Promoted

Once back home Boudreaux took roll of #1 dog in the house. Ava played with him all day. She dressed him up, gave him medals, made him a pallet in her room, etc….everything she loved doing with Teddy. However, when it came to bedtime we thought she was fine with Boudreaux in her room. Nope. She came into our room crying for Teddy. I held her and we cried ourselves to sleep.  

R.I.P. Teddy Villa Nixon

April 18, 2005 - August 30, 2015

Our hearts are broken over Teddy’s passing. It happened too sudden. We didn’t see it coming. He was fine then out of nowhere started to have difficulty breathing. I slept with him to monitor him….not thinking it would be my last. He passed away fast and with me comforting him.

We told Ava he went to doggie heaven Sunday morning. She asked a ton of questions, but didn’t really grasp that he was not coming back. I on the other hand cried off and on all day trying to hide my tears from the kids. My parents buried Teddy in their back yard after we left. It would have been too difficult for Ava and I.

Family Fantasy Football Draft

The Villa Family hosted the Annual Fantasy Football Draft at my parents’ house. The guys draft and the wife’s/kids mingle. I love seeing all those cute Villa kids.

Back in our Bed

Well someone is back in our bed. Ava starts off in her bed, but at some point in the middle of the night she end ups in our room asking to sleep with us. Here are a few of her excuses for not sleeping in her room:

• she doesn't want a toy and just wants to sleep with us
• she saw a shadow
• she is scared
• she is hot in there

So, we let her in our bed. Its not a battle we want to fight in the middle of the night. I have to remind myself she is only little for so long.

Visiting Granny and OK Family

We hauled 2 kids and 2 dogs 4 hours to visit Granny/Aunt Adrienne and Aunt Debi/Uncle Press (who drove down from Oklahoma) in Tyler, TX. The road trip really wasn’t that terrible. I packed lots of snacks, DVDs, toys and the kids took long naps.

The kids woke up Saturday morning to cows, horse, and chickens roaming the field. Ava LOVED…I mean LOVED her time in the country. We only had 1 incident that freaked her out. She went to put her boot on (which was outside by the door) and a huge spider crawled up her leg. Poor baby was terrified. I quickly killed it and ALWAYED checked our shoes after that. Nathan’s only encounter with insects was a few ant bits from sitting and play in the sand.

Our time with family was priceless. Granny is approaching 90 soon so time with her is very special. We hope to visit again very soon.

Morning view at the breakfast table

House Divided

This past weekend I had Ava and Ryan had Nathan. 

Ava and I had plans to dress shop for Aunt Rachael's Wedding. I'm a bridesmaid and Ava is the flower girl. So since we were half way to my parents house we made a quick trip there for the night. Ava had Mimi and Gramps all to herself. I rolled sushi (I haven't rolled in years) and enjoyed time with my mom. We had a great time! 

Nathan and Ryan hung out at the house, ran errands and went to the splash pad. By the pictures Ryan sent I think they had  a great day together. 

Mother Daughter Date

Ava and I enjoyed our 1st "successful" Mother Daughter Date (as in not rushing through, bribing her with candy/cell phone game, etc. and enjoying each others company). Usually she won't last through a full mani and pedi so we don't even attempt dinner afterwards. Well times are changing and this Big Girl did it!

I picked her up from daycare (Ryan had Nathan duty). We went to our nail salon where Ava wanted to sit in the kid area and not by her mom. I still asked for a chair where I could see her. As I sat there enjoying my mani and pedi (and a glass of wine) I couldn't help but smile every time I saw my Big Girl enjoying herself. She let the lady massage her arms/legs and even sat long enough to get a design on her fingers/toes. So afterwards we went for sushi...well Ava had chicken nuggets. 

I just love this girl! I'm looking forward to many more dates with her. 

Oh Nathan...

This little guy is all boy. He will push, pull, slam, throw, and stand on everything

This is Nathan's usual routine. We will give him milk in the morning and after school. He will take it from us and go straight to sisters chair to enjoy it....like every single time. He will sit there until he is finished. We laugh at him....Ryan says all he needs is the newspaper.

Weekend Fun

Another fun weekend at home with these cuties!

Ava digging for worms

She caught one!

Making Progress

Since I can remember Ava has been sleeping in our bed or one of us would lay with her until she falls asleep. Well lately she has been wanting to sleep in her bed and we have been encouraging it. This horse was an incentive for her to sleep in her bed all week without us having to lay with her. We have a night light in her room now, tuck her in, put Teddy in bed with her, and put the TV on sleep for 30 minutes. On top of sleeping in her room she now likes to get herself dressed in the morning. Weekdays I lay her clothes out for her and the weekends she picks out her outfit. She will get dressed, brush her hair, brush her teeth, and put her socks/shoes on.

She is getting so BIG.