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!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9XS7Z7vDzyt4MVWkf0qKuoonUO-aUrB6t4h2BGkR8sN0IK2nrIL7kuu-xSH_t7zz1mW58yf9fpvX44IwMoJcBg5C39yT3KyBgGlHDEojwsRiglHKHU0JzzibIzegbw0lc1RRHej7W3o/s320/IMG_3995.jpg)
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!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgiTpgDtz82c3ZoCM6spyGpIPYzCXtWvm7GJGwYdMwH-xAW3uImgdz-kqI_REvoDWskjfvmJw83BHTAiiNSsv2MgZM8M5TDvp2tDN2gViNWikBaRetIVsXMeUgdY3Z8IdeCp-_RlqO-o/s320/IMG_4006.jpg)
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).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjj5fYAvr-zXoY7jSyWJky_zRf2n2zoSNk_ynNbx4KXoNSf3quNX3_csp6Kx7BEA3Zkt6hpg4GnonTZJPXdgHIB3GdY8hla0WPIdfMbzi8QtNNZMVklr2mXqPzrBsJ9vTNkso9tjZ8Rg/s320/IMG_4018.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal2u5lAO7dg0rzD7llJv9Vfmm9rge5HZ84SFtkgwmyEABZ3o5tvkBqFBiO4wfLQYBcDa8L7in87M6ypD3afdmmAz6ZG3PLZmqA2Ox6exaC4rvWtUpDdgk048griOaFzx88GjMpwcM9Qw/s320/girls.jpg)
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...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEBcViRhV16-5X4eQqz-zldXmXjEWItSozX_5hMPMnMfJ_nTF_ssLZ8gsc3hPrE1jGrv5lzfYPB-lV2juMCeh_XoiH_riJQJtTnG4nGbVbymO9ovpvqgDJD0kfcUcbJnPC5v-mYot6Ys/s320/IMG_4052.jpg)
Ava and I share a passion for reading. She found a tupperware box and made it a little reading nook!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICoGZqll95STKSVzv9yFXHdBbuaqa48_E_s3F8gyKrx6JtpEFw1Q_xCqEdzTtN4JeqJ_lBGty03PALre4fIm0owWlF79dkk_1ZScKnocQmuMs_GO03RCOICNYiFmH03BDtjb5nlVMEeA/s320/IMG_4016.jpg)
This was during our block building play-time! Ava and I celebrated everytime we built somethign and then tore it down.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHnuOo5Wq9UplTDLHNIK-889Y9ZuYcmfih099Ev4D11NjJs95TsDe07poq1-ssgpNa6o7mEOJXc0CHtUMHSvXrh70PYXCmMMGuDd8ggdGRsPuwsOOabyR8zBBrA0p-iqZdPoF2Z_Fdds/s320/Ava+Smile.jpg)
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 -
2 comments:
Ava is amazing and so is Aunt Paige! Good lessons for us all!
Wonderful post and great photos. Ava looks like such a cutie!
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