Happy 2nd Birthday Ava!

We celebrated Ava's birthday on her actual birthday (Jan 17th) this year.  Donna and Margaret came down from Chicago for the long weekend and Sean's family came over that evening for some spaghetti, followed by presents, singing, cake and ice cream.  Ava really likes ripping wrapping paper so she didn't need very much help from her sister or cousin, unlike last year.  However once she saw the toys (way more interesting than clothes, apparently) she wanted to open and play with each one instead of unwrapping more.  This actually worked out good because then Fiona and Caitlin opened the last couple of presents and everyone was happy.

Licking cake batter off the spatula...yum!

Ava got a big balloon that both girls had fun playing with.  Ava would let it go up to the top of the stairwell area and then Fiona with help from an adult (usually Margaret or Donna) would push or bring it back down. 

 Fiona, Donna and Margaret made Ava a beautiful birthday banner with paint, stickers and crayons. 

 The only non-blurry picture of Ava opening presents.  The girl is constantly in motion.

 Donna got some with her camera that turned out better.

Ava loves her new Minnie Mouse toy...in fact, she's quite possessive of it (mine, mine).


Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday.

Ava blew out her own candle this year!  Since Margaret's birthday was on the 15th, we had a cupcake with a candle for her also.

Cake time!!

 "Oh, Daddy..."

Margaret put a fancy braid in Fiona's hair Monday morning. 

Silly group picture before Donna and Margaret left to go home on Monday.