Camp Paula - Day Two

Guest Post: Auntie Paula recounts her week with Ava

We felt blessed to have Ava visiting and every day with her was great, but Day Two of Camp Ava/Paula was perhaps the best day! Ava and I packed a picnic lunch and took Lily to the National Zoo. About three-fourths of the way to the zoo, Ava decided that perhaps going to the zoo was not what she wanted to do. Since I live about 40 miles away from the zoo, turning around and going home wasn't as appealing to me as it was to Ava. We compromised and decided to have lunch at the zoo and then head home if Ava didn't want to stay!

Upon entering the zoo and looking for a place to have a picnic, Ava was quite excited to discover a chipmunk. He was behind a fence and appeared to have his own habitat for viewing. However, much to our surprise, he was able to get through the fence and move about the zoo just as we did! After our picnic lunch, Ava decided she wanted to stay. First stop - the Asian Trial and Giant Pandas. We were able to watch Mei Xiang enjoy her lunch. Little did we know that Mei Xiang was pregnant when we saw her. She gave birth to a girl on August 23rd! As we wandered through the panda habitat, we tried to find Tian Tian, the male panda. Although he seemed to be hiding that day, Ava did find a cute statute to pose with.

Next, we were off to see the elephants in their new habitat. Although we were able to see one of the elephants, we were on the opposite side of the habitat from where they seemed to be hanging out. Ava and I decided to walk to the other side for a closer view. However, along the way Ava decided that having a snow cone and doing some people-watching may be more exciting than seeing the elephants up close. So, for the next hour and a half, we sat on a bench and watched the people at the zoo! After that, we packed up and returned home. Upon leaving, Ava decided that her favorite part of visiting the zoo was seeing the chipmunk!

On our way home, Ava did something I was told she rarely does anymore - she napped the entire way home. While driving home, I started thinking this nap thing was a great idea. I would join her when we were safely home. That was quickly thwarted as we pulled into the garage and Ava said "wow, I took a nap. I guess this means I don't need my quiet time this afternoon!" 

Once home, Ava and I decided to journal and then paint our nails in preparation for meeting Joe and Chick-Fil-A for dinner. Ava Lily, and I arrived a little early so that she could hang out in the Chick-Fil-A playground. When Joe arrived, we ordered dinner and then ate outside in the picnic area. Ava and her charm were on fire this evening. The Manager was a sweet lady who became Ava's buddy while we waited in line for a Hello Kitty sparkle tattoo. The Manager even offered us a free ice cream cone as well as coupons for dinner later in the week - although we didn't take advantage of this kind offer, we thought it was quite nice that Ava's good behavior was finding such favor with the Manager!

By the way, Ava felt that Joe was better suited than I for taking care of Lily while she got her tattoo! Joe felt quite honored and I felt quite relieved! Next stop - Swirlies for dessert. After enjoying our ice cream, Ava and Joe ran around and checked out the theater park area, playing tag and looking for treasures in a conduit. Ava was certain there was a mouse in the conduit and shared this discovery with Joe! We were having so much fun at Swirlies, that Ava found the owners and declared "Swirlies is the best!" This nearly brought tears to the owners' eyes as they are striving to create a fun and family friendly place for kids to develop cherished childhood memories. A couple of moments after making this proclamation, the owners presented Ava with a tie-died Swirlies t-shirt! 

After that we went home for a couple of rounds of Candy Land. What a full and fun day!