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Shhh...don't say the 'D' word

D*R*E*S*S!!
Last Saturday, out of the blue, Olive decided to wear this very "girly" dress. I was so thrilled. But I knew that if I mentioned anything about the d*r*e*s*s*, especially if I said that she looked cute, it would be off in a minute. It was hard, but I bit my tongue. We went to Bridget and Nick's house for a party. They were equally thrilled to see "sweet little Olive" in a sparkly white dress!!

SORRY - I can't figure out how to rotate these pictures...












Here are some pictures that Olive took at the party:

on your mark, get set...

Oh...Summer is here and life is non-stop. I have been having a hard time even finding time to blog. These days, by the time Olive is asleep, I can barely move, let alone try to craft some witty and creative blog entry. She has been so intense recently - so in-charge. Every move we make is subject to negotiation - whether it is something simple like waking-up, brushing teeth, eating meals or something more complicated like getting in the car and going to the market. Olive has to influence the plan in some subtle (wearing a helmet, goggles, and two different shoes) or not-so-subtle way (" Mom (heavy sigh), if you DON'T listen to my words, I can't be your daughter anymore"). Life with Olive is a graduate level course in patience and creative parenting. She is only 3 1/2 and I am already struggling to stay one step ahead of her emotionally and intellectually. Ey yi yi!!
Two weekends ago, Olive had the special pleasure of going back to her Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Betsy's house, which in and of itself is always fun. But this time, she got to spend some time with her Nana Barb, Grnadpa Paul and her very special second cousins, Kevin and David (Hi Kevin!!!). Cousins Kevin and David live outside of Philadelphia and were on there first trip to Boston. Olive had so much fun with the"big kids." She even got to spend a few hours with her cousins Josh and Sara! What a weekend!! Here are a couple of pictures with the cousins:

Tony time?

Congratulation to Olive's Uncle Douglas on the nomination of his play "The Little Dog Laughed" for TWO Tony awards - Best Play and Best Actress!! (Small world: another child in Olive's preschool has a relative nominated for a Tony - Quinn, grand nephew of Angela Lansbury, another Best Actress nominee!!)

Olive may not be Tony material yet, but she sure has a flare for the dramatic. Here she is on a dinner play-date with her good friend Ryder.

busy weekend ends with a bonk

I know it is sumer when the weekends are more exhausting than the weeks!
Friday night Olive had a play date with David (and Mom had a drink with Nancy!). Saturday started at Mirabelles and moved on to opening day at the Farmers Market! Home for the neighborhood yard sale and then a dinner birthday celebration for Jen P. (The cake in the picture is a too-die-for creme brulee cake from Mirabelles - just imagine six thin cake layers, each drenched in a delicious caramel sauce and smothered in creme brulee. The top of the cake had the ultimate layer of creme brulee with a burnt sugar crust...woah. Jen took home the leftovers, which was a good thing. I don't think I could have slept knowing that cake was in the fridge.)



Sunday - Mother's Day. Olive and Jon let me sleep in and then made pancakes for breakfast. Olive and Jon went swimming so I had some time alone. Then off to the ice skating rink for Mari's 6th birthday party! After we got home, (and after the Red Sox made an amazing comeback in the bottom of the 9th) Olive and Jon went out to throw some frisbee. Olive got bonked and suffered her first big bloody nose!! She was brave and survived, but she didn't want to wash off the blood until she had showed all of the neighbors!

kissin' cousins

Olive loves her cousin Sara. Last weekend Olive and I took a quick trip down to West Newbury to visit Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Betsy, cousins Josh and Sara and dog Duke. We all had a great time - although Olive was a little sad that she didn't get to see more of Josh. I tried to explain to her about high school seniors in the spring...but I am not sure she completely got it.

gender bender

Here they are - Olive and David - at it again. I am not quite sure what "it" is, but it looks like fun!

easy rider

This bike was parked in front of our neighbors house the other day. From the moment she saw this cool ride, Olive was determined to sit on it. Her persistence paid off when she located the owner, turned on her charm and politely asked if she could " please ride his bike."

Today it's Captain Olive, tomorrow it could be...Captain America. Hang On!!!

saying goodbye to flat stanley

Well, all vacations must come to an end. It is time to send flat stanley back to cousin kevin and his family in Pennsylvania. Before she said good-bye, Olive wanted to take flat and buzz for one last spin around the block on her bike.

Olive would love to have flat visit us again soon, but next time she hopes he will bring his whole family... bye-bye for now!

flat bear - the adventures of flat stanley vol. 4

Today Flat took a tour of the vermont Teddy bear factory, where Olive's dad works. Flat got to see how they make all the bears, stitch by stitch...

flat takes care of business - the adventures of flat stanley vol. 3

Vacations are not all fun and games - even Flat has to take care of the mundane business of living, like taking a bath, using the toilet and helping with the dishes...

flat civics - the adventures of flat stanley vol.2

On this day, Flat had a lesson in civics. In the morning Flat spent some time with this guy - Assistant Attorney General Scot Kline. Attorney Kline is the lead lawyer in a very important case relating to climate change and global warming. Scot is representing the state of Vermont in a case against car makers. Vermont wants cars that are sold in Vermont to release less carbon dioxide (green house gases). The car makers argue that if they do that they will loose money. The trail is in its third week and should wrap up next week. Attorney Kline and the other lawyers on his team have been very busy. He believes he is trying to make the world a better place for kids like Flat and their families.


Later in the day, Flat went for a walk with this guy - Lt. Emmett Helrich of the Burlington Police Department. Lt. Helrich explained to Flat that there are many ways for kids to have fun without getting into trouble! The Lt. is undercover in this picture, that is why he is sideways.

At the end of the day, Flat went to a planning meeting at the Fletcher Free Library with these community leaders. The woman at the end of the table is Amy Mellencamp, she is the principal at Burlington High School. To her left is Robert Resnik, librarian extrodinaire and half of the famous children's musical duo "robert and gigi" - a big favorite of Olive's. At this meeting, Flat learned how important libraries are for keeping communities strong.

After such a busy day, Flat needed a yummy treat. But he just couldn't decide which delicious looking sweet to try.

adventures of flat stanley vol. 1

Olive has had a special guest visiting her for the past few days. His name is Flat Stanley. We just call him "Flat." Flat is a friend of Olive's cousin, Kevin Hanley, from Pennslyvania. Kevin thought that Flat would have a good time if he came to visit us in Vermont. We have been trying our best to do right by Kevin and Flat.

Over the next few days we will document here some of the highlights of our time together.

Here is Flat enjoying some breakfast with Olive.

This is Flat at Steppingstones (olive's school) with the fabulous Robin Ploof!!

Olive thinks that Flat looks like a feminist too!

Here is Flat hob-nobbing with Senator Bernie Sanders' District manager, Phil Fiermonte. Flat and Phil were talking baseball and politics over a nice Sushi lunch.


Stay tuned for more in the Vermont Adventures of Flat Stanley!!