First Day of Preschool

Today was finally the day for Ava's first day of school. This girl loves her some school and asked us nearly every day this summer, "When will summer be over? When do I get to go back to school?" Can we record that for future reference?

I didn't feel sad today - I'll be saving that for next year when this big girl climbs on the school bus for the first time. Later in the evening I asked her, "Where did my little baby that I used to hold go?" She responded by snuggling in and saying, "I'll always be your little girl and you can still hold me". My sweet girl :(

This pose was unprovoked (I guess it just felt natural to her). I may be partial, but I think this little lady could march into a "Toddlers and Tiaras" competition with no make-up, fake hair, or crazy stage mom and whip all those girls' bottoms:
These two really do love each other (right now). I think Aidan really missed her today, he was a bit whiny:

Is it just me, or does it look like the backpack is about to knock her down?

State FARE*

*I spelled it this way on purpose, so you could really hear the hick accent...it rhymes with "pay-er"...........

This year we made the first trip that we have made in years to the State Fair. It didn't take me more than about five minutes to remember why I hate it so much - THE PEOPLE!! So many rude and pushy people everywhere...almost from the exact moment we got there.

The kids were OK, we only lasted about three hours. However, in that time, we managed to check out the animals, ride a few (not too scary rides), eat lunch, and play some games.

Yet another reason why I hate the fair. REALLY???? Every year there is the new "deep fried" gimmick. This was a first for me:
Our favorite redneck in a very cool Nascar..."My 88 car!":

Ava all diva-licious with her shades:

Kids and llamas:

The world's largest boar. Pretty sure this is all he does. Later in the day, Ava said, "I want to name him Biggie, because it rhymes with piggy":

Pretty safe to say I will cope just fine if we don't make the venture to the fair next year!

King's Island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last week, we made the annual Kimble Family pilgrimage to one of our favorite summertime traditions - King's Island. This year was kind of a big deal for Aidan, because he was able to ride nearly every ride in kiddo land. It's crazy to think how much they have grown over the past year...last year Ava had the 40" wristband and this year she wore the 44" band, while Aidan didn't even register on the scales last year, and this year was a solid 38". We grow them big.

The weather was perfect - only a few sprinkles - and not hot at all. This year, we got to go with my parents, my nieces, and Sean's youngest brother Drew. My parents took the kids for a few hours while Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Drew got to go ride "Diamondback" - a VERY cool coaster (not as cool as "Millennium Force" at my all-time favorite amusement park, Cedar Point).

Here are Aidan and Ava on their first ride of the day...the swings:
Aidan's first roller coaster ride (he has his hands up like a pro):

Pretty girl Ava getting ready to pilot the Red Baron's plane:

Uncle Drew displaying his muscles. Surprisingly, this little man scored a 94 on a scale of 100 for this game (I say little man, because he was only 2 1/2 when Sean and I met...so weird that he will be 17 in February!!!!!!!!!!!!):

Ava and Sam playing "Whack-a-Mole". Sam won, but very graciously let Ava choose and keep the prize:

This year, the new theme in kiddo land was "Peanuts". I must admit, I preferred the previous "Nickelodeon" theme. However, Ava didn't seem to mind:

The only picture of Mommy and Daddy we managed to squeeze in the whole day. But, here is the evidence that I WAS there :)