Swim Lessons

Ava did swim lessons this summer for the first time.  I initially put her in a preschool class for 3 - 5 year olds, but assumed she would do fine at it because she loves the water and could do most everything the class was supposed to teach.  Well...we were in for a surprise.  Ava would not get in the water with her teacher at all.  Her class consisted of all 4 year olds and then Ava at 2 1/2, and I think she was a little intimidated.  After three lessons of Ava just sitting on the edge of the water we decided to down grade her to the class that Joel or I could assist her in the water (aimed at infant age to 2 years old).  She loved being in the water if Joel or I were in the water with her.  She even went off the diving board twice.  I am not sure that she learned much in the class, but she had fun, which is really all that matters. 

Our Sweet Ava

Time is just flying by.  I cannot believe that Ava is 2 1/2 years old now.  She is so grown up and acts and talks like she is a little kid.  She loves crafts (can sit for long periods of time coloring, painting, cutting paper, etc.), loves wrestling with dad when he gets home from work, loves to dance and sing to music, loves to play in the water and go down waterside's on her dad's lap, and loves watching and playing with children at the park.  I never could have imagined the joy a child could bring into my life.  Ava blesses our family more than words can express.  She brings a smile to everyone's face, and loves life.  I could not ask for a better daughter.

Camping on the River

This last weekend we took a family camping trip to Idaho.  We headed for a specific campground between Newport and Sandpoint but when we arrived they were full.  We decided to drive around and look for any other possible campgrounds and found a cute little place right on the Priest River in Idaho.  There was a little play area and swimming spot, so Ava was in heaven.  It was a great little family get away. 

Ava finding her marching stick

Ava and Joel enjoying the cool water

Trying to get a family picture camping...we take what we can get

Enjoying Camping!!

Tot Trot

We went with our neighbors to Greenbluff this evening to let our kids run in the Cherry Pickers Tot Trot.  The kids had a blast.  Ava did great in her age division, and then decided to run with the 3-4 year-old's during their race, and the 5 year-old's in the last leg.  She did not want the kid races to end.  Greenbluff is great any time of year!!

Ava and Charolette getting ready for the race.

Ava running the course.



Ava running into the finish line.






















All the participants got a ribbon at the end of the race.

Little Slugger

Today for the 4th of July we were supposed to have a BBQ with some friends, but Ava had been under the weather the last few days.  It started out last weekend with her running a fever for 3 days, and then on Monday, July 2nd she developed a rash.  She has not acted too terribly sick through this whole illness, just a little bit cranky at times and tired.  I called her doctor on the 3rd, and he stated that he wanted to look at it, since Ava has had a really bad rash several months ago (this rash does not even compare to that one).  He was not too concerned with it, just thought that it was viral and would be gone in a day or two, but took a blood sample to see if it was a disease that could be harmful to infants or pregnant women.  We will find out the results tomorrow.  He told us not to hang out with babies or pregnant women until we had the results, which made us have to cancel our BBQ plans. 
We were planning on taking Ava to a "Little Slugger" race here in town for kids ages 1 - 3.  The race consisted of the kids running the bases at Avista Stadium and then having treats with Otto (Indians Mascot).  When Ava woke up this morning her rash was pretty much gone, and since the race was outside we decided to let her still do something fun on the 4th.  I am glad that we did, because she had a blast.  She came in 3rd place, and looked so cute running around the bases.  We are excited to let her do it again next year too.


Getting ready for the race to start.













Ava saying hello to Doris - one of the mascots.












Ava running the last leg of the race and heading for home plate.















One of the fun activities they had for kids was a jump house - Ava's favorite.











Learning how to hit a ball.

Happy 4th of July from the Anderson's