The Amazing Ava

So, today has been a bit rough - just feeling like a lot is on my shoulders and having a hard time finding the joy in it all...I'm sure you have all been there before, and I know it will pass and that everything will get accomplished as it needs to...blah, blah, blah. Anyways, in the midst of my complaints I've decided to write a blog about something or I should say someone who just makes me smile - from the title you already know that I'm of course talking about my adorable and uber-intelligent niece - AVA GRACE RICH!

Over the last week (since it was the holidays) I spent more time with Ava than I have in quite some time, and I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to find another person over the age of 5 with more energy than this little fireball. She is ALWAYS doing something, saying something brilliant or just making those around her laugh.

Anyways, I've taken many a picture of Ava over the last week, so I thought I would share with you all a few of my favorites along with the stories or lessons I learned from Ava at that moment...ENJOY!

Ava got a tutu and headband from Gigi for Christmas! She immediately put it on and began to twirl in the middle of the living room.

Lesson learned: I should stop and twirl more often! It is fun being a girl and in the midst of working with mostly men, I sometimes forget to relish in the girliness of my life!

Ava was asking Josh for some of HIS candy (Josh loves HIS candy),

Lesson learned: Josh is a super fun guy, but when he is pushed he will stand his ground. As his wife, it was a reminder that I should have more fun with my hubby and not push him quite so much (aka - let him have his candy).

Ava and I built a tower with her new blocks, and just as I was finishing the block tower, she came and knocked them all down - she thought this was quite fun (I was a little perturbed)!

Lesson learned: The things that I build and do aren't nearly as precious as the people in my life.

We tried to take a picture of my four nieces, but sweet Ava was more interested in loving on Madison than smiling for the camera...

Lesson learned: Looking picture perfect on the outside is meaningless if you aren't comfortable with who you are internally.

Ava and I share a passion for reading. She found a tupperware box and made it a little reading nook!

Lesson learned: I shouldn't feel guilty about my reading - it is who I am! I've always loved it (I once got grounded from books when I was only 3 years old) and will embrace it more in 2009!


This was during our block building play-time! Ava and I celebrated everytime we built somethign and then tore it down.

Lesson learned: It is important to celebrate even the smallest of victories!

Ava was not excited about the annual "cousins picture" on Christmas Eve.

Lesson learned: Sometimes you have to grow up and just stick a cheesy smile on your face...If we were all honest, we don't really love this tradition either, but it makes Mema happy, so we shut up and smile!


So, to my dear sweet niece: Thank you for the many lessons you taught me this holiday season! As you can tell, I mostly learned about enjoying life a bit more and not taking myself too seriously. I can't wait to see just who Ava becomes and since so many people tell me that I was just like her as a two-year old, it is my prayer that she never loses parts of what I lost along the journey...probably things we all wish we had kept in our lives -

an unabashed zeal for life

fearless determination

giggles

an adventurous imagination

joy in the simple

an assured attitude that relishes the spotlight