Getting Ready for Halloween.

Olive recently received a Halloween-themed, Hello Kitty shirt.  Of course, she adores it.  One of her favorite things to point out is the pumpkin on Hello Kitty's bow. 

("Bow ... Punkin! .... Kitty... Bow Mamee ... Punkin!")

This morning, as she toddled around the house before school, she insisted that her Minnie Mouse ears accompany the kitty cat on her shirt.

Fabulous.

Fall Festival 2011

Olive's school puts on a fall festival each year.  Last year we skipped the festival, but this year we embraced the crazy.

Olive donned her Halloween costume and ran around with her friends while we gazed on.  There were hot dogs, games, 'train' rides, and other activities that don't come immediately to mind.  We all had a great time.

Olive showing off her Minnie Mouse costume.

Olive showing off her climbing skilz.  (I was impressed!  Mind you, she walked down the stairs each time to a small slide - not the big slide in the right of the photo - but promptly ran back to scale the climbing wall.  Bravo!)

Band Geeks.

In high school, I played in the band.  Not, a band, the band.  Polyester, military-inspired uniforms and all.

On the drive between Olive's school and our home, we pass a public high school.  Most days, as I drive the Little Miss home, we see the band outside practicing, marching along, but, recently, as we drove by, the band was dressed for that evening's game. The military-inspired uniforms were out in full force, and the fancy flag corps outfits sparkled.  My brain went flying back to my freshman year in high school, and a big grin spread across my face.

It was super geeky, but I loved it.

Light days.

So.  I haven't been in this space much lately.  I'm not sure why, but the words haven't really been popping.  I'll keep posting a few photos/videos/details of our lives, and maybe the words will come back.

If they don't, that is ok too.  Sometimes a photo is worth a thousand words.  (I think that may depend on the quality of the photo/photographer, but still - more words than you might think.)

Just a Little Braggin'

One of our neighborhood friends took her daughter, Ava, to visit Olive’s class on Monday morning. (Ava is a few months younger than Olive and is 'transitioning' into Olive's class.)

Ava’s mom sent us an email reporting that: “In the 40 minutes we were there, I saw Olive stand up and count to 10 (actually 11) and sing her ABCs in front of the group!”

It isn't like we are proud parents, or anything ...

:)

Swimming.

OK.  These are probably longer than anyone really wants to watch, but - for posterity - we took some video of Olive at her last swimming class of the season.  It was super exciting to see her skills develop.  She is definitely not a 'swimmer', but she is closer than she was when she started class ... AND she definitely learned some safety skills that make me feel better about being in or near a pool with her.


Elbow, elbow, tummy, knee.

Choo-choo.



The turtle song: "there was a tiny turtle, his name was tiny Tim, we put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim, he drank up all the water, he ate up all the SOAP, and now the tiny turtle has bubbles in his throat."  (or, ya know, something close to that)

Death of a Monkey.

Mr. Monkey did not make his way home safely after tea.  He met an unfortunate end at the hands, er, teeth, of our sweet puppy who does not understand the difference between her toys and Olive's.

A Tea Party.

Mr. and Mrs. Monkey and Cici enjoyed a tea party hosted by Miss Olive last week.  She handed out 'treats' and poured 'tea' and giggled and giggled and giggled.