Cooler Creations: Handcrafted picnic table and benches

Handcrafted picnic table

Handcrafted picnic bench (one of two benches)

Ava sitting on top of her new table

Ava helped Daddy build the table and benches

I am very blessed to married to a very talented husband. Recently he made a picnic table and two benches for Ava. If you would be interested in a picnic table and benches for your child (children), please let us know...we are taking orders!!

The difference a year makes!

July 24, 2010

July 24, 2011

As I was updating my blog, I came across two very similar pictures. One from last year and one from this year. It is amazing how much Ava has grown up and changed in just a year! Reminded me again that there are only 7000 days from the time she is born until she is 18!! I am trying my best to make each day count and not to waste any of the precious time that God gives me with her!!

The Letter Y

Cousins: Ava, Kate, Isaac and Nathan

Ava's youngest cousin Kate, giving her a push!

Day 25

The Letter Y

Verse of the Day:

Isaiah 40:30-31

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Bible Story of the day:

Paul tells Timothy not to let people look down on him because he is young (1^st Timothy 4:12)

Activities

Play with young cousins

Wear yellow

Dance to YMCA

Food:

Eat a yellow popscicle

Drink yellow lemonade

The Letter X

Dressed up like Queen Ester for King Xerxes

Xtreme climbing

Xtreme singing

Xtreme high-V

Xtreme toenails

Xtreme cheese

Xtreme swimming

Day 24

The Letter X

Bible Story

King Xerxes marries Ester

Verse of the day

Esther 8:4

Then King Xerxes extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

Activities:

Decorate a crown like queen Ester

Paint toe nails, reminds us of how Queen Ester took time to prepare for King Xerxes

Dress up like queen Ester

Do Xtra-ordinary things are Gymboree

Play computer game at starfall.com on the letter X

The Letter W

Getting ready to climb the rock wall

Conquering the rock wall

Watermelon craft

watching Jonah and the Whale

Day 23

The Letter W

Verse of the Day:

Psalm 27:1

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Bible story of the day

Jonah and the whale

Activities:

Paint or Color a Whale

Watch Jonah and the Whale DVD

Make a piece of watermelon using finger prints as the seeds.

Climb the rock wall at the park

Food

Watermelon

Water

The Letter V

We love the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" at our house

Watching the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" while wearing a shirt with violet on it

Singing praise songs in a loud voice

Day 21

The Letter V

Verse of the Day:

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Bible Story of the Day:

The Jericho wall falls when the Isrealites lift their voices!! Joshua 6

Activities:

Play with the Very Hungry Caterpillar

Play “Very Hungry Caterpillar” game

Read the “Very Hungry Caterpillar”

Lift voice and sing

Build a “Jericho” wall

Food:

Velvetta Cheese

Red Velvet Cake

Ava has no fear

The Letter U

Riding in the umbrella stroller

A snack after swimming under the water

God made the universe picture

The Letter U

Verse of the Day

“Unto you, oh my strength will I sing: for God is my defense and mercy.”

Psalm 59:17

Bible Story of the Day:

God made the universe: the sun, the stars and the sky

Activities:

Complete “U” worksheet

Watch Little Mermaid-Listen to “Under the Sea”

Swim under the water at White water

Ride in the umbrella stroller

Play a game of putting items under: the table, the bed, the blanket, etc

Glue and paint picture with sun, stars and sky (God made the universe)

We have a swimmer!

Ava just decided this afternoon that she wanted to be Miss Independant in the pool. She took off swimming by herself (with the help of a swim trainer)! It was a very exciting and proud moment for me!!

NICU Buddies Reunion

Yeah for NICU buddies reunion

Fun times splashing in the pool

Two girls having lunch together: NICU roommates

Noah did not want to eat with the girls

Three little miracles: Katelyn, Noah and Ava

Noah and Ava working on their letters

Enjoying building with blocks together

Allison and Katelyn and Melissa and Noah

A little over two and half years ago, three mommies with very sick babies, met each other. Through the many days, months, ups and downs of the NICU we supported one another. All three of our precious babies, (Noah, Ava and Katelyn) decided to come into the world a little bit too early. The last two years we have stayed in touch, encouraged and prayed for each other's children.

Today was a day of fun and fellowship for our three feisty preemies! They played in the pool, played on the swing set, had fun with the toys inside and shared lunch together. It was such a special day. Of course it was great to catch up with the mommies (Allison and Melissa). It is a blessing to have moms that understand what it is like to have a preemie.

The Letter T

Ava loves going to speech so she can talk better!

Taking it easy

Coloring a picture of a turtle

"Slow and steady wins the race!"

Day 20

The Letter T

Verse of the day

“Turn away from evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2^nd Timothy 2:22

Bible Story:

Tell the World about Jesus! Matthew 28

Activities:

Learn to talk better at speech therapy

Watch Telly on Sesame Street

Paint a picture of a turtle

Read the story the Turtle and the Hare

Touch different items: hot, cold, soft, rough, dry, wet

Foods:

Turkey

Tater Tots

Tomato

Stepping up

Sliding

Splashing

Watching Sesame Street

Day 19

The Letter S

Verse of the Day

“Serve the Lord with gladness!” Psalms 100:2

Bible Story of the Day:

Samson the strong man

Activities:

Decorate an “S”

Watch Sesame Street

Slide into the pool

Splashing

Food:

Spaghetti

Sauce

Swiss cheese

The Letters Q and R

Queen Esther's crown

Making a crown like Queen Esther

Playing in the Quilt

My little "QT" at Gymboree

Isaac marries Rebekah

Riding on her 4-wheeler

Running while wearing red

***I know that the "QT" at Gymboree is a little stretch on the use of "Q" but I thought the pictures were too cute not to post!**

Day 17

The Letter Q

Verse of the Day

“Be QUICK to listen, slow to speak and slow to become anger.” James 1:19

Bible Story of the Day

Queen Esther saves her people

Activities:

Paint the letter “Q” with verse on it

Make quick friends at Gymboree

Go to QT for an icey

Make a queen crown

Food

QT Icy

Day 18

The Letter R

Verse of the Day:

Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Bible Story of the Day

Isaac meets Rebekah

Activities:

Wear Red

Run around with our friend AJ

Make an “R” craft with raisins

Finger paint with red paint

Have a red bath

Food:

Red strawberries

Raisins