Olive's class had their Christmas party today. We brought the teachers each a Starbucks gift card, and the kids had a great time celebrating. They sang to us at the end of class. So cute.

Olive was not thrilled to meet Mrs. Claus...
Please note Mrs. Claus' button...

Watching a show about a grasshopper just now...

Lucy: "Is it a boy or a girl grasshopper?"
Olive: "Boy."
Lucy: "Does he have a ding-ding?"
Olive (exasperated): "Grasshoppers don't have ding-dings!"

I went into the girls' room a little while ago. They had turned music on on their clock radio, and were holding hands and dancing. I changed it to a Christmas station and joined them.

Today was parent observation day at Olive's ballet class. Here's the slideshow and the highlights video. You won't regret watching till the very end!

Here is what Olive told her teacher she wanted for Christmas. I love that she asked for things for Lucy and George. And I love, love, love the way she makes her E's. 

Olive: "I wanna bring my bicycle to Grandma Gail's house."
Me: "It might be snowing there. You can't ride your bike in the snow. But you could go sledding, or make a snow angel."
Olive: "I'm gonna make a snow Olive!"

Chris is showing The Wizard of Oz to the girls this afternoon. When the movie switched from black and white to color, Olive said, "Now I can see!"

Olive says "eed" instead of "need." Like she'll say, "I eed to go potty." I started correcting her, but I hate to because it's cute.

Olive's class had their Thanksgiving feast today, modeled after the one on the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie. She wanted to dress up like an Indian so badly, but I knew no one else would be dressed up. So I put her in a long skirt and boots, and braided her hair. She was satisfied. Her teacher asked her all the things she's thankful for, and then wrote them on the tree leaves below. She had a great time!

She was singing her own version of Jingle Bells, I had to record it...

Olive made this drawing on my phone. We're working on learning the order of the colors of the rainbow. She insists that pink comes after purple. 

She made this at school. Little Indian Girl!

Her first haircut!

Olive had a Halloween party in her preschool class today. They did Halloween crafts (I put hers in her scrapbook), and went around trick-or-treating to local businesses. She said she had such a fun time! Here are a couple of pictures...

Mackenzie and Kallie, with Olive

Olive's whole class, and her two teachers

She climbed a tree in our backyard today.

Chris found Olive in Penelope's bed with her...yikes!

Olive went to the dentist this morning. No cavities! But, the dentist said that because her teeth are so tight and close together that it's imperative that we floss every night or else she'll definitely get cavities. She may get them anyway, but flossing will definitely help. He also said braces are inevitable. She was really brave and happy the whole time. They even did the x-rays and cleaning without me in the room, and she was totally fine with it. Brave, healthy little girl!

Chris just caught this moment on camera, and I'm so glad.

Olive was brushing Lucy's hair (yes, with a bubble wand) and she said to her, "You have to be brave so you can go to school." These girls!!

Leaving for the hospital to have Penelope, I gave Olive a big hug. She looked at me and said, "Your eyes are soakin' wet."

Olive is learning how to use scissors. She holds her mouth open like this when she's cutting.

She cut her hair the other day. Not tragic enough to have to get a weirdo haircut, but it still made me a little sad.

Right now, Lucy is laying in the baby bouncer and Olive is reading a book to her in her highest, sweetest voice.

I've been wondering how to keep Olive's school stuff without becoming a total obnoxious hoarder. I figure electronic is the best way to go. So, here's what she came home with today!

Here's Olive doing her first homework assignment.
Lucy wanted to do homework too, so we got out a
coloring book for her. Cute girlies.

Olive's first homework page,
she got a sticker!

Today was Olive's first day of preschool! I had a few tearful moments beforehand -- last night when I started thinking about how from now on she'll have the consistent influence of other people outside our family in her life, for good or for bad. I thought about how protected she's been at home with me, how so very particular I am about things like babysitters and television shows (she is only allowed to watch PBS and Nick Jr. I don't even like Nick or Cartoon Network because they introduce themes that are too old for her and that do no good for her mind). I thought about things like how she doesn't even know the words fat or ugly, much less any profanities. Chris was quick to point out that she'll also have the opportunity to influence others for good, and to be a delight to other people the way she is to us. Chris also pointed out that when she does learn adverse things that it will be an opportunity for us to talk with her, and help her learn right and wrong. Ever the optimist, Chris really helped me feel calm instead of anxious. He even helped me laugh at myself a little bit. My second tearful moment came this morning when Chris gave her a father's blessing. It was really sweet. He told her to be helpful to the children who might be afraid, and said that she herself wouldn't be afraid but brave. And he told her how lovely she is to her Father in Heaven. She wasn't apprehensive at all, so I made sure to hide my own reluctance and be really enthusiastic with her. I drove her to the school, and as soon as the teachers opened the door she went in and paid no more attention to me. I was really glad about that. Her confidence and self-assurance are a gift, and I'm not about to curb that in her. I chatted with her teacher for a few minutes, my cares and concerns drifted away, and then I left. 

She came home with a necklace and a painting of an apple that she had made, and with homework! Chris and I asked her a million questions about her time there, and she really just had a great time. Love our big preschool girl!