Outside of Henry W. Longfellow Grade School

Ready

Olivia, at home, and on the way to her first day of Kindergarten:  Thursday August 16, 2012. 
She was so earnest, eager, prepared, ready.  I was somewhat less so.  I had emotional moments all week prior to her going.  For me, I think these moments come from noticing the days and weeks passing, and seeing her change, and hearing the admonitions to treasure each moment with her, and knowing that I honestly do treasure every single moment with her even when I'm thoroughly frustrated with something she has said or done...and the days pass anyway.  Regardless of how much I savor them.  And I love to hold her, but I will not hold her back.  And maybe also because I am so tremendously proud of her; not that she wouldn't or couldn't have made it to this point in her life, or even that she overcame so much to get to this point because she didn't.  But that she is my happy, eager, attentive, thoughtful, brave little Olivia and she is looking forward to school, where she will thrive and ripen and battle and learn.  May I and your family and friends be a wind at your back, LaLa.

More ATCC Graduation Photos

Graduation from Apple Tree

The day has come and gone, as have the years since we first walked into Olivia's pre-school, hauling a car seat, trudging through snow.  In the five years between she has grown more physically and mentally than she ever will again in her life.  This school helped her learn to eat solid food, eat with lots of other kids, use a poddy, walk, run, ride and climb things, talk, yell, sing, joke, tell stories, read, write and listen.  She has developed patience, understanding, empathy, humor, kindness, frustration, attention and pride.  We cannot thank you enough, all the teachers and directors she has known at ATCC, and look forward to a couple more years in your company with Henry and Audrey.  She embarks on her school system education with enormous preparation and knowing she has been much loved by wonderful people.  

Getting ready for school next month

This is what Olivia plans to do to bullies in grade school.   And her friends.  And siblings and parents.  That'll show 'em.

New Big Girl Bike!

From Nana and Papa, earlier this month!  Riding out at the new lake park south of Iowa City!  Still totally scared even with training wheels!  But loves to pass her brother and sister; hates to be passed by them!  Yeah! 

Happy Graduation Ruth Anne

Taken at the graduation party of the kids' most frequent babysitter, Ruth Anne.  We will all miss her very much as she goes to Grinnell this Fall, and I can only hope that my daughters will emulate Ruth Anne in any way possible. 

Just to embarrass her later

May 2012

Olivia made up her own hairdo.  As she is obsessed with Mulan and China, this design might not be surprising as surprising.  Wore it to school.  I like your moxie, kid.

April 2012: Cherub Choir

Olivia absolutely loved singing in Cherub Choir at Zion this Spring.  Six rehearsals and the performance Sunday, May 20. 
She loved it so much that we had a little problem on the third rehearsal.  When Daddy was late picking her up and got her there 10 minutes late, after the kids had starting singing.
She found herself stuck in an emotional loop:  wanting desperately to go in and sing with Ms. Christy and her peers and the bigger kids BUT also embarrassed that she was late and coming in after they had started; maybe too much attention from all these people right on her, the shame of being late, the fear of disapproval for missing part of the practice and not knowing the song as well as the other kids.  I have the idea that these were some of the things running through her head because she was yelling or saying or crying or whispering them on my lap in the hallway, behind a closed door near the choir room, downstairs in the back of the church, then finally in the car driving away.  Because she could never quite pull it together enough to stop crying and enter the room and go into her seat and participate.  It was very troubling that night, and thanks to Nana and Mommy and more responsibility from Daddy, we got her to all the following practices on time or more than on time.  Her angry tirade as we drove away was truly frightening as she verbally lashed out at almost everyone possibly involved or that she even knew in her shame and frustration.  I think I may have to generate some milder forms of this situation to help her cope with these feelings before school begins this Fall, or even talk about the situation in calmer times to try and build some tools for her.  And it did demonstrate how seriously she takes her interests and activities she loves.
And a father who was basically NEVER on time for choir in the last 10 years clearly gets the child he deserves.  Character building for Daddy and Olivia.  And very musically talented - she sang great, had all the words down after 3 rehearsals and had great behavior in the pew during the service. 
I am grateful for this wonderful, emotional daughter I have.

A little backfill - March 2012

Just some postings of how Olivia looks this Spring, since I've been negligent updating.

Olivia in Winter

Some photos of this no-longer-little girl from this December. Some cooking - she made a Gingerbread Man and was very concerned about making sure he didn't hop out of the oven and run away, plus some really great Christmas cookies this year. Another in the "Mulan Costume" she asked Santa for this year. And another in her self-selected outfit for house cleaning. What a charmer.
She was really taken by the carol "Silent Night" this year. We got a great book about the history of the carol at the church library, and she can now tell you that it was written by Father Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber. Her pitch is still scattershot, but she sings with much emotion and fervor.

Little Horsey Ride

Documented at Caleb's Birthday party, November 5 2011.

Not old, not a cowhand, nowhere near the Rio Grande.

But certainly enjoying the company.

Thanks, Caleb!

Five Years Old

Now you are Five.
These years now have some meaning to you, as well as the party and recognition and happiness for you from everyone around. You revel in this.
This morning you were sure that you were taller than before, the bathroom sink now coming only up to your tummy instead of at your chest, and you saw more of your beautiful self in the mirror above it.
We see more of you too, every day.
You become more Yourself with every Question you now relish asking us, about The Great China Wall or Dinosaurs and Their Demise.
We revel in your Olivianess.
Even your brother and sister enjoy you more, and you them. You all played together on the porch and attic and bedroom numerous times over this weekend after your birthday, and they seem to take your "direction" for them with reasonable joy in the play and pleasing you. Henry imitates almost everything you say, and you don't notice yet but this will annoy you greatly in a few more years.
You had a party over the weekend with quite a few of your Apple Tree school friends, past and present, at the Iowa City Gymnest, and you all ran and bounced and yelled and laughed for quite a while, swallowed some cupcakes, then returned to the mats and tramps and foam block pit. You were more brave than I thought you might be, and I was very proud of you for having the fun you wanted to have and not being afraid of it. The party included both sets of grandparents and Aunt Margo and your cousins Spencer and Irelynn too. Your mother and I spoke to each other on Sunday evening, after all had left and you kids were asleep, about how happy we are that you have such regular contact and familiarity with so much of your extended family. This is very important to us and we are regularly thankful for all of their presence in your life.
When I asked you, you weren't sure what this coming year would hold, what you might learn or teach or do or practice. You were pretty sure you wouldn't be driving a real car and that you would be going to kindergarten, but this was as much as you would venture. I hope for at least both of these things for you too.
I love you very very much, my big/little LaLa.
Daddy

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.