June 28-July 2, 2026 Spending time with AVA

 Day 1: 

We met Ava at Sky Zone for Hazel's fifth Birthday Party at 4 P.M. The kids enjoyed jumping and playing on all the equipment.

Next, they were served pizza, Cokes, and water, which some devoured quickly while others just nibbled.

Next, they sang Happy Birthday to Hazel Cate. After Hazel blew out all 5 of her candles, the cake was cut and served. There were cupcakes for those who did not want a slice of the strawberry cake. There were dipping dots for everyone. 

Next, Hazel opened all her presents while the kids crowded around to watch. 

After the party, we took Ava home with us.

Day 2:  

I went back to the dentist at 11 A.M., but it was the wrong day. So we rode into town to run errands.

We ate lunch at Captain D's. Ava ordered chicken and fries. I ordered fish and fries, and Hubby ordered salmon, which Ava ate some of.

Day 3: 

I was up early before it got too hot to plant some bulbs. I had to prepare the ground first. 

Ava was still in bed. 

We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel. Ava ordered Chicken fingers and fries. I ordered pinto beans, fried apples, and cornbread. Hubby ordered fried pork chops with creamed potatoes and broccoli. I paid the bill with my Christmas Gift cards for Cracker Barrel.

We went to Sam's Club for ice cream, but their machine was broken, so Ave ordered a Cherry Slushy and a salty pretzel.

We went to the Blue Door, a thrift store, where AVA picked out a couple of pairs of earrings, a pair of shorts, and a T-shirt.

On the way home, we stopped at Foodland. Hubby wanted some banana popcycles. We stopped to talk to Ronnie (Ava calls him Johnnie).

Day 4: 

Today, we rode to the Cooks Museum in Decatur. Ava and I walked through the museum (we have been there several times). The honey bees were back. We saw bats hanging in the cave. I climbed up into the treehouse. We watched the fish swim, and Ava took my photo in front of the jellyfish.

We rode to OH'Bryan's in Hartsell for lunch. I ordered a catfish plate with one piece of fried catfish, a baked sweet potato, coleslaw, onion, and hushpuppies. I could not eat the cole slaw because my mouth was still sore from having 3 teeth pulled.

Hubby ordered one trip to the salad bar, steak, and baked potato.

Ava wanted McDonald's, she ordered a hamburger, Chicken nuggets, fries, and Coke. She ate some of Hubby's steak and two of my hushpuppies.

Day 5: 

I went outside early and heard and saw a red-tailed hawk fly into a nearby tree. 

I went inside to get my camera, but saw him fly away before I could take a photo.

I went back inside to get the keys to the gator and my camera. I was going to ride around to see if I could find the hawk and listen for other birds.

I got on our John Deere Gator, and a red wasp landed on my inner leg and popped me a good one. I went inside to put some medication on the sting.

I went back outside, taking the wasp spray with me. I thought I would get that wasp if it was still flying nearby.

I didn't see it, so I cranked up the gator and out came several red wasps.

I got stung again on the top of my hand.

I sprayed and killed several wasps.

They must have built that nest late yesterday because I rode the gator yesterday.

Everyone, be careful before getting on anything outside, those red wasps could be hiding just waiting to sting you.

Ava wanted to go to the Splash Pad at Heritage Park, so I packed a cooler full of ice and Cokes.

I packed a bag with towels and sunscreen. We both put on our swimsuits.

When we arrived at the splash pad, no one was there, and the water was off. A couple of women were sitting on the sidewalk. They had been on the walking trail.

We asked why the splash pad was closed, and one said it was because of the drought.

So, we rode to Walmart to pick up a few items.

We ate lunch at Arby's. Ava ordered chicken fingers and cheese sticks; I ordered beef and cheese sandwiches; and Hubby ordered a roast beef sandwich, curly fries, and two peach pie rollups.

We rode to McFarland Park so Ava could play on the playground equipment. I walked to the restroom and back. I saw a Great Blue Heron, several Canada Geese, and several waterfowl. Hubby sat in the air-conditioned car, watching AVA. We did not stay long; it was just too hot.

Every day, Ava watched SpongeBob and played in the playroom we set up just for kids.

Nevada came to pick her up around 4 P.M.

She loves to come to our house, but she was ready to go home.

I think she wanted to spend the night with her friend Cloey.

2024 May 20, 21, 29, Sites we took AVA

Ava in a Space Suite 

 2024 May 20, Monday, Trip to Space and Rocket Center 

Today, we rode to Huntsville to the Space and Rocket Center 

We took Ava, and she loves museums.

We saw Science on Orbit and Space Craze. Your mission begins here, Huntsville, Rocket City, Home of the USA's Redstone Arsenal. There were games to play, rides, a space shuttle, rockets, helicopters, planes, and pictures of every astronaut who has flown in a rocket or shuttle. There was a lot of construction, and many visitors were not allowed to enter the area.

Ava got inside one of the modules, where you had to lie down with your feet propped above your head. We looked inside "Ch-47D Chinook Helicopter. Two soldiers were guarding the shuttle(they were statues)

We saw Saturn's Brain and steering. Several school groups were present, and we met a family from Sweden.  

 

We ate lunch at Culvert in Madison.

We were going to Cracker Barrel, but got caught by a train, so we turned around and went to Culvert. 

My Hubby and I shared a three-piece, hand-cut, hand-battered fried cod meal with onion rings and Coleslaw. We also have the yogurt Snickers swirl, which is the day's flavor.

We ordered a kid's chicken-finger meal with fries and a drink for Ava.

She also ordered one scoop of chocolate yogurt, but was brought the Snickers Swirl, which she would not try.

So, Hubby ate hers, and we bought her a chocolate yogurt 

They also forgot that our coleslaw was out of stock, and we had to go to the counter to get some. They were out of coleslaw 

I guess they didn't want to go back to find more

They had a new employee. Everyone was ready for bed that night. 

Ava and the Space Shuttle 

2024 May 21, today we took Ava to the Muscle Shoals Municipal Court Building, Spring Park, and the Tuscumbia Train Depot  

To see the TVA display and learn about Muscle Shoals.

We saw cicadas covering all the Crapes Myrtle trees.

Inside, I met a city worker from Muscle Shoals, and we discussed the area's history. He told me there were graves of American Indians with stone markers, and you cannot read the names. He said there were graves all over the shoals that were unclaimed and destroyed. He said I had worked here for years before I took the time to read all the history here. He said I didn't care much for history growing up, but he knew a great deal about the area. He said he and another worker had to fix the sewage off the cliffs he supervised once. Someone else went over the cliffs. He said that he found old bottles dating back to the 1800s. He gave one to him and said I am going back to collect the rest.

Upon entering the Municipal building, you will see a Chandler four or five-arched gateway leading to and inside the museum area. 

Inside the Museum, we saw Welcome to "Pathways…A Walk through the History of Muscle Shoals."

Explore these exhibits and discover a city rich in history.

See original artifacts from the real estate boom when Henry Ford said he would "employ one million workers and build a city 75 miles wide," to when Muscle Shoals was known as "The Hit Recording Capital of the World."

Muscle Shoals has become one of the most progressive cities in Alabama, a place where thousands call home.

Ava and Hubby at  Muscle Shoals Municipal Court Building

History of FAME Recording Studios and its owner, Rick Hall. 

A light pole with street signs of Wilson Dam Highway and Sheridan Avenue. 

Cases full of the History of Muscle Shoals, the first Mayor of Muscle Shoals, George Lewis McBride, and his wife, Susie. 

Pictures of President Roosevelt and Eleanor hang on the walls.  

There was a lot of information about the TVA Wilson Dam building. We walked outside, and the Crape Myrtles were covered in Cicadas. 

Ava in the Little Red Caboose 

After we left Muscle Shoals, we went to the Tuscumbia Train Depot. 

Paid five dollars each to go inside 

The curator shared the history of the depot with us.

They had the original carriage that Helen Keller rode in as a child 

We walked around outside, looking at all the train cars. 

Next, we rode to Spring Park. 

The water was turned off going to the waterfall

So there was no fresh water entering the spring 

There were a few ducks and geese in the water 

It was lunchtime, so we rode back to Florence and ate lunch at Cracker Barrel.

Ava ordered Confetti pancakes with bacon.

Ava ordered confetti pancakes with bacon and a doctor pepper to drink 

I ordered grilled chicken fingers with pinto beans, a slice of onion, cornbread, chow chow, and iced tea 

Hubby ordered steak, eggs, and hash browns with biscuits and iced tea to drink

Hubby bought two large chocolate chunk candy bars 

2024 May 29, Wednesday, McFarland Park took AVA 

Today, we rode to McFarland Park to let Ava play on the playground 

I listen to bird sounds 

We got our B12 shots and paid the utilities 

We rode to Sheffield to pick up our monthly check

We rode to Champy's for lunch

Hubby and I split a Catfish meal

Of the 4 pieces of Catfish fries, Hush Puppies, and coleslaw, I ordered 2 chicken-finger meals with fries. 

We rode to Aldies for a few groceries 

Then we headed home 

Catfish, fries, slaw, onion, and Hushpuppy

Ava at Champy's