Friday, March 2, 2012

So, I’m a little ashamed that I just now got around to doing this since my daughter thrives on routine.  But, I made these little laminated cards that we have started using to plan our day.  Each morning, I go over them with Olivia so that she’ll know what her day is going to be like.  I usually do just the morning and then after lunch, we go over the afternoon.  It’s amazing how much more receptive she is to things when she sees that it is coming up next.  And she gets so excited to see the PLAY card. 

I think I’ll probably add some magnets to the back and display them on the refrigerator.  Right now, we are just setting them out on the floor. 

Anyway, we had 70 degree weather here yesterday so after I picked her up from preschool, we headed to the park.  It was fairly busy there and Olivia doesn’t like to be around crowds.  I was mortified when she exclaimed very loudly that she “didn’t like these kids!!”  And here I thought we had worked pretty hard on manners.  She usually doesn’t like to play with kids that she doesn’t know.  In fact, while most of the parents are watching from the sidelines, Olivia always wants me playing right there with her.  I don’t mind, but I wish she was a little more open to playing with other kids.  Olivia did have a ball making mountains in the sand with her cousin, Izzy.  Thank goodness she has Izzy and a few other good friends that she enjoys playing with.

 

Say Cheese

My little cheeser. . .

always wanting to take a picture instead of having her picture taken.

But, here she is practicing a pose.

Cutie Patootie

Waiting at school for her teacher to come out and get her.  Yes, she begged to take her camera in the car and I let her because that is the only way I could fix her hair.

Tuesday, February 29, 2012

I’ve enjoyed watching Olivia’s photography skills develop.  She can now purposely take pictures of things that are interesting to her.  She ran all around the house tonight taking pictures and these are the most interesting ones that I found on her camera.

Her kitty piano

Autumn. . .who looks about as excited to get her picture taken as I do.

A box of girl scout cookies. . .Ryan’s favorites.  Mine are the peanut butter sandwiches.  Yum!

My Vera Bradley purse.  I got it for my birthday and really like it.

Tobey

One of the cats’ toys.

Her bouncing zebra.  She still loves that thing.

My favorite picture.  She took a picture of the picture collage in the hallway.

James, her favorite train.

Her cheese puffs.  Man, she loves these things (Smart Puffs) but you can only find them at Target.  So, I have to make special trips to Target just to get them.  They are definitely her favorite food at the moment.

Kelsey

My dear old Hilga.  She’s my plant that I bought the weekend that I moved into my first apartment in February 2001.  I’ve amazingly managed to keep her alive for over 10 years. 

Here’s the dryer full of jeans that need to be folded and put away.

And, I managed to steal her camera away to get a picture of the girl behind the photos.  Here she is practicing her smile for Picture Day tomorrow at school.  Hmm. . we’ll see how it goes.  LOL.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Olivia was so proud of her tower that she did all by herself.  Little did she know that Tobey was coming to knock it over. LOL.  Glad that I snapped the picture when I did.  This was her tallest tower ever!  I’m so proud of all that she is doing and seeing her imagination bloom.  Last night she wanted to keep a look out for sharks (seems random. . .LOL. . .but she saw it on Caillou) A toilet paper roll seemed the obvious choice, but the toilet paper roll wasn’t empty.  So, I walked in to an entire roll of toilet paper unraveled on the floor.  I couldn’t get mad, though, when I saw her delight in her new telescope.  Of course, there was an empty paper towel roll on the counter, but. . .I love her questions about things she hears about in books or on TV.  She was confused about how Curious George has neighbors above him and we don’t.  I had to explain about apartments versus houses.  She is convinced that she wants to live in an apartment.  She asks questions about attics and cellars vs basements and what a foyer is.  I delight in her questions and way of thinking.  I can’t wait to find out what she’ll ask next.

Guess Who Is 4 1/2?

Zoo Day

We attempted to go to Botanica today, but were disappointed to learn that it was closed.  We couldn’t be inside on such a beautiful day, so we headed to the zoo.  We were glad that Grandma and Grandpa Glunt were able to join us. 

Olivia loved the petting zoo.

We have to find the peacocks every time we go.  It is Olivia’s very favorite animal. 

What gorgeous weather for February!  It was just what we needed!