Stranger Danger

I thought it necessary to finally sit down and have THE TALK with Ava. She's wise beyond her three years so I thought it appropriate to put it all out there. So, I sat her down today, armed with a book and my own maternal knowledge and decided to finally have THE TALK... not that one (get your head out of the gutter)... the STRANGER DANGER talk.

I should preface this story by saying that nothing scares me more than losing one of my children. I've reported on enough child abductions in my years in the news business to be scared for the rest of my life. That's not to say my children live in a bubble. However, I'll be the first to admit I'm a little extra-cautious.

Ava is a very friendly little girl, constantly greeting and waving at just about anyone. She's quick to tell complete strangers about her age, what she liked to eat for dinner, how to spell her baby brother's name... you name it. It's sweet and, I'm sure, most everyone she shares random information with has no interest in stealing her... but, you can never be too sure. So, I thought now was an appropriate time to talk to her about strangers.

I checked out the Berenstain Bears Stranger Book from the library, we read it, we discussed it. "Mommy, I only talk to a stranger if you're talking to them. But I never talk to a stranger by myself. And I don't eat a stranger's candy, even if it's a gummy worm. And I don't go anywhere with a stranger." It seemed to sink in.

But then, as we waited in line at Babies R Us she left my side and stood right next to the woman who was checking out and began telling her about the "Tinkerbell" movie (which was at the register). Initially, I thought, "I can see her, no biggie." But then I thought better of it and decided that if I was going to get my point across about strangers, I needed to nip it in the bud. I called her back over, told her I knew she was being friendly and that the woman seemed nice, but that it's important that she stay with me. I don't want to frighten her and make her think everyone is a bad guy, but I want her to be aware.

So, later, we go to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. As we were in an aisle an elderly man came up and began talking to Jax. He said some kinda questionable things, "He knows I'm a grandpa," "I have a whole room of trains at my house," "Grandpas just love to cuddle and take naps." I, of course, was extremely uncomfortable with this man and began walking away with my kids when Ava turns around and says, "You're a stranger!"

I turned away and smiled. I don't know if she sensed just how creepy this man was or if this should be the reaction I should come to expect anytime anyone unfamiliar speaks to my kids. I asked her why she thought the man was a stranger. She said, "We don't know him. He shouldn't talk to Jax unless he asks you because you're the Mommy." So proud!

One-Armed Bandit

I knew this day would come. I guess I expected it to come a little later. But alas, it has arrived. Ava's first injury-related X-Ray.

It all started Monday. We went to a friend's house for desert and some Wii (Ava kicked booty). At one point, and I'm not exactly sure how it happened, Ava fell out of a chair. It wasn't like, "oops, I slipped and landed on my bum." Nope, it was more like, "I'm a Weebles, I wobble and I DO fall down." She just kinda tipped out of the chair. Very odd. Anyway, she landed on her arm. She cried for a little while, but found comfort in playing baseball on the Wii.

Tuesday and Wednesday she kept complaining her arm hurt. I noticed she was using it, so I wasn't too concerned and just chalked it up to post-fall soreness.

Thursday rolls around, same thing. By Friday, she was holding the injured arm close to her body and limiting her use of it. She also winced when I touched her arm. There was never a bruise in the area she said hurt, so I thought it best to take her to the doctor. The doctor promptly sent us to the hospital for an X-Ray and put Ava in a sling. Now, here's the thing about the sling. It's so sad that my little girl has to even wear the darn thing. I hate that she hurts, she hates that she can't move her arm. But to be honest, it's kinda cute. I mean, here's this little person with this little tiny sling. I guess it's just the size of it that makes it so adorable. That's pretty applicable to all things tiny. One time, after doing her business on the potty, Ava took a look (who doesn't) and commented, "Oh, look at those cute little turds." See, it applies to anything.


Anyway, we are still waiting to hear back about Ava's arm. She seems fine. We haven't been able to get her to keep her sling on and she's hasn't complained about pain at all today - GOOD NEWS!

The bad news is, we got into a car accident on our way out of the hospital. We're both fine. Wish I could say the same about the car. We take it in tomorrow to the insurance company for damage assessment. Keep your fingers crossed...

Becoming Three...

I just had to post these cute pictures of Ava. As she gets closer and closer to three she gets more and more girly. As of late, her favorite accessory is a little crown Grandma and Grandpa gave her for Christmas. She wears it not only around the house, but to the store, the mall, the library and to visit Daddy at BYU. She often refers to herself as Princess Ava and loves to brush "my beautiful locks" while standing in front of the mirror staring at herself. I mean, I can't blame the kid, she's gosh darn adorable!



She's also, as of late, become very enamored with my iPod, often commandeering it and telling me I can have it back when, "I've heard all the songs I want to hear and I'm done dancing." I jokingly said to her one day, "You sure are a bossy little thing." Her response? "That's because I'm becoming three, Mommy." I can't wait to see what becoming 16 is like.