Temper Tantrums Galore

Aviva has officially become a toddler - she has opinions and she loves to express them. Her favorite thing to do is swing (and swing, and swing, and swing) and every time we have to leave the park, she screams. And then all of the parents look over, expecting to see someone shoving skewers into her eyeballs, and then we have to smile and laugh and say "she just really hates to leave the park." Oh well!

She'll throw little temper tantrums if she's been sitting in the car for too long and she'll have little temper tantrums while sitting in her high chair if we don't get something for her fast enough or if we're trying to give her something she doesn't want to eat. It's kind of funny and Neal always says, "She gets it from you." Whatever!

We had a fun week-long trip to Philadelphia and the Jersey shore and my mom and niece will be here in two weeks! Time has definitely gone fast - we're going to go to New York for four days when they get here because Mercedes has never been and really, really wants to go. I remember being 17 and really wanting to go to New York as well. It didn't happen then, but finally happened when I was 22(ish). I'm sure it will be fun and the baby is staying home with Neal and his mom, so it will be nice to have a little trip without having to worry about her.

Then, it's on to our summer excursion! My mom is taking Aviva back with her when they leave and then Neal & I are going to drive out. We're going to be in Iowa for a few days and then all of us will fly out to Seattle to visit some friends for a few days. After that, we're going to drive to Oregon for a family wedding and will be there for another week. Then, it's back to Iowa and the 18 hour drive to Philadelphia. Oh boy! It will be a long trip! At least Neal does most of the driving on our trips - whew!