Olivia's First Bike

Over the weekend, Olivia received an early birthday present from her aunts in Lansing. She got her first tricycle!! It is so cute and she really seems to like it. We are trying to show her how to pedal the bike AND how to turn the handle bars to steer. The back of the bike has a trunk for her treasures and her aunts added a basket to the front for whatever treasures that don't fit in the trunk. Here are a few pictures that show her on her first test drive.

Her first Radio Flyer complete with a license plate...so she is street legal!

Here she is checking out her new wheels.

Aunt Nan is helping Olivia with her first ride.

Aunt Sue is showing Olivia where to put her hands so she can steer her bike.

After awhile, Olivia decides it's just easier to push her new bike around.

Thank you Aunt Nan and Aunt Sue!! Olivia is having a great time on her new tricycle.

Playin' in the Rain, We're Playin' in the Rain

Today we were talking with our neighbor in her garage while it was raining outside. Olivia was watching it rain, but gradually would take a few steps out to the driveway to stand in the rain. She would squeal with delight and then turn to walk back into the garage. The more she walked outside, the longer she would stay in the rain. Eventually, she would wander to the side of the garage and stand under the rain dripping off of the roof. Olivia was nothing but smiles during all of this. She loved stomping in the puddles, trying to catch the rain in her mouth, and feeling the water on the ground. I asked Chris to sneak home and take some pictures of her enjoying this summer rain. I'm sure she is looking forward to the next time we let her do this!

Here Olivia is trying to catch the raindrops in her mouth!

One of the priceless smiles that crossed her face as she enjoyed the rain coming down.

Concert in the Park

Today we had a wonderful opportunity to get together with one of our friends and her little girl for the afternoon at Kollin Park in Holland. Every Friday at noon there is a concert for kids. We packed up our blanket, lunch, and camera to enjoy an afternoon of music and play. We had a great time and the girls loved dancing.

Before the concert, Olivia took time to stop and smell the flowers.

The musician was without her partner, but it was really neat to see a harpist at a kids concert.

All of the kids were invited to come up to the stage for an instrument and join in for some "band songs". Rachel's mom brought the girls some instruments from home, so they got to play their own instruments (and stay near by...).

Rachel and Olivia took a break from their instruments to take a little walk together. I think they look so adorable holding hands!!

At the end of the concert, Olivia and I were cutting a rug together.

...and dip!

After the concert, the children were invited to come up on stage with their parent to try the harp out. I definitely think Olivia has her dad's musical talent. She was grinning from ear to ear as she got to "play" the harp. We look forward to going back for another concert!

Like Mother, Like Daughter...

A really good friend of mine recently gave me 4 plastic totes filled with clothes for Olivia. It felt like Christmas!!! I went through all of the clothes sorting them into what could be worn now and what could be worn later. Olivia just had to help...

And of course she had to try all of the shoes on...

I'm not sure who has more shoes...me or her!

These are all of the shoes that fit her right now...I put the other ones away!!

I think we are in big trouble....

First sprinkler moment

Okay, so this update is long over due! These pictures were taken a month ago, but I still think they are cute and want to share the story.

It was a warm day in June and it all started with Chris watering the flowers out front. Oliva was very interested in what he was doing. She and I walked closer to the hose so she could see what Daddy was doing. After she got to touch the water coming out, Chris would lightly spray her which she really enjoyed. I suddenly remembered that I bought her a sprinkler last summer, so we hooked it up for her. Of course we had to play in it...clothes and all!!

Olivia is cautiously approaching the sprinkler.

Here she realizes that she can stop the sprinkler from spinning around.

It was great watching her trying to catch the water with her hands!!

She definitely loves the water!

By now, her clothes are soaked...

...but she is still loving every minute of this!

Mom decided to show Olivia how she could take a drink from the sprinkler.

Here she gives it a try...

She tried numerous times and each time she got more and more water down the front of her.

We had tons of fun and she still enjoys the water!