Night at the Museum

We took Miss A to the Dino Museum at Thanksgiving Point. It by far exceeded expectations. It was really big with lots of rooms. And it really felt like you were in the dino world. They had dim lighting and jungle sounds echoing throughout the rooms. Ava was interested but petrified at the same time. She probably though these things were real. So she was very good and kept super close to us at all times or wanted to be held. I gotta say at least she wasn't naughty so for that I was happy.

See below is how she was walking around, head up and in awe.

There were lots of fun activities for her to get involved. Maybe when she is a little older and less scared we will get a membership.

There was this dino statue that kids could play with. She is riding it below. Well, surprisingly she really liked it and would pet it and hug it. haha

Petting it.

This life sized turtle was HUGE. Wow I would not want to run into this guy at all.

Ava unknowingly walked into this and freaked out! I don't blame her on that. Wow so freaky!

And the last stop digging for dinos. Ava is so funny cuz she hates to get dirty. She is such a little girlie girl. So she was VERY careful walking in the sand and so dainty with the brush on the ground. Silly girl.

After we left the museum we headed out to get some yummy shakes. A perfect end to our President's Day weekend! Hope you all had a great one too!

Just Because

....I love her so much!

Build-A-Bear

So Ava's Birthday was basically celebrated all week. I really wanted to take her to Build-A-Bear since I felt she was finally old enough to get excited about picking one out. She is SO opinionated and knows exactly what she wants. I was encouraging her to pick a cute bear or bunny but nope all she wanted was a dog, a PINK dog. It is actually really cute. I ended up picking the outfit- its a rockstar dog- with a dress, microphone, and Ava picked out a purse. This dog got hooked up with all the add-ons.

So here we are washing her dog. She hated that air blowing out but she liked brushing the dog. This was our first time going here and it was pretty fun.

This is how she carries her dog everywhere, under her arm and she LOVES him. We named him Rainbow since she is obsessed with Rainbow Bright lately.

And the finished product..

Kissing her dog, she absolutly adores this thing. It now must go EVERYWHERE with us. I'm so glad she loves it tho, it makes it worth more what we paid. (She picked the most expensive stuffed animal there- Russ says I taught her that.. haha maybe)

Ava's Jungle Adventure

Well, Little Miss A's bday party turned out so cute and so fun! The guests included friends and family with their kids. It was just the right size for a 2 year old.


This is what the kids did when they first arrived they decorated jars with felt made to look like these animals. Everyone was so creative and they all turned out so cute. Then the kids got to fill the jars with candy or trailmix from the party to take home.

Ava working on her craft.

Then after they were done making those. I gave each kid a passport (made by me of course) and around the room were pictures of jungle animals hidden behind things on the walls etc. and each time a kid found one of them they got a sticker to put in their passport. By the end of the game all the kids had lots to show from their "jungle safari"! It was really fun and the kids all seemed to get really into it.

Along with each kid's passport they got their "goody bag" that included binoculars, compass, dora or deigo stickers and a stuffed animal of their choice. All of which would help them on their safari. The goody bags where a huge hit. I really wanted to give the kids something fun to take away from the party and not just junk and candy. If I'm gonna spend the money they should like it right? Yep.

Next up the food table. We had healthy treats and the cake was made by my amazing mom! It was really yummy too!

We decorating our houes with lots of animal print balloons, vines, and lots of plants and trees. Those were mainly in the entryway. I wanted it to feel as though people were entering into a jungle but didn't want it suffocating once they were in here thus less plants in the main part.

Ava really did great the whole party. I think it was easier on her since it was at our house this year so she felt at home and happier. Plus she's older now, 2 to be exact. haha

Just as we were getting ready to open gifts. She ran over to her chair and started throwing a bit of a diva fit.

Then it goes to the floor....

And the next second she is totally over it and happy as can be! She is such a little drama queen and loves attention. But she is moreover a happy little girl. So her fits never last long at all. We have been lucky the terrible 2's haven't seemed too bad yet.

I loved her little outfit :) She has the same skirt in red since I loved this one so much. Ahh.. little girls are heaven!

Opening gifts were such a fun part this year. She was really into it and would say, "Oh WOW!" During it and once she saw the gift. It was I'm sure quite entertaining and absolutely adorable!

Me and my 2 BFF's. We have been close since high school. We all have kids, husbands and morgages and we would do anything for eachother!

Ava with her cute little cousin, Ethan.

All in all I am happy with her party this year. I can't believe she is already 2! My oh my where has the time gone. I love that little girl to the moon and back 70 times 7. She is my everything. Russell and I love being parents and are so lucky to have her in our lives. I love you Little Miss Ava!