Olivia and Her Dad

These three photos probably capture our relationship as well as can be expected. Enjoy. I do.

Such a Small Change to Look So Different

Olivia got a haircut, and I told her she could have anything done to it she wanted - curled, braids, straightened. She picked the last. Interesting difference in her look. I think she liked it, but not enough to ever work on it again.

Interlude, before returning to Disney Description

These were pictures taken by Olivia of herself in the back on the car on a ride with Mommy.
So intent. So unlike her usual electricity. Yet, funny.
I don't know when it happened, but she is able to actually run now. Not so much side-to-side, more lifting of knees, pushing off with feet and kicking back. Faster, more confident, still laughing.
She is no better at hide-and-seek, though. Laughs uproariously from wherever she has encamped as soon as you "wonder where she could be". Explodes forth after 3 seconds to start again. Joy in repetition.

Travels

Two firsts for Olivia on June 21:

First Airplane Ride (Cedar Rapids to Chicago, then Orlando), and First Boat Ride (from our Saratoga Springs Disney resort to Downtown Disney).

Wide open enjoyment.

Dis-a-ney

Just the start of some photos and description of Olivia's highlight of the summer: her trip to DisneyWorld, June 21-25, with Oma, Opa, Daddy's siblings and her cousins. She made Disney into a 3-syllable word for the 3-4 months of build-up to the event.

The first night in Florida, to celebrate Oma and Opa's 45th Anniversary, we all had a wonderful dinner at Wolfgang Puck's in Downtown Disney, and Olivia tried using chopsticks. On a big piece of bread. Pretty good for a first time. Easier than rice.

Typical Conversation

From the back seat of the car, on the way to school in the morning, any day in the last month:

"Um, Dad, um, Daddy...um, can you, mmm, did you, um.....is there a thing, ummm....Dad?"

"Yes Honey?"

"Did you, um....did, um, um....."

"Say it out loud so I can hear you, Honey."

"Um......Dad....um, did you ever, um....did you.....Can you tell me about Ancient China?"

"Well.... it is a country far away from..."
"I mean, um, can you tell me a story about a Disney Princess?"

Her thoughts skip and jump like her ever-longer legs, carrying this lithe little body and personality along through a day filled with interesting people and stories and future plans. She is absolutely delightful...when she pays even a little bit of attention to what she is actually doing. And quite nice, though thoroughly frustrating, all the other times too.

Nice Big Sister, Circus Big Sister

Olivia can be kind to her siblings, as well as frighten them.
To be fair, she asked me to draw a princess on her tummy, of course.
The moustache was my idea.