The Giggle Factory

This morning we went to The Giggle Factory in Hudson with our next-door neighbors. Ava had a blast running around with Cameron and Caden - they burned off a TON of energy climbing and sliding and just generally being crazy. And Susan and I got to catch up in a couple of comfy chairs in the lounge area. They even have a cafe, and believe me I wanted a mocha, but I'm trying to cut back on all the sugary stuff...I did have a little of Ava's chocolate milk, though!


Ava and Cameron


Chocolate milk and a playground...what more could a girl want?


At the top of one of the slides

The baby gear starts to re-appear...

Just warming it up for my baby brother...



FYI, the Band-Aid is just for decoration! :)

Bathing Beauty!

Couldn't resist getting out the camera the other day...I cropped the pictures to make them internet-appropriate! :)





Like the 'do?

The Bikery

On Friday, we met our friends Ebba and Kelly, and their kids, at a coffee shop in Stillwater. The Bikery is part-cafe part...bike shop (as in selling and repairing bicycles). It was a good destination, because it had a nice little play area to occupy the kids, so we could actually converse as adults for a good chunk of time! Ava always has fun with these guys, even though she is outnumbered three to one by the boys (soon to be four to one!) At least she has the mommies to even things out a little. :)


Ebba and cuddly, sleepy Kai





Noah and Ava


Kelly and unwilling photography subject for the moment, Gavin :)

Sesame Street Live

After buying the tickets way back in November, today was the day I took Ava to Sesame Street Live. I didn't tell her what we were doing until we got to the Target Center, and even then she really had no idea what to expect.
It was so fun to watch her face as the different characters appeared onstage - she loved it and asked me numerous times if she could go up on stage with them! I was really happy that we had spent a little extra to get close seats - it was so worth it - all of the characters came down, at one point or another, and she got to say hello and shake their hands.







Ava even got to dance with the Honker - it was so cute - I just barely got my camera out in time!


Afterward, we met up with Joe for lunch, where she told him all about it.


Fast asleep on the ride home - I quite skillfully took this picture while I was driving - just aimed the camera over my shoulder and hoped for the best - not bad!

Thursday Humor

This is what happens when a (silly) 3-year-old dresses herself...


It's been pretty non-eventful around here the last couple of weeks. With the weather so cold, we've been staying inside for the most part and keeping busy with play dates, games, arts & crafts and a little baking. We're venturing out tomorrow to see Sesame Street Live at the Target Center, so hopefully I'll have a few pictures from that.

Pals

Lambeau and Millie sharing their little bed...a rare occurrence...usually they're each in their own. They are definitely two easygoing cats, though, and fit perfectly with our family. As anyone who spends time at our house knows, they are always within reach (even in the middle of a busy playdate!)...they follow us around more like dogs than like typical, independent cats. I love that having them has taught Ava to love and respect animals...she is so gentle and loving with them (granted, sometimes a little too loving), and this has carried over to other creatures we come across. Here she is giving Lambeau a morning brushing...Ava has even taken over the job of feeding the cats...she takes this role very seriously...finally, she's starting to carry her weight around here!