Independence

  Have I mentioned that Ava is a little leech these days?  Always, always, always in my arms, by my side, crawling all over me.  It is super cute and sweet some moments and others it is just impossible.  Horsey rides while I hand mop the floor, side saddle while I vacuum/cook/help the other kids.  I am physically and emotionally exhausted by the end of the day!

  This is why I am so excited for her to have moments of independence.  And I'm not talking about the ones where she is by herself and up to no good: eating toothpaste, dumping the clean laundry out, clearing bookshelves, eating candy, etc.  I capture these ones because they are few and far between.

Reading Llama Llama books.  Any and all.

Other current faves of hers:  Red Hat, Green Hat; Jesus Loves Me; Baby Beluga 

  You might cringe with my excitement regarding this, but gosh sometimes I need a break.  She actually sat and watched a portion of a cartoon without me.  Paw Patrol is a winner.  I remember being so excited when Hannah finally watched a cartoon, she was almost 2.5 when it finally happened.  For her it was Sesame Street.

  This is just another step on her way to independence...joining us at the table!  No more tray with the booster.  Only because she was REFUSING to sit in her seat.  Aren't arched backs the funnest thing to try to buckle in?  :)  She was feeling like a queen sitting with all of us at the table.  It was pretty cute.

  We are halfway through the week and I can't wait till it's over!  Mike is out of town for work and I'm kinda over traveling this year.  Fortunately, I am not alone since my mom came down to help out.  I am having an especially difficult time with all 4 by myself at the moment and I need extra hands.  More thoughts on that later.  In the meantime, get us to the long weekend!  We're almost there!