congratulations sara!!

Last weekend, Olive's cousin Sara graduated from University of New Hampshire!! We are so proud of her! Although we didn't actually go to the graduation - we did go to West Newbury for a graduation party. Somehow, I neglected to get a picture of Olive with Sara - but I did get some other good shots from the party.

Here is Olive hanging out and shooting hoops with cousins Josh and Duke:




And here she is up a tree:

visit to our neighborhood firefighters

5% mischevious

It is nearly impossible to get a picture of Olive these days that is 100% pure sweetness.

This one comes close, but for the red ink star stamp on her nose.

i can add 'chaperone' to my resume

Last week I chaperoned the first, of what will sure to be many, school field trips. This was a trip to the Flynn Theater to see a one hour play: "The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder." A group of students, teachers and parents walked from Steppingstones, all the way downtown, to the theater. The show was specifically geared toward pre-K to 3rd graders. Many of the classes in attendance, including the group from Steppers, had been "studying" life on the prairie as told in the "Little House on the Prairie" stories.

Once inside the theater, the din was maddening. Think - 1,000 4-9 year olds in an enclosed space. The show was ok - not exactly Olive's cup of tea. Apparently Olive's favorite character in the stories was Jack the Dog. And wouldn't you know it, but Jack the Dog did not have a role in the play. So, for a whole hour Olive asked me - Where's Jack? How come they are not talking about Jack? Did Jack die? How did Jack die? Why aren't they sad that Jack died? Do you think they ever talk to Jack's spirit? Can dogs talk human when they are spirits, or do they just bark? If they can't see Jack's spirit, how do they know that the barking that they hear is Jack's spirit and not another spirit dog? Do you think that we will know Puck's bark when he is a spirit? Is Puck going to die?

Here are some pictures that Olive took while we were waiting to go into the theater:

super friends

I love these photos.
Last Saturday was Kids Day (I know, as if everyday isn't already Kids Day!). In Burlington, Kids Day always includes a parade of kids down Main Street and lots of fun activities. Every year the kids from Olive's pre-school, Steppingstones, all march together.

Here is a picture of Olive and her Super Friend and Super Teacher, Dana. There is not a sweeter person on earth than Dana.



And here is Olive with another super friend and the director of Steppingstones, Robin. Together, Olive and Robin lead the pack, waving to all of their fans! Can't you just feel the love in these pictures??


I am not sure why, but I have not blogged much about Steppingstones - even though it is such a huge part of our lives. We feel so fortunate to have the love, support, nurturing and learning that Steppingstones offers. Olive is thriving - and so much of the credit goes to the commitment of the teachers and the philosophical underpinnings at Steppingstones. I can't imagine a better fit for Olive or for Jon and me.