Fun with Finger Paint

 It's been pretty hot out (we're talking Virginia heat) and Ava is not a fan of it.  If she isn't in the pool she has no interest in being outside.  We went to Michael's the other day and stocked up on some craft supplies.  She loves to color and finger paint.  This was Ava's first time finger painting. 

 We started off with Crayola ColorWonder fingerpaint.

Her finished project :)  Pretty good, right?!

Little Monkey

 Ava is climbing everything lately!  The other day I caught her climbing on top of her horse.  Check out her balance!  I found an advertisement for a gymnastics class for 18 month olds.  We'll be signing up very soon!  I think she's going to enjoy it :)

 She climbed up and just stood there for a while.  Crazy kiddo :)

Checking out the view

It's here...finally!

Ava's Grandma and Papa ordered her a chair for her first birthday and it's finally here!  That was some backorder!  My parents brought Ava's chair over last week and she absolutely loves it.  I think her favorite part is that fact that her name is on it.  She points to each letter and waits for you to say the letter name then claps afterward.

She loves that she can get in and out of it all by herself.  Thank you Grandmama and Papa!

Water Baby

Ava has recently decided that bathing suits are for playing and clothes are for swimming in.  Any time she has her bathing suit on she stays as far away from her pool as possible, but the minute we go outside to play in the yard or on the deck she instantly goes to the pool! 

Trying to fill her Daddy's shoes

Ava loves trying on shoes right now.  As soon as she was finished splashing around she went directly to her Daddy's sandals.  I think it will be awhile before she fits into them!

4th of July Weekend



Swimming with Daddy and Grandma Linda



Happy 4th of July! 

We had a very busy (but fun!) weekend!  On Saturday, Grandma Linda, Opa, Great Grandma Louie and Ozzie came for dinner.  It was a beautiful day!

check out that form!



 

 

On Sunday, we met my parents at Godfrey's Pond for the Van Scoy's annual picnic.  Ava had a wonderful time!

Visiting the birds



walking with Grandma




hanging out with Papa





Ava and her Daddy



Grandma and Papa even participated in the water balloon toss!



checking out the festival



We hung around the house during the day on Monday, then went to check out the Chili Chil-E-Fest and the parade.  We stayed for about half of the parade and then came home for dinner.  I think Ava was happy to spend time playing at home.



waiting for the parade to start



touring the parade route




having fun in her house


 

Isn't she adorable!?

 

Such a happy little girl!



Slime Time

I've been reading a blog about creative things to do with children.  It is incredible!  The blog is written by a couple of Stay at Home Moms who have kids ages 3, 2, and 15 months.  These women do amazing things with their children.  Today I decided to try out one of the activities on the blog.  I thought we should start with something easy so Ava and I made slime....or tried to anyway.  I don't think it came out exactly the way it should have.  Ava enjoyed pouring the water and cornstarch into the bowl and she even tried to stir it for about 15 seconds before deciding that the slime would be a delicious thing to eat.  She quickly realized that she could spread our concoction everywhere!  Thank goodness we did this outside. I think she had fun with it.  Ava slimed the steps, the deck floor, her water table, me and herself.  Luckily, Mason thought it was too hot to be outside today.  Otherwise, I'm sure our black dog would be covered in white goo.  I'm hoping to try one activity from the blog each week. 

 For some reason, I didn't think to take a picture anything that was covered in slime.  Next time!



I don't think she was too sure about this



realizing how fun it is to be messy

Stirring...

 

And into the mouth....this became a game.  She thought it was hilarious :)



Right before the slime went everywhere



Magnets



hard at work





Casey created a magnetic wall in the kitchen for Ava.  After 8 coats of magnetic paint, it's finally finished.  Ava seems to like it!  She was very proud of herself when she realized what she could do with it.





Check out my little genius! 
I think she was trying to make 'fun' on the wall ;)