Ava's 4th Birthday Party

Okay, she's not quite officially four years old, but she did have a pretty fun birthday party yesterday celebrating the big 0-4! She wanted her party to be at the same gymnastics place it was last year and we were happy to oblige, especially since our new house is nowhere near ready for party hosting and our old house is almost half-packed. The kids that work there do all the set up, cake serving and clean up, so that definitely sweetened the pot.

They started the group of kids out on the big row of 6 trampolines. This is one of Ava's favorite things to do.

Ava's grandpa decided it would be funny to trick me into thinking he'd gotten Ava a puppy as a surprise birthday gift. Grandma and Adam were in on the joke and were both trying their best to convince me.

When I saw the little puppy was a hunting dog, the "dog was outta the bag"! I know Mike a little too well to think he'd let a good lookin' hunting dog like that go! Just as I suspected, Mike had picked up the newest addition to his hunting dog crew on the way to the party. That little 6 week old baby puppy was a cutie, but one baby in the house is enough for me for a WHILE.

Ava got her birthday girl medal for the second year in a row.

The coach had the kids pretend they were animals running from a big lion!

Uncle Josh and Elizabeth look on while the kids play and get crazy energy out!

You can tell by the way Elizabeth watches Ava and her friends that she can't wait to be running around with them!

Ava bounces down the trampoline runway...

...and jumps into the big pit of blue, foam squares.

Ava was finally brave enough to go on the big rope swing and jump into the foam pit below!

Ava is still very much enthralled by the princess thing, so she thought her princess castle cake was pretty great.

Poppy made a very special birthday gift for Ava this year. He has finally taken some time to work on his passion of making metal (steel, copper, brass, etc.) sculptures, so he made one for her. She's been to the museum several times, a few with Poppy, so she is excited to have her own piece of art.

Hope your fourth birthday party was one to remember, Ava Grace! Daddy and I sure love you and are so proud!