Sandy÷10=Ava

As Ava slid off her chair at the kitchen table this morning, she proudly exclaimed, "I did it like that because I'm a BIG girl now." And she is a big girl, indeed. We just celebrated Ava's 3rd birthday, and we are daily amazed by how grown up our little once-baby is becoming. She is so much fun--full of giggling, cuddling, playing, questioning, observing, and sharing. For the first few months of Ava's life, Derek and I mourned each passing day, because we thought she was so perfect and didn't want her to change one tiny bit. We eventually realized that each new stage of her life brings something interesting and fun along with it, so we are trying to embrace her growth into childhood rather than bemoan the passing of her babyhood. But it's not easy.

We began a tradition when Ava was one year old of eating at a pancake house for her birthday, and we continued this year by trying out the Original Pancake House down the street. Oh, yum. The pecan pancakes and fresh-squeezed OJ were delish. I'm still full, and it's been over a day since we were there. When birthday time rolls around, we have also discovered that Ava is quite wary of indoor flames (which we appreciate, as parents and future homeowners): she has always regarded candles with a healthy dose of suspicion, as is documented below.

And now for our little trip down birthday lane.

Ava on her Original Birthday (no pancake house this year):

1st Birthday



2nd Birthday



3rd Birthday


Ava's birthday lunch: cheese, ham, and bread puppies! Arf Arf!

And PJ enjoyed the festivities, as well. Here she is showing Ava how candle-blowing is really done.