Ava is 40 inches tall this year. Last year she was only 38 inches. The extra two inches got her onto the biggest roller coaster that she has ever ridden. The "bravest kid in the whole world" rode the coaster with her hands up in the air and squealed with joy the whole way... Twice!
A beautiful picture of Mom and Ava riding the Love Buggies. There are some rides that the whole family can go on together. This one even Mom can ride since it is slow and calm enough that it won't bother the baby.
For as long as Dad remembers the Great America Amusement park was themed based Nickelodeon. This year the park is under new ownership and they changed to Peanuts. Ava was thrilled to see the Peanuts characters and ran right up to Snoopy. Mom and Dad are glad that they won't feel so out of touch as they did with Dora and Spongebob. Some things are just classic and timeless!
Dad's favorite ride at Great America is the Eagler Flyer. You sit in an eagle that is suspended by wires and it goes round and round. You can turn the big fin back and forth and it will make you go higher or dive lower. Ava had her hands held high in the air and proclaimed "I am the bravest kid in the whole world." She repeated this dozens of times during the day. Mom and Dad don't know if she was the "bravest", but she certainly was one of the "happiest"!
Sunday was the grand opening of Great America for 2010. It was a beautiful sunny day and Ava, Mom, and Dad spent they day at the Amusement park. Ava was so happy to be back to all of her favorite rides from last year. This picture is from the main entrance, you can see some fountains behind Ava and a large double-decker carousel. Ava was all lathered up in suntan lotion and wearing her new beach hat that you will see for the rest of the summer. Oh, and don't forget the pink crocs which are a staple of Ava's summer wardrobe!
Ava is determined to learn how to do the hula hoop and so that she can do it next year in the Canyon Heights Academy Circus. She has been "practicing" a lot in the past week. She has learned that if you spin it hard enough it might go around once or twice before it falls to the floor. She hasn't gotten the whole hip motion down just yet, but maybe Mom can help with that!
The cats have been afraid of Ava for years. Mostly due to Ava's energy and boisterous behavior. However lately Ava has gotten much more relaxed around the cats and they are starting to warm up to her. Dena will let Ava pet her and Simon occasionally will be still for a few seconds before running for his life. The other day Ava lay down on the floor with Simon as he was napping in the sun. She pet him gently and spoke softly to him. Pretty soon the cats will probably like Ava better than Mom.