guess who's back...back again...

today was ava's first day of FIRST grade!  our sweet little girl was so excited!

we had to take a few mandatory photos before we left this morning!

i even got her to agree to a few poses before we got in the car :)

then it was time to head to school!  ava got really quiet when we set foot inside.  you could see the nervous excitement written all over her sweet face. 

 [i love that i was able to get another picture of her and her daddy walking in together :) ]

we walked her to class, put away her things in her locker, and then got her all settled at her new desk! 



i have a feeling is going to be a very different year for our little miss!  1st grade is a big transition year, and i can't wait to see what is in store for her!

Here's to a great school year!

gearing up for FIRST grade...

on monday, this little big girl will start 1st Grade! i will be back on monday with first-day pictures and lots of details!

have a great [last] weekend of summer!

wordless wednesday...

baby cousin sharing his love for journey with miss ava :)

top ten tuesday...

1. crystal-light.  i was house/dog sitting this weekend for my sister-in-love, and she had a pitcher of this goodness in the fridge.  i may or may not have finished the entire thing.  soooo good.

2.  fish-tail braids.  i think they look so cute!  i just need to figure out how to do one!

3.  chevron.  still obsessed with this pattern.  wanting a new bedspread or pillows with this print!

4.  commander-in-chic.  i love painted nails, and this color pretty much goes with everything!

5. the help.  i finished this book on my trip to ohio, and i cannot wait to see the movie!  i may have to go see it this weekend!

6.  erin condren.  she is new in my life, and i cannot wait for another plum district special so that i can buy her life planner!

7.  retailmenot.  i have found some great discount codes recently that have saved me quite a bit!

8.  SYTYCD.  so sad that it is coming to and end.  also sad that every last one of those dancers have more talent in just their pinkie toe than i do in my entire body.

9. j.crew.  anyone want to contribute to the "candace needs better clothes" fund?

10.  friendship.  i have some amazing ladies in my life :)

what are your top-tens this week?

hair today, gone tomorrow...

little miss was way overdue for a haircut! we kept it long this summer, mainly because we had a wedding she was in in July.  but with school just around the corner, we went ahead and made an appointment with the girl who cuts my hair [ava LOVES her] and decided to go quite a bit shorter! no more pony tails for french braids for this girl!

here she is one week ago....

and here she is today!!!

she loves it, and i think it's pretty cute too! 



splish, splash, a birthday bash...

for the big birthday bash, we went low-key this year and hosted a swim party for ava's friends and family at the apartment.  it was hot, but so much fun!

as far as decor goes, we kept that pretty low-key too. hot dogs & cupcakes were served, and pool noodles & squirt guns were given as favors :)

a majority of the party-goers spent time in the pool,

while the boys manned the grill [a big thank you to brad, who handled most of the cooking!]

sweet girl got so many wonderful gifts, but she was ECSTATIC about her new DS from nana & papa!  the proof is in the pictures...just look at that face!

preston wanted in on the present action too :)

finally, it was time to eat [cup] cake!  ava is not a cake eater, but she insisted on one this year!

here she is taking one of two total bites ;) 

preston, on the other hand, was in love :)

it was a great party filled with family, friends & fun! 

It's sweet to be SIX...

SIX years ago my world was turned upside down when the sweetest little bundle of pink was placed in my arms! Sweet Ava, I cannot believe you are SIX years old today! Then again, I also cannot remember my life before you were in it!






You are my biggest joy, my greatest accomplishment. Your funny, smart, beautiful & kind. I love you more than I ever knew was possible!!!!





Happy SIXTH birthday sweet girl!!!

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