Ava's in the paper already

http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/local_story_202005231.html?start:int=0

Trip to the Zoo

We took Ava on her first official trip to see the wild animals at the Omaha Zoo. She seemed to have a lot of fun and if I may brag, she was PERFECT. She sat like an adult for every meal, hardly fussed except for when she was tired, seemed to enjoy watching people...I may have to work on her staring problem...and smiled big every time we asked her if she had fun at the zoo! I think another trip...not to Omaha, once was enough for me...will be in the making if she's going to be this great of a traveler!

Here's some pictures from the trip...

A conversation with my husband and why I need to get a life!

10:30pm---lots of dogs start barking right after we go to bed (and yes, it's mid July in Iowa and we have the windows open)

Dejan, "Geez"

Me, "Well, I recognize all those barks but one."
Dejan gives me a sideways glance and I know he's wondering why the hell I know that!?!?

People start talking...

Me, "Oh that's Karen talking to Bill, but that's not her dog barking...I'm still wonder whose got that big dog barking?"

Dejan smirks that I know that, but proceeds to be nosey too, "Bill lets his dogs out this late? And why is Karen out at this time?"

Me, "Oh yeah, every night around 10 Karen walks her dogs...well, just one now because the other one died over the winter while they were in Texas...and Bill sits on his porch with his dogs every night...there's that big dog again, I'm going to have to find out whose dog that is."

We look up at each other, burst out laughing and he tells me,
"It's probably time to get a job since you unfortunately know all that information!"

So, there you have it....4 years of college, three or four good jobs, a baby, a mommy, and now a connoisseur of our neighborhood people and dogs!

1 year goes fast

july 2008 and july 2009

No joke, I took these exactly one year apart, and not on purpose! This is why I get a little sad when I think about how fast the time has gone and how much she has changed!

Balloons!!

"Ava do you want to go see some ballons!?!?!" With a huge smile and a wave of her hand, "uuhhh, uuhhh,uuuhhh, mama!" (I think that meant yes) So we went! It felt like 120 degrees, but it was well worth seeing her reaction as all 40 hot air ballons came up over the trees.

Then we ate pancakes from the pancake breakfast. Yummy!

I just love summer weekends like these!

"In Your Community"

Some may ask, what is there to do around Ottumwa...WELL, let me tell you what I found!

Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra--that's nice, we should go.
Ottumwa Community Outreach Center---glad they have this for people.
Ottumwa Senior Menu--well, there are a lot of old people here.
Preescolar Gratis---WHAT? is that spanish?
Overeaters Anonymous---here is where it starts getting good...
AA Meetings--I know they have these everywhere, but wait...
Single Mothers Support Group--Ottumwa holds the record for the most babies at a High School Day Care. NO JOKE...babies and a day care at the HS...seriously?
Mom's Off Meth--WELL why not!
Spanish AA Meetings--considering we have the fastest growing hispanic population/capita in the country, we should accomodate.
NA Meetings-?
DRA Meetings-?
(let me help you out--learning to read class for adults and dual recovery anonymous-now you know too)
Free Blood Pressure Clinic--I think I need to go now!
and FINALLY,

Bingo Board---I know, not so bad, but hilarious none the less!

"In Your Neighborhood and Around Your Community"--THE DANDY DOLLAR June 2009

SUMMER!!

We complained about the cool rainy weather, and now we are sighing that it's 100 degrees with 100% humidity...ah hell, I LOVE IT and so does Ava! We had a great day yesterday playing in the pool and soaking up some sun. Could she be any cuter in her sun hat and swim suite..well, you all know I am bias!