doughnuts with dad

I really do not know who was more excited for this day. Keegan has been talking about it since i told him the date and to make sure he could be a little late and take ava to school. He has never been to school so this was a big deal to him and also he just loves taking ava places.... Ava had so much fun and had a fit when the teacher held her so Keegan could make his hand print, the art project they were doing with all the kids and dads, i mean she was pissed and screaming. Never seen her like this at school. I think she caught the teachers off guard too.
Keegan also picked Ava up from school at 2pm and then the two of them went and played 9 holes of golf and had the best time... keegan said it was so great. Ava needed a daddy day and well really I have not had a day in well ever since Ava was born. So I needed it too.

afternoon

we do a lot of plat grounds and often have more fun doing something else than sliding although that is not to say that Ava does not climb all the way to the top of a high slide and go down by herself head first but lately, like this week, she is getting the whole running thing down and likes to try that too.

it happens so fast....

Ava went for her 15 month apt last friday and well yes she is 16 months today but regardless she has grown and changed so much. Part of me loves it and she is so fun right now and the other half of me makes me want to cry... she will be off at college before I know it. She weighs 22 pounds which is practically triple her birth weight and 32 inches tall which is a good 12 inches taller then when she was born. Where is my baby? all I see is my little girl.

buds

"okay so lets snack together....." --Rufus
"hmmm.... you go after it differently Rufus ... but mom puts my stuff in these stupid containers that don't let me spill." --- Ava

We wanted them to love each other. The whole time I was really pushing for a dog Keegan just wanted to see the dog with Ava. He wanted them to be best friends. Like in some kids book I was trying to say that we needed a dog that would not bite her and perhaps would be gentle but he was asking a lot.... well the thing is... they are best friends.... I knew he loved her but he is her favorite toy and playmate. Sometimes I think he would be okay to get all the hook ups on the food and snacks but after a full day of being climbed on and Ava grabbing his jewels maybe he could take her or leave her. So today I came home from dropping Ava off at school and he would not leave me alone. Following me every where, then he would run around the house and into Ava's room and the rest of her usual spots. He was starting to get annoying and then began the barking at the back door (the one that leads to the garage) so I figured he need to go pee.... so I let him out and he hurls himself at the car running in circles and then jumps up on the rear driver side window and sniffs and stares and will not get down. Yes this is her window and yes this is a true story.

Ava and school

Rufus trying out the new nap mat.
ava right before we left for the first day of school
oh and well this was the other morning ( I would say 7:30 am) after our walk which did not allow us to playground so we came home and tried the rain boots.... still big but she had fun

Ava had her first day of school today.... okay its a program called Mothers day out.... but I think it is a lame name. I will have you know there is a "curriculum" - Keegan and I both found this quite entertaining. She goes Tuesday and Thursday from 9 till 2. There are 8 kids in her class and 2 teachers. We decided that it would be good for her to do something with other kids. She loves other kids and is always shouting when she hears the neighbors come home so that just maybe... maybe... they would come over (the truth is they often do... they love playing with her or at our house) and she kisses other kids her age and size at the playground. Also if I went back to work soon this would make for hopefully and easier transition to everyday. And the other important reason is I need a little time to me and to work on things I want cause when we are together we play hard. I was nervous to leave her but you have to drop and run.... and so there she was ... with her nap mat, lunch box, and a diaper bag. She was so excited and ran straight to play while many of the other kids clung to the teachers. I watched for a couple mins thru the windows that are mirrored on her side and she was happy, playing and enjoying the new toys. She just did not really get the whole nap thing. It will come. I am hoping it stays being a positive experience and that when we go back she is not like no don't leave me here I know it now but I am thinking it will be okay. The day care at the gym everyday was a great way to be okay with other people in a strange place with other kids.