This and That

Two weeks ago, Elise and her best friend Ella did another cheer camp at St. Mary's and performed at the football game last Friday.  First they circle up for prayer before the game.

Then they head onto the field for their performance.

She has been taking gymnastics so of course we saw a few cartwheels and handstands!  Then they all came in for pictures and with all the parents down on the field, I felt like a member of the papparazzi!

Elise and Ella have such a sweet, fun friendship.  They don't spend tons of time together (they are in different classes AGAIN!) but they always pick up where they left off and are so comfortable being silly and goofy around each other. 

Saturday night Mark and I went to a wedding reception for a friend from high school.  It is always such a treat to get dressed up and go out with my hubby.  I have to stick a picture in because it doesn't always happen.

I have really been enjoying my time home with Ava.  She is at such a funny age and I am really trying to put the laundry, dishes and bills aside to spend time playing with her.  The other day I introduced her to Elefun and she thougt it was so exciting trying to scoop up the butterflies.

Then she was just having fun with the net.  We giggled and giggled.

Here are some other random Ava moments. 





I remember feeling a little nervous when I was pregnant with Ava wondering how I could possibly be as good of a mother to her and find the time in my hectic days to just enjoy her.  Well, those fears quickly subsided and I have always been blessed with some moments to just share with her.  She really is a little spark around our house.  She is feisty, determined, and she adores her siblings.  Ava Jane means "God is gracious with life".  God has been so gracious to us!

And on a final note, I think it is easy to read a blog and get the impression that a person's life is all happy and fun and picture worthy.  Sometimes life is the daily grind and in my case, the daily MESS.  Here is what I found when I moved the couch to clean underneath it the other day.

I am not totally certain but I think this is blue goo that my kids brought home from Peter Piper's or something.  I had to scrape it off with a trowel.  Awesome.