Big Birthday Weekend

Ok, I'd hoped to have my act together so I could add photos to this post, but alas, t'was not meant to be. I'll post them later.

Ava's big 2nd birthday was last weekend - actually, the fun started Thursday at daycare, with birthday cupcakes with all the friends. Apparently a good time was had by all, and knowing that you're responsible for about 15 chocolate-smeared, sugar-fueled little hellions is kind of fun.

Friday, her birthday proper, Casey and I took off work, ostensibly to celebrate her birthday, but with a couple of errands (such as taking the car in for new brakes) thrown in. But we did manage to take her to see her first movie in a theater, Curious George. Casey and I were awed at the sheer numbers of kids that were in the theater on a Friday mid-day, but Ava seemed to enjoy it, enjoyed the popcorn and candy, and didn't even squirm until about 2/3 of the way through, so it seemed a big success. Plot was pretty weak, but the animation, particularly of George himself was very cute.

We came home for cake, but being full of candy and popcorn, there wasn't a lot of interest on anyone's part. We opened one present - from Uncle Parvin, Aunt Angie & Crawford, which went over very well. Ava definitely had the opening portion down well, and really enjoyed the puzzle and shirt within.

Saturday, Grandma Sue, Grandpa Steve, Grandpa Parvin, Monio, Aunt Shannon and Uncle Jeff, cousins and the Joneses all came over, and Ava was completely in her element as hostess. Actually, she seemed more excited about all the people than in the enormous amount of booty she received. Thanks to everyone for all the cool gifts - she's been having a ball with the toys, and wearing a bunch of the clothes already.

Sunday we hosted Grandpa Mike and Grandma Patty, and Ava shared with them one of her favorite movies, Finding Nemo. She loved her tinkerbell, motion light and talking parrot toys.

Monday, going back to the normal grind was a bit tougher - Ava seemed to miss the company. Plus, as an added bonus, Casey was informed that Ava's been a bit less than gentle with her classmates - apparently sitting on the heads of others has become a favorite entertainment. Suddenly, the chanting under her breath of "no hitting, no biting" was horribly clear. We've been giving her little lectures ever since about being nice to the other kids, adding "no pushing, and no kicking" to her little mantra.

I'm not sure what it says about us, but Casey and I confessed to each other that there was a tiny little part of us that was happy that she was a bit of a bruiser. Regardless of our shameful pride in our little bully, we've dutifully been trying to squash the behavior. Hopefully, it's just a phase, and she'll stop doing it. We'll keep you updated!