First Day of School!! A little late..

Ava on her first day at Mother's Day out.

Eating

Breakast to start the day..

I know, Matching outfits for school, but who could resist??

Well, I am a tad bit late in sending out this post but what the hell. The girls both started school the last week in August. Julia is in Preschool and Ava in MDO (mother's Day out). We had a rough start since Ava freaked out when we pulled in the parking lot but then said she was excited about going.

Chad was able to go with us to mark this event as I was about to have my first day off for a few hours. We dropped off Julia with a "see ya Mom" like she was a pro. Ava on the other hand was a different story. Her ENTIRE classroom of younger two's were either crying, screaming or trying to escape. Ava looked at us like,"What are you doing to me? You are crazy to drop me off here." With a little crying she was in the class. Chad and I made another lap around the hallway to peek in on her and she was fine.

Yeah to our first days at school!

Ava and her new shoes

Just waking up with her new shoes and pantyhose socks on that she loves!

This is hilarious! Debbie took Ava shoe shopping for preschool/MDO that starts on Tuesday. Both of the girls will be in school 2 days a week, which I am getting excited and sad about all at the same time. Anyway- We go to Stride Rite to get some shoes.

Ava doesn't want the girl to even measure her foot, it was nap time and I was thinking this was going to be a mess. Well, I let her out of the stroller and she is trying everything on. We agree on this pair of shoes to try on but I forget her socks since she is in her daily pink Crocs that she will not budge in taking off. I have to ask if this is normal 2 yr. old behavior since she loves to tell me what she wants to wear and what shoes she is wearing, I don't remember this happening with Julia.

So, the lady gives us those pantyhose bootie things to try on with her new shoes. She loves them! She didn't want to take off her shoes at all. We head home for nap and she says, "Leave shoes on. I take nap in shoes." I was like, whatever at this point.

We then come to bath time after a night out with Jake at Chick-fil-a. Ava loved having some one on one time with him. So we get upstairs for bath and she throws a fit about taking a bath with her shoes and "socks" on. I explain it over and over again and finally, she is ok with getting in without the new shoes.

After bath, she is bringing me her shoes to put back on. Now, you have to picture this. We are somewhat potty training so I put on her diaper, then her new panties, then her "pants" which are shorts she has to wear with any nightgown, then her nightgown and on come her "socks" and shoes.

Julie comes to pick up Jake and is laughing so hard at her PJs. Ava shows her "Ju Ju" her new shoes and is running around the house since her new shoes make her go so fast. I was just thinking how fun it would be to be her age for just one day.

We get into bed with our normal routine of books and songs then she says," I sleep in my shoes mom?" What the hell?! I asked her if she was sure and she says, "Yeah! I silly." hahaa! It was so cute.

So, I am working in the office this morning when I hear her coming down the stairs and the first thing she says is,"I sleep with shoes on. I want play games on computer." First of all she still has the shoes on and then she wants to be on the computer??? What has happened overnight with her??

I just had to post this because the whole bootie sock thing is hilarious and they smell sooooo bad since we played outside and they got a little wet. I will need a crowbar to get these off of her.

Happy to say that Julia will come home today! It has been so quiet without her here and I think Ava is a bit bored with me. I can't wait to have my baby back!!

Julia's at Grandma's house

Well, my baby is gone for a few days. It seems really weird without her here. I say that I enjoy my freedom every once in awhile but I am missing her so much! Even take yesterday. We were getting ready for some friends to come over and I asked Julia to go upstairs and get dressed. She and Ava went upstairs and I could hear Ava say, "Julia, I want panties on!" Julia says," Ok Ava lets go look in your drawer."

My heart was melting to think that my girls are getting older and wanting to help each other. It was the sweetest thing. Needless to say, I was rushing around the house cleaning up last minute bowls and plates from breakfast when they come down the stairs. Julia had picked out matching tank tops and shorts. They were smiling from ear to ear. I was adorable!

A while later I was in the office getting some work done when I heard Ava say, "Julia I wet. My panties wet". Of course, I am thinking what is she talking about since I have been putting her panties over her diaper. Julia had put panties on her without a diaper and she had peed all over the floor and herself. It was hard to get mad when Julia tried to help her little sister.

So, I am having Julia withdrawals and she has only been gone for a night. I know she and my mom are going to have so much fun. She told me when she left that she would call me when she got to Grandma's. I called them and she was having the best time and was like "mom, who?"

Ava is asking where Julia is but not as much as usual. I think she is enjoying her time to herself as well. Julie and Jake spent the evening with her at their new apartment. She was in hog heaven getting in some alone time. Julie brought her back and she said, "No Mom. I want Ju Ju." Man! Again, I am chopped liver.

I guess it is all apart of being a mom. Missing them, loving them and needing them. I couldn't wish for anything more.

Adult Weekend = freedom and now Reality..

I have no pictures to post yet, but we had a great time at the Frio River. We went with Kim and Kerry and May Lan and Shawn. We have been planning this for what seems like forever and it finally came.

We dropped the girls off at Chad's parents house on Thursday to return on Sunday. It has been quite awhile since we had that much freedom. Half way there I realized all the things that I had forgotten to bring, camping chairs was the biggest one. Chad pulls over to grab some at a swanky Dollar General. I chose to stay in the car, which I normally don't do. I am guessing you can tell where this is going. He comes out with 2 "little" green bags with chairs in them. I was trying not to be so anal, so I just thought to myself, "Wow, those look little or they must fold up good."

We arrive at the cabin which was nice to scope out the river. I was disappointed to see how low it was since I was a virgin river person since last year. Last year they had 5 floods and the river was awesome! I just thought no biggie since we were alone and waiting on friends.

We started to unpack everything and I unloaded the green chairs. Man, they were so light. I started dying laughing when I saw the tag that read, "Kids Quad chair". Man oh man. Chad and his green chairs!!!! Needless to say, they were great foot rests this weekend and now the girls love them at home. haha

We had a blast at the river. We were able to float Happy Hollow a few times, take a nap, play some games and watch Kerry's awesome dance moves. It was great getting to know Shawn and watching May Lan's belly grow each month.

I was so ready to come back to see the girls. Not sure what happened in the night but they woke up in the worst moods and bascially have been hellans all day. I think my freedom has worn off and between trying to clip those damn coupons and take 2 hungry kiddos to the store- that was hell.

Thankfully they are napping and I will be able to think now. YEAH!!

Too funny not to post!

Aren't we purty?? This was Fourth of July weekend in Galveston. I had to post this late simply because I am horrible at blogging, myspace, facebook and whatever else is out there to post things but I HAD To post this one.

We went to Galveston for our cousin Ashley's wedding. Julia was the flower girl and it was so sweet. She got a bit of stage fright but then performed like she always does without flaw. Laurie, Anna, Julie and Jake came down the day before to the beach house for the day. We had a blast. The kids loved the water and the girls loved hanging with their cousins.

Above is what happens when you mix a Lopez gathering with a Fletcher gathering. A little bit of drinks and a good glass window- TADA!! It was hilarious! We laughed so hard when tiny hiney Ava started putting on her show. Anna and Julia were hilarious. Laurie was taking pictures and I think Jake was too busy laughing at it to partake.

I realized that I have huge gigantic nostrils. Oh well. What are you going to do... Hopefully it won't be another month until I can blog about our fun couples weekend we just had..

Little Miss Ava

I feel like the worst mom in the whole world. I have been pretty lazy about this whole blog thing. June 1st was Ava's 2nd birthday. Do you see that entry below anywhere?? NO! I was so consumed with the Hawaii trip and Ava getting well. It was a nightmare.

So, to make myself feel better, here is what happened. We had a party planned for Ava at her favorite park. It was about 1,000 degrees that day and of course, she wakes up with a fever. I was in party mode and we continued on. She was in the worst mood, it was hot as hell (or hotter) and she didn't have fun at all. We wrapped up the party early and came home.

The next day, I took her to the dr. because she was breathing weird and was burning up. I am not one to just rush out and call the dr. for anything, but this was freaking me out. Chad was at home with Julia and then off to get Ava's big girl bed.

The dr. that we saw said she thought she heard something in her lungs and I needed to take her to the ER at Texas Children's. I burst into tears at the thought of her having pneumonia and called Chad. He was in bed mode and didn't pick up. Long story longer, we get Julia to Debbie and Doug's and Ava, Chad and I off to the hospital.

Everyone and their dog was there and lucky for us, they started a new computer system. 7 or 8 hours later, she has an ear infection. I was pissed and relieved all at the same time. We didn't get home until 5:30 in the morning to have her feeling better once the anti-biotic kicked in. It was pure hell.

So, do you feel sorry for me now?? I am laughing under my breath but seriously! I didn't even document this huge event until now. But now you all know... :)

She is talking more and more everyday and loves her one month MDO. Tomorrow is the last day and I think she will miss it. She has been doing extremely well in it for being such the shy little girl that she is...

It's a BOY!!

We have a new addition to the family! Introducing Riley Rufus Fletcher. We have been tossing around the idea of getting another dog for a little while. Just the other day, Chad asks Julia if she wants a baby brother or a dog. Humm.. let her think about that one. She says,"Dad! Why can't we get both?" Like, "DUH!"

I was so opposed to the idea of picking up poop, caring for ONE MORE person in the family and hearing Ava screaming about the dog chasing her. Well, as you can see, I caved in because, come on- look at him! He is adorable!

He is a Cava-Poo (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and Poodle). We learned that dogs are all mixing with poodles. I didn't realize that you could mix a poodle with a lab. Sounds gross but then you get a Labradoodle. He doesn't shed, which was a major plus.So after many hours of Chad convincing me and research, we decided on Riley. Everyone wanted us to name him Prince, but for some reason, it didn't fit him.

We bought him on Sunday and he has been the best puppy ever! We haven't had a puppy since Barkley, which we got in 2000. Barkley is somewhere or maybe we should say- may he rest in peace- We gave him to the SPCA about a year or so ago. It has been awhile since we had a dog and the thought of getting pregnant right now, freaks me out, so a dog it is!

Julia is just smitten with him and loves him so much. Ava is getting warmed up to him but has recently petted him for the first time. She is scared of dogs and we hope with the new addition of Riley, her fear will be gone.

I know you are wondering why Riley RUFUS Fletcher? Well, Rufus is my dad's middle name and was my grandpa's as well. Now, with the passing of my grandpa- I thought it was fitting. Julia was also calling him- Roofie and Roof. So, Riley it is!