Two at the Zoo

A quiet moment.


Ava lead me by the hand to the refrigerator and was asking for food. This is good. When I opened the door for her, she reached up and grabbed her favorite. A stick of butter. I can't tell if we are making progress or not. (?)


Mommy and Ava watching the polar bear at the NC Zoo.


Here he is chewing on a toy.


Here is Ava observing the bottom half of him underwater.


Having fun at the zoo playground.


Hanging out inside of a gourd.


Meow! Nice kitty.


Daddy and Ava watching a grizzly bear.


A grizzly bear watching Daddy and Ava.


Ava seemed right at home at the monkey house. Gee, I wonder why?


I see you and you see me.


This monkey had fun watching us.


Bye, bye, Bo-Bo.


Here is an African Rhino covered in red North Carolina mud.


Watching the Rhinos.


There were many exotic and fun things to see at the zoo, but nothing beats the misting station in toddler satisfaction.


Ava in the mist.

Summer Silliness

I love Ava's new hair-do. It's going to be so nice for the hot summer.


Running down the trail at Hemlock Bluffs.


Daddy and Ava walking on a board walk through some wetlands.


Up close.


Getting kisses from Mommy.


Here are some ducks at a nearby park. They were very excited to see us and were, no doubt, expecting food.


They got chased by a two-year-old instead.


I filled the pool up on the porch for Ava, but she was content to sit in a bucket. That works I guess.


Silly girl.


Laughing.


Very silly.

Haircut

I almost forgot to plant my tomatoes this season, but I got it done today while Daddy took Ava to the park. Daddy takes Ava out most evenings after work while I do "Mom" stuff. (Like what ever the heck I feel like, wow!) Ava got her first haircut on Monday. It's a little bob. It suits her perfectly!


Before


After

This salon was just for kids and she sat in an airplane and watched Elmo while she got her hair done. She didn't fuss at all.


Parks here keep buckets and shovels lying around at the sand box. Ava likes to gather them all up. We are working on sharing. :)


What's better than digging a hole? Sitting in it.


A walk across the big lawn.


Too little for her britches.


Daddy found a teeny, tiny frog for a teeny, tiny princess.


Running across the pond dam at Bond Park.


Lovely girl.


Back to the strawberry patch. This time with her little pal Mihir. (pronounced Mee-here)


Ava, Mihir and his Mommy Richa. (Ree-cha)


We found a cute little park about 40 minutes away that has lots of old-timey rides. I used to love the boats at "Lagoon" (a Utah amusement park) so this was fun to watch.


Ding, ding goes the bell.


Go around again!


Truck driver Ava.


Leading the convoy.


There was a carousel with horses and birds and tigers and kitties. Guess who got super excited about the kitty?


Weeee.


A train ride too?! You bet.


The next day we went to Yates Mill. It's closed for repairs we found out, but we tried on costumes in the museum and walked around the lake a bit.


Hats!


Peeking through the mill stone.


We saw a muskrat. Ava had a mini meltdown when I wouldn't let her pet him. Geez Mom.


Ava and Daddy looking a turtles sunning themselves.


A colorful lizard.


Exploring nature.


Getting a better view.


Such a pretty place.