My House; a published work by Ava Bittinger

When I told Ava our house was going up for sale and that people might come by to take a look, she seemed puzzled.  She asked how people will know about the house and how they might decide they want to see the inside.  I told her that photos were published on the computer and sometimes in magazines that people look at when they are searching for new homes.  My inquisitive Ava got hung up on the word published. 

Sophia had been playing with the Hello Kitty Polaroid camera, taking  aimless photos, but occasionally capturing a gem or two, mostly of the cat.  Apparently, this inspired little Ava to start a project.  She set out to document her house.  Five minutes later she presented her images. Thankfully, the camera was low on film. With the sheer determination of a six year-old, she asked me to please put them, "in one of those magazines."  Now I was puzzled.  How was I going to get a 1st grader's project published and help my daughter accomplish her goal?  All I could think of at the time was what the next logical step would be.  That is, if Ava really was the William Randolf Hearst she was dreaming to be! 

I wasn't sure what to do exactly, I needed to buy myself some time.  Sophia had found more film, and Clover the cat's modeling career continued. I briefly discussed layouts and titles and left Ava to move forward.  Soon, Ava requested some Scotch tape and in no time at all came up with this spread.  

"Can you publish it, Daddy?  Please?"

"Umm...?" 

 Hopefully, this posting will be sufficient.  I think she'll be super proud; maybe even as much as I am. 

The Tooth Fairy

Ava lost her first tooth a few weeks ago.  She was bound & determined to yank it out of her jaw as soon as possible, regardless of the pain.  Once she accomplished her goal she proceeded to prance around the house with the tinny-tiny tooth.  It didn’t take long for her to drop on the thick shag-like carpet that covers our living room.  Or, perhaps it was on the couch, or in the hallway, or on the stairs?  She couldn’t really tell us for sure.  Nevertheless, we assured her that the Tooth Fairy would solve this pressing issue for us and deliver her goods.  Sure enough, the next morning there as 35 cents in her pillow case.  We explained it was such a low amount because the fairy had to work extra hard just to find the tooth!

A few days later was a Friday night when Mom was out of town for work.  We searched the TV for a movie for us all to watch. A month earlier I had turned on Sunset Boulevard, the 1940s classic about an aged silent film start who had gone made, thinking they’d be asleep from boredom in minutes.  To my surprise, they were both captivated throughout.  This time as we searched the On Demand menu, The Tooth Fairy popped up and I clicked to investigate further.   I had little recollection that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had stared in a movie where he turned from pro hockey player to Tooth Fairy, but the kids were all for it.  He was called the Tooth Fairy by fans because he had a reputation for knocking opponents’ teeth out!  Ava was captivated by every scene. 

Not long after, two more teeth became loose on the front row of Ava’s lower jaw.  We told her she’ll soon have to speak like Elmer Fud since her tongue will have nothing to press against.  Ava managed to not to lose the second or third teeth she lost and has noticed their earning power rise as a result.  She’s now approaching expert level at using dental floss to help yank out loose teeth.  Sophia, of course, is getting more and more jealous about this subject each time it comes up. 

Riding the Rails

After a rainy forecast, we changed out Fourth of July plans from a drive down to Louisville to a train ride into Chicago.  We were disappointed not to camp, see the free Cool & the Gang concert and my friend Rob, but the girls were ecstatic to finally take their first ever train ride.

We hit the road first by car, parking for free at the East Chicago station along the South Shore Line.  Due to our extra early arrival, we got to know  the town a little.  We urged the girls to practice their Spanish a little while taking in lunch at Taqueria Los Comales, as well as with the guy pushing an ice cream cart around the park. 

Before long, we anxiously boarded the nearly full train headed to Millennium Station.  None of us could together, but that only aided the girls in charming their new friends.  Both struck up conversations with their seat-mates and smiles were spreading throughout the car as others overheard.  As we arrived, one man told Erin that Ava is sure to host her own talk show one day.

A short walk from the station was our final destination, the Renaissance Hotel on Wacker Drive, just off the State & Lake "L" stop.  From our window we could see the Chicago Theatre to our right and the Hancock Center & river to our left.  The location was perfect for our plans; short walks along the water and through the parks.  While eating a deep-dish pie, and waiting for the fireworks, we took in a free concert in Millennium Park.  Since Ava had to ask every dog walker if she could pet their dog, we spoke with half the city. 

The girls were wore out by the time we returned to the room, thus we had our most successful night in a hotel to date.  The next day started with use of the hotel's pool & workout center, then it was back to the parks for playing in the fountains and walking along the lakefront.  Sadly for her, Sophia slept through our stop at Ohio St. Beach.  There, Ava met a few more dog owners.

We extended our stay by deciding to take a later train back to the car.  It was a good thing because all outbound trains were delayed that afternoon.  A track worker for METRA was killed when he was struck by a train.  Our slight inconvenience meant nothing when we learned later that his name was Luis Mercado and he was 36 years old.

It was a fun excursion into the city that won't soon be forgotten.  We've been up there with the girls multiple times, but this should be the first that Ava is able to recall.  More visits to the Second City are sure to come. 

Sophia Turns Three!

I'm sure this echos what most parents say, but I can't believe my baby is now three years old!  Time certainly does fly.  It doesn't seem like that long ago that we watched Butler University fall one half-court shot shy of winning a national basketball championship.  The next day, Sophia was born. Tonight, Michigan & Louisville play for the title as I outline my little girls busy b-day.

We started the day by going to the movies.  Hotel Transylvania, an animated film with Adam Sandler, was a big hit with all of us.  We've taken them to the theatre a few times, but this is probably the first one Sophia really paid attention to the entire time. 

Next we visited the nearby fair grounds for the Bunny Show!  4H kids from around the area brought in hundreds of rabbits of all shapes and sizes to be judged and awarded prizes.  Sophia was a little hesitant, as she usually is around any non-human living thing, but she's didn't seem as threatened as she has been. 

 

After that, since it was practically the first nice day of spring, we hit Columbia Park.  Sophia reached another milestone by heading down the big tube slides without much hesitation. 

 

After a bite to eat at Arni's, we headed home for presents and Erin's annual animal cake. 

 

This time around, it was a caterpillar!  It made Erin's day when both Ava & Sophia correctly identified it. 

 

Ava had a hard time letting Sophia open her presents and get the most attention, but overall was a great big sister.  To be sure, it was a fun and memorable day.

Back in the (family blogging) Saddle

While at home with a sick little Ava (Strep), I thought I'd unearth our long-forgotten family blog.  "Bitts of Us" had been hardly that for quite a while, but now I hope to write more consistently about our family. 

We've been very lucky when it comes to the health of our girls.  Other than Ava being delivered through Cesarean, and Sophia's 104 temp at age two weeks, we've had very few issues.  This week, Ava made her first trip to the doctor's office since her last round of vaccinations.  Turns out she was supposed to have a physical when she turned 4.  Oh, well, she's been healthy.  The crazy thing is that she still only weighs 31lbs!


Demo is always the most fun!

Over the last few months, Erin & I have rekindled our interest in doing DIY jobs around the house. Thanks to Pinterest, there is never a shortage of inspiration.  We finally got our counter tops installed, and are currently creating (copying) a headboard project Erin pinned a while back.  



Self-portrait X-mas card shoot

After recently feeling like I'm letting opportunity slip through the cracks, the girls are finally beginning to learn Spanish.  Two things I wish I could do is to speak a second language and play an instrument.  I'll feel like I've let them down if I don't urge them to achieve at least one of these at an early age.  We've prodded their daycare to take up foreign language training as part of their curriculum, and they've finally made it happen (now that Ava only has a few months left).  On Fridays, they work with Miss Jessica, who is from Puerto Rica, on colors, animals, greetings, etc.  On top of that, I've arranged for two of my students to visit the center to read in Spanish.  Another comes once a week to read in Chinese, the native language of multiple students, as well as her own.  I'm very happy this is starting to happen, and a little proud I'm meeting one of my goals as a father.
Side Note:  Sophia likes to pretend she's riding in a car. When entering & exiting her car (usually within seconds of one another) she always imitates the putting on her seat belt by saying, "buckle-buckle, buckle-buckle."  I love it every time!

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Little Orphan Smava

Ava does not like to go to bed. She often...check that...always gets up and attempts to sneak back upstairs after being put down for the night. This is on top of her disdain for obedience. It seems that Ava looks at listening to her parents as a sign of weakness. I kind of respect that, but won't tolerate it at this point in her life.

After a frustrating weekend, I went to the extreme. Surely, many a parent has threatened to send their kid away if they didn't behave. Perhaps I would have too had I thought my daughter would have understood. Instead I told her a story about a little girl named, "Smava." Clearly, this tale was being pulled from thin air. It kind of when like this for few minutes...

Dad: Once upon a time there was a little girl named, Smava.
Ava: My name is Ava
Dad: Yes, but this little girl is Smava
A: I’m Ava
Dad: I know. This is about Smava
A: I AM AVA!
Dad: Moving on.

Smava's parents were having a hard time getting her to be a good little girl. One day, they told her that they'd be visiting an orphanage. About this time, the story became quite detailed. Point being, my girl would now easily comprehend Dickens' "Oliver Twist," the musical "Annie" and relate to Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life."

But here is where the story made a sharp turn. Smava took it upon herself to assume she was the reason for the family visit to the state-run home for naughty children. Ava's rare razor sharp focus made it clear that she did the same. Well, as it turned out, Smava's mommy & daddy had no intention of ditching their daughter. They were there to bring home new little brother or sister.

Whether they had given up on their own genetic make-up, or trusted the stereotypical tough-love approach of an orphanage to better raise a child, is for you to decide. The point was clearly made to both little girls. I don't know about Smava, but the inspiration for her character went right to sleep shortly after the story.