3.5 years

I don't know about the rest of you, but I believe our kids can make us feel like the best and worst parent in the whole world. One night I was in tears thinking about how "mean" I had been. I quote mean, because in perspective, I was being a parent and some things need to be said and done for their own good. Yes, even at 3.5.  In Ava's defense, I was also in a very annoyed mood, which didn't help my normal rational self. I could tell she went to bed a little sad. :-( I'm still sad thinking about that. I felt like the meanest Mom on the planet.

The next day Ava and I played together a lot (I'm sure I was feeling really guilty about the previous day and did everything to make her happy--haha, you know you all have done it, and thank goodness playing is the way to a three year old's heart).  Before school, she was hugging around my neck, while I was helping her put on shoes, softly singing a song about us being together forever. At that point I thought, "There will never be anything that will make me as happy as this moment!"  Now I am the best Mom!!! I want to be the best every day. We all know that can't, and won't happen, but damn it felt so much better.

Unconditional love is amazing, and to look back on 3.5 years...because she will be at the half way point on the 5th...we have both changed a lot. 95% good, 5% bad, but she is certainly the light of my life. I am so thankful for God finally gracing our home with Ms. Ava Fae. We love you girl!

Ava at 6 months old

 Ava at 3.5 years old...

These pictures put in prespective what three and a half years do for a little girl.  I know I'm partial, but she's the prettiest person I know, both inside and out.

Coming Home

With  my first glance, I felt like I remembered this piece of art work.  I let it go (too much money and I want a new pair of tall boots).  Dejan did not.  He found this listed on Ebay by an artist that was a family friend.  Norberto Martini...the link shows some pieces on display and for sale... http://www.firenzeart.com/opera.php?id=572 ... who has since passed away from cancer.  I remember him well.  His face, his laugh, I knew he told stories, or were they dirty jokes (everyone was always laughing and looking at us kids sideways), and I especially remember the day he brought each of my sister's and I a painting for us to take home.  I remember the excitement I felt.  Did I say thank you?  I don't remember.  I do remember I wanted the green one.  I still have that painting, it sits on display in the bedroom.  Italy.  Aaahh Italy.  How lucky we were to spend summer's there as kids.  For some reason the painting sparked my memory. 

 These pictures are from one of our regular nights out in Firenze.  Norberto Martini sits at the end of the table next to my Nonna and sister's and the beautiful opera singer, Myra Cordell and her husband, sit by me.  I'm pretty sure Ava got her ability to cheese it up for pictures from me. 

We had to get this painting.  I told Dejan he needed to show it to my Mom.  He forwarded a picture to her to let her know what he found ( i believe he really just wants a painting my parent's have, and wants to use this as a bargaining tool... :-)  ).  My Mom's teary voice when she called brought tears to my eyes.   "DEJAN, that painting was hanging in my Mom's store (Mobili D'Arte)"  This may not be a big deal for the average person, but my Mom has had to say goodbye in a sense to her roots.  Her Mom and Dad...http://www.mariofilippeschi.com/ (click on Le Foto to see pictures of all of them)...are both gone; the store is gone, the apartment is gone, the second home with maids is gone (except for the maid bell. she still has that, and we ring it each time we are home), a lot of memories have had doors closed.  Opera, art, boarding school, maids, Firenze.  It's like an Italian dream.  My Mom may beg to differ, but when she was joining me during a yard sale, I couldn't help but chuckle with her, over how she ended up in Iowa having a yard sale, after such a ritzy up bringing.  One single word, Love.  Does it every time.  Oh how I would love to ramble on about the story my Mom and Dad shared about their meeting this summer, but I will save that for another time.

After a late night bidding war, Dejan won this painting and it now graces our home.  It makes me happy to look at it, and also makes me happy it's a piece of my Mom's memories. 

Now where the heck am I going to hang that thing?

Dinner is served...

My Mom, the dreamer, started the fairy business at her house.  She has real houses, fairies, lights, and this magical door.  The kids are captivated by the whole deal...to be honest, me too.  My Mom taught us to read, read, read, and to dream big.  Reading can take you places you never even imagined.  She has definitely continued that in her grandchildren.  Thanks Mom! 

After our last visit, I get some pictures in my email. One is a scene my Dad discovered outside, the day after we had left.  I have always found such humor in creative play scenes left around our house by Ava, and this one didn't disappoint...I'm still chuckling as I write this. 

In case you are looking at this squinting, wondering, what is that, well, it's fairy dolls lined up for dinner.  Each was given a roma tomato.  Quite appropriate seeing as they live in my Italian Mother's yard.

Too busy to blog is a good thing

and here is why...

Parades, lots of candy, and an Oktoberfest Parade gator ride with Daddy.

Fun with friends

Lots and Lots of silliness

Lots of dirt drug into the house

Road trips.  We took lots of them.  My Dad was a pro at the road trip.  I crave road trips all the time because of him, and, I also LOVE to stray from the usual route.  Only difference, he did it without a map, google, IPhone, or even road signs for that matter.  I panic without all of the above.

Corn maze and kitties...they seem to be every where since our cat passed away

 Trips to Camp Hamilton ...where Ava thanked mother nature, for all the beautiful weather she has blessed us with, by planting a tree...

and Camp Keokuk, where walking through the woods is a must this time of year.

Happy Harvest, Happy Fall, Happy Halloween...I'm too busy, I won't be back until November I'm sure.

AND Finally, the biggest event of the month...drum roll...

We took apart the crib and gave Ava her toddler bed.  How lucky are we that she just now started climbing out of her crib.  I was a nervous, slightly sad, wreck, Dejan was wondering what the big deal was.  As far as Ava, well, let's say she was "super cited" (that's excited for those of you who don't know this yet). We made sure to do this three hours before bed time. I just knew she was going to need to play on that bed. 
Ava picked out her bedding, toys, blankets, and stickers.  She was one happy girl. 

The big deal?  None.  She slept through the night (unlike me), but did wake up at 6am to apparently get dressed in her flower girl dress (from her uncle's wedding in arizona this summer) and couldn't find it.  She crawled into bed crying.  I was tired.  I said "WHAT!?!?"...and went to find it.  Every night since has been a success.  It really wasn't sad or stressful after all.  I love how happy she is, and her being more and more independent is a really good thing

Tire Swing coming full circle

I had one growing up, it was always part of our back yard. I had to bring back the tire swing.  My Dad is the only one who can hang it, and Ava knew it.  "Mommy, I want a tire swing.", "Okay, but I don't know how to do that.", "Well, Nonno does!", "Let's call him." , "I will be there Sunday!"


The great meeting of the minds...a manager and a supervisor.  You get the idea.



 This was one happy girl! She still has to swing everyday, at least 100 times.  I love it too.

I must note, my Mom came along too.  She spent the morning entertaining Ava and making fairy houses.  Put mine to shame and now mine are not good enough.  Thanks Nonna! 

Love you guys.  THANKS!

One reason to embrace cooler weather...being able to cut flowers and grasses that now grace our table(s).  I put in the plural because I have now moved it to my dining room, I can see it at all times there.  Much better.

Why September has been good...

 As a special treat for Ava's first day of school, I took her to the DQ.  This was clearly a big hit.  She sang a new song she learned at school and we laughed about it...mostly because I had no clue what she was saying.  

Ava had a great first week. She has been slightly timid but holds her head high and quietly joins in. We are so proud of her. 

There were a few rough days after school, but in the whole scheme of things, it has been flawless.  Her mind has been in overdrive, so this weekend we are heading out of town for some fun at the Iowa vs. Iowa State Game in Ames.  It's Iowa, it's what we do.

 We had a wonderful visit with my parents and celebrated my beautiful Mom's birthday. 

It really was a perfect summer evening, I only wish we could spend more evenings like that together.

 

  This picture cracks us up every time.  That is a DQ blizzard cup I found in the dishwasher.  I told you she loved the Dairy Queen.  So much so that she wants to wash the paper cup and keep it for later us. 

A crown (her first school project brought home), the "hiding tree" (I only wish I would have photographed the day we were there with my parent's playing hide and seek with Ava), and a fashion show are

just a few things that have made these days fun.  

I will miss all this warm sunny weather, but for now we will savior everyday, every acorn found in a pocket, every leaf laying on the kitchen table, every morning swinging on the front porch, every hike through the "forest" at Wildwood Park, every trip down that slide, and every flower picked along the way.

 

OH!! I have to tell you about the picture below...I heard her talking and busily walking around.  When I came to see what she was up to, she told me "Now the kitty can measure herself too!"  It is a measuring tape taped up on the door.  I love this girl toddler.  :-)