Easter....Take 1

My mom is going to be out of town for Easter weekend, so we celebrated Easter yesterday. We had a delicious lunch and then the kids hunted eggs. I practiced with Ava on Saturday because Erica's kids are serious egg hunters!! Even though it was a little cool, she had so much fun and thinks there are eggs hidden outside all the time. We went to the store this morning and on our way to get in the car she was looking for eggs.

My mom has a small farm of chickens and peacocks and some other birds (I think), but she had some brand new chicks in the house and Ava was amazed!!

The Easter Egg Hunt - my mom bought cute baskets for all the kids and hid tons of eggs. She always has a golden egg ($10) and a silver egg ($5). Of course, Ava only wanted the candy!


Here is Sam when I am holding him -


and here he is when I am not!!!!

Ava and Erica

Happy early Easter everyone!!

Pigtails and Crewcuts

Ava got her first haircut yesterday. What a precious little thing!! She was so good during the whole process - you would have never known it was the first time. She has cute blond, curly hair and I want it to get long, but it was looking a little shaggy. A friend of mine told me about this place in Little Rock that specializes in haircuts for kids, so we went to check it out. It was great. They have fun seats and the kids can choose - Ava chose the airplane. And as soon as she sat down the stylist offered her a lollipop (pink, of course) and there were TVs playing cartoons everywhere.

Ava held her lollipop out to the side during the entire haircut.

Sam is keeping his eyes on Mommy!!


All done - it is layered and very cute. She was so excited and finally got to eat the lollipop!

We also took advantage of the beautiful weather to run out to the Old Mill and walk around. The flowers and the trees were in full bloom and it was SO beautiful. Andrea picked up some bread and Ava loved feeding the ducks. She is still talking about that.

Mimi and Ava

Sam and Mommy

Wouldn't it be great if my kids would smile for the camera!! (OH well)

What a cutie!

Is he a little James or what - he has the James facial expression down to a tee!

Ava could not get any closer to the ducks and she could have watched them for hours. It was definitely her favorite part of the day!!

A Whole Lot of Nothing

There has not been much to report on lately. We have all taken turns with a head cold so we haven't really left the house in about a week. This is Sam's first "sickness" and if this experience is any indicator for the future, he is definitely a little man!!! Ava is a trooper - she might be a little whiny, but that is it. Sam, on the other hand, is very dramatic!!! Here are some pictures from our week at home.


Watching some TV - Sam will usually sit there for a little while. Ava does not move from this position or look at anything except the TV while her show is on!


Ava loves to play hide and seek with Sam while I am cleaning the kitchen - so cute!!

We had the Potts family over for dinner this week and had lots of fun playing and eating Mexican food.

Sam and Brooks - those are tears in Sam's eyes b/c I walked away for 15 seconds to grab my camera!!
Ava and Blakely - I am loving Blakely's cute little hairstyle.

Decorating Dilemma

I have been trying to decorate a bathroom for Sam and Ava for months now. I just can't figure it out - it is so hard decorating for a boy and a girl. Of course, Sam could care less right now and Ava will be happy with anything pink (more about that later!!), but I want to do something that will last a while. Now, one problem is that I have an unhealthy obsession with Pottery Barn Kids and I am trying to go cheap on this bathroom. However, I do believe I found the ideal bathroom (from Pottery Barn Kids) and I am going to try and get this look on a budget.

It will be pink butterflies and flowers on Ava's side and green bugs and frogs on Sam's!! I have already found several pieces on ebay and I may have to enlist the help of my creative sister (hint hint)!!

On a side note, Ava did something today that has me very worried for our future together. We were at the photographers picking up Sam's 6 month pics and he asked if she would like a lollipop for the ride home. Well duh!! Does Ava want a lollipop - of course!! Now when he offered her the bowl to choose and said "What color would you like," she replied, "pink." Well , there were no pink lollipops so I suggested purple. Ava said, "NO, PINK" - Are you kidding me? She refused a lollipop because it wasn't pink. The nice photographer dug through the bag for a pink and all was well!!!

On this day...

One year ago


Our trip to Wye Mountain with Papa, Mimi, Erica and the kids. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will make another trip very soon.

It was fun while it lasted...

I am behind on my blogging because we have been spending so much time outside in this beautiful weather. Today it looks like we are not going to be so lucky. I took some pictures on Sunday - I could not get a normal picture of Ava because she wants to say "cheese"!!!

A flower for Mommy

Look at that cute litte smile!!

My little model - already posing with the lips!!

Sam enjoying the golf cart ride

James and Ava stopped to look at the water - James thinks he is going to take her fishing there this summer - HA!! Good luck with that!!

A week of firsts

Ava has had an eventful week!! We have moved her from the high chair to the big table and we have started potty training! Well, at least we bought a Dora potty. She has no interest whatsoever though. I just had a moment last week where I think I changed 15 diapers in a day and I swear every time I turn around I see a diaper - it makes me crazy!! To say the least, I am very motivated to get this potty training thing started. The only thing I am scared of - PUBLIC RESTROOMS!!!! I will keep everyone updated on our progress.

As you can see, she loves sitting at the big table.

Also, Sam had his 6 month checkup today and shots (poor baby!). He is 18 lbs. 6 oz. and 27 1/2 inches long. He is in the 75th percentile in both. He is doing great - the dr. could barely hear his heart murmur - YAY!!