wedding plans

This is rather lengthy post, but this serves as a journal for me.  Basically, I have an open journal that others are welcome to read, or not, that provides me with a way to glance back in time and remember [the kids mainly] life.

Last week we went to visit our friends Sam and Maggie.  During their playtime Sam and Ava were two peas in a pod.  They went off together, made a fort, got comfy in Sam's little chair, and had an all around marvelous time.  Sadly, the time came to go...but this is where it got interesting.  As the kids climbed into the car and were getting buckled Ava looked at me and said "mom, I bet you can't guess our secret."

Me:  You and Sam have a secret?
Ava:  Yup, and you can't guess our plan.
Me:  oookay.
Ava:  It's a surprise plan.
Me:  Ah, really.. what are you getting married?
(complete look of shock and disappointment on her face - I had guessed her secret)
Ava:  Mom!!!!  Did you hear us talking?  Were you listening to our plan?
Me:  Um, no.  I was just being silly and took a guess.

The rest of the conversation on our drive home went something like this...

Me:  So why do you want to marry Sam?
Ava:  Um, because he's my best buddy and we always play together at my house so that's why I really wanted to marry him...plus we already planned it.
Me:  I see, and what about any other boys you might know or meet?  Why do you think you want to marry Sam?
Ava:  Because we're almost the same age...he's one year younger than me and I'm one year older than him.  And because the other boys make paper airplanes and are wild.
Me:  Fair point.  Anything else?  Why would Sam be a good husband for you?
Ava:  Because he's calm and the other boys in my class are wild.  Plus, he planned it and I thought it was a fablious (fabulous) idea.  First of all I might need to go to his house again before we leave for Arizona to tell him we need to be 18.
(the original plan was for 15!)
Me:  Ah, and let him know there's been a change in the plan?
Ava:  Yeah, just about how old, not that there's a change of plan in the wedding.  That's it.

You may be wonder, or marvel, at my spectacular recall ability.  Don't.  About five minutes into this I started to record it on my iPod.  For most of the time I was trying desperately to take her seriously because she, with Noah chiming in, kept going into more detail!  Now, before reading the next part I have to add a disclaimer that Ava has been a flower girl in five (I hope I'm getting that count right) weddings and attended a few more.  She is quite the self proclaimed expert.

Ava:  We didn't have enough time to plan the inside and outside part (she means ceremony and reception).  As we get older and older we'll plan that part.
Me:  Sure, you have lots of time for that.
Ava:  I think we might have it at the park. (she means the one right by his house)  Then we could have the, what's the first part called?
Me:  Ceremony?
Ava:  Yeah, the ceremony inside the church but then the next part...what's that called?
Me:  The reception?
Ava:  Yeah, the reception outside at the park.  (long pause)  I think I might choose a flower girl too.  Two flower girls actually.  Know whos that gonna be?  Gwenna and Lael when they're bigger.  They'll be big kids...that's why I'm gonna choose them.  And of course they won't be that naughty that they were when they were little.  (insert Ava polishing her halo)
Me:  You seem to have this all worked out.
Ava:  And there will be Caleb....and he's gonna be old.  (long pause)  And I think Uncle Lonnie should do the wedding...just like he always does.  Don't you think?
Me:  Sounds good.

Not to be left out...Noah began chiming in with his own plans.  Hey, he can plan his wedding too.  Priceless.

Then, yesterday while I was at work Ava drew up a little plan and showed it to daddy.  He took a picture of it and I almost fell out of my seat at work.  The amount of detail here!  I'm a little frightened.

Normally Ava is such a perfectionist that she makes me help her spell any words she can't quite get.  I have been WAITING for something like this!  The way a child's mind works in sounding things out!  It was worth the wait.  This one goes in her scrapbook.

Some of my favorites:
saramonie = ceremony
risepshen = reception
Ragrie = Rhodrie
ring bear = ring bearer