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| Ummm... can you say GOOFBALL?!? |
They also have a really great toystore, full of unique toys that encourage creativity and imagination. LOVE this place!!
Adventures in parenting a spirited preschooler and ever-changing infant!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thank goodness for...
Indoor play places in the winter months! Though, it IS supposed to be spring. That's what you said, Phil, isn't it?!? Hmmm?? Well, thankfully we have a few really great play places in the area that we frequent through the winter months. Lilliput Town Center is a favorite of Olivia's, as is E2 Toys 2 Try, (which is currently Mommy's favorite). It has a large play area with lots of toys for imaginative play, a big boat in the middle of the room to climb on and slide down, and a small separate space for the littler ones (though the older kids will sometimes wander into that area as well). Here are some pictures of our visit today...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Theater diva
Perhaps she's not the performer we thought she was. Ha- who am I kidding?!? She is SUCH a performer, just apparently on her own terms! Or maybe it's because her backstage demands were not met (Mommy left her milk in the car!). In Olivia's defense, she had been participating in class and practicing this performance for 1/2 hour before it was time to show the parents, and I'm SURE she was hungry, as I couldn't get her to eat any breakfast before we left. But anyway, without further ado, here is her walking out of the classroom performance in, "Olivia, Olivia, What Do You See?"...
Big boy haircut
Owen got his first "real" big-boy haircut on Saturday, with the guy who cuts Daddy's hair, Chad. We decided to make it a family event, (not the best idea in retrospect) and I'm sure Chad really appreciated that! :) Owen was not very happy during the process, but you sure can't tell now!
Goodbye, puffy hair! :) Hello, big boy!!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
And her name is...
Silvermist.
At least, that's what Olivia told her swim teacher today when she was asked.
At least, that's what Olivia told her swim teacher today when she was asked.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Blessed
On Sunday, we celebrated Babci's 90th birthday!
Olivia got a dance lesson from her cousin, Kendall...
Met her new cousin, DJ...
And of course, got into a little bit of mischief...
(Because, after all, she wouldn't really be Olivia without doing so, now would she?)
Most importantly, we celebrated Babci, and her family all being together.
My kids are so blessed to have not only four wonderful grandparents, but also to know two of their great-grandmothers on Daddy's side.
Gigi also turned 90 over the summer...
(and I just couldn't resist including this sweet picture of her and my nephew)
Oh, how I wish my kids could have known all of their great-grandparents! But I also know how very lucky they are to know these two strong women! Even if Babci insists on calling my son Little Adam. :) Hey- she can call him whatever she wants! I think she's earned it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday Funnies
Pap Pap took Olivia to preschool on Monday. When her teacher asked where Mommy and Daddy were, Olivia replied, "They're on vacation in Washington CD."
That same day, her class celebrated St. Patrick's Day. They learned all about St. Patrick and how he used the shamrock to teach the holy trinity. They learned a bit about his life and how he was captured and forced to work as a slave, how he turned to God in prayer during this time, eventually became a priest and spread the gospel throughout Ireland. After their little discussion about a bit of St. Patrick's history, Olivia says to her teacher, "Do you mean the Patrick from SpongeBob"? Yes, Olivia... THAT saint.
That same day, her class celebrated St. Patrick's Day. They learned all about St. Patrick and how he used the shamrock to teach the holy trinity. They learned a bit about his life and how he was captured and forced to work as a slave, how he turned to God in prayer during this time, eventually became a priest and spread the gospel throughout Ireland. After their little discussion about a bit of St. Patrick's history, Olivia says to her teacher, "Do you mean the Patrick from SpongeBob"? Yes, Olivia... THAT saint.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Four years
Dear Baby Girl,
Four years ago today, Mommy and Daddy found out we were going to have a baby. Goodness... four years... seems like so long ago, yet at the same time it has gone by so fast. I will never forget how I felt the moment I realized it could finally be happening, nor will I forget the joy on Daddy's face. We wanted you SO BADLY, and had been waiting and waiting, most often not-so-patiently, for almost two years. I still laugh when I think about us looking at the test at every possible angle, under every type of light in our house, just to be sure that line was really there. We had Braden's birthday party to go to later that day, and had the biggest secret of our lives to keep. I remember just sitting there, watching all of the little kids laugh and play, wondering if you would be a boy or a girl, what you would look like... just imagining you playing with the rest of the kids. I still just couldn't believe it, and I don't think it really started to sink in until the doctor confirmed it, and we saw you on ultrasound for the first time. The moment we heard your heartbeat... that was honestly the most beautiful sound I had ever heard up until that moment. This is you at 9 weeks in my belly:
Just over two weeks later, the day finally arrived when you decided you were ready to come out of Mommy's belly and meet everyone. I had been having contractions for two days and was exhausted, but nothing was really happening. Daddy and I decided to go walk around the mall... he bought a pair of jeans... then we ate dinner at the Olive Garden. I was having contractions the whole time, and we laughed because we swore we would never be that couple in early labor out-and-about, trying to pass the time, yet there we were. Later, after we got home, you let us know that it was time. Gaga, Pap Pap, Mimi, Papa, and Aunt Ali all came to the hospital. At 7:09 the following morning, you were born. Our sweet Olivia Claire. Oh, how we had prayed for you! We decided not to find out if you were a boy or a girl until you were born, and I just couldn't believe it when Dr. Moore said "You have a daughter." The sweetest words I'd ever heard. Daddy and I spent some time with you, then your grandparents and Godmother came in to meet you.
I should have known after those next couple of days in the hospital and your complete refusal to breastfeed that you were a force to be reckoned with! :) We laugh about it all the time and always say that you came out of the womb with that strong will of yours! You were a good baby, though, and became a good sleeper finally around 4 months old. Daddy loved to sing/play Billy Joel's "Lullabye" to you, and Mommy would rock you and hold you while we listened to "A Mother's Prayer" by Jim Brickman and Carnie Wilson, and I cried many, many happy tears those nights. Your special nite-nite song became "You Are My Sunshine," sung very soflty and quietly.
We were loving every minute of watching you grow, and had no idea that we would continue to love you more every single day, every single month, of every single year... we didn't know we could love you more! But we do. You bring us more joy, baby girl, than you could ever imagine. You make us laugh constantly, and yes, sometimes you make us want to pull out our hair. :) But you're learning, in your own time, how this world works (you ornery little stinker!). You are SO SMART, have this incredible vocabulary, and amazing memory. You love to tell and act out stories... our little drama queen. You have this fire inside of you and will about you, which tells me that you're not going to be afraid to go after what you want in life. At the same time, you are one of the sweetest, silliest, most loving little girls I have ever known. There is nothing that makes me happier than when you wrap your arms around my neck, say "I love you, Mama," and sweetly kiss my cheek or my lips. You make our hearts so full! We love you, baby girl, more than anything in the whole wide world.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Four years ago today, Mommy and Daddy found out we were going to have a baby. Goodness... four years... seems like so long ago, yet at the same time it has gone by so fast. I will never forget how I felt the moment I realized it could finally be happening, nor will I forget the joy on Daddy's face. We wanted you SO BADLY, and had been waiting and waiting, most often not-so-patiently, for almost two years. I still laugh when I think about us looking at the test at every possible angle, under every type of light in our house, just to be sure that line was really there. We had Braden's birthday party to go to later that day, and had the biggest secret of our lives to keep. I remember just sitting there, watching all of the little kids laugh and play, wondering if you would be a boy or a girl, what you would look like... just imagining you playing with the rest of the kids. I still just couldn't believe it, and I don't think it really started to sink in until the doctor confirmed it, and we saw you on ultrasound for the first time. The moment we heard your heartbeat... that was honestly the most beautiful sound I had ever heard up until that moment. This is you at 9 weeks in my belly:
I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy with you, if you don't count the constant throwing up. :) I couldn't have cared less, though. Every time I walked out of that bathroom, I had a smile on my face. I really did. I felt beyond lucky to be carrying you, and to be your Mommy. I already loved you so much. The bigger you got, the less sick that I started to feel, though it took awhile... twenty-something weeks. McDonald's always seemed to help. :) Daddy used to tease me that I would probably give birth to a Big Mac. I loved anything McDonald's, and became especially addicted to their sweet tea. Here's Mommy at 36 weeks pregnant with you:
Just over two weeks later, the day finally arrived when you decided you were ready to come out of Mommy's belly and meet everyone. I had been having contractions for two days and was exhausted, but nothing was really happening. Daddy and I decided to go walk around the mall... he bought a pair of jeans... then we ate dinner at the Olive Garden. I was having contractions the whole time, and we laughed because we swore we would never be that couple in early labor out-and-about, trying to pass the time, yet there we were. Later, after we got home, you let us know that it was time. Gaga, Pap Pap, Mimi, Papa, and Aunt Ali all came to the hospital. At 7:09 the following morning, you were born. Our sweet Olivia Claire. Oh, how we had prayed for you! We decided not to find out if you were a boy or a girl until you were born, and I just couldn't believe it when Dr. Moore said "You have a daughter." The sweetest words I'd ever heard. Daddy and I spent some time with you, then your grandparents and Godmother came in to meet you.
I should have known after those next couple of days in the hospital and your complete refusal to breastfeed that you were a force to be reckoned with! :) We laugh about it all the time and always say that you came out of the womb with that strong will of yours! You were a good baby, though, and became a good sleeper finally around 4 months old. Daddy loved to sing/play Billy Joel's "Lullabye" to you, and Mommy would rock you and hold you while we listened to "A Mother's Prayer" by Jim Brickman and Carnie Wilson, and I cried many, many happy tears those nights. Your special nite-nite song became "You Are My Sunshine," sung very soflty and quietly.
We were loving every minute of watching you grow, and had no idea that we would continue to love you more every single day, every single month, of every single year... we didn't know we could love you more! But we do. You bring us more joy, baby girl, than you could ever imagine. You make us laugh constantly, and yes, sometimes you make us want to pull out our hair. :) But you're learning, in your own time, how this world works (you ornery little stinker!). You are SO SMART, have this incredible vocabulary, and amazing memory. You love to tell and act out stories... our little drama queen. You have this fire inside of you and will about you, which tells me that you're not going to be afraid to go after what you want in life. At the same time, you are one of the sweetest, silliest, most loving little girls I have ever known. There is nothing that makes me happier than when you wrap your arms around my neck, say "I love you, Mama," and sweetly kiss my cheek or my lips. You make our hearts so full! We love you, baby girl, more than anything in the whole wide world.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Princesses on Ice!
Yesterday, Olivia, Mommy, and Daddy went to Disney's Princesses on Ice. Olivia was so excited, and couldn't wait to wear her Snow White dress (the same one she wears almost every single day. I tried to convince her to wear the Cinderella one from her birthday party, but no luck. So I snuck into her treasure chest while she was sleeping the night before to get the darn Snow White dress in order to wash the filthy thing!).
When the show started, Olivia was just in awe, and was waving to Mickey and Minnie, and all of the princesses. It was really so sweet, and I, of course, was crying just watching her. At one point she and I decided to go to the potty, and she said, "Mommy, can you please pause it?" LOL! Guess we watch too much tv around here. All in all, she did really well for a 2 hour show! (This is the girl who just 3 months ago only sat through the first 10 minutes of "Tangled"). She made a new friend, Mia, who was sitting next to us, and at times during the second half, the two of them seemed to be more interested in talking and sharing their things with one another than watching the show. :)
What a super-fun, special day!
When the show started, Olivia was just in awe, and was waving to Mickey and Minnie, and all of the princesses. It was really so sweet, and I, of course, was crying just watching her. At one point she and I decided to go to the potty, and she said, "Mommy, can you please pause it?" LOL! Guess we watch too much tv around here. All in all, she did really well for a 2 hour show! (This is the girl who just 3 months ago only sat through the first 10 minutes of "Tangled"). She made a new friend, Mia, who was sitting next to us, and at times during the second half, the two of them seemed to be more interested in talking and sharing their things with one another than watching the show. :)
What a super-fun, special day!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Just Olivia (Part 2)
Olivia comes running out of preschool to greet me when I pick her up. "Momma! I got a sticker today! Ms. Betty Jo didn't take my sticker away! I listened"! "Good job, Olivia! I'm so proud of you!" I usually don't check her backpack until we get home. As we were walking through the parking lot, she stops, looks at me, and says, "Mommy, I'm not sure if I got a sticker today." (One hand on one hip, pointer finger on other hand starts tapping pursed lips as if thinking really hard...) "Hmmmm... let me think about this...," she says, as serious as can be. Needless to say, there was no "good listener" sticker for Olivia today.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Soaking it all up
My sweet Owen... he's getting so big. And he's usually such a good little sleeper, but lately, (I'm thinking it's his teeth again) he's having some trouble falling asleep. So today at naptime, I had to rock him to sleep. :) Which I hardly ever do. For one- I'm lucky that his big sister will keep herself occupied long enough to give me a few minutes to get him settled enough to even take a nap, (after she gets him all riled up) and for two- he doesn't want to be rocked in the rocker anymore... he just wants you to stand up and sway a bit so he can put his head on your shoulder, and even then often times will seem to be wide awake, looking around, laughing, pulling at your hair or playing with your ears. But today, everything lined up just right... he just couldn't fall asleep on his own, his big sister knew and understood that Mommy needed to help him fall asleep without interruption, and he just laid his sweet little head on my shoulder and fell asleep. Sigh. It doesn't happen often, but I have to just soak it all up when it does. He's nearing his first birthday, and will be a big boy soon! My sweet baby boy...
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