"Was There Lots of Blood?"

Last year I opened Desirie's picture drawer to retrieve some old photos I wanted to convert. Evan and Ava were very involved and asking to see pictures of themselves. Now, most of these photos were pre-digital camera so the most recent photos Desirie had developed were of Evan as a baby. When Ava kept asking to see a picture of herself. The closest thing I could find for Ava was a picture of Desirie 8 months pregnant with her.

Aunt Jayne: Here Ava, you're in this picture.
Ava: Where?
Aunt Jayne: You're Mama is pregnant with you, you're in her belly!
(Ava concentrates on the picture and then slowly looks up)
Ava: Was there lots of blood?

Now We Know the Trick!

Evan got Swine Flu this past weekend and it developed into Pnemonia. My Mom and Anna brought over a Gatorade for Evan and Ava went ballistic.

Ava: Where is something for me?!!!
MorMor: Ava, Evan is sick!
Ava: I WANT SOMETHING!!!! AAHHGG
Aunt Anna: Hey Ava? Can I squeeze your belly?
(Ava turns around and goes from totally enraged to totally enthused)
Ava: SUUURE!!!!

Maybe After a Trip to IKEA

This past Spring, I rode in the back of Desirie's Green mini van while Anna and her sat up front and read directions. Ava and Evan were getting pretty wild, especially Ava who kept screaming for no apparent reason at all.

Ava: AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Aunt Jayne: Ava stop it, why are you screaming?
Ava: (clenching her fists and teeth) Because I'm sooo mad
Aunt Jayne: Why are you mad?
Ava: I'm mad at IKEA!

Little Old Lady

Ava had just started Preschool and one morning on the car ride to school, Desirie decided to ask Ava about her new friends.

Desirie: So Ava, I know you're friends are Sarah, Amy, Nicole and Marie, but what is that little boys name that you play with?
Ava: "I dunno, but he sure is a cute little guy"

"It's a Mystewy!"

Desirie was getting Ava dressed one morning and needed Ava to go get her tights.

Desirie: "Go get your tights Ava"
Ava: "I don't know where my tights are mama"
Desirie: "Ava, you have to look for them"
Ava: "I don't know where they are mama!" (Ava leaned forward, and very wide eyed whispered) "It's a Mystewwy"

Later that morning Ava's older brother Evan wanted to go outside.

Evan: "Get your coat on Ava!"
Ava: "I don't know where my coat is Evan!"..."It's a Mystewy!"

"My Belly Button Hurts"

Ava walked into the living room and cried out to her mother one late evening. Desirie turned to Ava who looked distraught. Desirie was concerned. The scenario went like this.

Ava: Mama, my bellybutton hurts!
Desirie: Ava! What did you do?
(Ava is silent)
Desirie: Ava! You have to tell me what you did!
Ava: I stuck a Crayon in it and Stirred

-Aunt Jayne