Happy Birthday Ava!

We had a fun-filled day of birthday excitement on Saturday! Mark, Cheryl, Bud and Twila came for the first half of the day. Ava was thrilled with her new dollhouse, Princess tent and matching sleeping bag. I think the tent will remain up in the playroom for a good long while! We had a yummy lunch at the Olive Garden. As usual, Ava finished her entire bowl of macaroni and cheese, at least one bread stick, and even some birthday cake today!
After Ava's nap, Oma and Opa arrived to spend the rest of the day with her and sit in on her birthday party at The Little Gym. We invited ten of Ava's friends, and they had a blast running and playing in the gym. Emily and Sarah were there, as well as neighbors Lauren and Lindsay, and a bunch of friends from moms' group: Gavin and Noah, Megan, Lexi, Kathryn and Ava. Sadly, Samuel was in California for a wedding and couldn't make it.
Ava was so exhausted by the end of the party, that when we drove home and pulled into the garage, she declared that she just wanted to snuggle with me in the car for a while before we went in. She wanted to listen to me talk about the day, and after a little silence, she looked up at me, and said, "Mom...you're the best." It was clear that she had thoroughly enjoyed the day!!!