A Very Good Place to Start

The classic backpack school shot. Here was our big girl on her first morning of preschool.  Ava is going to Pumpkin Shell and is loving it.  She's made some sweet friends, been asked to participate in an advanced pull-out reading and math class, and managed to remember every sweet snack they've enjoyed - you know, the important stuff.  We eventually had to ask for a lunch menu because the only thing we were hearing that she ate was cereal and smores.  Silly girl.  I'm shocked at how well she's adjusted to her time at school.  She's happy to go each morning and even seemed a little let down on Saturday when it wasn't a school day.

Josh captured this shot of the two of us on our way to our first days last Tuesday (January 3).  Ava's level of happy has made my new job even better.  I was nervous about the Mom Guilt I was sure would creep in, but it's actually been okay.  It's hard to feel guilty about something that makes your child so happy.  Also, my job is just pure magic.  It's like someone sat down and said, "Hey, let's specifically tailor a position that includes everything that makes Autumn Lockett Sparkle."  Seriously y'all, it's such an amazing fit.  I'm humbled and thankful and so energized every day.  Yay!

Another amazing aspect of this new chapter in our lives is this guy.  Josh has been so supportive of Ava and me as we head out to our new places.  He's been unpacking (still, yes - Christmas + over 3 months of European travel is a beast to unpack), organizing, and preparing delicious meals.  Love him.

We are definitely having to learn how to manage our time from 5:00 to bedtime.  It's been cooperation at its best.  One night last week Josh prepped all the veggies and laid out the ingredients for us to make Texas Quiche.  Baba and Pops bought Ava some kid-sized baking pans and we were eager to try them out. (Please notice Josh serenading us with The Civil Wars on his guitar in the background of this series.)

No Easy Bake Oven for Ava James.  She used my favorite Pampered Chef mat and her mini Silpin to roll out her crust.

Checking the thickness

Rolling the crust onto her rolling pin like a pro

Then unrolling the crust onto her pan

Shaping the edges

Almost ready to bake the crust

Can't forget the pie weights!

After the crusts pre-baked it was time for us to fill the quiche.

A layer of Hatch geen chiles

Then some freshly-grated Monterrey Jack

Next comes the chicken, carrot, mushroom mixture

Finally, the egg and spices are poured over the top.

All ready to bake

Watching for a golden top

Shocked by her delicious finished product

She had so much fun preparing her mini quiche alongside my big one.  I can't believe how grown up she is.

With all of our new changes this month I haven't taken as many pictures as I usually do.  I've included a few iPhone shots to finish off this post.

Here I am, so excited to have my first-ever business card.

I'm hoping to dedicate an entire post to my new office, but for now here's a sneak peek with my favorite visitor so far.

Christmas and New Sassy Hair

Over Christmas break we were so thankful to see friends and family.  I'm always amazed at how many precious faces we manage to cram into our short time in Texas.  Of course there are always folks we miss, sad.

You'll be pleased to see that James Lockett (Ava's Elf on the Shelf) also "madithomsaf".  He had a blast hiding in mischievous places with Mimi's old elves.

We loved our time with the Broaddus family, Ninfa's for lunch and Spice for shopping with the perfect company - life just doesn't get much better.  We can't get over how big Ethan is.  What a sweet little guy.

Stacy and Rich came to see us and helped Ava build a gingerbread house.

Carefully assembling

The darling finished product

Silly James made block words with Mimi's two elves.

Poor Beene Beene broker her femur right before we returned from Switzerland.   Ava was disappointed to miss out on her usual trips to Beene Beene's palace at Josh's parents house. 

We made sure to visit the hospital several times over our time in Texas so these two could catch up.  While we were in Switzerland Beene Beene sent Ava the sweetest letters telling the stories of animal characters they've created.  In this picture Beene Beene is reading her the latest news from their imaginary friends.

Making sugar cookies for Santa

All iced and ready

Leaving Santa's cookies on the hearth

Making sure Santa isn't already in the chimney

 When we woke up on Christmas morning the cookies and James Lockett were gone.  He left a special goodbye message for Ava in the blocks.

Santa left her a rocking horse and TV for her dollhouse, just like she asked.

Mimi and Coach gave Ava a kid-sized piano and some beginning piano books.  I'm going to cover the basics with her and we hope to start piano lessons once she's mastered these books.

At Baba and Pops house Nolan and Ava were very happy to see each other.

I think Baba was pretty thrilled to have them back in her arms too.

Watching Aristocats in their sleeping bag/chair

Ava read Nolan a book about trains while he signed along.

Ready to bake gingerbread cookies in her souvenir Luzern shirt.

An Ava and Baba Christmas tradition

I'm sure Nolee's smiling face will be included in this shot next year.

The mild-weathered Christmas allowed for lots of outside play time resulting in two very dirty grandkids.

Nolan helped Ava rinse her hair.

Beautiful weather and fun in the December sun

Pops knows how to push Ava perfectly.

One of my new favorite shots of Ava

Little Mommy trying to prevent Nolan from chomping rocks she collected

So happy together

A neighbor.  Yes, really.  While she's not great for lending a cup of sugar, this little donkey provides entertainment for the grandkids.

Kicking the ball with Nolan

Uncle Nate gets a taste of what Sarah and I mean when we say we have our hands full.  Can anyone see the grandma spotting him?

On a nature walk

Something she learned in the Alps: always carry a walking stick.

Big news: Ms. Well has a big sister!  Baba and Pops gave Ava this real big American Girl.  Ava promptly named her Arabelle, which rhymes nicely with Ms. Well.  I think her name may have had something to do with a wonderful Christmas visit with the Farmers. (Robyn, how do we have no pictures from our time together?  Oh yeah, we were talking 100mph the whole time.  I'd say it was a fair trade.  We have to take some pictures next time though.)

We had a special Christmas celebration with Beene Beene in the hospital.

Presents and puzzles and lots of love were shared.

On the night of Halloween 2010 Ava announced that she was planning to grow her hair out to be Rapunzel for Halloween 2011.  

 

As soon as we were finished trick-or-treating in Switzerland she was ready to have her hair cut short.  Between the expensive prices of haircuts (and everything else) and a major language barrier I wasn't brave enough to have her hair cut while we were abroad.  I promised her that as soon as we returned to Oklahoma we'd go to her favorite salon and she could do whatever she wanted with her hair.  On Saturday I made good on my promise.

She loves this place because they let her pick what fruit scent she'd like her shampoo and conditioner to be. 

Everything is kid-sized, bright and fun. 

Talking over her decision to donate her hair to Locks of Love

Determining if she has enough

Yay for a 10 inch donation!

Snipping it

 All gone

Shaping up the rest

A quick blowdry and a few strokes with a round brush later

 and her hair is cute as can be.  No more tangles, no more marathon blowdry sessions, no more gobs of shampoo and conditioner.  Also, Daddy can fix it on mornings he takes her to school.  She loves it and so do we we.  More about school and our first week of work soon.  Hope everyone had a lovely week!