Big Changes!

This past week was full of big changes at our house. First, Ava started "school" on Tuesday. By school I mean a parents day out program. We figured Ava should learn how to share, listen, use the potty, etc. before starting actual preschool. So here she is in the car getting ready to attend her first day. We're still working on smiling with our eyes open.

We arrived at school in style...here Ava is showing off her new backpack.
As soon as Ava got in the door she ran straight to the toys. The first few weeks the kids wear name tags to help the teachers. The name tags are wisely placed on their backs!
There is more than enough to keep Ava entertained.

She couldn't wait to call everyone and tell them all about her new school!
Ella on the other hand, couldn't handle all the excitement. After we dropped Ava off and went home, Ella crashed!
On Thursday Ava had her second day of school and Ella and I
had a photo shoot...here is a little smile.

I'm not sure what is going on with the weather lately, but we've been enjoying the early fall. Ava got a little more courageous and tested out the tire swing at G-ma and G-pa Fritz's house. She did a good job of hanging on, but I wouldn't let her go as high as the regular swing.

Even Ella's been enjoying some time outside since it's not too hot! She loves this bouncy seat and sits in it forever....she spends the whole time staring at the light blue owl.

Another change this week is that Ava has become more fond of her sister. This picture was taken at the end of the night so please excuse Ava's hair and lack of pants. Ella wasn't quite sure what was going on.

Ava even asked to hold Ella. Ava did ask this before but usually as soon as Ella would get close Ava would say "I'm all done" or "no Mom". However, this time she held her for a few minutes. I think Ella is growing on her OR she's finally accepted the fact that Ella's not leaving!?

OK...I saved the best for last. Yesterday we started potty training! Ava and I took a trip to Target and she picked out some "big girl" underwear and we went home and said goodbye to diapers. I think part of me was hoping Ava would come to me one day and say "Mom, I'm ready to go on the potty", but then reality set in. Having two kids in diapers is both expensive and exhausting. As soon as I change one the other one needs a new diaper...it was never ending. So with the exception of naps and bedtime Ava is in underwear. I think in the first hour we had 3 accidents, by 6 o'clock we had 7 accidents. I was just about to throw in the urine soaked towel...when at dinner Ava said "I have to go potty" and actually went in the potty!! We started the day with pants on but after two pairs we lost the pants and just went with underwear....and boots of course. Ava wouldn't take her boots off...until she peed in them.

We are now in our second day of training and Ava is doing much better. She went all night without an accident and woke up this morning and went on the potty. She did have one accident this morning, but it is outnumbered by the number of times she's gone on the potty! Below I leave you with one more pic of Ava in her potty training attire in quite the pose!