Gingerbread Cookies

 Ava and I did something new and special together.

She grabbed her step stool, I rolled, and she cut.

 

We both ate little scraps. Who doesn't? It's cookie dough, and delicious dough at that!

(Recipe here)

 

I love the smell and fun of holiday baking!

We are already planning sugar cookies for the neighbors.

What They Wore

 Consider these facts:

1: I love clothes

2: I have three daughters

3: So far, two of my three daughters love clothes

So, in the natural course of our lives, striking and dramatic clothing combinations are worn.

I present to you some of my recent favorites:

 

Aren't they sweet? 

:-)

October Review

  Hello again! It has been busy around here, and blogging hasn't been strongly on my mind.

Thanks to social media, it's fairly easy to post the occasional photo on Facebook.

However, not all of my readers are Facebookers, and so I really am sorry for the lack of posts on here.

Okay, so here's a recap of October. (Did anyone else feel like that last month went really, really quickly?)

I introduced the girls to pumpkin smoothies. Big hit!

 

 Olivia learned to sit up all by herself, and had her first little pigtail. Although, she was really mad at me for pulling her hair. Poor baby...

Olivia has also figured out which toys are her favorite. 

Lucy is 2.5 years old. Her fashion sense expands every day, and she is now potty trained. Can I get a WOOT WOOT?! I really adore only having one in diapers right now.

Seriously, how fabulous is her smile?! I adore her little grins and giggles and coos. She is completely darling!

I took Ava shopping one day. Just look how grown up she is! 

(Sorry, this is a sub-quality phone picture.)

 All three. This day they all ended up in purple and teal. 

Actually, they frequently dress similarly without even trying.

AH, more cheese!

Scott has started taking the older girls out on breakfast dates. 

They adore their time with daddy, and are always asking when it's their turn for a date again.

I frequently hear them play-acting going on a date. Sometimes with daddy, and sometimes with each other. It's pretty cute, and I'm working on not hyperventilating over the thought of them actually being old enough to have a boyfriend. (Be still, my heart!) 

Anyway, these are great experiences for how a gentleman treats a lady!

By now I'm sure you realize that Babycakes is totally adored, right?

We finally finished the patio! Mr. Wonderful planned this well, and has laid it well. 

The drainage issues are resolved (we've had some rain to help test this), and the aesthetics really can't be beat! It's our new favorite spot to spend an evening.

So, with that, I'll leave you with a cozy fire to warm your brisk autumn day:

Next up: "Maybe she'll post in November, about November!"

Ava Grace {4}

 September 28th...

that day my life changed forever.

This little girl revolutionized my world

and threw me into the arena called Parenting.

For all the wisdom I thought I possessed, 

she has proven me inadequate over and over again.

And for all those times, God has shown that He is the only true parent,

and I am just a vessel. 

 Through Ava, God has taught me about 

honesty, integrity, humor,

balance, silliness, structure,

holiness, strength, and honor.

 

 (One year)

Through her eyes the world is a different place,

and yet we are very similar.

She is strong-willed, opinionated, and almost desperate in her quest to make everyone else follow the rules.

 (Two years)

 She is learning right from wrong.

Her vocabulary stumps adults on occasion.

She loves to sing about Jesus.

Memory verses are getting stored away; her heart is tender toward God.

(Three Years)

Now, I am four years into this journey that no one warned me about.

No one told me the way my heart would break when her feelings got hurt,

or how much anxiety when she is unsure about a new task.

I had no idea the frustration she would cause, or the excitement she would take everywhere she goes.

 

She sings, tells stories, narrates adventures for her toys, dances, and loves to be crazy.

Her whole world is a place of twirling happiness...

it hurts when a harsher reality cracks her sphere of sunshine.

 

This girl has the potential to be anything she wants to be.

She can travel, explore, or stay and have her own family.

The future has endless potential for Ava.

 

Ultimately, in everything she does, our desire is that she have God first,

that she choose the Lord Jesus as her salvation.

May her true purpose be in Christ, 

and may that shine to others.

 

Love you forever, sweetheart.

I am so glad you are my daughter.

Ava's Birthday

 Happy Birthday!

Red streamers all around.

We surprised her with a parade (part of our local Oktemberfest).

 This included seeing one of her favorite friends, Allison, and making new friends in Allison's cousins.

 Oh, and there were Minions. That was probably their favorite part.

Then her favorite, Pizza Ranch, for lunch. She eats the chicken and not the pizza. But hey, it's the best chicken, no joke.

Then the blackboard picture:

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Pizza Ranch Chicken

What I want to be when I grow up: A Woman (so she can eat gum)

The big gift this year: A new bike!

(She needs a lot of practice.)

 She isn't naturally adventurous, so it was a big deal to get on a big bike and pedal!

 Eventually, Scott just put the thing up on blocks so Ava could practice pedaling and not worry about crashing. Haha! She looks at her feet...so you see the safety risks...

Ava said it was the best birthday ever! 

She certainly is the most wonderful oldest child I ever could have had. 

Happy 4th Birthday, Miss Ava!