was very much into the treats inside the eggs now.

Ava and Lauren had fun posing for the camera with all of the flowers.

And of course, Ava does love the Easter Bunny!

On Easter Sunday Ava of course had to wear her Easter bonnet!

So far, Ava loves both Santa and the Easter Bunny. In fact, I think she was first in line to see the bunny. We’re looking forward to the next holiday to see what Ava thinks….

“Pre” Easter and Neenee

While Scott was away for work, Neenee (aka Mo’s mom) came to town to play with Ava. Ava took it as an opportunity show off some of her newfound skills since she last saw Neenee.

First up, knowing how much Neenee is into horses, Ava demonstrates how she can ride Chase.

Next up, demonstrating how she can garden (or at least oversee the gardening process) – cute sundress apparently is required.

With Easter coming up, Ava decided that she was going to color eggs. Here she is helping to color eggs.

And being very careful not to drop any of them.

The Mom’s group in our community decided to hold an early Easter Egg hunt. We weren’t sure whether Ava would get the concept on gathering the eggs.

First, she needed a little encouragement from Mom.

After that she got the hang of it all by herself. Finding the eggs along the path.

And by the rock wall.

And in the grass.

Afterwards she needed a little help from Dad opening everything.

But wasn’t shy about showing off her “haul” tom Mom and Neenee.

After the hunting was done the splash pads came on. Ava of course was quick to get to the water…here she is trying to see if the eggs need to be cooled off.

All that, yet we didn’t see the Easter Bunny yet! Maybe we’ll get to see him this coming weekend?

Ameduri GPs Come to Town

Did you ever wonder what kids do in the middle of the night? We’re starting to think that Ava must play with her hair when she sleeps. The photo below is from one morning when Ava’s hair was especially wild…

A few weekends back the Ameduri Grandparents came to town. We took Ava to the Phoenix Children’s Museum, where she had fun playing with everything from dropping balls into the little sorter…

…to turning the door knobs on the fence full of knobs….

…to playing in the kitchen (making lunch)….

…to making the horn on the bus go “beep beep beep”…

…and of course playing with some cars while taking a little break.

We did manage to get one good photo of Ava and Papa up at the park – Ava loves to bounce on the swinging bicycle.

Concerts in the Park

Last Sunday was a beautiful day here in Arizona. So, we decided to take advantage of an outdoor concert at one of the resorts in town. Let’s just say we are very glad that we did that. We parked the car and were just starting up the steps to the resort when Ava could hear the music, and immediately started dancing in her stroller.

Here’s the stage on a beautiful lawn, looking out across Mummy Mountain.

Ava definitely liked having a nice close spot with plenty of grass to sit in.

Note the concentration on her face as she’s trying to figure out all of the instruments.

During the music Ava started running down the hill. She went into the middle of the grassy area (the “mosh pit” according to the band) and started dancing. All by herself. With everyone (including the band members) laughing at her. She was briefly joined by another toddler (about her age) who danced with her. Let’s just say that Ava was the entertainment for a bit. The only downside is that we didn’t get it all on video.

Posing with Mom after her solo.

On the way out the band was taking a break. Another spectator said that they were great. They saw Ava and commented how she was the real star of the show! I think we’ll have to go back again soon….