All Normal on the Eastern Coast

It just cool enough still to be outside in the morning. We have had a little smoke too from a forest fire on the coast, but the wind blew it away last night. We got out to our usual haunts this week, the library, the children's museum, the bouncy house gym, etc. Ava misses the Thaynes. (as do I!) I can't even say the name Becca or there are tears. "Becca, where Becca?", Ava asks. I hope you're happy Boo!! :)


A lovely day in the garden. We came for story time outside, but I drove to the wrong park. (oops) The outside part was still fun as you can see.


Ava's baby doll is taking a rest from strolling, but Ava's not.


Smelling some "fwouwrs."


Walking through the Old Beech nature trail.


Out on the big lawn at Crabtree Lake Park.


Pretty water.


Playing in the sand just before dusk.


A Blue Heron walking around the lake.


Flying over it.


Ava on the shore.


Special delivery.


Expressing an opinion here I presume.


Ava and Ginki are inseparable. That's her blankie's name. (A shower gift from her Aunt Lara:)


Splashing her toes in Reedy Creek on Father's Day.


I heart Daddy.


This is a little out of focus, but such a classic picture. Good times.


Sitting on the shore.


Daddy and Ava crossing a bridge in the afternoon shade.

Water Play

I never realized how quickly a toddler will tire of an expensive, battery operated toy. If you want to keep the little kids happy, water, sticks and dirt are the way to go. I honestly think Ava would be happiest if we lived in a mud cave next to a river in the woods. It does sound kind of fun. We visited the Historic Tobacco campus for and free outdoor concert and played at parks this week.


Slipping our shoes off. "Momma, choos off.", says Ava.


Nice and cool on a warm eveing.


Waterfall.


Lucky Strike smoke stack, water tower, the moon and baby A.


I got this giant beach ball at the hardware store for $6. It's a hit.


Roll, roll, roll.


Run, run, run.


Lovely Ava. She is looking like such a big girl these days.


Mommy and Ava at the park.

Hodge Podge

It is officially too hot to play outside during the middle of the day. We play inside or outside in the evening when it's shady. Swimming at the clubhouse pool or at the lake has been a nice escape. Ava is talking more now. She points to something she wants and says, "have." She can also surprises us with some 2 word sentences. Example: "Momma, what doing?" or "Me kitty. Meow, meow." Adorable.


We go to story time at Pottery Barn Kids. Everything there is so lovely AND expensive. She loves this vanity and is so darling playing with it, but she better come up with $250 if she wants to keep it. Just sayin'.


The music box is only $40. Maybe for Christmas.


We've made a couple of trips to Jordan Lake this month. The beach is shaded so I can relax and not worry about sunburns and Ava loves the sand and water.


"Big water.", said Ava as we drove in to the park.


Did you just do a double take? That's what we did when we saw this man in a vintage boat-car. We watched him drive up on to the shore.


Daddy helps build a castle.


We hiked down to an Eno River watering hole. We forgot Ava's suit so she was a little nudie-mcgee.


Ava points to where she wants to go and Daddy obliges.


A pretty sunset at the park.


These are fireflies. They are very pretty, but hard to take a picture of. Ava LOVES to chase them.


Climbing the stairs at the Duke forest theater.


Mommy and Ava.


Throwing rocks in the water at Battle Park.


Ava-Pave-a.


There are bugs here called Cicadas. They don't bite or sting, but they are quite loud. They die in mass numbers and their wings are strewn along the trails in the summer time. Ava and I are collecting some here.


Mommy and Ava take a little hike break and play with wings and rocks and sand.


Kicking a ball around UNC campus. This is Ava's alma mater, so-to-speak. She was born at at the UNC hospital in Chapel Hill. So was Livi. Two little tar heels.


Playing on the big lawn.


Drinking from the fountain at the "Old Well", a campus landmark.