Not bad for her first day!

First day of 1st grade! Her school is Sandpiper Elementary here in Scottsdale, and her teacher's name is Mrs. Speight. Last night she had a few tears, and needed one extra squeeze before we left her today, but seemed good to go when we left. I can't believe how long she and Lucy will be gone everyday! Proud of my smart, beautiful, kind little girly.

She made this block wall, and was pretty proud of it.

At Claire's birthday party.

Olive is going through a bit of emotions with this moving transition. Most of the time she's her regular happy self. But every once in a while she gets overcome with feelings and needs to have a good cry. Today, that combined with a low fever, made for a bit of a struggle for her. We held her lots, and tonight we let her stay up and watch fireworks from our hotel window. We talked softly about the upcoming changes - she aches about leaving friends, about making new friends, about Daddy being gone from us for a week - and we watched the fireworks and talked about why Pioneer Day is special for us. Now, as I write this, I'm listening to her sleepy breathing as she drifts off.  I ache for her aching, but we'll learn and grow and get through this transition together as we always do.

Incidentally, she also had a very fun time at the park with Grandma this morning.

Earrings do-over and a swimsuit photo shoot with Lucy.

princess makeover day!