Dress Up

She's not yet 2, but she dresses like she's 78. She looks like she's been shopping at Hamrick's. The only thing missing is a necklace of gigantic fake pearls. At least she doesn't smell like Aqua Net.

YARRRRRR!

There's a pirate in my kitchen.

First Trip to the Beach

Wednesday, September 16 was Ava's first trip to the beach. We packed the car and headed out for Myrtle Beach for the last half of the week. We stayed at the Sea Mist Resort where we could play in any of 10 swimming pools or spend the day in the ocean.

The first day, we went straight to the beach. Ava and Daddy had fun splashing in the surf and swimming in the waves. That night, we ordered pizza delivery and went swimming in the pool.

On Thursday, Ava climbed into our bed at 7:30 in the morning and said, "Ready to go swimming now." After some negotiating, we convinced her that she needed to eat breakfast first, and then we could go swimming. After a delicious breakfast buffet at Granny's Kitchen, we returned to the room to "suit up." We spent the first half of the morning on the beach splashing and playing and building sand castles. After lunch, we went to play in the indoor/outdoor pool.

Thursday night, we took her down to the strip where she wanted to "look at shirts." Then, she told us she wanted dinner. When we asked her what she wanted for dinner, she replied very matter-of-factly, "Ice cream." So we got her a scoop of Oreo ice cream for dinner. She learned to play skee ball and Ms. Pac-Man. She won enough tickets to get a single Twizzler and a root beer flavored Dum Dum Pop. After that, Mommy and Daddy had dinner at Peaches Corner Grill. Then we walked our exhausted little girl down the boardwalk and back to the car. As we were getting washed up and putting on jammies, she told me that she wanted to "go swim in the ocean" again. An epic battle of Mommy vs. Child ensued and she eventually succumbed to reason (and sleepiness...it was after 10PM). Before she fell asleep, I promised her that we would go back to the ocean in the morning. That was something she would not forget.

At 8AM on Friday morning, I was awakened by a tiny voice saying, "Mommy, go swimming now. Play in the ocean." How could I resist? After all, this was her vacation. So, we all put on our swimsuits and went to play in the ocean and build sand castles. After we finished swimming, Ava and Daddy laid in the bed watching Elmo while Mommy packed and straightened the room. We checked out of the hotel and found a breakfast restaurant. Eggs, bacon, toast, grits, and apple juice couldn't come fast enough to keep the monster fed, but eventually, she had her fill. We walked across the parking lot to Eagles to buy a souvenir for Ava and a t-shirt for Cousin Maddo. Then we headed home. If she had half as much fun playing as we had playing with her, then it was a successful trip.

Here she is suited up for her first ocean experience.

Looking at the ocean with Mommy.

Headed into the water with Daddy.

Here they are catching a wave together. I don't know which one of them was having more fun. (Double-click on the photo to see them close up.)

She loved playing in the wet sand and letting the waves splash her.

Surprised by "a big one."

The face of sheer happiness.

Playing in the sand.

Building castles with Daddy.

They walk with such purpose.

Skee-ball!!!

Ms. Pac-Man!!!

Enjoying the Twizzler she bought with her tickets.

Sitting on the Boardwalk with Daddy.

Close-up of happiness.

At breakfast with Mommy and Ani.

Ava wanted to take pictures while we were waiting for our breakfast.

"Portrait of Daddy" by Ava LaCount.

(Possibly more photos to come, after I get the underwater film camera developed.)

Intruder Alert

Dino Security. A Division of Toddlers, Inc.

Price Lake Picnic with the Family

All of the photos in this section were taken by Ava's Blade.

July 3 at Lake James

Here, Ava is celebrating her independence by floating around the swimming area at Lake James State Park.

Posing with Uncle Landon.

With Daddy.

With Mommy.

Here she is collecting her buckets and shovel to play in the sand.

Playing in the sand.

And here she is taking a much-needed nap before we moved to the picnic area to grill dinner.

Kool Park

The quality of these photos may not be as high as some of the others on this page. These were taken with a disposable underwater camera using actual film. I don't know if you can even still buy those anymore.

Here she is standing in line with Daddy for a ride on the slide.

And here she is riding the water slide with Mommy.

Swimming in the pool with Daddy.

Swimming with Mommy.

Chuck at Play

Playing on the trampoline she got from her Uncle Duck.

And in the ball pit at Wah-wah and Pop's house.

Babies in the Park

Maddo and Chuck sharing a swing in Blowing Rock.

Happy Chuck enjoying her swing.

Maddo is having fun too.

She also likes the slide.

Dude takes a turn on the climbing wall.