Ava at age 5

I always like to reflect around birthdays.  With Ava turning 5, here are some highlights of her life as of right now.  

1.  She's playing soccer, her first sport.  I'm thinking she won't make it into a career, but she is having fun.  She has been goalie twice, and I'm not sure anyone told her she is supposed to block the balls from coming in.  They kick it in, and then she gets to kick it back out.  What's not to love about that?  And she does the best jumping jacks!

2.  She has started qualifying everyone and everything as the best in the whole wode (world).  Best meal, best family, best people.  I hope she keeps that optimism!

3.  She is a repetitive person who will read the same books and sing the same songs over and over again.  Right now, she loves to sing and read her mother goose rhyme books.  

4.  She is a girly girl and loves princesses and stuffed animals and being pretty.  I try to remind her that she is prettiest when she smiles and is kind.  

5.  She is shy and quiet; but when she is comfortable, she can be very silly.  She has a funny sense of humor and makes us laugh.  

6.  She takes after Matt with her looks and personality.  Along with her sense of humor, she is laidback and easy to be with.  She is sensitive and internalizes her feelings sometimes.  She has a gap in her front teeth that is genetic from my family.  So far, I'm glad to see she's holding onto Matt's blonde hair!

7.  I think she loves and depends on Jack more than anyone else.  They have their tough moments, but for the most part, really love being together.  

8.  She is a creature of habit and like Matt could eat the same thing every day.  She always wants pancakes for breakfast, loves peanut butter and jelly for lunch, and crackers or chips otherwise.  She loves fruit and is not that interested in desserts.  Hmm - we don't understand that, but it's probably a good thing.  

9.  She will be starting kindergarten this year, so this is very exciting!  

10.  Her "L"s are still pronounced like "Y"s, and she is still struggling with her "R"s.  I am sort of hanging onto it since she's my baby, but I know it won't last forever.  

Ava is a delight to us, and we are grateful for her and the opportunity to spend time with her and train her every day.  Pray for us and her too!