29 July 2010

list twenty-three: ten things I love about ava



ava turned ten a couple of days ago. yup, ten. both feet into the next decade and there are a few things I'd like to say:

1. she loves cherry-flavored anything. almost as much as I do.

2. she is able to transform all tiny hidden nooks and corners into magic places.

3. she does not mess around when it comes to fountains and wishes. it's the same every time: she cups the penny with both hands, closes her eyes tight and whispers her wish with an impressive amount of intensity before flinging it into the water. so much hope in her eyes it makes me want to cry.

4. she totally gets why old banana seat bikes are cool.

5. she loses herself in books.

6. she draws pictures that are full of quirky characters and spectacular detail, pictures that tell the kind of stories I wish I could write.

7. she has a super silly side but only lets those closest to her see it.

8. she watches the world with wide open eyes and often sees things I do not.

9. she still lets me read to her at bedtime.

10. she is the girl I always wanted to be. and still do.

(twenty-three down, twenty-nine to go)

32 comments:

  1. Aww. Happy birthday Ava! What a beautiful, creative girl. (And oh my, you've entered the double-digits. My oldest turned 9 at the end of may. I'm a little nervous about 10...)

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  2. ahhh, special girl with a special mom. she'll love looking back on this.

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  3. A very happy first decade to you Ava!

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  4. Happy Birthday to your Ava. She sounds like a delightful young lady.

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  5. Happy Birthday, Ava! Oh, can I be you too? You sound so cool. :)

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  6. Recently I've started doubting whether or not I want kiddos of my own. This post is a big ol' check on the "pro" column. Thank you.

    And a big happy birthday to Ava!

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  7. How sweet! I have a niece that's about to turn ten. It's been amazing watching her grow into the marvelous person she is.

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  8. That last one just killed me. So so sweet.

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  9. ava is a precious gem. and the image of her making a wish at a fountain is so sweet, it gives me a happy tear.
    happy 10th, ava!!!!

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  10. aw Happy Birthday Ava! she looks like such a sweet soul. i love your lists, especially your birthday lists.
    Ava sounds like someone i could have been best friends with when i was a kid. she has lots of character for a 10 year old. hope you have a wonderful day girlie!

    p.s. i might have to do this someday when i have kids (if you don't mind). :)

    -Tina

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  11. "...she is the girl I always wanted to be. and still do."

    isn't it that... creating the world for them that we wanted to have....?

    wonderful. your lists make my day.

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  12. I think if Ava and I had grown up together, we would have been good friends. :) This was a wonderful list and I think you, as a mother, value good things about your kids. Tell her happy birthday!!

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  13. fountain wishes DO come true.

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  14. super sweet.

    happy, happy birthday ava!

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  15. Happy Birthday, Ava!
    She is quite an amazing girl.
    I still have the beautiful ring I bought from her and treasure it:)
    She's gonna look back on this post with so much love and good memories.
    That is so awesome :)

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  16. love this :) what beautiful observations of such a beautiful sounding girl.

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  17. She looks so sweet-hearted and beautiful! What a wonderful post!

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  18. Happy Birthday Ava! I love the way you describe the fountain wish too!

    Please come back and flickr their birthdays soon. I so miss your fabulous celebrations.

    x

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  19. best. hula. list. ever.

    and happy birthday sweet rainbow girl.

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  20. aw, so sweet it makes me tear up. happy birthday to your little one. may she always keep one hand on the magic.

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  21. what a charmer! seems to me that you're one lucky mama, and she's one lucky kid.

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  22. The sweetest. Both of you.
    Happy birthday, Ava!
    xo

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  23. What a sweet list. You have an amazing daughter. Happy Born day to her. Kudos to you for raising such an amazing little lady.

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  24. A sweet list for a sweet girl with a sweet Mom! Happy Birthday to Ava!

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  25. Awww, #24 got me teary! So sweet!

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  26. Such wonderful Mama-love is a beautiful thing to witness. Thank you.

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  27. What a lovely ode to your not-so-little girl! Happy Birthday, Ava!

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  28. You just made me cry with this post, proper tears and everything. We have to treasure our children don't we. It struck a cord because my wonderful talented boy is 10 and he seems to have go there so quickly it frightens me. Thanks for a wonderful post, I will pop by often from now on!

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  29. happy birthday, ava... so what kind of party was it? not gonna lie, stole the asian tea party theme from last year for eva's fifth birthday. it was a hit! getting ready for this year's (in december); was hoping for ideas!!

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  30. so much love and bliss in this post.
    we all need role models like your girl.

    xo

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  31. ah delightful. What a treasure she is! You're so blessed, as is she. Lovely list...and WOW to the cake..!

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  32. I love reading your lists, you inspired me to do the same on my blog!... http://pixiepolly.blogspot.com/search/label/52%20Lists

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