Busy, Busy, Busy!

We have been busy here in the Gardner household. Here are a few highlights from this past week:

My sister-in-law's friend contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would be interested in purchasing her daughter's play kitchen set. The original plan was for my mom to buy the kitchen and put it in her house for Ava to play with when we visit. Well, the kitchen came, and it was much cuter than I had anticipated. It's pink. It's retro. It's awesome. My mom is still the one who purchased the kitchen set.... Only, she will be giving the kitchen set to Ava for Christmas since I have decided the kitchen will be staying at our house.

At some point, I am going to have to put the kitchen away until the morning of December 25th! Until then.... Ava has enjoyed testing out her new kitchen set. Of all of the gadgets this kitchen has to offer, Ava's favorite thing to play with is the sink. Maybe this means she will enjoy doing dishes in the years to come. Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part.

This past Wednesday, we celebrated Matt's birthday! He probably wouldn't want me to mention how old he is (ahem, 32), so I will have to keep my lips sealed. I'm all for finding any excuse to eat cake/cupcakes/anything with chocolate, so I made a cupcake tower for the Birfday Boy.

  

Also this past week, Ava enjoyed playing with her best bud, Fergie.

Ava also enjoyed looking at her animal flash cards. She can point out the dog, bird, monkey and cat. When we show her the lion card, she makes a grunting sound that I can only assume is her attempt at a, "ROAR!" Take a look at the card she picked out of this pile.... That's right, frog. Atta girl!

Our little girl continues to grow up so fast. She is now able to put food in her mouth using her very own fork. Granted, one of us has to put the food on the fork for her, but in her mouth it goes!

This morning, Ava and I went to cheer on cousin Anna during her volleyball game. Anna is only 10 years old, and already, she is more athletically coordinated than I could ever hope to be. Great job today, Anna Banana!

While watching the volleyball action, Ava enjoyed being held by cousin, Owen. Thanks for keeping her occupied Owen, and for letting her play with your silly bands! :)

To finish off our day today, Ava and I went to cousin Leah's 2nd birthday party. Her shirt explains it all! :) What a cutie. Anyone care to venture a guess as to why Matt wasn't around much today? UNC Football. Need I say more? At least he didn't get sunburned this time.

 Matt and I love fall. We really love everything from now until New Year's Eve. We love the decorations, the weather, the excitement, the family, the get togethers, the celebrations... all of it! This year, things seem to be even sweeter since we get to share it all with our Little Pumpkin, our gift from God.