Playgroup fun

Hanging on

Chalk drawing with AJ

Praying princess and baby dolls with Maddy

Picnic Lunch: AJ, Maddy, Dylan and Ava

Swinging in the hammock

It was an absolutely beautiful day today. Ava has a few of her friends over for playgroup today. They had such a great time playing in the backyard, playing dress up and having a picnic lunch together. I am so very excited that Ava has such great little friends!

Pink Princess!

Sitting pretty

Playing as a princess

Today at Bible Study a friend of mine passed down some great princess costumes to Ava from her little girl. There was a pink one (Sleeping Beauty), Snow White and Cinderella. Ava of course wanted to try them all on when I brought them out today. Her favorite was the pink, sleeping beauty one....of course. She is now the Pink Princess...the sequel. In college at GWU, my nickname was the Pink Princess, so it is only fitting that I now pass the name on to my little princess....who loves pink too!!!

In my shoes

Ava walking in Mommy's shoes!

Our buddy Brody!

Swinging with Brody

Riding on the train

Sliding

Climbing up the rock wall

This afternoon we went to the park and Ava got a great surprise...her friend Brody was playing at the park too! Brody and Ava were big buddies in school last year. This year they are in different classes so they do not get to see each other. They were so cute together today. They played together so well and had such a fun time together.

Fun at the Fair

Mommy and Ava ready for the fair

Ava's favorite ride at the fair: "the horses"


Riding the Nemo ride...all by herself


Cotton candy....YUMMY!

Llama, Llama, where are your red pajamas???

Feeding the sheep with Daddy

Petting the bunnnies

Petting the goats

Today we went to the North Georgia Fair and it was so much fun! This morning there was a deal at the fair, if you got there between 10 and 11 you got free admissions and free rides. It was awesome since Ava really only could ride on about 3 rides because of her height (I understand!). Ava's favorite ride was the "horses" (the merry go round). She even road on the Nemo ride all by herself. Though she was upset and cried at first, when the ride ended she wanted to ride it again. We ended the day by going through the petting zoo. Ava was able to pet bunnies, sheep and goats. The funniest thing she did was chase and call the baby goats , puppies. She would chase them around and say "hey puppies, stop puppies", it was hilarious. I am a big fan of the fair and it did not disappoint!

My Little Rock Climber!

Ava rock climbing!

Just a Swingin!

Ava Swinging at the Park!

Celebrating September 11th

The line to get into the park

Looking at the flags

There was one flag for every person killed on 9/11

Walking with the flag

The flags on the Kennesaw Battlefield

Today we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of 9/11/2001. At Kennesaw battlefield they had placed one full size flag down for each person killed on that life altering, terrible day. As we walked through the flags, I was saddened for those who had lost a son, daughter, mom, dad, sister, brother or friend on that tragic and heartbreaking day. It made me thankful for the men and women who still today stand guard over our country. Thank you for your service. Thank you for protecting me and my family and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Toddler Bed Time!

Waking up on the last morning in her crib

Ava helped Daddy put the crib together

Making sure all her animal friends had room on her new bed

Waking up in toddler bed

Yesterday was a big day in the Cooler house...Ava moved to a toddler bed! We made a big deal on Saturday about her moving out of her crib and into her NEW bed. Daddy put the bed together and Ava helped! Ava wanted to make sure that all her sleeping friends liked her new bed (of course they did!). Naptime was a little rough. It took us about 45 minutes for Ava to settle down and finally go to sleep. So we were a little worried that bed time and sleeping through the night was going to be a challenge. We could not have been more WRONG! Ava did fantastic! She went right to sleep, stayed in her bed the entire night and slept until 8:15 am! I think Ava really likes getting snuggled in with her sheets and cover. Fingerscrossed that she will continue to do well in her NEW bed!!

In His Grip!

On the mends! Enjoying a popscicle

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

What an exciting day we had today at the park! Ava and I met some friends to have playtime and a picnic together at my friend Rebekah's neighborhood park. The day was going great, the kids were playing and the weather was absolutely wonderful. Ava was being her usual daredevil self and climbed up on top of one of the highest equipment at the park. I did not notice that another little boy was up there with her. I had just started walking over to check on her and PUSH!! The little boy pushed her off the side of the equipment...about 10 to 12 feet in the high. As she was falling she hit against the climbing ladder. While she was falling her foot and a little bit of her arm got caught for just a second in the rungs of the later. It looked terrible, but it actually slowed her descent to the ground tremendously! When I got to her, her little eyes were open wide and she had a few tears coming down her face. I think the fall knocked the breath out of her because it took her a minute to cry. I looked in her eyes, felt her arms and legs and felt her belly too. She was just fine, nothing broken and nothing bleeding!

A few minutes later, after some rest and a big hug, she was off running, climbing, sliding and having fun. I on the other hand just about fell apart! I was so mad at the little boys nanny/babysitter who was not paying attention to what the little boy was doing. She made the boy apologize and then he had to have time out (what a joke!). I was seething with anger but I knew just to walk to the other side of the playground with Ava and just take a minute so that I did not do or say anything I might regret later!

Once I cooled down I was praising God for the protection He gave to my sweet Ava when she fell. As she was falling, the only prayer I could get out was Jesus help! I am so thankful that Ava is just fine and the only mark from her fall is a small scratch under her eye. She is now sleeping peacefully in her bed. Thankful that we are all at home right now, all in one piece!

Labor Day 2011

It was quite a windy day...with a little bit of rain

We took a walk in the woods

Made a "waterfall" with Hudson

Watched "Tangled" with McClellen

Took a golf cart ride...Daddy is a great driver

We spent Labor Day weekend in Greenville (with Grammy and Doc) and then at the lakehouse! The weekend started with me having to get a crown (boo!). But I have the best dentist ever....Doc (my Daddy!). After the dental procedure and church on Sunday morning we headed for the lake. We spent the rest of the weekend with Grammy, Doc, Brad, Carri, McClellen and Hudson. Sunday afternoon was a pretty decent, partly sunny day, so we were able to swim, jet ski and ride on the boat. Monday was another story! It was windy, rainy and a cool front came in. Of course we did not let the weather dampen (ha ha) our fun! We watched a movie, played outside in the sand and rocks, road on the golf cart, did some sidewalk art and took a walk in the woods. The bottom line is that we just had a fabulous time with our amazing family!!