rock n roll!

Well, some things are just destiny, I guess. I am cursed to be surrounded by those with love of hard rock/ metal music. First my brother, then my roommates, (with the exception of Deanna and Susan, although I think Deanna hid a heavy metal past), then my husband. Now, the final blow - my daughter. Almost from birth, she's always responded to those heavy beats and sreaming guitars. The photo above was taken while driving with Daddy, in between cries of "Rock and Roll!!". When System of a Down comes on, she goes for full head banging glory. I guess I must be the only one to have inherited the apparently recessive dance music gene.

Fancy Cake

Here's the cake we had made for Ava's birthday....looked pretty good, but alas, tasted dry and mealy.

Maybe we should have explained it as a metaphor for life...so many things that look perfect on the outside are a bit lacking on the inside, and vice versa.

Of course, Ava didn't complain. I wonder if kids really register taste, or simply sugar content.

Birthday!

Whee! Ava's had a great time celebrating her birthday this year - a party at school, one at our place, and one at Aunt Shannon's and Uncle Jeff's! I didn't have that much fuss made over me when I turned 16! But then again, I probably would have "died" of embarrasment if my parents HAD tried to throw me a 16th birthday party....

In any case, Ava was queen for the day three times, which was probably her favorite part, even above presents. I got a really fancy cake - with the Little Mermaid and everything, but alas, she didn't even seem to care. Goes to show you that even when you're in charge of almost every aspect of their lives, you still can't really predict what a person will really go for! Still, we did ok - She did really enjoy her goodies, particularly all the "princess" gear that she received. Every day she's been dressing up, and now seems to walk as well in heels as I do.

On the parent front, three seems to be much better than the latter part of two...we've cut down on tantrums by a significant percent, and have even logged a few "naughty-chair" free days! Thank goodness....I feared I might lose my mind in the days of the constant battles for supremacy. Obviously, we've won the battle, but not the war, and we maintain constant vigilance. :)