Ava turns 5

October is a busy birthday month for us.  Ava's big day is 13 days after Juliet's, and they usually sneak up on me.  This past weekend we again went to California to celebrate Ava's 5th birthday.  It was great having a full day devoted to her.  

Ava is so sassy (in a good way!) and full of energy.  She's our little comedian and she's super smart.  She's really surprised me this school year with how quickly things are clicking for her.  This little thing NEVER SITS STILL!  She is always wiggling.  I joke and say that is why she's so little!  Her version of snuggling on the couch usually involves some body part twitching, or she just can't seem to get comfortable.  She is very much like her dad in that she's fearless, she's athletic, she's easily distracted.  Jonathan's parents see a lot of his mannerisms as a child in her.  Her and I share our green eyes and she's got little moles on her body like I do.  She calls herself a "copycat" and copies what Kylie does and it doesn't seem to bother her.  She too is independent, but usually needs a push in the right direction when distraction gets in the way.  I love you Ava Grace!

Good morning birthday girl!

First thing in the morning...put on the "5 year old dress" (Kylie wore it for her 5th birthday, so Ava wanted to as well) and I curled her hair a little bit.

Twirling around.

Her very own bible from daddy.

Daddy reading to her.

 ~After we ate breakfast, we got ready to head to the mall.  Aunt Heather was running late, so Grandpa ran into town with the girls to get a new pet~

A turtle for their koi pond.  With Nama's inspiration, they named her Shelly.

Painting on Shelly's back so she is easier to spot in the pond.

Waiting for Shelly to get in....kinda like watching paint dry or a pot boil.

  At the mall.  So excited for what's going to happen next....

She's getting hear ears pierced!

She had been so excited to get it done.  We've been talking about it for weeks.  The whole family came to watch, except for Bopa who was working.

The offered to do it two at a time.  I think she would have been fine going one at a time, but whatever.  I didn't care either way.

Ta Da!!!  No tears, but the look on her face shows just a tad bit of pain.

Okay, pick your poison!

~After the mall, we headed to Chick Fil A for lunch.  They don't have any in Vegas and the girls miss it.  The place was packed~

We came home to change clothes to head to the park, but we stopped to do some coloring first.

There is a new development in our home town and at the top of a big hill is a park.  You can see for miles around in a perfect 360 degree circle, which means you can see the ocean.  This would be a perfect spot for a sunset!!  I'm sure the locals have that all figured out.  

In this photo is the west side of town as well as the high school Jonathan and I went to.  Its actually right above the end of the trail that is just off center to the right.

They usually know what to do when the camera comes out.

Here is the east side of town as well as the college I went to.  It is off to the right just above the condo complex...where my sister lives.

Playing on the funky teeter totter.

The girls were doing double foot jumps up the steps.  Mommy was too chicken.  Grandpa and daddy bust them out no problem....

But at the top, Kylie missed and slammed her shin.  I think it hurt a bit.  And doesn't Ava look so concerned?

All better now.

~We went home and gave the girls a little bit of a nap while we got ready for Ava's family party.  I went VERY easy this year....ordered pizza from Papa Johns, made a salad with already washed greens, and Ava wanted a cheese cake so I picked it up a Costco the night we got into town~

Sharing a secret with daddy.

Silly face.

Her opal ring from Grammy and Grandpa.

This card sings "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" and Juliet walked around with it all night.  At one point, she put it down and picked up a different Disney Princess card, opened it up and expecting it to sing, she said "this doesn't work!".  It was so sad yet so cute.

Even more ear rings.  She can't wear them for 6 weeks, but she's excited all the same.

Giving Nama snugs for her home made poncho.

Looking through the Disney View Finder from GG.

Sugar rush silly face.

Yum!  I felt kinda bad for not making anything for her day, but we got to be with family and that was more important to her.  She wanted pizza, so what else could I do?  I wasn't about to make that many pizzas.

~The girls konked out for the night and of course were up early the next morning.  After going to church, Grandpa wanted to go get wooden airplanes from the hobby shop down the road.  Jonathan had the van on an errand, so I said Grandpa could take Kylie in their car, just to be careful.

 

She thought she was cool in Grammy's visor and glasses.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving!  We love our families!

Juliet goes to the dentist.

Today was Juliet's first visit to the dentist.  She's actually a year earlier in going for the first time compared to when I took her sisters, and this was her very first time stepping foot in a dentists office period.  No pre-visit to do a tour of the place or to see the instruments.  With how independent she's become, I thought she'd do really well, and she did amazing!  All us girls had appointments today, and I scheduled Juliet to go first.  It was a toss up between would she be better off seeing her sisters go first so she could watch and know what to expect, or if that would freak her out so just let her go first and see her response and stop if necessary.

She first needed x-rays. I kept talking everything up and told her she was such a big girl, and she didn't hesitate to do what she was asked by Mr. Jeff.

 So brave!

 This contraption was too big for her mouth, so no back teeth were xrayed.  She teared up a bit but got over it quickly.  It made her gag, so I'd tear up too!

 Just waiting for the hygienist.

 Cheesy time.

 

 All 3 girls waiting.

 She had big belly laughs when the chair moved up and down.  Miss Yolanda gave her a free ride for a few moments.

 Feeling the tickle brush.

 Kylie got to hold a mirror so Juliet could watch.

 Not even phased!

 

 The girls all got new Princess toothbrushes.  I got them "Cars" ones recently because that was all Target had and they needed new brushes badly.  The new ones were welcomed with glee, and Juliet even said "isn't it so beautiful"...what a goof!  We hadn't been to the dentist since February and besides me needing to floss more, the girls were all cavity free and had no problems.  I'm always leery going to a new dentist...I never know how much money they are going to try to squeeze out of me, especially since Tricare pays their providers nothing.  I know its a terrible thought, but I've had some bad experiences in the past, and I'm no stranger to dental work so I always go in on the defensive.  Our dentist in Florida was phenomenal (any of you Dr. Harrison people know what I mean) and despite this place not having TVs (as Kylie pointed out), we all were well taken care of.  A good experience all around...oh yeah, except for Ava breaking one of their waiting room toys.

Our baby is 3...

...and no, I don't have baby fever!  :)  Juliet will always be my baby and as for now, do know that I treat her that way and don't feel bad for doing so.  She will always hold that special place in my heart as the baby we wanted to get our family to its perfect number.  She is the baby who went right back to sleep after I'd nurse her in the middle of the night and has the least amount, yet the blondest hair of all my girls.  She is very opinionated and has physically accomplished many things quicker than her sisters, but I know that is because they are her role models.  She's also got a mouth and attitude like her older sisters and coming out of her 25 pound body, its quite comical even at times when it shouldn't be.  She's independent but doesn't like not having her sisters around.  She likes to dance and do gymnastic-like moves, she loves to color and stays in the lines quite well.  She knows just about all her letters.  I know, for being 3 she should know them all, but I know that in due time she'll know her letters.  She is still severely attached to her blanket and is a girly girl-dresses, head bands, bracelets and sparkly shoes.  Her special job is helping me with laundry.  She gets to put things into the washer and dryer and push the buttons to start the machines.  

For her birthday, we went home for the weekend to have a party with family.  The girls like their friends, but they LOVE being with family.  I guess being the only grandchildren on both sides has them quite spoiled and loved.  I know I'm repeating myself, but we will take advantage of being only a 5 hour drive from family as often as we can!  No birthday sharing this year.

 In Grammy and Granka's new 'cuzzi

 I'm 3!

 Her gift from her grandparents.  :)

 She wanted a crown cake, so I made her this.

~A few of her funny faces!~

 Sissies

 Her special Tink balloon.  

Sadly, Tink only hung around until the next morning because Kylie and Ava's fighting over her made her unexpectedly fly back to Pixie Hollow.

 Great Grandma Bobbie is either very intrigued by a story, or telling the girls "no" about something, I'm not quite sure.

 Kisses for Granka

 Some of her new bling.

 Juliet and Maddie heading to the bouncy.  Maddie is 9 months younger than Juliet but is the same size as my peanut.

 Juliet and Ollie-2 1/2 weeks old.

 Maddie and Juliet dancing.  

Maddie's mom and I went to high school and college together and she was in our wedding.  That is her sweet little man in the picture above.

 She insists on making goofy faces for the camera so I had to tickle her to get a smile!

Daddy's turn.

 On their way to IHOP for breakfast.

Figuring out the stomp rocket from Uncle Jeffery-always sends the girls great gifts even from Iraq!

Action shot!