Ava's first two weeks in Ms. Rhonda's 3's class have been great. She seems to be adjusting no problem. We have been encountering some more challenging behavior at home; including a regression in potty training, defiance, and more tantrums. I think some of it could be linked to my baby nesting mode. I noticed when I wasn't as focused on the baby stuff, or talking about it as much, Ava's behavior improved.
We should be getting the girl's bedroom furniture in the next couple of weeks. Just a tiny bit trim work for me to do in their room, and we are officially done with the home improvement checklist before Zoe arrives. I have been sorting and organizing baby clothes, drawers, etc. When Ava saw me unpack the Baby Einstein videos, she insisted on watching them. Luckily, this only lasted for two days and I think she got it out of her system. She will be quite the big sister, I'm sure.
Otherwise, we have officially wrapped up swim lessons for the summer. Ava loved them, and made huge strides in her development since May. She is now taking a weekly preschool ballet class with a couple of her friends. She has been doing well.. still practicing on the listening. We just started a new Saturday activity.. tap and acrobatics. She did really well for her first time, and I think this will be a fun fall activity for her. I have attached several videos of Ava in action. Enjoy!
Ava's school is closed for two weeks (last week, and this week) for teacher training and renovation. Next week she will be starting in the 3's room at her preschool with a new teacher, Ms. Rhonda. Ava will go to preschool 3 mornings per week, and I'm looking forward to some down time!
We have been enjoying the free time scheduling fun activities with friends & family. We have been continuing swim lessons, and this will be our second week of dance lessons (see previous blog for video!). We enjoyed some mall shopping & playtime with Grammy & Grandad last week, and Ava rode the mall train with grammy. Last Friday Ava & her friend Spencer enjoyed a morning of open gym playtime together. We stayed busy over the weekend with swim lessons, a birthday party, and The Smurf Movie. This morning we met up with friends Maggie & Spencer for the playtime at the mall in the A/C. Ava has also been very busy at home with all her new toys from friends & family for her 3rd birthday! Here are some pictures of our additional time off together:
We signed up Ava and her friends Eloise & Maggie for a summer dance class together. They all did great in their 1st class, and we are looking forward to the next! Click on the link below for photos & video from class:
If you are wondering why I haven't blogged in a while, it's because I was in major party planning mode. The week before the party I made home made strawberry lemonade, tissue paper flowers, and about 90 cupcakes complete with home made cream cheese icing. Plus more.
The Mad Tea Party took place on Saturday afternoon. Ava & her dear friend Courtney were born on the same day. This was our 2nd year doing a joint birthday party with the two girls. Courtney's parents hosted the party at their new house in Central Phoenix. The girls wore matching Alice In Wonderland 'Alice' retro dresses from an Etsy shop.
The party decor included vibrant tissue paper flowers & chair backers, edible tea cups filled with rainbow goldfish & pretzel sticks labeled "try me". The cupcakes were in 4 different favors and had four different colors of icing & sprinkles topped with "eat me". For our party guests we had Mad Hatter Hats for the boys (although I saw quite a few boys leaving the party with the tiara's on their head!!) and glittery tiara's for the girls. Our favor bags labeled "take me" included a Slinky Jr. and Alice In Wonderland book.
For entertainment we had a Balloon Artist make each party guest twisted balloons of their choice. She brought two large tea pot balloons to add to our party decor which turned out great. She made some really unique balloons for the kids including a giraffe, butterfly & fishing rod with a suspended fish. She was great, and added a definite fun factor to the party.
Ava & Courtney seemed to have a great time with both each other and their friends & family. They played in bubbles together, and played a wild game of "Ring Around The Rosy" after eating their birthday cupcakes. We are so thankful for our wonderful friends & family for joining us to celebrate this milestone in our girls' lives. Thank you for making the party so much fun for all!
After school, we came home to
If you are wondering why I haven't blogged in a while, it's because I was in major party planning mode. The week before the party I made home made strawberry lemonade, tissue paper flowers, and about 90 cupcakes complete with home made cream cheese icing. Plus more.
The Mad Tea Party took place on Saturday afternoon. Ava & her dear friend Courtney were born on the same day. This was our 2nd year doing a joint birthday party with the two girls. Courtney's parents hosted the party at their new house in Central Phoenix. The girls wore matching Alice In Wonderland 'Alice' retro dresses from an Etsy shop.
The party decor included vibrant tissue paper flowers & chair backers, edible tea cups filled with rainbow goldfish & pretzel sticks labeled "try me". The cupcakes were in 4 different favors and had four different colors of icing & sprinkles topped with "eat me". For our party guests we had Mad Hatter Hats for the boys (although I saw quite a few boys leaving the party with the tiara's on their head!!) and glittery tiara's for the girls. Our favor bags labeled "take me" included a Slinky Jr. and Alice In Wonderland book.
