Last night was one of the hardest nights we've had. Olive wouldn't go to bed, and from about 6:30 till 12:30 it was a very frustrating volley. I finally went in and grounded her from a birthday party she'd been invited to today. That was devastating news, but we all eventually got to sleep. This morning she made this checklist, and dedicated herself to earning back the privilege of going to the birthday party. She took it upon herself to not only make the list, but check items off when she felt like she'd accomplished them. Needless to say, she went to the party. (Fun = Fun, Ch = Chores, Lis = Listen, Mac bed = Make bed, Cl = Clean, and Man = Manners)

Olive's book report drawing. Pretty darn good!

We all went with Olive's class to the zoo today. Her friends loved Penelope, and George and Lucy had a ball with the bigger kids. I think Olive's friend Ashton might have a little crush on her. But she didn't like it when I quietly asked her about it later. Anyway, it was a good day, and I can't believe Olive is almost done with kindergarten.

In other news, on the way to school she and George were laughing so hard because Olive said, in her best radio commercial voice, "If your butt hurts, call 801-414-2684!"

Funny, funny girl.

Olive won 1st Place in a book writing contest at school! Her book is about a baker who was making a Hello Kitty cake but ran out of eggs, so she asked a little girl for help, and the little girl ended up being the baker's helper from then on. As a writer, it was delightful for me to talk with her through the writing process about how to organize a story, and to see that she has a knack for writing. As a baker, I love the content of her book. Here's a picture of her writing, a picture of her looking at my mixer so she could draw it, and some pictures of the award. So so proud of our girl!!