Already???

Ava's new thing is locking herself in a room and crying when she is upset...
Really??
Isn't she only 3? It's starting already??

So funny! And to top it off she was so TICKED that I was snapping pictures in her moment of frustration...Haha!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I love Valentine's Day! Not for me and John...we don't celebrate. I love it for Ava!! It's so sweet! Ava had 2 parties at school. They do it on 2 different days so that most kids can participate. I think it's so cute seeing all those Valentine's from the little kids. Ava brought home bags of goodies both days!

She enjoyed going through all of her Valentines each night!

On the actual morning, John and I gave her our little gift to her. Just some candy and stamps. Wow, did she love the stamps! We all went to work and school that days covered in stamps. My mom actually thought Ava was broken out in hives because she was covered in red stamps! Ha!!

Isn't this the sweetest little outfit? I love this kid in pigtails!!

Even Daddy got into in a little...:)

Brrr....I'm cold! -- Weekend Recap

Winter has officially visited Northwest Ohio. **Sigh** Although, I really have no room to complain. We've had a very mild winter. But I'm here with the computer on my lap, snuggled under a blanket, next to the fireplace. Brrr!

We had a nice weekend. John was on nights, so it was quite a bit of Mama/Ava time. I'm pretty sick of Olivia The Pig and Max and Ruby at this point. Haha!!

Friday night, we went over to my Grandma's. She was watching Jacey and Jordyn and thought it may be good to have Ava, as well. Ava and Jordyn get along really well, but she also kept asking for Olivia and Morgan. :) My aunt Donna who lives in Florida recently knitted the girls hats and scarves. The final product turned out fabulous!!
I brought out the Play-Doh and let the girls go to town! They were entertained for about 20 mins. And then they were off to the next thing!

Around that time, the Fresh Beat Band was starting on Nick, Jr. Well, the girls busted out their dance moves. Check out the hair!!

John decided on Saturday morning that it was time to go outside and break in the new sled. Let's put it this way, I don't do outside. Especially in February. I had to borrow clothes from John so I had stuff to wear. LOL!! Ava was super excited and we got her all bundled up!

I pulled her around the yard for a little bit until John got the 4-wheeler up and running. We then attached the sled to the back. It was super fun!!!

But then we hit the rock. OWWWW!!!!

Now back to sled shopping. Haha!! We made snow angels...

And started making a snowman until Ava got sidetracked...

Yep, she preferred to shovel with John rather than build a snowman!! Haha!!

Saturday night we went to Hannah's soccer tournament. After the game, Ava took the field and took her turn.

Kelly was showing Ava how to dribble the ball...

I love, love, love this picture! Ava totally ADORES Hannah and it seems the feeling may be mutual!

Today we went to the Walleye game. The Down Syndrome Association hosted a family day. So, we took Aunt Emily and headed to the Huntington Center.

Ava, Emily, and her friend Lindsay

Emily and Lindsay

Ava did really well until the mascots came out. And then she freaked out!!

But everything was ok after she was comforted by Mama!

And everyone had a super fun time!!!

Valentine's Cookies

Lisa and I decided that we want to make Grandma's cookies for each holiday. That's the only way to make sure we learn from the best, right?!

We made about 16 dozen cookies and tons of frosting.

And decorated and boxed the final product! I thought we did pretty good!!

Little Miss Sienna

Tonight we got to meet Little Miss Sienna. Isn't she adorable? Picture is courtesy of a certain 3 yr old.

LoveAnd then Ava took control of the camera and here are the results...

Congratulations, Michelle and Eddie! She is gorgeous!!

How Sweet Is This?

Not Too Much Going On...

Things have been fairly quiet around the Houghtaling house. But yet, I've been really busy??? I'm trying to figure that out. :)

I've been taking a class at a local church on Sunday nights. Have you heard of it???
Basically, I'm trying to get John and I out of debt. Which has caused me to cut up these...

We are now on a strict budget, with a strict allowance every week, and are paying cash for everything. I'm really excited about our financial future!!

Last Saturday night, John had a poker party. Who knew Ava was a Texas Hold'em fan?

We've just been hanging out and doing our weekly routine of gymnastics and swim lessons. And you wouldn't believe how much Ava has grown. She went from a 3T to a 4T. She is growing tall and thinning out in the belly. We need a 4T just for the height. John measured her and she grew an inch and half in 6 weeks!!

And here's a cute little Ava story...Tonight we were going to get our taxes done. So, I grabbed her bag with all the coloring books and crayons in it. She looks at it and says "Are we going to church?" Haha!! We were cracking up!

Hope this finds everyone well!!

Love,

S.