One more before the big day

We are so excited for the weekend and Ava's big party.  We have quite a big group coming this year.  I mean, it's a 5th birthday!  Come on!  That's a big one!  I am looking forward to having the whole family in town and being with them and our friends and celebrating my girl's big day.  I don't think she's even aware of what's coming.  So I hope she feels special when it happens.  

Lately she has been saying lots of things like - 

You the best mommy in the whole wode!

You make the best soup in the whole wode!

I just yove evewyone in the whole wode.

You get the idea. I never get tired of it.  

I told Matt after this weekend, I am not committing to anything the rest of the summer.  Right after that, I got a call from her soccer coach.  Oh yeah, forgot about that.  So anyway check back next week for party pictures, more house projects, and then soccer!  That should be fun!  Here's my favorite recent picture. 

Love this view from our friends' porch

Yep I could get used to that.  

Play Play Play

This is just a random thing, but we found a Lego character named Jack Fury and had to take a picture.  He's a pretty cool dude - the Lego guy too!

It's been fun having Cate and her family visiting here for a few weeks.  She and Ava have had a good time together, and she even gets to come to the party!

This little guy (Mason) melts my heart.  He loves to play with Ava and always wants her to be a princess so he can save and protect her.  So sweet!  I love the huge smile on his face as he gets ready to annihilate anyone meaning Ava harm.  

Two buddies - Aaron's getting big and is a fun little guy for us to have around.  

Anticipation...

We are gearing up for a big day/weekend in our house!  Guess who's turning 5?  And she has said for a year that she wanted a Pirate Fairy birthday.  If you don't know what that is, it's a Disney movie and actually hard to find party stuff for.  And since I like to do parties sometimes, I have turned it somewhat into a fairy garden party with fairies and pirates.  She does at least have the pirate fairy dress, so hopefully that's enough for her.  Only one more sleep!

There will be face painting involved, so this was a practice run.  

Ava's friend Cate got in on the action.  

The Aunts

Heidi got this picture of Bek with the kids last weekend, and I love it so much.  And although I don't have a picture of the other girls with the kids recently, this picture to me says how blessed the kids are with wonderful, loving aunts (and uncles).  And grandparents too for that matter!  God is so good.  It's almost a rare thing in these times to have a good family who really supports and encourages each other.  I do not take it for granted and am so grateful.  Sniff!

Day trip

The kids and I took a day trip home to show the family the new car.  Matt needed a day to study since he was preoccupied with the car decision earlier in the week, so we got out of his hair.  Nice to be home!  It had been a month or so.  We went to the Anoka Riverfest (flea market), and just enjoyed being with my family.  I even got a couple of things!

It's been so nice to enjoy everyone's flowers, and we even have a lot in our backyard thanks to the former owner.  We are always surprised when they come up since we don't do anything to promote their growth.  But here's my parents and I didn't get a picture, but Matt's parents have really beautiful ones too.  

New ride

We got a new car!  I have learned that although I am a shopper, that skill does not extend to car shopping.  It is stressful!  Other than color choices, I didn't have much input.  But we have known for a while now that we needed a car with all wheel drive for the winters and also one that is good on mileage.  This is a Honda HRV, their new, smallest SUV.  It's definitely a step up from the Sonic as far as space and in many ways.  So it's nice to have a little more space and to have all of the fun things they put on new cars.  Heated seats!  And you don't even need a key!  Also with the space in the back, I didn't have to load the kids' area with groceries when I stocked up.  They all fit back there!  And the best part...the smell!  

So we celebrated with lunch at one of our favorite places and immediately went to Menards to find something to haul in it!  I've missed being able to do that.  We've had it about a week now and have hauled wood for a project, a barn door, and of course, groceries.  So it's broken in and once I got past my nervousness of driving something new - I am not a confident driver - I can feel it really growing on me.  I loved our little Sonic, my pretend Florida car, and it's been a fun, little car for us; but the reality is, we are in Minnesota and need something a little more hearty.  And it doesn't look that different from the Sonic.  It still fits in our tiny garage!  Most people haven't even realized we got a new car until we told them.  Ha!  I'm just glad the process is over, and we can get back to our normal lives.  :)