What's Red, Black & Polka Dotted All Over?

Why it's a lady bug, of course! Isn't she cute? Avi got to wear her costume to school this morning for a Halloween costume contest. Most of the kids and the teachers at her school dress up on Halloween. It's a lot of fun, and the kids really enjoy it!

This is Avi's best "cheese" smile. She kept saying, "Cheese. I wanna look at it, mommy." Everytime I took a picture, she wanted to look at it on the camera. Funny how they start understanding technology at such a young age.

These are a few of the kids in Avi's class. From left, Morgan, Miller (aka Miller Man), Avi, and Peter.

The kids with Ms. Elaine, their wonderful teacher

Haircuts & Pumpkins

I finally took Avi to have her haircut last Friday. It had gotten fairly long in the back, and it had some beautiful curls. However, the piece in the center of the back of her hair had gotten significantly longer than the other part, making it look like she had the infamous 80's rat tail. Drew had been on me for a while to get it cut, but I was just so hesitant to cut the sweet curls off. I took the plunge last week, and I am very happy with the results (the picture above is after the cut was finished). Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, and I took these with my phone; thus, the poor quality.

I had promised Avi M&Ms if she didn't cry and if she was a sweet girl while she got her hair cut. Needless to say she loves Ms (as she calls them) enough that she was an excellent little thing while she was in the chair getting her hair cut. I was very proud of her.

Last night we went to Starkville's first Pumpkin Palooza in downtown Starkville. We had a fun time, and it was a chore to get Avi to take a picture with the pumpkins. Again, I forgot my camera, so my phone had to do.

As a side note, we're headed to tailgate before the MSU/Florida football game. Go Dawgs! Hope we pull off a major upset tonight!

Where does Jesus live?

I had an interesting conversation with Avi this afternoon. I picked her up from school and as she was climbing into her car seat, she saw our Sunday School book. She started calling it mommy's Bible, and I didn't have the heart to correct her. And thus the following conversation took place :)

Avi: (gripping the Sunday School book to her chest) This mommy's Bible.

Me: That's right, that's mommy's Bible (again, not having the heart to correct her).

Avi: This Abi's Bible.

Me: No, that's mommy's Bible, but you may look at it (trying to teach her that not everything is hers...not sure it's sinking in).

Avi: This mommy's Bible (maybe it is sinking in)

Me: Avi, who does the Bible teach us about? (fully expecting her to say "I not know")

Avi: Jesus

Me: (extremely surprised and excited about her answer) That's right, the Bible teaches us about Jesus.

Avi: I see Him; I find picture of Jesus.

Me: I'm not sure there is a picture of Jesus in that Bible (thinking maybe I should have told her it wasn't a Bible??)

Avi: (she looks through the book several times) I not find picture, mommy.

Me: Well, I'm sorry sweetie. We'll look for a picture of Jesus when we get home.

Me: Where do you think Jesus lives? (I have no idea why it occurred to me to ask her this question)

Avi: in JACKSON!! (very excited that she knew the answer :)

Me: (trying to control my laughter) Well, I'm not sure he lives in JACKSON! I think maybe he lives in Heaven.

Avi: Yep, heben.

Me: Who else do you think lives in heaven? (thinking she might bust out with God or brother Austin or something like that)

Avi: Ummmm (one of her favorite things to say lately) Japheth (yes, she said Japheth, who is one of Noah's sons, as in Noah and the Ark...my mom taught her Noah's sons names, and she knows all of three of their names: Shem, Ham and Japheth!!)

So, really it was a fun and enlightening conversation on my part to be able to get a glimpse at what goes through my 2 year old's mind. Too funny.

Lots of Happenings

Last Friday night we went to a small fair that the Mississippi Horse Park had in Starkville. Avi had so much fun. We met up with Cory, Joan, Laura Leigh and Walt and had a good time letting the kids ride on the rides. Avi really enjoyed "driving" the cars. It was cute.

Riding in another car with Laura Leigh!

Avi also enjoyed a climbing/play gym that they had. She was really too young for it, but sweet Laura Leigh helped her go through the whole thing twice, and Avi was so excited. I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but she is dying out laughing coming down the slide at the end! Laura Leigh, thank you for taking time to help Avi go through the play area!

This picture cracks me up. She looks like she is glaring at me like a teenager! I made her let me take a picture of her :) at the tailgate on Saturday. I had to show off my abilities, though...I made the little outfit she is wearing in the picture (I made the pants and appliqued her name on the shirt). I was pretty proud of it.

Adorable Walt man!

Joan really had Avi's tickle box turned on at the tailgate!

We had dinner with some friends, Michele and Hans Herrmann. Their daughter, Petra, is about 9 months older than Avi, and they see each other at school a lot. They had fun playing with Petra's stash of princess dress-up clothes.

They were so cute sitting on the coffee table together!

Finally, about 2 or 3 weeks ago after church I went to grade some papers. When I got home, I saw the most magnificent rainbow I have seen in Mississippi, or anywhere for that matter, except for Hawaii. I could see both ends of the rainbow. It was just above our house, and it was beautiful. By the time I got into the house and got Avi and Drew to come out side to see it, it was almost gone. It was very neat to see, though. This picture doesn't do it justice.