a vermont spring tradition

Today we took two of our neighbor siblings, Shane and Genevieve with us to visit a sugar house for some sugar-on-snow. For those flat landers out there, sugar-on-snow is just boiled maple syrup poured over snow, often served with a cider donut and a dill pickle. We tried to interest the kids in a little bit of maple syrup science, but...they were more interested in eating the syrup and running wild in the first warm (35 degrees) sunny day in a long, long time.

in her own words

You might need to double click on this photo to read Olive's words as transcribed by one of her teachers. At Olive's school they often will talk to the kids about their drawings and then transcribe what they say, word for word. I hope to figure out how to post more of Olive's art work in the coming weeks.

baby cora's big brother

Here is a sweet picture of Olive with baby Cora - Kerrie and Creston's 5 month old daughter. Olive asked Creston if she could be baby Cora's big brother. Creston said that, because Olive was the first to apply, and because she has ample qualifications - the job is hers!

whose kid is this?

Another Saturday morning at Mirabelles and Olive is catching up with her social network.

Here she is making herself at home at Liam's family's table. Liam is a little boy that we know from Saturdays at Mirabelles.


And here is Olive visiting with some other Saturday morning friends - Marilyn and Jim.

It's hard having such a shy child...??

morning conversation

Scene: Olive and I are both "working" in the kitchen. Olive has a project that involves big bowls filled with water and lots of toys. I am making chicken pot pie for dinner.

Olive: Excuse me, Mom, I need some more water for my project.

Mom: Olive I do not want you to play with any more water. You have enough water and you are making a big mess.

Olive: cocks head, furrows brow, hands on hips - Mom, you worry about Jessica and your mess and I will worry about Olive and my mess. OK???

She constantly challenges my limited parenting skills...

who hears what

Horton Hears a Who


Olive Hears her Mom say "NO" - again!

reunited and it feels so good

Hazel and Olive had a play date last week. It's been too long since these good friends got together. It didn't take long for the clothes to come off and the body paints to get on! They know how to have a good time!

special dress-up clothes

What a special surprise! Olive and I arrived home last week to find a special package addressed to Olive. The box contained some fabulous dress-up clothes - wigs, hats and kitty cat ears and a tail!! The thoughtful package came from Olive's great aunt Mary - whom Olive is looking forward to meeting. Mary is Olive's cousins' - Kevin and David's grandmother.




Unfortunately, I do not have a picture from Saturday morning at Mirabelles - when Olive made Jon and I wear wigs and hats from "Mary's box."

practice makes perfect

Olive, Jon and I have been talking a lot recently about the lemonade stand that we are going to build this summer. We all agree that we need to start raising some money for Olive's college fund. We have prime sidewalk real estate, right across from a busy park. Olive wants to sell "refreshing lemonade,"" refreshing water," and some other "healthy choices" - like cookies, fresh spinach, hummus...She is a great negotiator and an impossible-to-refuse salesperson.

Last week she came to work with me for an hour or so. While I was busy working, Olive was busy setting up this "refreshing water" stand and pushing her wares on my office-mates. I am not sure whether you can see the details in this picture - but her water stand is complete with a small Ganesh statute (Remover of Obstacles), a small desk chime (music makes people shop!) and of course a winning smile!

clubbin'

Olive went to her first show at a night club!! Here she is with her bud Gil at Higher Ground rockin' out to Dan Zanes (of the Del Fuegos). That is our friend David lending his shoulders to Olive. These pictures were taken just before the mosh pit got crazy!!