Olivia deserves attention first because the poor girl never even got a birthday post - plus she's the oldest!
What can I tell you about Miss Olivia: Well, to start, she's got a super personality. Olivia is, for the most part, extremely helpful and very sweet. She's generally pretty upbeat, but she can be really hard on herself too when it comes to making mistakes - we're working on this bad habit a lot! Every once in awhile, Liv likes to try on some sassiness, but most of the time, she's a good listener, does what we ask, and is kind. Olivia can be pretty adventurous which never ceases to amaze me - you should have seen her at the fair this year! Olivia, like most seven year olds I think, likes to see what is socially appropriate and what drives her parents nuts - for example, she'll sing in an obnoxious voice as loudly as possible on purpose while following me around the house. Testing? Yes!
It's been fun being in her classroom as a volunteer - I get to see both the shy and the social side of her. I hope she continues to grow in self-confidence...we've seen tons of this over the past couple of years. Based on my observations, Olivia is really helpful at school, loves her teacher, is a good friend who is friends with everyone, is proud of her work, listens to directions, and is hesitant to participate - although she was super excited to show her American Girl Doll as show-and-tell last week (a privilege she earned through their behavior system at school). She spent a solid 45 minutes dressing and getting her doll all fancy - pretty cute. She said she let everyone hold her doll and told them they had to be gentle so that it didn't break. :) Overall, it seems like Olivia is starting to enjoy reading a lot more (though I definitely cannot put this in her "favorites" list). She loves writing her "Weekend News," doesn't complain too badly about practicing math (though she insists that she's terrible at this), and likes doing her spelling homework or whatever else. I look forward to talking with her teacher more at conferences next week.
If I had to pick Olivia's favorite things to do they would be: playing with Grady and Grace, watching TV (boo), creating / crafting of any kind, and playing sports (specifically basketball and baseball with Brian). She's also pretty interested in helping with projects around the house - the other day she helped me wash all the floors, and she's been all about yard work this fall, helping pick up hundreds of walnuts, cut down plants, and rake leaves. Olivia enjoys her jazz class a lot, likes her piano lessons and is getting much better at reading music, loves to have friends over, and likes to have activities scheduled!
Something I have really learned to embrace these last few years with Olivia is that she will do something when she is ready. Reading...struggled, now is doing better. Riding her bike without training wheels....refused, only to, six months later, master it in one day. Talk to people...insanely quiet, now is much more social. Math...we're getting there. Clothes...when she gets cold, she'll transition over to pants and eventually snow pants too by herself. I used to battle her to do what I wanted, but I've realized now, it'll happen in due time. Better to not create stress for either of us - I can encourage and encourage but not force. When Olivia's ready, she'll do it.
A few random facts: At her well-child check this summer, Olivia weighed 49 pounds (39th percentile) and was 47 1/2 inches tall (41st percentile). She wears size 7-8 shirts, size 6-7 pants (pants are a major struggle right now as she's so in-between sizes and so incredibly picky), and size 12-13 shoes. She has yet to wear pants to school but did finally give in to wearing tennis shoes as its getting colder. She's still obsessed with her blanket and thumb (despite our encouragement to stop that already!), doesn't have a very good voice but likes to sing, is really looking forward to seeing her cousins over Christmas, is Grady's second mom, is very nervous about her First Reconciliation but is excited about her First Communion, has a major sweet tooth, is extremely honest, and is very loving.
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Back in July, Olivia had a birthday party with all the girls in her class (minus one) and our neighbor pal Maggie. We made a cool craft using old crayons, which we melted onto canvases that said their name in funky writing, played yard games, and enjoyed some tasty cupcakes that were specially decorated by Aunt Tara and me! On her actual birthday, we celebrated by having pizza with Grandma and Grandpa Huinker and then heading to the fair. I think it's safe to say that Olivia had a totally awesome time! She was a wild woman on the rides (especially one called the Genesis that eventually made me sick) and had a blast racing around like she owned the place! Here are some pictures from her party and the fair.
