Fathers Day 2016

I hope Matt would agree that we had a special and nice Father's Day 2016.  Olivia was really excited about it and we basically celebrated him the entire weekend!

On Friday, she and Matt went to Dads and Donuts at her school and then she stayed for Splash Day.

She made him this cute little picture frame for his present.

One funny story - the night before, Olivia was very clear with us that Matt could have as many donuts as he wanted but she was only going to have one.  She told us at least twice the night before and then reminded him again in the morning.  We started to get a little worried that she was already worrying about weight/her body.  Nope, not so much.  Turns out her smart teachers implemented the 1 donut/kid rule to try and minimize the inevitable sugar high (and subsequent crash) as much as possible.  Smart lady.

Then on Saturday morning she begged me to give him one of his presents.  So he got a card and a new shirt.

And finally, on Sunday it was the big day.  She told me that she was going to wake me up early so we could set up the table.  Apparently this is a thing now.  Whenever its a holiday or we have someone coming over, she insists that we "set up the table" with flowers and other pretty stuff.

She kept good on her promise.  Around 5:30 she came into my room and woke me up, already fully dressed in a frilly dress and necklace.  She then proceeded to judge my outfit (yoga pants, a tank top and a top knot) but I convinced her that it was really about her since it was Father's Day and I promised to get dressed pretty for brunch.  (Note: her opinions about my outfits and fashion are OUT. OF. CONTROL.  And, I can't win really.  If I come out dressed in shorts she will tell me "that's not so good for your legs."  If I wear jeans, she will cry.  If I wear my hair in a bun or ponytail, she will comment on how it looks better when its down.  But, on the rare occasion that I put on a dress and take the time to do my hair, she will then cry because I look too pretty.  For example, on this day we went to brunch with my entire family.  When I came out, she burst into tears because I "looked more beautiful than her."  THIS GIRL!)

Back to Father's Day....we "set up the table" including going to get daddy some donuts.

By 8:00 she could hardly stand it, so I let her wake him up.  He loved his present (new sunglasses) and we headed to brunch at Hugo's.

After nap, we went to see Finding Dory.  Not sure it would have been his first choice on the way to spend the afternoon, but I figured there were worse things than popcorn, a cute movie and a cool theater on a hot Houston day.

I will reserve the gushing and leave it at this -- my love for this guy and all he does for our family is beyond measure.  I am constantly amazed by his strength, devotion, patience and commitment to us.  Jackpot.  

Summer Fun

We have been having lots of fun in these early days of summer.  We kicked off the season with a bff Memorial Day with the McGuire's.  I didn't get many pics of the crew, but here are the big kids watching a movie and cheering on Uncle Matt at tennis.

We had several weeks of rain, so Olivia, the babies and I all jumped in my bed to watch a movie

And then she curled up with daddy for an afternoon nap.

But, this week the weather cleared up, so we have been eating outside and enjoying the baby pool that Aunt Jennie gave us most evenings after work/school

Olivia (ever the performer) made up a show for her and daddy to put on together

And she attended Vacation Bible School this week, which she LOVED.  Here she is making shoes for Sole Hope.

Two funny Olivia stories of late:  First, the other day Matt asked her to do stop doing something and she didn't listen so he started to discipline her.  Before he even got started, she interrupted him, in the saddest, sweetest voice you ever heard "No daddy.  Don't say that to me.  I'm too little for consequences."

In that same vein, she has taken to interrupting him other times he's "correcting her" by saying "Don't say that.  You're just trying to get me in trouble."

This sweet little girl!

Day at the Beach

Matt went on a father/son trip a few weeks ago, so Grandpa and I decided to take Olivia to the beach for the day.  It ended up being great weather and she had a ball.

We packed a picnic lunch to enjoy

Her favorite thing to do was digging in the dirt and collecting sea shells.  She probably looked for shells for an hour, walking up and down the beach.  I was surprised by how focused and dedicated she was to the effort.  And, then she sat down and counted out all 111 shells!

After the beach, we were planning to hit up Paradise Pier.  It was a 15 minute drive and this happened before we left the beach parking lot.

She rallied once we got there and, after watching a few rounds of kiddie bumper cars, she worked up the courage to try them out.  At first she looked nervous and unsure, but within a few minutes she settled in and LOVED it.  We then spent the next 30 minutes doing it!

And the tea cups

And the Texas Motor Car ride

And the carousel

She thought it was hilarious that I was crammed into this little car because she had to have the purple one.

Yes, she made me ride it again and the next time she rode next to me at the back and kept laughing and saying "You're not squished like a bug!  There is a lot of room back here!"

It was a great day with Grandpa and hopefully we can make more trips to Galveston this summer.

Spring Ballet "Show Off"

Olivia started taking ballet lessons this year at a new studio and they only have a big recital every other year (so genius!).  This was an "off" year, so instead of a recital, they did a "showcase" one Sunday afternoon on the various skills they've learned over the year.

Olivia's little friend Sarah couldn't be more different than her in terms of performing.  Sarah stole the show with her smile and waves.  Miss O on the other hand took the whole thing very seriously and didn't wave to us once and, per usual, the suppressed smile was the most we got.  I've said it before, but its such a stark contrast to how lovey and attached to us she usually is, that we still marvel at this "serious Olivia".....But of course, we LOVE it! 

Plies at the bar

 Arms out...

Releve

Sashay across the floor

Little jumps

And, they ended with some stretching - showing us how ballerinas sit up nice and tall ("ballerinas are never lazy" claims Olivia)

Proud of our tiny dancer.