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!

This morning at the park at Town Square.
On stage, right in her element.

Today is back-to-school for all the Boulder City kids. It's just another day for us. However, Olive has the spirit of back-to-school a little bit. There are a couple of Target back-to-school commercials on our DVR recording of Wall-E, which we watched after lunch today. She was playing in the playroom instead of watching the movie, but as soon as she heard the back-to-school jingle on the Target commercial she came running in to see it. A little while later I was doing the dishes and she came into the kitchen, pointed to the baggie of box tops I have hanging on the fridge, and said, "Mom, we need those box topses for my schoo." (She always leaves the L off of school and pool, and I love it). I'm guessing there was some other commercial about box tops. She then told me I needed to pack a school lunch for her that included strawberries and fruit. She's a cute, smart girl. She is starting preschool next week, I'm not sure I'm ready for that!

This morning she wanted to doctor me. She had me lie down and said, "First we need the pumper." She was talking about the blood pressure cuff.

Olive has had a lot of consecutive days of being very disagreeable. I guess we can expect to always just cycle in an out of this kind of thing, but gosh, today it got to be too much. Presently she's spending an hour in her room.

Olive watched Wall-E with Chris the other night, and when it was over she dreamily said, "That was a wonderful show." Then, Chris told her an abbreviated version of The Wizard of Oz the other morning, and when he was done she said - again, so dreamily - "That story was beautiful."

I can't believe what a strong swimmer she is. Her confidence is really impressive, but also really scary for me. Still, I think we'd be remiss if we didn't put her in the swim program here in Boulder.

Olive is really excited about our new baby coming. She asks lots of questions everyday, and when we talk about her Olive will often hug my belly, or rub it, and be really sweet and tender. I know she's going to be a helpful, loving sister to this new one.

Olive gets the word shadow mixed up with the word echo. Which I think is cute and endearing, but also kinda smart given their meanings.

She calls our rec center pool the "real pool" for some reason, and she asks several times each day if we can go there. She loves to swim!!

Two nights ago when I was tucking her in, she was asking about her cousin Troy. She declared him her true love a few months ago when we were visiting Jenny, and she has remained hopelessly devoted to him since then. She asked how old he is and when would she be as tall as him. I told her he's almost 5, and that she'd probably never be as tall as him. She lamented about not being 5 herself yet because 5 is when she'll be as tall as him AND 5 is when she's allowed to jump off the diving board at the real pool. And then she sighed really big and said, "I love him." Oh boy!