Ava is my wild child. Nathan has always been on the calm and cautious side, so I have never had to worry much about him getting hurt climbing and such. But it seems like every time I turn around Ava is getting into mischief of one kind or another.  Here is what she did on Friday while playing with my parents dog who was on a leash:

I was expecting a call and realized I didn't have my cell phone on me, so I ran downstairs grabbed it and ran right back. She was playing with the dog on the stairs. Nathan was bouncing a ball and I don't know if the dog got excited and ran or what, but somehow the leash hurt one side of her neck. I was so mad at that dog....one more reason to not have one of our own...

A few weeks ago when I was with her at Old Navy I lost at least 10 years off my life . I think I am a pretty on top of it parent. Sometimes I hover- I will admit it. I am totally paranoid when it comes to my children and their safety.

During this shopping trip I didn't put Ava in a cart because I ran in to get 5 pairs of flip flops since they were on sale for $1 each and 5 was the limit you could get. My Old Navy card was near its limit so I knew this was all I was getting and wasn't even going to browse at all. I held her hand the entire time. Then during checkout she asked to go see the doggy at the display at the front of the store. I was in the lane nearest to the display so I let he run over to see it. I was watching her while the lady rang up my stuff and only turned away when the lady asked me a question. It was only for a second. Then I didn't hear Ava. I went over to the display and she wasn't there. For a second I wasn't that worried because I figured she had just gone to see something else, the store was basically empty too. But then after a few seconds I started to panic. The lady behind me and her daughter started to look around where we were. I glanced over and saw a woman walking Ava back into the store from the parking lot. I ran out, burst into tears, and held her so tight and thanked the stranger who probably thought I was the worst mother on the planet.

I had to go back into the store to get my wallet and the cashier pointed out that the woman had the same color shirt as me, and had long dark hair, so Ava must have just followed her out as she left thinking it was me. The doors are incredibly heavy at our Old Navy so it didn't even occur to me for a  second to check outside. I felt so sick. All day thoughts of what could have happened to her wouldn't leave my mind. We came home and prayed. The boys were at Father's & Son's that night and I almost left the house without praying that morning, but didn't. I know that because Ava and I stopped to pray together that morning that she was truly watched over.

She was scared to leave my side for a few days after that, and when we went to Mc Donald's a few days ago I didn't have to argue with her to leave the play place when it was time to go. She also says every time we have to go run errands that she will hold my hand and not leave, poor little girl. I know I am not the only parent who has used the line "If you don't come right now I am leaving without you..." I won't be using that one again.

I had debated posting about all this but hope that maybe it will help one of you from having to go through this or something worse.

Kindergarten Graduation

Nathan graduated Kindergarten on Tuesday. It was such a nice program.  Each student dressed up as what they wanted to be when they grew up and came to the microphone to tell what they chose. They sang lots of cute songs, and I had to fight back the tears on the closing number. Nathan got a super official diploma in a hard covered case(just like you get when you graduate high school/college only bigger!) with a picture and a fancy certificate. The school really went all out! After the program they even had refreshments.

So Handsome!

Getting his diploma

Self Portrait

We had such a good experience at this school. Mrs. Clark is a wonderful teacher and Nathan is sure going to miss her.

He also had the best bus driver ever. I was so nervous to have Nathan ride the bus when school started, but he was so excited and Mr. Moe was amazing.

Look at these cuties! Ava loved the songs...

Proud Mamma

I can't believe Nathan is about graduate Kindergarten. Today he had his end of level assessment. I knew he would do great. He is such a good student and loves to learn. I started teaching him to read before his 4th birthday and he picked it up really quickly. We have tried to get study time in everyday since he was little. I try to make it fun, and now it is so routine that it is no biggie...even Ava asks to do homework! He would get a homework packet sent home every Monday and it had to go back with him on Friday. He would get the entire packet done within 15 minutes every Monday so his teacher started sending him extra books and such.

After his test today his teacher came out and told me he had done excellent, then says "We did our reading assessments two weeks ago. They like the students to be at a level 3 or 4 before moving on to 1st grade- Nathan tested at a level 14."  I am pretty sure my mouth hit the floor. I am not sure how that level corresponds to the grade level at which he reads, and I was too shocked to say much, so I may have to check in with her at graduation...

He has worked so hard and we are so proud of him!

Father's & Son's 2011

This weekend Tyler and Nathan headed out to Father's & Son's with Tyler's Dad and his ward. They had a great time, and I think it is a good experience for Nathan to be out with his Grandpa and Dad doing manly things, and I love that he is getting the chance to make memories with them. (Unfortunately I don't have pics of the 3 of them together)

They had a great time and came back without any injuries, so I was glad!

Ava and I watched a chick flick, had popcorn and chocolates, and got lots of snuggles in, so we had fun too.

Graduation

Last week my baby bro graduated college! He worked so hard!! He was nominated to be Student of the Year, was chosen to carry in the Biology banner, graduated  Magna Cum Laude(even though the day after graduation he got the rest of his grades and ended up really graduating Summa Cum Laude- which is better, he had a 3.9+ GPA), and should have been named the Valedictorian of the Biology department, but hey, at least he didn't have to give a speech!

I didn't think I would get all emotional watching him graduate, but I totally did. I was so glad I was able to proofread and edit alllll of his papers so that he could get such good grades :) We are all so proud of him!

Oh and just so you know how loved he was-after the graduation ceremony one of his professors came up to him and said she had a friend doing research in the Florida Keys this summer catching snakes.  She told him about my brother and offered him this paid research gig....he was so bummed because he is getting ready for the MCAT, and has already paid lots of  $$$, so he can't go. Hopefully he can do something like that next summer. Can you imagine getting paid to catch snakes in the Keys!?!?!

Even though he makes me crazy sometimes, he is still my baby brother and I love him lots! Way to go Eric!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I feel so lucky to know so many wonderful women, and wanted to tell you all Happy Mother's Day. You all inspire me so much! I hope today is full of pampering!

No Training Wheels!

We bought Nathan I bike when we lived in Nevada and I just never felt comfortable having him ride it outside (there were too many idiots that would speed down our street). When we moved he really didn't have in interest in it for awhile, but we got the training wheels, encouraged him to try, and soon after we decided to have him try riding without them but he was nervous - and so was I!  Tyler thought it would be better to take off the training wheels and let him get used to balancing so that he could see how it felt, rather then let him keep using the training wheels as a crutch.  I would have a heart attack every time Tyler would let go of the bike.

Then one day Nathan's friend came over to play and his mom brought his bike along. She told us to have him focus on one fixed point and look at it while riding to help steady him. He started riding right there and then without falling! I was so amazed!

Tyler continued to work with him and now he asks to go out and ride all the time instead of us telling him it is time to practice. So exciting! We took this video last month and I am just now getting to post it,  I don't know where time goes....