Halloween!

Thanks to Grammy and Grandpa for the adorable little Snow White costume.  It was technically for a 2-year-old, and we all know Ava is already petite for her age, but Grammy was right - it was pretty small and fit Ava perfectly.  She looked adorable, and she knew it ;)

We went out with our neighbors to walk around the neighborhood.  Ava got to see all kinds of kids in costumes, and go for a ride in her carriage (a.k.a. Radio Flyer wagon).  She was the perfect little Snow White, and charmed all those we passed by. ;) 



Buckles and Crayons

Two of Ava's new favorite things are buckles and crayons (or rather anything that you can use to draw - I just happen to prefer crayons, as they wipe off tile much more easily than permanent markers).

In preparation for Halloween, and really as an early Christmas gift, we got Ava a wagon.  She LOVES it! Climbing in and out, putting all her stuffed animals inside, and especially buckling herself and her babies in the seat.  She is simply obsessed with fastening buckles all by herself.  She looks at you with the greatest sense of accomplishment when she does it...soon followed by much frustration, as undoing a buckle is much harder than snapping it together.  This happens in her car seat, her high chair, Bo's leash harness, and now her wagon.

Ava buckling her seat belt after putting her baby safely in her own seat

Ava's other passion is drawing.  We are getting pretty good at convincing her to only color on paper, although we often find some artwork that goes way outside the lines!  She loves when we draw with her, but she doesn't like it if you take your own paper and start drawing (as Daddy has learned), you have to draw with her...on the same paper!

Feet must always be propped up...I think it helps keep her from sliding :)

"Come draw with me!"

Oh the concentration of this little one!



Ava the busy bee ;)

A normal weekend at the Curtis household ;)

Our weekend consisted of organizing the house, doing laundry, doing some exercise, taking a few naps, and enjoying great company.  We did capture some of these moments below ;) 

We got to have dinner Saturday night at Vovô and Vovó's house, where Ava played A LOT!  She danced to music on tv, walked around in Mommy's shoes, teased Pipoca, and had a great time.

On Sunday afternoon, Grammy and Grandpa came over for some burgers and hanging out, so Ava was fortunate enough to get in some good quality time with all her grandparents. :)

A little strength training...

a little laundry...

helping fold clothes from inside the dryer...

checking out the Bumbo chair that was on its way to the garage for storage...

crashing on the couch watch the Travel Channel...

guess Mommy makes a good headrest...

and what sleeping hard on your tummy with your arm tucked under will do ;)

A new tradition is born... our annual visit to the pumpkin patch

Last year we were in Dallas where we got to visit the Dallas Arboretum with Ava and her cousin Bridgette to check out all the pumpkins.  This year, we visited a pumpkin patch near our new house, where Vovô and Vovó joined us (Grammy & Grandpa were in Dallas this weekend). 

Ava was pretty intrigued by all the pumpkins and kids around. Although, the fact that the place is near a small plane airport made it all the more exciting, considering how much Ava likes planes!  We walked around, saw pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.  What Ava liked most was trying to pick up the huge pumpkins and throwing the small ones as though they were balls.  Such a strong and funny little girl. :)  If you ask Ava to say pumpkin, she says "Punki" :) - so cute!

We took so many pictures, that I really couldn't narrow it down too much - so I hope you enjoy!

What a beautiful day to go pick pumpkins!!

"I like this one!!"

"Here Vovó, you hold it!"

Mommy and her little pumpkins ;)



What a difference a year makes!! (Ava 2009)   



"Look Daddy, I can pick up this one!"

"It's okay, I'll push the stroller"

"Let's take this one, I can ride it!"

"Just checking it all out with my Vovô."

All four of us! :)

There were even goats!

Two holidays in one: Christmas and Halloween!

Daddy and Ava by the haystack

"These little ones are the most fun to throw!"

"Which one should we take and which one should I throw?"

Little Miss Hollywood! ;)



Looks like Ava wants to travel!

After our trip to Dallas, I had unpacked the suitcase, but had not put it away.  Ava, of course, found it to be the perfect hiding place.  Looks like she would fit in our carry-on luggage... the airlines only charge $25 for the first bag, right? ;)

Where's Ava?

"Achou!"  Here I am!!

Buckles are so much fun to play with!

Mmmm...pasta!!!

Looks like pasta alfredo with broccoli is one of Ava's favorite dishes, she even needed two spoons to eat it!

What?

This stuff is good!

If only I could get these spoons to work better!

Those are some big shoes!

After our walk yesterday, Ava saw my tennis shoes and decided to try to put them on her feet.  She was very concentrated on what she was doing and didn't really see me taking pictures of her.  It's hard to believe that a 15 month old is already playing dress up with mommy's things! :)  So cute!