The Logic of a 2-Year-Old

A recent conversation on a random week night with a particularly clingy 2-year-old.

Mommy: Ava, can you please give me some space?

Ava: What??

Mommy: It means step away and give me some room. Back up a little, please.

Ava: Oh, no, I can't back up from you! I LOVE YOU!

How can I argue with that? The logic is beautiful.

Read All About It

One of my and Ava’s most treasured routines is our every-two-weeks trip to the Huntingburg Library. From the moment I opened an account there and Ava realized the purpose of this castle-like brick building, she has adored the library. Although at first she was a bit shy and slow to participate, she now feels like an honorary visiting dignitary each time we arrive. With her head thrown back proudly, her arms swinging in her own little rhythm, she walks through the double doors, past the central counter, and into the children’s area. Once there, she first peruses the available DVDs, usually coming away with something princess-themed. Then it’s on to the bookshelves, where she meticulously selects her 5-10 books for that trip. We then stack these books on the single existing children’s table, where we read through them together to make sure Ava has made the appropriate choices.

Then it’s home with our goodies for endless reading fun!

Halloween

Looking back, we had quite a lovely Halloween in the Smith family, mainly because Ava and I finally convinced Erik to wear a costume! Sound the bells and the Halleluiah chorus! Sticking with our ubiquitous fairy tale theme, Ava dressed as Belle, I was Cinderella, and Erik wore a royal robe as Prince Charming. Not too shabby, eh?

Friday night we took Ava trick or tricking, mainly in Huntingburg to various family members where she could wallow in the princess identity she so adores. However, we did make a special trip to Otwell to Papaw and Mimi's church for their annual Trunk or Treat. All in all, it was a fun Halloween.

Then, on Saturday night, my parents threw their annual Halloween party. Once again the Smith family was out in full fairy tale regalia. We love this party because it combines my wonderful, crazy family (WHO ALL DRESS UP!) with some of the yummiest food you can imagine. Toss in a bonfire, lighted pumpkins, and smores, and it was a blast. Of course, Ava's favorite part was the new chickens Mamaw and Papaw had. She spent much of her time (still in her Belle costume) feeding and holding the new chicks. Oh, how I love my daughter! She is an outdoorsy girl just like her mother.

Yes, I let her hold a chicken! She loved it!

Incognito

There are several reasons why I love my neighborhood. For one, my 84-year-old neighbor, Bill, shares all his newspapers with me, which he hand-tosses onto my porch when he’s finished with them. Love that! I also enjoy that most of my neighbors with pets will stop by our porch, just to let Ava love up on their little cuties. She loves that! Furthermore, I found it fully heartening that most porches at Halloween sported hand-carved pumpkins with a variety of faces on them. Anyone that takes the time to carve and display pumpkins gets an A in my book, as you well know!

But perhaps my very favorite thing about the neighborhood is this: one can leave a large, fully-stocked purse in a driveway in full view for any number of minutes, and thank the lucky stars NO ONE STEALS IT!

Yes, this frightening event occurred yesterday when Ava and I left for a quick trip to CVS. Apparently while strapping her into the car seat, I unerringly left my purse in the driveway. We made it all the way to the CVS parking lot before I realized I had no purse, at which point I panicked and slammed the car in reverse. Ava was quite impressed with my NASCAR-like driving skills, and she kept up a running commentary all the way home. Mommy, you lost your purse. We’re going to find your purse! This is fun! Are you mad you lost your purse? Move it, lady! (This in direct mimic of a similar comment I made, as you can imagine.)

Thus, my love of my neighborhood swelled when I returned to find my purse still safely sitting in the driveway, exactly where I left it. Ah, the relief! Of course, Erik credits its wellbeing to the fact that it was a leopard-print purse, and according to him, No one stole it because no one could see it! It was incognito!

Here is Ava posing with the now-infamous purse: