Olivia: Mary Cassatt

Olivia did her biography report this year on Mary Cassatt. Her mom went to school to watch it and recorded the whole thing. However, when her mom got home and went to upload it to the computer, it was MIA. Could be user error, however, the light was blinking the whole time, and I stand by that will everything I have. Needless to say, I was SICK about it. Really SICK. She did such a great job and her class asked great questions which she answered so well, except on one that she didn't know, where she replied, "I'll have to get back to you on that." So cute! I did get a few photos of her dressed up in her classroom.

And, then, I made her redo it at home, for her tutor and her dad, and I really recorded it that time! Not the same, but better than nothing. And, luckily, Olivia forgave me for my technological retardation. It's a dangerous gift, this hi-tech stuff. I would post it here, but can't figure that out either. Oh well. Hopefully it will be forth-coming, but until then, enjoy this cute picture of my aspiring artist!

Gratitude...

Today I have felt grumpy and blue. Could be the rain. Could be Monday. Could be the wicked stomach virus that attacked me this weekend. Excuses, excuses! So, I decided that I need to start some "gratitude posts" (original, right?) to get my month on the right track and refocus my thoughts. Since my children pop into my mind right away when I think of what I am grateful for, I will start with them. From the top!

I am super grateful for Olivia. She is the greatest OLDEST child. She is super responsible. She is always willing to help. She takes great pride in her "jobs" and does them with such attention to detail. She loves her baby brother, Ian, and is always watching out for him, playing with him, offering to get him dressed, and sometimes sneaking him out of his bed at night when he is sad to snuggle him (and sometimes he is still there in the morning when I wake them up!). She loves to be a part of any project and is always willing to try new things. She is a great listener and tries to get things right each time she attempts them. She loves school and learning new things. She loves to do projects, write stories, and draw. She also loves to write notes to people. I get to be on the receiving end of lots of her notes, which I really enjoy. She recently wrote a letter to the tooth fairy inquiring about her life and hobbies. So cute. She is such a believing, innocent girl, which I am so grateful for. She has a simple ability to trust, and it is a great strength.

As daughters and mothers go, we have our struggles, but Olivia teaches me every day a little about patience. I appreciate that about her. She is always quick to apologize to me and quick to accept my apologies!

Olivia is super affectionate, too. Which is so sweet. I hope that she never gets "too old" to hug and kiss her mom and dad and siblings.

Olivia has lots of enthusiasm for the sports she plays, which is what makes her so fun to watch. She doesn't compare herself to the rest of the crowd, yet, which is such a great thing, because it helps her to enjoy every game. I am grateful for being able to sit on the sidelines and cheer for her and hope she always enjoys sports and being active.

Olivia is such a blessing in our family, and we are grateful every day that we are lucky enough to have her!

*photo by Kristen*

Off to see The Wizard...

Olivia was in her school play this past week. They did The Wizard of Oz. Olivia was a soldier. She did such a good job, especially considering she missed all of the rehearsals and most of the practices while we were out of town. She was such a sport and gave it her all anyways. She sang the songs for all of our family while we were away. She is just such a good gal! Here she is with her teacher. She is the BEST, and has been so good for Olivia. We are so glad we will have her again for fourth grade.

Here is the little star with the flowers her daddy brought to the performance.

On stage! She is the second soldier from the right!

Good job, Olivia. Performing is not her favorite thing, but just like everything she does, she gave her best effort and did a great job. She is so brave and strong!

Happy NINTH birthday, Olivia!

Happy NINTH birthday to my little girl! It was her MAGIC birthday this year, because she turned NINE on 9/9/09. Very ENCHANTED, really! She LOVED her special day. She chose to have Swedish Pancakes for breakfast, with whipped cream, of course. YUM!

Here she is with her new POGO-stick, get jumping, little girl!!!

Her new birthday outfit! Her shirt is "scratch and sniff" cupcakes! That's a nice thing to smell all day on your birthday, right?

Here are the cupcakes we took into her class. Little soccer RINGS. So fun!

And, here she is in her birthday crown (that she decided to make for herself=DIVA)!

She also scored a WHALE Webkinz (which she is very excited about because it swims in a bubble all around Webkinz World) and some PIXOS, which she did until too late last night.

fall fashion show...

Twas the night before school and all through the house

were fall fashions galore: Union Bay and Levi Strauss.

Olivia is ready, all tucked in her bed,

while visions of notebooks dance in her head.

Her lunch is all packed, her messenger bag, too.

She's ready for school tomorrow, how about YOU?

Here is a sneak peak at her THIRD GRADE wardrobe!

I cannot believe my baby is in the third grade and has a birthday in two days. Really? How can she be turning 9??? Lots more to come this week of her first day at school and THREE birthdays!