Young Grasshoppers: Six!

Ava-cakes turned six on Monday! We decided instead of doing a big birthday party this year; that we would take her up north to a water park/amusement park called Wild Waves. It was so much fun! But since we had to drag what we had on us down the slides, I was unable to get any pictures. Trust me, they had a blast!! I can't wait till next year when they are both tall enough to go on the big rides because they loved them. Thank goodness Mason is tall for his age because both he and Ava maintain the same height within a few inches of each other so they mostly can ride the same things.

Monday, on her actual birthday, Andy left work early and brought her to my work so we could eat lunch together. It was so cute to see how excited she was to see my desk and meet my co-workers. After work we had her friends over for cake and a water fight. It was the most low key birthday ever. I literally spread a blanket on the grass and let the kids sit there and we blew out candles in the garage because of the wind. But she woke up the next morning saying it was her best birthday ever........so glad she's easy to please!

I'm really looking forward to watching her grow this year. Thinking back to the tiny jaundiced baby she was this time six years ago and now seeing her be this little kid who is a whiz at math and is so incredibly thoughtful, compassionate, and funny; I feel so lucky to get to nurture her and give her a safe, happy, warm (not temperature wise) place to grow up. She deserves the best and I hope we're at least doing her some justice in that department. She doesn't take much parenting so it's kind of hard to take any credit for the amazing person she is. I love how much of an old soul she seems to be and how much of life she just "gets" without much explanation.

Wearing the birthday hat at my work

Red Robin time!

Nothing says being a kid like staying cool during the summer in a bucket

Water fight time!

Andy made her this at her request...after she googled six year old birthday cakes on the iPad.

Presents time!

Opening Michelle's present

SO EXCITED

This was on her birthday list that she wrote for Michelle while in San Diego

Checking it out

Super cute birthday card from Nana and Alex

Ava started playing this game yesterday and she cried when we told her at 11pm last night she had to put it down........she woke up this morning and started playing it more. She's doing the subtraction in her head and already has two pets and on her way to a third. Future gamer? Uh oh..........