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 If she is anxious or doesn't want to do it, she is nearly silent and clearly physically reserved and withdrawn.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.