What a Weekend!

Grandma Pam came down from Michigan and stayed with us this past Wednesday night through Sunday night. We packed more into this trip than ever! We had a picnic at the park once, went to the park once more, took a few wagon rides, went to Chuck E. Cheese, saw the Sesame Street exhibit at the Atlanta Children's Museum, ate at Frankie's, went to the Atlanta Zoo to celebrate Mei Lan's first birthday (baby panda), visited the bookstore, watched the Wiggles (DVD) and just had some great fun playing.

It was in the low 90's when Grandma Pam visited, but it didn't stop us from visiting the park a few times or going to the zoo. Ava was a trooper through our many excursions this weekend. Naptime was definitely delayed more than not; we had so much to see! It was really cute to look in the back seat and see Ava making googly-eyes at Grandma. (Ava would say "boo" to Grandma Pam, and they would go back and forth scaring each other and laughing!) Ava will definitely miss her back-seat buddy, now that Grandma has gone home to Michigan.

Rockin' Out and Singing in the Car (and this is one of her more "tame" responses to this song... It's definitely a favorite!)


Sesame Street Exhibit at the Atlanta Children's Museum


Too Much Fun!


Can You Tell Me How To Get To Sesame Street?


Ava, Grandma Pam and Elmo FOUND Sesame Street!


Gone Fishin'


Hangin' Out on Sesame Street


Okay, the Careys will love this one... Hi Mousie!!! ;-) Like Father, like daughter?


Playing with some "moon sand" at the Atlanta Children's Museum


The Farm at the Children's Museum


Gettin' Down On The Farm


A Bulldozer ride at the Children's Museum


Two actors put on a really cute skit for the kids at the museum


Blowing Kisses to Elmo and Zoe


Daddy and Ava at the Park


Hard at Work!


Ava will now open her mouth and show her teeth when you ask her to say "cheese", or inquire of her to "show me your teeth". If you enlarge this picture, you'll get a better view at those choppers...


The Zoo Crew


A Bird's Eye View of the Zoo


Zebras and a Giraffe at the Zoo


Three Girl Elephants, Up To Their Tricks


Happy 1st Birthday to Mei Lan!


Excited About Pandas!


Gorillas


These Kangaroos Were Slacking On the Job (who wouldn't in 90 degree weather?)


Walking Around the Zoo


After a Full Day at the Zoo!


Having Fun with Grandma Pam


Pointing Out the Panda Bear


Ava loves her "bee" (her bear). She was ecstatic when we saw the pandas at the zoo and laughed and danced with great excitement. She seemed to enjoy the elephants, kangaroos, monkeys, and REALLY liked the piggies at the petting zoo. As long as Daddy was within arm's-length, she felt courageous enough to pet the animals (in the petting zoo).

She LOVED the "Bob the Builder" bulldozer at Chuck E. Cheese. It didn't really matter whether we put in a token, or not. It was just her size. This made Daddy a very happy guy...a daughter interested in the building trade! She also really liked Chuck E., as he sang and danced on stage.




I think she has the title to this car somewhere...at least she thinks she does!


At the park, she is now daring enough to climb up the slide and slide down by herself. (This wasn't the case last week!) She LOVES a racecar that stands on a spring-type post. I think she thinks she owns the car... When other kids come near the car, she just runs away and plays with something else. She now fully enunciates "Dad-dy" and "Mom-my". She also said "all done" very well the other day (no longer ahh-duh). She says "My Daddy", "My Mommy", "Happy", "Open", quite often.

Slip-slidin' Away


We're looking forward to a happily busy Fall, filled with pumpkins, cool weather, crunchy leaves, fun events and family!

With love,
Shelly