BIG 5!!!!!!!

 Happy BIG 5 Birthday to Ava!!!!!! She was SO excited to turn this age. She's been asking every day how many more days until she turns it. I'm so excited for her! It definitely is the beginning of a new era for her and one that is going to be full of lots of new experiences.  She celebrated by having lots of friends over and by her request having a huge water balloon fight. We also had a pinata and some lawn games - thanks to PopPop! Who speaking of.........surprised us with the best surprise-  HIM.  We had been wishing that we'd have family here for her fifth birthday and were happy to have him call earlier in the week and say he was coming. The kids were so happy to see him! It was a good day and I'm glad every one seemed to enjoy themselves.

Ava picked this one out and I was sort of sad to see her beat to bits. She was so cute!

Getting ready

Family Presents - thank you to all who sent gifts - she loves them all!

Setting up

I got a little carried away........this wasn't even fully set up.

Some of her little friends came over early.....they were having a dance party.  I loved it!

I was so bummed - the weather was so nice all the days up to her birthday and then we got cloudy weather - everyone rallied though

I love the cards Mimi makes for the kids each birthday

Water fight!!! The dads got WAY into it! :)

1000 water balloons went quickly!

PInata time!

She got the first whack!

Mason's turn!

Time to do a little bandaging to make it last longer

So. Andy was supposed to make another masterpiece but then we got to Costco and saw the rainbow which she wanted anyways and thought..........OK let's just order that bad boy

Alright so the little red haired boy is Ava's crush right now. She kept wooing him away from the slip n slide with food so he'd pay attention to her. And then they sat quietly at the dining room table and ate together. SO  STINKIN CUTE!

I'm FIVE!

All tuckered out after a very long, very fun day

LOL! So the next day she got into her presents finally absorbing them! She got hooked up GOOD!

This was a few days ago. Andy and I were watching a "not for kids movie" and heard the stool hit the floor and saw this. Next house - no open to below hallways upstairs :)

Mason discovered Ava's presents too! I'm guessing he'll be a lefty too!