Finally Spring!!

I use the word spring very loosely.  While we have had a few days in the 60's, I think a majority of our days have still been in the 40's and maybe some 50's.  Not exactly outdoor weather, but at least there's light at the end of this VERY long winter.  Shortly after the last post I received this letter from Ava.  She said she forgot to say thank you after her birthday party…I definitely need to capture these "Thank yous" now, as I'm sure they will be few and far between as she grows older.

For spring break this year the kids and I made the trek to Tennessee to visit G-ma and G-pa C.  It was of course cold and rainy most of our time there so we didn't do much.  On St. Patrick's Day we did decide to brave the rain and go to a place there called "Kids n' Play".  They have a huge jungle gym, trampolines, train tables, nerf/rocket gun cage. There's even an entire little town set up for the little ones complete with beauty shop, grocery store, fire house, vet clinic and more.  The place has something for everyone including a snack bar!  The kids had a ball and lasted over three hours!  Here is Ella and yes that's Gavin in the beauty shop doing hair.

Like I said we didn't do much while there, but the kids had a good time and it was enough to make the car ride home very quick and quiet!

The weekend after we got back we went over to G-ma and G-pa F's house where the girls FINALLY got to meet their cousin Fiona!  I don't think Gavin even noticed her, Ella took a look, made a couple nice comments and was done, but Ava was pretty impressed.  She wanted to hold Fiona numerous times and only gave her up if she started fussing.  I think she is just now at an age where she would love to have a baby brother or sister and would be a big help.  I guess she'll just have to help out with her cousins more often because this Momma is done!

You can't tell in the picture above but Ava's tooth was extremely loose and she had been messing with it all day until finally it came out.  Visit number 4 from the tooth fairy!

After playtime, baby time, tooth time and bath time she went back for one more snuggle before we headed home.

One more tidbit on Ava….she is reading pretty good now and with her new interest in "helping" with the little ones, I have recruited her to read to Gavin at bedtime.  For awhile Ella and Gavin would not listen to Ava read (she was a bit slow and monotone), however now that she is reading faster and with a little more enthusiasm it is working out great!

The latest Gavin news is his new "do".  He looks so much older to me!  I am beginning to feel baby-less….a very sad, odd, surreal and indescribable feeling for me. :)  He is also talking so much better now.  Still hard for others to understand, but I usually get what he's saying.  He is not shy AT ALL, he talks to everyone and anyone who will listen…especially men.  He has more energy than both girls combined, loves the park and all puppies, is always up for doing puzzles and is definitely a Momma's boy!

And then there's Ella, our sweet, spunky and stubborn princess.  Right now Ella refuses to wear pants.  She only wants to wear skirts and dresses and leggings if it's cold.  I am not even exaggerating…the suggestion of pants puts her into tears!  She also has NO filter when talking to or being around other people, whether she knows them or not.  Just this week she has "pet" a lady's necklace at PetSmart because she thought it was pretty, rubbed up and down G-ma's leg because she "really liked her leggings" (pantyhose), said "I'm gonna grab your nibbles (meaning nipples) when having a tickle war with G-pa, and watched a diaper change of Fiona's and confidently stated "yep, I knew she was a girl".  Jaws are constantly dropping when Ella's around.  I have had countless talks with Ella about what is appropriate words and behavior.  She just does not understand why if you like some one's outfit or accessories you can't just go touch them. Or why certain body parts off limits or not OK to talk about?  Luckily, she has never gotten in trouble or had to be talked to at school!  On one hand I love her confidence, innocence and fearlessness, but on the other hand it makes nervous too.

Last weekend we drove out to Washington, Missouri to attend the wedding of Dan's Cousin Lisa and her fiancé Ryan.  After the lovely ceremony we killed some time at the park before heading over to the reception.

Once at the reception Ella ran straight up to the bar, without saying a word to anyone or asking, and asked for a white soda.  There's that "confidence" I was talking about.  She was also ready to bust a groove as soon as the music started.  Ava was a bit more apprehensive about getting out there so Uncle Chris and Uncle Brad took turns dancing with them for a few minutes until Ava was comfortable.

Obviously, Ava loosened up and the two of them were on the dance floor all night.

Ella even took Gavin out there a few times...

It was so cute to see them dancing together.

Gavin danced for a few minutes, but much more preferred to walk around looking for trash on the tables and running it over to the nearest trash can to dispose of it.  He has a few obsessions right now…trash cans, garage door buttons and elevator buttons…they are SERIOUS obsessions!

The kids had a blast at the wedding and danced their hearts out.  They made it till almost nine o'clock before Gavin was asking to go home and actually admitted he was tired!  Now I need to gear up for Easter!!