Well, Hellllooo winter!!

2012 started out a little shaky but thankfully has since settled.  Ava got the most terrible sounding cold right after Christmas.  Took her to the Dr. 3 times for the common cold because I was convinced it was some thing more.  Fever, wheezy, snotty.  It passed but now I am positive the 24 hr flu bug is so much better than a 2 week cold.  Nothing worse than listening to her toss and cough at night.   Grandpa Walt had a little scare.  Not feeling well.  He stayed in the hospital a couple of nights but is feeling much much better!  Definitely happy about that.

We enjoyed our delay from the wintry weather this year by busting out those bikes Santa delivered.  Kale's new bike is MUCH bigger than his little bike.... It did NOT seem that big in the store..or..uh.. I mean, in Santa's workshop! Phew, close one. After a a couple hours of determination,  He has mastered the whole no training wheel and this new bike goes much too fast for his Momma's comfort.  He had 32 little bruises on his shins that night and I only heard, "Help mom, I'm outta control!" 2 or 3 times. :)  Just another sign he is growing up.

We hit up a Cyclone basketball game.  It was Ava's first.  She LOVES Cy!  She searched for him throughout the whole game (except for when she was to busy devouring her clone cone).  She wanted to "five" Cy.  This made big brother extremely nervous.  He is terrified of anything wearing something covering the face... clowns, Cy, Chuck E Cheese..even Santa..yep, freaks out.  I have told him, Cy is a college kid wearing a costume...that satisfies until he come near our vicinity.   So anyway, near nervous break down when Ava went to "five" him!  I did manage to sneak him a downer so we could get a picture ;).

Ava also made her first trip to the dentist.  After following big bro's lead, she participated like a champ.  Even had a tooth cleaning rather than just a tooth count.   Both have beautiful pearly whites...although maggie simpson may need to be parting with her beloved "plug" after her birthday.  Luckily, our dentist she can have it for awhile longer but it should be gone by 2 1/2.  I am thinking it may not be pretty.  she loves that thing and now has even been particular about which one she likes best... the sea turtle one is the preferred flavor.

Kale was pumped for snowfall so he could try out what he discovered on a youtube video (yes, I know, our son knows how to start the computer, get on the Internet, navigate his way to You Tube and search for farm equipment and toy trucks..sigh, we've created a monster).  Anyway, he was so excited to attach his snow shovel to the front of his powerwheels tractor and move snow.  The plan didn't go nearly has smoothly as he had imagined but he actually did manage to do some good out there.  I swear both of my children are immune to cold, they could go on forever.  So, yes, Ava tried her hand at moving snow as well.  They make quite the team.



Woof!



He only had a few seconds available to take this pic.  He was busy "working".

Ava has been talking more and more.  Most of it, however, is only recognizable to Joe and I (because, we too, are fluent in her very rare dialect of Chinese).  But the cutest phrase she says that I hope never changes in to "real English" is when we plop her in bed at night, or leave to go to work... She yells "Too!" aka, I love you too! Too darned cute.  The other day, Joe fell down the stairs (LOL!! he was fine) but Ava was so concerned, "uh, oh Daddy owie,  Daddy cry."  (no, he didn't cry but he did lay on the couch for a while as I couldn't stop laughing.)  Poor Joe.  Good thing Dr. Ava took care of him.  She has also manages to keep up with Kale racing around the yard.. "I drive. I drive."  and yes she can navigate herself around quite well.  She is just as stubborn as her brother and has started the timeout phase of her life... she can be so delightful sometimes and other times...holy smokes.  She's a pistol.  Wouldn't have it any other way, although life might be a little easy if she weren't so much like her momma.

Life here continues to be good.  So thankful for my babes and my hubby along with our great family and friends.  We will be getting ready to celebrate Ava's 2nd birthday soon..  Butterfly theme it is!