Ava got her first bike a few months ago, and was SO EXCITED, but then she fell on her elbow twice and has been frightened of it ever since. Then yesterday I had an idea. We loaded up with bike and trike, drove to the high school, and rolled over to the track, a perfect oval with looooong straight sides, requiring no elbow-crunching turns, and off she went. Lo and behold, bike riding is fun! She went ALL THE WAY AROUND and she nearly floated away on a cloud of excitement and pride. She ran over to me with arms in the air and a huge grin, screaming “I did it!!” – We then explored the sand pits for the long jump, and both kids had a great time trying to do it. Ava said “I love this run and jump game, mom!” The funny part about it was that she and Carter both ran full tilt to the sand, screeched to a halt, then jumped. They just could not figure out how to leap while running. They did not even realize that they were not doing what I was doing. Not that I was the best example. I don’t bounce.

Ava is a riot to talk to. I will start a story, and get to a part like: “And then we had to move, with a pregnant cat, to Pennsylvania, but first we had to go to South Carolina to stay at my grandmother’s house because our PA house was not ready,” and she will suddenly, very seriously and very intently interrupt, and say “oh, yes yes…I have been to South Carolina…it is so beautiful there. Really gorgeous.” Completely deadpan, completely 100% convincing.
I just stare at her when she does this. It is like talking to someone at a cocktail party.

Carter calls her Evi or Avi. It is very cute. Mama…Mommy. Dada…Daddy. Ava…Avi. Logical.