Olivia has been going to Sunday School fairly regularly now, as freedom from illness or travel has allowed her a month or so of Sundays in her own bed and schedule.
She really seems to like the singing and class experience of Sunday School, and I've gotten to sit in with the class a couple times to verify that she is very verbally involved and interested.
This and her great-grandmother's funeral a few months ago lead to lots of interesting statements and questions. About God and heaven and what we do with peoples' bodies when they die and where their spirits go. And how did David kill Goliath with a little rock and what is a sling anyway? Today she told me that Oma was not crying for Great Grandma any more because she is up in heaven. And I told her that was true and that she could ask Oma about that anytime she wants to; talk to her about how she feels and what Great Grandma means to her. Told her that Oma would be be happy to talk about that anytime.
She sat on my lap for the sermon in church today, and defied my warning that Pastor Mark is going to talk for a while now and that he might say some things that she won't understand. She would regularly lean back and whisper in my ear things like "that means that Jesus is trapping people in a net" as Mark was discussing aspects of Matthew's verses of James and John leaving Zebedee and their nets to join Jesus on the shores of Galilee. Right she was.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Vande Berg pictures Dec 2010
Very early this year, December 3. And we've had to Skype them into our weekends and evenings when we can.
Olivia and O'Donnells Family Photos Christmas 2010
Some rockin' around that Christmas Tree that Olivia helped hunt, bag and drag home.
Olivia at Christmas 2010
Olivia is exuberant, except when she isn't. This seems to define her mood and presentation. When she is talking about or participating in something, she is very upbeat and verbal and shouts what she is doing or wants done. If she is anxious or doesn't want to do it, she is nearly silent and clearly physically reserved and withdrawn. I sometimes wish for a middle ground, and I suppose we do see it at times when she is actually doing something like finger painting or drawing or working on her letters.
By the way, she is learning, has nearly learned, all of her letters and how they sound and how they are signed with her hands. Wonderful, she can see now how those lines of letters that she used to draw as long scribbles across a page of paper, to represent the words in a story, are put together from letters, but seems to understand that she is a long way from reading and understanding those letter combinations just yet, so she doesn't get frustrated by what she doesn't know. She is getting frustrated with her drawing. She realizes that she can't depict the detail she sees, gets mad, and states that her pictures don't turn out good.
A few weeks ago, she was in her second theatrical performance at school, giving the role of Pinkalicious' Mother a very animated turn about the kleiglights. She was so shy initially, and when she had spoken a few lines with her role-mate Lauren, she started actually shaking her hands in excitement for every other actors' lines, and tried to assist other kids with their blocking a few times mid-performance. It made me cringe a bit, watching my daughter so affected by the experience and a bit bossy. All clearly signs of shyness, and basically normal for her age. While Dad was only a bit uncomfortable with this, I was more proud at her interest and excitement and memory about and in her part and participation in general. I was and am very proud of her.
Right now, she loves all the Princesses and Fairies that the Disney corporation can provide. But rarely, when she's feeling very physically strong or excited, she is Batgirl or Supergirl. Still feminine, mind you, just stronger and able to fly. She loves books, drawing, playacting, helping. She has started to say "Actually,..." just like Dad and sometimes Mom.
I remain tremendously proud of her and interested in her. I frequently miss her voice at work on Mondays, after a weekend together.
By the way, she is learning, has nearly learned, all of her letters and how they sound and how they are signed with her hands. Wonderful, she can see now how those lines of letters that she used to draw as long scribbles across a page of paper, to represent the words in a story, are put together from letters, but seems to understand that she is a long way from reading and understanding those letter combinations just yet, so she doesn't get frustrated by what she doesn't know. She is getting frustrated with her drawing. She realizes that she can't depict the detail she sees, gets mad, and states that her pictures don't turn out good.
A few weeks ago, she was in her second theatrical performance at school, giving the role of Pinkalicious' Mother a very animated turn about the kleiglights. She was so shy initially, and when she had spoken a few lines with her role-mate Lauren, she started actually shaking her hands in excitement for every other actors' lines, and tried to assist other kids with their blocking a few times mid-performance. It made me cringe a bit, watching my daughter so affected by the experience and a bit bossy. All clearly signs of shyness, and basically normal for her age. While Dad was only a bit uncomfortable with this, I was more proud at her interest and excitement and memory about and in her part and participation in general. I was and am very proud of her.
Right now, she loves all the Princesses and Fairies that the Disney corporation can provide. But rarely, when she's feeling very physically strong or excited, she is Batgirl or Supergirl. Still feminine, mind you, just stronger and able to fly. She loves books, drawing, playacting, helping. She has started to say "Actually,..." just like Dad and sometimes Mom.
I remain tremendously proud of her and interested in her. I frequently miss her voice at work on Mondays, after a weekend together.
Vande Berg Family Pictures, Thanksgiving 2010
A few shots from the family meetings pre-Christmas this year. Actually, this one was Thanksgiving at the Vande Bergs in Fort Dodge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)