Catching Up!

So it has been a little while since I have posted, and tomorrow is Ava's birthday, so I will really need to post to wish her a happy birthday (even though Patrick got missed on his birthday!). I would feel a little worse if he actually ever checked the blog out, but I am assuming he will never even mention this to me :) Happy Birthday Patrick. I hope you had a wonderful day with your girls! Anna and McKenna knew over a month ago what they wanted to get their daddy for his birthday - a colorful blanket and pillow! When we went to go pick it out, Anna wasn't quite satisfied and kept telling me it looked different in her head - we had the same issue with a picnic last year! I like that she has such a vivid imagination!

As always, things are crazy at the Clerkin household. Anna and McKenna are in full swing of soccer which means 2 practices a week and at least 2 games a weekend. This week, McKenna has a game Saturday and Monday and both girls have dance on Monday, so I am pretty sure we are all going to be exhausted on Tuesday morning. I am having a fantastic time coaching McKenna's team and the girls seem to be having a good time as well. Between the soccer games we found a little time for a karaoke dance party.

Patrick got to take Anna and McKenna to the annual Frisco Daddy Daughter Dance with several friends from the neighborhood. The girls thought it was wonderful to get to dress up and go dancing with daddy. We have celebrated quite a few friends' birthdays as well - Austin's 3rd (had a great bounce house party), Claire's 1st birthday (her blog is on the links) and Alissa and Michael (McKenna's school friends). McKenna is also quite the social butterfly having several playdates - my social calendar is filled with their events, not mine! Below are some pics from the dance and grandpa and daddy's birthdays.

Ava is continuing to grow up way too fast - taking 1 step if she can't stretch to the object she wants, saying words - mama, papa, bye, Anna (which was immediately followed by a tearful, when is she going to say McKenna), Beau-Beau and uh-oh. She is a very vocal little girl, by that I mean she grunts and screeches when she doesn't get her way. The thing she dislikes the most is when Anna or McKenna opens the gate to the stairs and then closes it before Ava can get there. She loves climbing the stairs, and she is really good about going up and down the correct way, but I am not ready to set her free just yet! Below are a couple pictures of her 'problem solving' skills!

I am remember back one year ago today - we were in the middle of an ice storm and I was worried that we wouldn't make it to the hospital in the morning for our 5:30 am check in for my c-section. In a little less than 12 hours, Ava will be 1. I still remember Anna and McKenna meeting her for the first time at the hospital with their adorable pig tails! Makes me want to do it again - but not just yet :)! Here is a picture of that beautiful day, seems just like yesterday.