Pool Shtick

Olivia was entertained this morning by her friend Zack’s aquatic comedic stylings. The two pitter-pattered with tittered laughter through the kiddy water play area.

Alley Cats

On this eve, we took in a game of tenpins at a nearby establishment, marking Olivia’s first foray into the peculiar world of bowling (we’re discounting the times – note the plurality – when she was in utero). I apologize for the poor quality of the shots. I’d like to tell you that these were taken with her Fisher-Price camera or that these were snapped when the house turned down the lights and amped up their music for the rock-&-bowl portion of the evening, but reporting so would make me a liar.

For the record, Olivia’s excitement toward bowling lasted about five frames. At about the halfway mark, she turned her attention toward figuring out if the gumball machine would take the pennies in her purse.

Fire-Engine Read

Olivia and Saegen picked up their workbooks on fire safety following their tour of a local fire station.

Splits Happen

My sides split anytime Olivia goes into a spontaneous round of splits. Here, the second splits occurred a split second after the first – I’m glad I had my camera ready because these pictures crack me up every time I look at them.

Eight is Enough

Mommy: "Olivia, can you count to ten in Spanish?"

Olivia (nods)

Daddy: "Go ahead then. I’d like to hear you do so."

Olivia: "Okay, Daddy. Uno…dos…dwace…cuatro…cinco…seis…set-tay…ocho."

Mommy: "What about nueve and diez?"

Olivia (emphatically): "No new-bay, no dace!"

Concert-ed Efforts

In the city over from us, they hold free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays during the summer on the north lawn of the museum of history. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring friends and a picnic lunch. Olivia spends most shows hanging with her buddies, but on this day, she also spent a fair amount of time in her canvas chair listening to the music and eating pickles.

Potty Train of Thought

Here’s how we got to this point: We thought that if we could – borrowing here one of those hokey business-speak terms – synergize potty training with something Olivia enjoys (i.e., painting with watercolors), we’d improve the odds of finding drops (or plops) in the bucket. To this day, these synergistic endeavors have produced nothing but beautiful artwork.

We are working with one headstrong child here. We know that she’s capable of going to the potty, but her iron will crushes our efforts in the cause. The maddening thing is that Olivia quite adept at the pre- and post-game show – situating herself on the potty and washing her hands – but she steadfastly refuses to participate in the halftime show. In the context of another metaphor, it’s as if she has nearly completed a paint-by-numbers piece, less all the 1s and 2s, of course.

Now Museum, Now You Don’t

Olivia and a dozen or so of her closest friends celebrated her birthday at the children’s museum. Dignitaries in attendance included the triumvirate of grandmothers – Grandma Moose, Grandma Randi, and G – and the parents and family members of the adorable children.

Faux Snooze Alert

Youngsters everywhere are faking sleep: Are these incidents a vast left-wing conspiracy to undermine our children’s defenses in their war on night terrors, or are they simply a byproduct of our kids’ imagination?

Remember: We distort. You decide.

Run: A Muck

In a reprisal of last year’s (not so) fun run, Olivia sat down mid-race in an act of protest slash display of obstinance. The only reason she left the track was because she noticed that cookies and orange drink were being distributed in the far corner of the stadium.

Tongue and Chic

Our lil’ fashionista (would that be fashionista-ita in Spanish?) unties her tongue for the camera.

Three Cheers for the Three-Year-Old

When our daughter woke up this birthday morning, she rose to her feet, reached for the sky, and proclaimed how big she was. We most certainly agree. But Olivia’s bigness goes beyond spatial dimensions. As her parents, we delight in the toothiness of her grin and the substantiality of her laugh; we’re awed by the scope of her wonderment and the vastness of her imagination; we marvel at the size of her vocabulary and her playfulness with language; and we’re energized by her dynamic personality and her monster hugs and kisses. Other things tend to be on a grand scale, too – e.g., sleep challenges, tantrums – but all’s forgotten when we hear the sweetness that is her voice or catch a glimpse of her cherubic face.

Just for Kicks and Swings

Our community offers a variety of summer activities for children and families. I’m in a co-ed soccer league, Beni is taking group tennis lessons, and Olivia is in a twice-weekly class for three-year-olds that incorporates aspects from her parents’ sports (hence its name, Kicks & Swings). On the cuteness scale, babies rank high, as do puppies (and let me not forget to mention babies holding puppies), but they may all take a backseat to a group of aspiring Mia Hamms and Nomar Garciaparras partaking in a spirited rendition of Duck Duck Goose.

A Win-Window Situation

I was able to get some work done in the yard and Olivia was able to enjoy the view from the comfort and safety of the in-of-doors.

Horse Nonsense

Willie Nelson warned mamas not to let their babies grow up to be cowboys, but gave little guidance to papas and their cowgirls. I’m not sure what compelled Olivia to don her Stetson and ride her little pony – she’s not particularly fond of hat or horse. My guess is that she’s come down with Mad Cowgirl Disease.

P.S. Happy Fifth Anniversary, Beni!