Busy Day

Our day started out with Olivia’s last Kindermusik class.  It was kind of sad because it’s over and she really enjoyed it.  We are unable to take the fall class because it is on the same day as Olivia’s preschool.

Izzy and Kelsey

Then, we took Kelsey into the vet for conjunctivitis.  My niece, Izzy, took one look at her and said, “She has pink eye just like I had one time.”  And, isn’t conjunctivitis kind of another word for pink eye?  But, I think it can be more serious in cats.  So, I’m hoping the antibiotic takes care of it and we don’t have any further problems from it.  But, she wouldn’t be my cat if something wasn’t wrong with her (like Tobey with his diskospondylitis and Autumn with her asthma.)

Afterwards, the girls came home and played for awhile.  Then, we got ready to go to the carnival at Olivia’s preschool.  It kinda reminded me of the fun nights of yesteryear.  We used to have them every year at my elementary school.  The funny thing is. . .I don’t know how many cake walks I did as a child and I never, ever won anything.  And tonight. . .I won for the first time ever!  Now, that I’m diabetic, of course. 

Olivia had her face painted for the first time ever.  She wanted a pink mouse and made quite a cute one! 

And I thought Izzy made an adorable panda.  All in all. . .a great day!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Here is Olivia and her buddy, Mckenna. Olivia and I enjoyed a great play date this morning with great friends.

All of my kitties (Autumn, Tobey and Kelsey) eating together. . .with no hissing! LOL!  They are all doing very well together.

And look who Kelsey has wrapped around her little finger!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Olivia’s cousins were in town this weekend from Arkansas and we really enjoyed seeing them.  Olivia received some early birthday gifts including some handmade bows by her aunt Kimmy.  Down in Arkansas, all the girls wear big bows in their hair.  I find that fascinating because that really isn’t a big thing here, which is a shame because it’s adorable.  Isn’t that funny how there are so many differences between parts of the country?  So, Olivia embraced her inner southerner today and wore a hair bow and a Razorback shirt. 

Here she is playing DS with her cousins. 

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Olivia’s cousin,  Izzy, had her friend birthday party today at Pump It Up.  Olivia had a blast!

Of course, the first thing she does is ride in the cozy coupe just like the one she has at home.

Here she is going down the slide with Grandma!

The birthday girl!

The whole gang.  My child is the one not sitting down.

Introducing. . . Kelsey!

Yes, we adopted another kitty.  A tiny 10 week old, extremely loving, dilute calico kitten.  I’m officially the crazy cat woman, I know.  But, you see. . .I don’t really have any hobbies other than blogging. . .and cats.  I absolutely love them!  They do my heart so much good.  And between that and the fact that my husband is impulsive and now a huge cat lover himself, we have three of them now.  Olivia was over the moon tonight!  She gets excited very easily, but I have never quite seen her as she was tonight.  She wouldn’t leave the poor kitten alone!  Olivia really wanted to name her Cassie (after a raccoon in one of her books) but we finally agreed upon Kelsey.  I think Kelsey will be a very social cat and very good with Olivia. . .kind of like Tobey.  Kelsey seemed to take her new environment in stride.  Tobey seemed somewhat okay with her. . .Autumn struggles with anyone new, human or feline.  Autumn is a very anxious cat and can be a bit insecure, so she’s getting some much needed attention tonight.  So, our family has grown by one.  We’re crazy, but we love it!  Oh, and we’re not 100% committed to the name, so if you all the sudden hear me call her something else. . .you’ll know we changed it.  She just looks like a Kelsey to me and it’s the only name we came up with that Olivia approved of.  She took this naming thing very seriously. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Today was Stacie’s birthday and we were honored to spend the morning with her and Madison.  You’d think Olivia equated Madison to Santa Claus based on her level of anticipation.  She couldn’t wait for Madison to come over!  Those two are too cute together!

So, Happy Birthday Stacie!! We hope you had a great day!

Olivia and I spent the afternoon singing and dancing and doing some crafts.  I got the idea for paper flowers from a Caillou episode (LOL!)  You basically stick a pipe cleaner through a flower and twirl it down to make the middle of the flower.  Olivia adored these flowers!!

We made quite a few, but Olivia wouldn’t keep them in the vase.  She carried them around all afternoon.  I have plans to use different colored, textured paper flowers and have Olivia decorate them with glitter, etc. 

While I was cutting out the flowers, Olivia practiced her cutting skills.  She is getting better and better at it and does a really good job cutting on a line.  I always feel like I have to really persuade her to color, but she loves to cut!

Monday, July 25, 2011

All Clean!!

In Need Of a Home

Our family in Arkansas recently came across a kitty that is needing a home.  They are unable to keep him as they are very allergic to cats.  He is one of the most gentle and loving cats they’ve ever met and he really needs a forever home.  They have four kids and he is great with all of them. . .very kid friendly.  We have considered taking him, but are not really wanting to add a third cat.  (I’d take every cat in the world that needed a home if I allowed myself too.)  Please take a moment to consider adding him to your family.  They will be coming back to Wichita this week and could bring him if we found him a home.  He’d make a great addition!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

This afternoon, Ryan’s employer rented out The Alley for their summer picnic.  It’s an indoor entertainment facility with bowling, go karts, arcade, etc.  We decided to take Olivia bowling for the first time. . .and she LOVED it!  It was really nice because it wasn’t open to the public (just employees) so it wasn’t extremely crowded.  Olivia wore a grin from ear to ear the entire time! 

Only Olivia could pull off looking cute in bowling shoes.

And, all three of our scores combined might actually be a decent score. LOL! 52, 88 and 91.

This is Olivia’s very first time bowling. Sorry it’s not better quality (and it’s really dark.) We forgot to tell her not to cross the line. You can hear Ryan say, “No, Olivia!” and then Kaboom! Poor thing never crossed the line again.

Olivia being her happy, energetic self.

Friday, July 22, 2011

We were watching Yo Gabba Gabba today and the Cool Tricks segment had a little boy hanging a spoon from his nose.  Olivia wanted so badly to do it, so I got a spoon and showed her.  She was so proud of herself!!  Yes, these are the things we do when the temps are over 100 for the third or so week in a row.  Exciting stuff.  LOL!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

This is what it looks like when you put almost an entire bottle of lotion in your hair. . .ya know, in case you wondered.

Olivia had her yearly checkup with her developmental pediatrician.  Her doctor is still amazed at her progress (as am I, of course.)  We have a few concerns such as her inability to drink out of an open cup (we’ve seen 2 speech pathologists who are stumped by this) and her potty training progress.  Her doctor is also seeing signs of ADHD.  She is at high risk for this from being premature, which I didn’t realize.  For those that know Olivia, this isn’t a big surprise.  She is a very very busy little girl who has a really hard time sitting still.  She is also very impulsive and will take off running if given the chance, which is something most kids have outgrown by now.   We are going to see how she is doing in 18 months and whether it is interfering with her learning to determine the next steps to take.  Please continue to pray for her development and growth.  She is an amazing little girl and I am so honored to be her mother.  She is energetic, funny and always happy.  She has beat all the odds so far and I’m sure she’ll continue to do so and amaze us throughout her lifetime.

Hi Ho Hi Ho. . .It’s back to work I go. . .

After much soul searching, I have made the decision to go back to work part time.  Actually, it’s hardly part time as it’s only 10 or so hours per week, but it’s a good place to start.  Let’s just say I took a 4 year maternity leave.  I am excited to add another facet to my life.  Olivia will go to preschool during this time at Open Arms preschool.  I’m pretty anxious about all the changes for Olivia and I this fall as neither one of us does very well with change.  I think, however, that they will be positive changes for both of us.   

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Today, we celebrated my sister-in-law’s birthday at my parents’ house.  The girls had a blast, as usual, and Olivia was so excited to celebrate a birthday once again.  Olivia is thrilled to learn that her birthday is next month!