Santa Claus Is Nice

Last year Ava was a bit too young to really enjoy Christmas. However, this year has been a much different story. From spending time with her extended family to sucking down eggnog through a straw, Ava has absolutely loved the Christmas season. Although her favorite part of Christmas has probably been opening the presents (more so than even the presents themselves).

Her second most favorite part of Christmas has been playing with the wrapping paper and packaging in which the presents came.

Ava got to have Christmas twice this year. The first time was with Krista's family (before we left to visit Larry's family in Pennsylvania).

One of Ava's favorite gifts was Ava Bear, a stuffed bear made at the Build-A-Bear Workshop that she received from her Aunt Maddie.

While in Pennsylvania, Ava received another new friend on Christmas morning in the form of a Cabbage Patch Kid. Ava likes the hair on her new doll, but hasn't quite mastered feeding her the bottle yet. You can see, however, that she is concentrating very hard on it.

Ava also received a Little Einsteins guitar which she really enjoys playing with. At the time, however, she was too distracted by the other presents under the tree to give the guitar much attention.

Another of Ava's favorite gifts has been her new xylophone.

She quickly figured out to play it both using the keys and the mallets.

And it appears that she has changed her mind about Santa Clause. (We thought she might.)

Looks like Santa has a new fan.

Santa Claus Is Mean

A few days ago my parents took me to see some guy called Santa Claus. When we got to the place where Santa was at, they sat me down on the floor along with a bunch of other kids. I was a little apprehensive at first, so I looked back at my parents to make sure that it was safe for me to go join the other kids.

My parents assured me that everything was okay and encouraged me to look at the Santa Claus guy, but I was more interested by all the other little kids around me.

In fact, the Santa guy was kind of boring. He just kept reading and reading this book. I thought that maybe he just wanted to be acknowledged for his reading ability, so I clapped my hands for him. However, he just kept reading his book.

Santa finally finished reading his book and then all the kids started to line up next to him. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, so I looked back at my parents for some direction.

They picked me up and then stood in line with all the kids. After waiting for what felt like forever, it was finally my turn to sit on Santa's lap. At first I was a little nervous and looked over to my parents for reassurance.

But then I noticed this really interesting candy cane that Santa Claus was holding.

Then Santa asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I was thinking: "Isn't it obvious? I want you to give me that candy cane!"

But instead of giving me the candy cane, he just said "ho, ho, ho" (whatever that means) and told me to smile for the cameraman.

I looked at my parents to see if they could help. I was thinking: "Can you believe this guy? Why won't he give me that candy cane already?"

It was hopeless. Then my parents picked me back up and Santa Claus kept his candy cane all to himself. I don't think I like Santa very much. It's not very nice teasing little kids with candy canes like that.

Failed Walking Aids

Apparently Ava's grandparents wanted to see her start walking. Or perhaps the word got out that Krista was looking to get Ava a walker. Whatever the reason, Ava has received another contraption intended to help her join the ranks of bipedal toddlers. And she really likes it.

However, she doesn't seem to be using it correctly. Grandma and Grandpa Furr sent Ava a Radio Flyer Walker Wagon for her birthday. But rather than pushing it around, Ava enjoys to instead sit inside of it. Once inside, she then ponders how she will get back out.

Realizing she's helpless, she will look to us for help. We then get her out, only for her to climb right back in. Our attempts to get her to use it as a walker typically end with Ava buckling her knees and flopping onto her belly.

As for the Fisher-Price Stride-to-Ride Lion she got from Granny O and Freddy O, Ava really enjoys playing with it as well, but not as a walker. Instead she likes pushing the lion's nose, which causes it to emit a playful roar followed by island music. Ava loves to dance and bop along to the music... with feet firmly planted.

Oh Christmas Tree

Ever since we put up our Christmas trees, Ava has been in awe of them. It is a regular occurrence for us to be in the family room watching television when Ava will suddenly scurry out into the foyer. In months past, this usually meant she was headed for the stairs. So out of habit we always leap from the couch and chase after her to make sure she is not in peril (luckily there have been no spills down the steps yet). These days, however, more often than not we come around the corner not to find Ava ascending the stairs, but rather to find her in our living room gazing at the Christmas tree.

We were worried about how Ava would behave in regard to the tree, having heard many stories of how little children love to pull down (and often break) the ornaments. However, Ava has been an absolute angel, preferring to look with her eyes rather than her hands.

When Ava does touch the tree, she does so ever so gently with her tiny little index finger extended. If only she were like this with our stereo. Okay, actually she is. What can we say, she's a good kid.

Here's a picture from the Christmas tree's point of view.

Lucky tree.

Ava's Birthday Party (1 of 2)

We recently celebrated Ava's first birthday. Since we will be visiting Larry's family during the holidays, Ava will be having two birthday parties this year. Here are some pictures from birthday party number one. Prior to the party kicking off, Ava didn't really understand what was in store. She just stared longingly at her Christmas tree (a new favorite pastime of hers) while the rest of us conversed.

Ava's interest in her birthday party piqued once it came time to open her presents. She received a lot of really nice gifts from everyone, but the Fisher-Price Stride-to-Ride Lion appeared to be her favorite.

After opening the presents, we put her in her highchair and placed a special birthday tiara on her head. She didn't care much for wearing the tiara, but she understood what sitting in the highchair signified.

Since Ava has become such a big advocate for fairies as of late, Krista decided that a Tinkerbell themed party was in order. There were really fabulous decorations, but sadly I (Larry) did not think to take any pictures of them. I did, however, get a picture of the birthday cake (only because Krista kept reminding me to).

Ava quite enjoyed eating her birthday cake (we think this may have been her favorite part of the day). And Granny O was of course more than happy to oblige Ava's sweet tooth (she only has one, literally).

Stay tuned for pictures from birthday party number two....

A Fairy Special Request

Last week I put a call out for help with getting my parents to believe in fairies. I appreciate all those that gave their support by leaving comments. It really means a lot to me.

Unfortunately, only a handful of people took the time to leave a comment saying that they believed in fairies. I know that a lot of you read my plea for help, but didn't come to my aid. As you might imagine, this made me very sad.

If you were one of those people who read my urgent plea and didn't respond, I ask you again to please help me convince my parents that fairies are for real. I know, I know, perhaps you think that you are too old to believe in fairies. If this is the case, I ask you to look deep into my eyes and tell me: how could you possibly not believe in fairies?

Besides, if you don't believe in fairies, how will my fairy godmother ever have enough power to make Nala come to life?

But don't worry, I have an idea that might just work.

As you may already know, my first birthday is coming up very soon. In fact, I recently had cards made. I just couldn't decide what outfit to wear for my birthday card picture so I had two versions of the card made (one for each outfit). Here is what they looked like:

So here is my idea: my birthday wish is that everyone who reads this blog leave a comment saying that you believe in fairies. If you do, it will be the most splendid birthday gift a little one-year-old girl could ever ask for!

I'm so excited I can hardly wait!

I Do Believe in Fairies... I Do, I Do, I Do!

Hey there. I really need your help with something. As many of you know, I often rely on my fairy godmother to help me out. For example, when my parents get all picture crazy and make me sit still for countless hours while they snap away with the camera; I'll ask my fairy godmother to make them stop (it usually works). Or when I wake up from a nap, I'll ask her to make my parents come and get me out of the crib; and sure enough they always come.

So as you can see, my fairy godmother is quite powerful. However, she has yet to grant the wish that my heart most desires...to make my friend Nala come alive. I think the problem is that my parents don't believe in fairies. For instance, in the book Peter Pan, Tinkerbell isn't able to fly until the children say that they believe in fairies. I first saw my fairy godmother one night in my crib when I was still a very little baby and I have believed in her ever since. But, if I'm the only one who believes then her powers will be limited.

So, I was thinking to myself one day that if I could just figure out a way to make my parents believe in fairies that maybe my fairy godmother would be able to make Nala come to life.

Then one day I saw my fairy godmother right in my room. I was so excited I could hardly believe it! I was pointing right at her so that my parents would see her too. I knew that if I could just get my parents to see her that they would have to believe in fairies.

Instead they just ran and got the camera and started taking pictures of me like I was some movie star or something. I was like, "Mommy, daddy, look it's my fairy godmother! No really, she's right up there. Can you not see all the lights and sparkles? Just look up already!"

But they just kept snapping picture after picture. And then I watched sadly as my fairy godmother flew right out the door without my parents ever seeing her.

So if you believe in fairies, please leave a comment so that my mommy and daddy will know that fairies are for real. And then my fairy godmother will be able to make Nala come alive. Please help. You're my only hope.