Olivia’s 4th Birthday Party

We celebrated Olivia’s 4th birthday party today with a Lily (frog theme) party.  My friend, Angie, made Olivia’s adorable cake that even had Lily on top.  When Olivia first saw it, she exclaimed, “My birthday cake!  My beautiful birthday cake!” 

Olivia was eagerly anticipating her guests to arrive!

Playing in the play room

Presents!

One of her favorite cards meowed “Happy Birthday!”

Olivia’s friend, Madison.

Olivia’s cousin, Izzy

The birthday girl!

She blew out her candles like a pro!

Olivia’s grandma made clothes for her Lily doll.  They are adorable!

She is really enjoying her stick horse.  She has wanted one for a long time. 

What a great party!  We enjoyed seeing everyone and to be able to share this day with Olivia was magical.  Four years ago, I couldn’t envision where we would be on this day.  Olivia continues to thrive and jump every hurdle in front of her.  We love you, Olivia!!

Happy Birthday Olivia

I can’t believe that tomorrow my baby girl is going to be 4 years old.  I honestly can’t think about it without tears in my eyes.  I can’t believe how far she has come and I’m so proud of her.  She was born with all of the odds against her and she continues to fight harder than anyone I’ve ever met.  She’s truly a miracle and to be her mother is such an honor.  Thank you, Olivia, for giving my life such meaning and hope and love.  I love you!

08-2007 At birth

08-2008 – One year old (Giraffe party)

08-2009 – Two years old (The Ants Go Marching/Picnic Party)

08-2010 – Three years old (Sesame Street Party)

Of course, tomorrow is also someone else’s special day. . .my handsome son, Logan.  Oh, how I wish I could have spent the last four years with you!  I wonder what you would look like, what you would be like.  You would have been a wonderful brother and son.  We miss you and we love you so much.  You will forever be a part of all of our lives.

Logan William Glunt 08-27-2007 to 09-28-2007

Caillou

My daughter is crazy about Caillou!  I mean, I have never before seen a show have so much influence over her.  She relates to Caillou more than any other character.  I have sort of a love/hate relationship with him.  Olivia was never afraid of shadows in her room or thought monsters were chasing her until she saw “Caillou’s Bad Dream.”  On the other hand, she now LOVES apples like Caillou and is begging to go apple picking at an apple orchard just like Caillou.  The other day, she fell and scraped up her knee.  The first thing she said was, “I crash landed just like Caillou!”  Then, she made me re-enact the scenes in “Caillou The Patient” down to the smallest detail.  I even had to tell her, “It’s gonna be sore for awhile.”  Now, she wants to have the flu just like Caillou and I’m trying to convince her that she really doesn’t.  What a crazy girl. . .crazy about Caillou!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

As a child I had a miniature box that I loved.  My mom gave it back to me a few months ago.  I knew Olivia would love it, but I just wasn’t sure where to put it.  I finally put it up this week because Olivia has so many “little things” that we just can’t keep track of them all.  She adores it and so do I because now I feel like everything has a place. 

***A repairman came and fixed our washing machine today.  We’re not really sure what happened, but it seemed something must have gotten caught on the side of the drum.  You’d think I would have noticed something caught when I pulled the clothes out or we would have found something still there.  But, we didn’t.  Very odd.  These new washing machines are a lot more temperamental than they used to be.  It seems to be working fine now and I’m glad to have my washing machine back.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Wow, what a day. . .I was getting ready when Olivia came in and told me that something smelled bad.  I went out into the living room and smelled smoke for the second time this week.  My first thought was, “I haven’t run my dishwasher today!”  Then I noticed that the smell was coming from our laundry room.  I opened up the washing machine (after a just completed cycle) and smoke came billowing out with an awful burnt smell.  Seriously?  Are you kidding me?  After the dishwasher incident?  I called Home Depot where we purchased our washing machine just over a year ago.  I spent ALL afternoon on the phone trying to get things sorted out.  At first I learned that it only had a one year warranty. . .that expired in June.  Then, the guy from Home Depot called me back to tell me that we had indeed purchased the extended warranty.  We hardly ever purchase extended warranties, so that was quite a blessing.  Home Depot was awesome about the whole thing.  Now, at the moment I don’t think too highly of our LG washing machine.  Thankfully, a service technician will be out tomorrow to take a look at it.  I’ll let you know what in the world happened.  Let’s just hope that we don’t have to purchase other appliances any time soon. Next time I’m just going to find the one with the WORST reviews and buy that one.  I think we’d have better luck going that route.  Sheesh. . .

Sunday, August 21, 2011

I am truly blessed to have a best friend (since 8th grade) who has a daughter around the same age as Olivia.  I’m even more blessed because they have become quite the little friends.  We’ve been able to do quite a bit together this summer with plans to do even more in the coming years. 

And, I’ll finally admit to this. . .Madison has a nickname for me. . .she calls me. . .Gunk.  I don’t know why, but it’s always “Gunk, come here! Look at this, Gunk!”  As unappealing as the name is, it makes me laugh every time I think about it.  I mean, seriously, it’s like the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!  What a story that will be to tell her when she gets older!  Let’s just hope the name doesn’t stick.