Thumbs Up!

Word to the wise. When you are cutting up carrots, slow down. Otherwise, you may cut off the tip of your thumb.

But how do you like my new nail color?

Cardboard Doll House

I saw this idea on a random blog and Liv and I enjoyed putting it together today.

"Ding Dong"

Who's home?

Tigger, Pooh and Minnie

The friends decided to have a group photo on the sofa.

The playroom is a new addition to the house.

And when they need a break from all of that playtime? Just flip over the playroom and step on into the kitchen. Pooh really enjoys deciding what to eat from the refrigerator.

Olivia can now take care of her friends in style.

Happy Long Weekend

This is more like 3 posts in one.

First of all...

The boys had picture day at school. I tried to explain to the boys what picture day was. As we were headed out the door, Josiah said, "Mommy, are you going to take all of the kids' pictures?" He melts my heart.

Both boys are liking school. Isaac, however, LOVES school. Let me tell you something about that Isaac. When we drop him off or pick him up, his name is said at least 15 times by kids telling him "hello" or "goodbye". Girls walk by and pat his spiky hair. --Obviously, this is just like his father who was known by all in his school.-- (Oh my gosh. I left the room for a second and came in to find that Jay added his own two bits.) Anyway, as I was saying...girls pat his hair, boys give their cool head nods, and all are jealous of his awesome lunch that his mom packs so lovingly every day. (Okay, I had to add a little, too.)

Well, there is this kid named Alex Austin who we have heard about since day one. Alex Austin this, Alex Austin that...I never thought too much about it until Alex Austin told Isaac, "Two things. You are cute. And I love you."

WHAT??? Alex Austin is a GIRL??!!

Now when we hear about Alex Austin (or AA as we'll call her for short) our ears perk up a little more. Good grief!

Next...

College football is back, so we had our 3rd annual (or is it semi annual?) football day, junk food fest at our house. Actually, if you remember, Olivia and I were not really invited to the first football day. But when they learned that I could make them more food to eat, they let the girls come to Guy Day. Unfortunately, my camera batteries died right after I took the picture of Josiah and his pigs in a blanket. But there was, of course, root beer involved.

And finally...

We went to the beach today. What a perfect day to go. It was cloudy and about 85 degrees most of the day. Our friends (Andy's grandparents...or his breeders for you boring people out there) happened to be renting a condo on the beach this month and invited us to tag along for the day. That is the way to do it.

Olivia and Ted worked on this pool for a couple of hours. He built it, she wrecked it. And on and on it went.

Ted and Barbara's grand kids also came down for the day. Our boys LOVE these kiddos.

Their mission: To build a bath and drying area for Andy.

Josiah demonstrated how Andy dries off.

*Shake Shake*

This is what Andy thought about the kids' bright idea.

Isaac took a big step today and learned how to boogie board.

I loved how Isaac picked up on all of Ted's surf lingo as if he has lived on the beach all of his life.

"Mom! Did you see me ride that wave?"

Before we left the house this morning, I showed Olivia pictures of the beach so that she would know where we were going. It's been a year since we have been there and she had forgotten. She kept telling Jay, "Dad, I like-a the beach." When we left she told me, "No. I go to the beach." She was not ready to leave her new favorite place.

What a perfect day! We won't wait so long for our next visit, Atlantic.

Trampoline Fun

The first thing the boys want to do when they get home from school every day is jump on the trampoline. We combined trampoline with Frosty's and our evening was perfection.

The next two pictures make me cringe.

Yes, Olivia. Just jump nice and sweet. No flips for you.

I used to do flips...

Pictures of Olivia's Big Girl Room (2nd post..Check out the one before)

Here you go, Nena and Gee! :)

from the hallway

Her name over her bed is from her Aunt Lala.

Thanks, Linds. It matches perfectly!

a blank wall that needs a little something

pictures over dresser

photos on that blank wall

!!3!!

I can't believe that my baby girl will be 3 tomorrow. We celebrated her 1st birthday right after we moved here.

We had all of the birthday festivities today since Sundays are usually pretty busy for us. Of course, the day was full of Olivia fun from sun up to sun down.

Birthday Waffles

"I'm free!"

(3)

Olivia started opening her gifts, but then ordered her brothers and Daddy to open them for her. She just sat back and watched. haha

(This gift is from the boys. They were so excited to get her a blow dryer.)

This is what every 3 year old girl needs.

After all of the great gifts she opened, I think that this balloon ranked pretty high up on the favorite chart.

I am not kidding when I say that this is the way Olivia wakes up every morning. She jumps up and down and we sing a "Good Morning!" song to her.

Goodbye, baby bed.

Hello, big girl bed!

(It's 9:30 and I think that she still may be awake. Here are a few things she did after we told her "Goodnight."

1.) Played with her new mixer.

2.) Played with her owls.

3.) Set her owls outside of her door.

4.) Came in our room, ready to hang out.

5.) Put her two My Little Ponies on her dresser side by side with their corresponding hair brushes.

6.) Played with her mixer again.

7.) Made Jay and me laugh over and over again when we "caught" her.

Birthday lunch at Sushi Cafe

Liv and I spent a few minutes taking some 3 year old pictures.

More to come.

The "pink and green brownie cupcakes" that Olivia has been talking about for over a month.

Happy Birthday chu chu!

YUM!

Olivia and her favorite brothers

Olivia was so excited to find out that she got not one, but TWO My Little Ponies.

Yes, her brothers were opening the gifts for her.

Ironing "like Mommy".

Oh, Olivia. How could I ever express the joy that you bring to my life every single day?

Your sense of humor keeps me sane. Your silly grin always brings a smile to my face. Your hugs and kisses are so sincere. Your "I love you," melts my heart. When you jump in puddles, I want to jump too. When you sing at the top of your lungs, I never want you to quit. The way you draw a crowd makes me wonder who you will be. Your bouncy curls remind me of Tigger. The way you dance cracks me up. How much you love pink makes this lover of green shake her head. The day you were born was one of the best days of my life.

I love you, Olivia Anne. You are loved for sure.

Busy Bees Princess

Olivia has been ready for Busy Bees to start back up since it ended in May. She is a Busy Bees fanatic.

Isaac, Olivia and Josiah ready for a new day.

So excited.

I just kept taking pictures because she makes me smile.

And she looked so adorable with a backpack and lunchbox.

Daddy and Liv

The lunchbox is bigger than her head. :)

Olivia and Mommy

I tried to take her picture with her friends, Amelia and Grace, but her friends were too busy trying to figure out what was behind those curtains.

Olivia and her teacher, Mrs. Austin

(Mrs. Barbra (aka Barbar) was sad to let Liv go to another class this year.)

If you look at the first picture, you'll see Isaac holding a plastic bag with a rock in it that he was taking to his friend at school. Olivia thought she needed a plastic bag to take with her, too.

I'm sad to let all of my kids go, but I'm enjoying my time. Josiah is having the hardest time adjusting and wants to just stay home with me. Maybe another week will help?