Happy Fathers Day!

Audrey and Ava love their Daddy, Grandpa, and PopPop! They're probably their three favorite people to play with. The girls talk non-stop about their Grandpa and PopPop whom they love and miss when they're not around.

Today we're looking forward to a relaxing Sunday. We started it off with breakfast at our favorite diner and are going to go do something fun this afternoon (still not sure what.) We'll cap off the day with a homemade dinner of king crablegs and lobster cakes (Daddy's favorite) and watch the US Open on TV.

Our Dads are the best! We're both so grateful for their love and support through the years and want them to know we're so happy to have them as grandfathers for our girls.

We love our Daddy, Grandpa, and PopPop and wish you all the hugs and kisses in the world today! xoxo, Ava & Audrey

Happy 4th Birthday, Ava!

Our sweet little girl turns four today. We simply can't believe how quickly she's growing up. As the saying goes "the days are long, but the years are fast!" It truly seems like yesterday we were at the hospital meeting our teeny 5-pounder for the first time. We love her more every single day and are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Ava's been so excited about her birthday this week. She really looked forward to her birthday party, which we had this past Saturday. This year we decided (and were so thankful) to not have a party at our house, but elsewhere. We chose our local Sports Connection to do mini-bowling with all the kiddies. Eight of Ava's little friends were able to attend, and everyone had a blast! We started with mini-bowling. There was no structure to this (as I imagined with scores, taking turns, etc.). What was I thinking?!? The kids just kept grabbing the balls as they came up the shoot then throwing them back down the alley 1, 2, 3 at a time. It was hilarious, but they had fun.

After the bowling we had a pizza party followed by an "Angelina Ballerina" birthday cake. Last but not least, we opened presents! Ava had such a great time and was so happy to have all her friends there.

We've kicked off her actual birthday (today) with family breakfast at Dunkin Donuts followed by Ava's annual birthday picture at the time she was born (8:39am). Then I whisked her off to school (she was very concerned with missing school and being late). She wants everyone there to sing happy birthday to her. Tonight we'll go out to eat and celebrate Ava's birthday and both her grandmothers' birthdays (Happy Birthday Grandma Valerie {June 6} and Grandma Vaca {June 10})! We love you both!

Ava bowling!

This is Mini Bowling for ya!

The huge dent in the bottom is where she leaned in to blow out her candles :)

Excited to open presents!

Audrey had fun too!

Ava on the merry go round

Bowling Pin Cookies for party favors

Audrey's 15 month update

Our sweet baby is growing up before our eyes. Almost a full-fledged toddler, Audrey had her 15 month appointment last week where we learned all kinds of new stats. For one (not that this is a surprise) our girl is tall and is going to stay that way according to the doctor. She's in the 90th percentile for height! As we also know, she hasn't missed a meal coming in at 70th % for weight. Her head circumference is 80%. All in all, she's pretty evenly distributed.

Now that she's walking and climbing everywhere, she's definitely thinning out. She still loves to eat, so she's keeping up with her caloric intake. We learned last week, however, that there are a few things she can't eat. Several months ago she broke out in hives immediately upon eating her first PB&J. We mentioned this to her pediatrician at her 15 month appointment and he set up an appointment for her to see the allergy specialist. That happened last week and she got a basic 16 point allergy test run on her back. Everything's graded from a 1 to a 4. If you're a 1, 2, or 3 it's not a huge deal, but something to look out for. If you're a 4 in any category, then that's a pretty big deal that has to be monitored 100% of the time. No surprise, Audrey was a 4 for peanuts meaning she's HIGHLY allergic. We also learned she's highly allergic (4) to bananas and soy. This shocked us, as she usually eats 1-2 bananas a day. Although it doesn't produce an external reaction, the doctor said she may have a horribly upset stomach by eating them.

She also was a 2 or 3 with: grass, mold, beef, chicken, tomatoes, and corn! What's left to eat? I guess she's just go vegan... (ha ha, not in our house.) The doc said she can still eat those things, but to watch her for reactions. We now have epi-pens in both our cars and elsewhere, as we've now become "those people" who ruin the fun for everyone due to our kid's peanut allergy. Such is life I guess! Enjoy your peanut-butter-less PB&J.

Summer is here!

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. Summer is definitely in full swing in the Vaca household. We've made several trips to the pool and are already gearing up for our 4th of July beach weekend. Our long weekend was just the right balance of fun things and relaxation. Friday night we had our friends, The Cains, over for a cookout. Saturday we did lots of yardwork during the day before heading to a Charlotte Knights baseball game with Ava that evening. Her favorite parts were the kids' area bouncy house and carousel, followed by getting to meet "Caroline" the team mascot's female sidekick (she's a big green dragon!)

Sunday we went to church then spent the afternoon at the pool. Ava is getting more and more confident in the water, and we're hoping to have her lifejacket-free by mid summer so she can really enjoy the water to its full value. We headed over to Grammy and PopPop's for a cookout Sunday night which was quite yummy! Audrey especially loved the cake!

Monday it rained (downpoured) from 10am onwards. Luckily we got in breakfast at Panera and a trip to the park before the rain started. It made for a fun day at home just lounging around and enjoying one another.

Ava and Drew on the porch

Audrey enjoying cake at her grandparents' on Sunday

Ava in the bounce house at the Knights game

Ava and Mommy at the Knights game

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Ava riding the carousel at the Knights game

Ava and Dad at the Knights game. She smiled because I promised ice cream :)

Ava and Grammy at our little cookout