Plucking

Preface:
Last weekend we were out shopping and Olivia overheard someone use the "F" word. We mentioned that it was a bad word and a few hours later she asked again if it was a "really" bad word. We emphasized that the "F" word was just about as bad as it gets. She seemed to understand. No mention of it since last Sunday.

Fast Forward to the Friday after Thanksgiving:
As mentioned in the previous post, the whole Shingleton side of the family was in Austin over Thanksgiving. Olivia and Campbell had a great time playing together and spent a lot of time running in and out of the living room putting on little shows etc...On Friday night, all the adults were sitting in our living room chatting when Olivia and Campbell came running in. Each had a toy cell phone in hand and they pointed the phones at each of us one by one as Olivia yelled "I am f$&king you" to each person individually...Great Grandma Jo and all...I think we were all in shock at first. Thad (Adam's brother) asked "Are you faxing us?" She looked at him with a "duh" look and said "No, I am f$&king you!"

Adam shot off the couch, picked her up, and carried her off into the other room. Grandma Jo was still asking "What did she say?" When Adam and Olivia arrived back in the living room, she shyly announced that she had been "plucking" everyone... like a turkey. She was the talk of the night. It was shocking at the time, but I get the giggles thinking about it now. She is, after all, just 3!

Olivia and Campbell-Thanksgiving 2008

Adam's brother, sister-in-law, niece, dad, step-mom, and grandma all came to Austin for Thanksgiving this year. Olivia and Campbell (her cousin) had so much fun together. We took some adorable pictures. I have at least one funny story, but I will save that for later.

Santa Claus...Oh No!

Olivia and I went to the mall today after her ballet class. The original plan was to see High School Musical 3, but, like mother like daughter, she decided she would rather shop instead. (That's my girl!) As we walked in, I looked down (we came in on the second floor) and saw Santa Claus sitting on his throne. I had not committed Olivia to a Santa picture this year because she has been telling me how terrified she is of Santa, but there were only 3 other strollered mom's in line. We waited in line for almost 2 hours last year. Today just seemed "meant to be." I started by asking Olivia if she would sit on Santa's lap. No go. Like a good mom, I just continued on towards Santa and took my place in line. Olivia was holding on to my hand for dear life. The closer we got, the harder she squeezed. When it was our turn...SCREAMING...blood curdling SCREAMS! People were staring over the upstairs railings wondering "what has Santa done this time!" (Last year he threw a child of his lap and stormed off the job--needless to say, new Santa this year!) Again, in my perfect mom-style, I leaned down and told Olivia that I would throw her pacifer in the trash if she did not sit on Santa's lap. (Mature--I know!) But, guess what? It worked. I put her on Santa's lap and she smiled. We have a smiling picture of Olivia on Santa's lap...4 years in a row! She told Santa what she wanted for Christmas and off we went! For the rest of our mall trip, every time she heard a child cry, she mentioned that those kids must be afraid of Santa! She was so proud of herself and I was so proud of her! I will post the picture soon.

Friends

Like Father...Like Daughter

Yesterday I received a box of maternity clothes that I ordered from Old Navy. I was really excited to open the box and try on the clothes. Olivia was in the room with me as I tried on each item.

I think Adam is really rubbing off on her. Examples?

Shirt #1: "That looks cute!" (Totally me!)

Shirt #2: "Don't you have one in your closet that looks just like that?" (Okay Adam...)

Shirt #3: "I don't think Daddy is going to like that on you." (Thanks!)

Sweatsuit: "Mommy, you spend way too much money!" (Uh...where did that come from?)

Of course I realize that she is 3 and just repeating what she has heard her Daddy say over and over again, but she is supposed to be on my side right? We'll see how she feels about that last comment next time she wants a treat. I have the feeling that she will change her mind!

Christmas Shopping and Giving Back

http://www.standup2cancer.org/store

Stand Up 2 Cancer has a great store with some cool gift ideas and all the proceeds benefit cancer research!

**If anyone can show me how to hyperlink...I would be so appreciative!

Olivia and Reagan

I just thought this picture was too cute!

Madonna

The Rockettes

Yesterday I received an e-mail from the Frank Irwin Center in Austin notifying me of some upcoming shows and events. I hadn't checked their website since Raven Symone disappointed Olivia (okay...well really it was me!) and cancelled her Pajama Party Tour. Several "family friendly" events are coming up but the only one with tickets already on sale was the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. I have never seen the Rockette's but have always been interested. What little girl (woman) isn't at some point? I bought tickets for me, Adam, and Olivia. I was so excited...still am! Anyway...I got home and couldn't wait to tell Olivia all about it. Of course she had no idea what I was talking about. I explained (with great enthusiasm) who The Rockette's are and why they are SO COOL! With sarcasm, Olivia said...

"So, what other "fun stuff" do you have planned for us this Christmas?"

She went from 3 to 13 in about 2 seconds! I am in trouble!

I think that Olivia will really like the show regardless of her sarcasm, but just to get her back I told her that I was going to take her to sit on Santa's lap at the mall! (Her biggest fear of the season!) She screamed "NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I smiled.

Satisfaction!

Not My Idea....

Not my idea of a perfect weekend, but Adam had so much fun on his hunting trip that I had to post his "trophies!"




No, he was not sent on a mission to "catch" our Thanksgiving dinner. I guess this is just fun for him. I don't get it...

Christmas Shopping

Adam had to work late last night so Liv and I headed to the outlet mall for some early Christmas shopping. We didn't get too far because Olivia HAD to have a snack. She looked so cute on the bench eating her soft pretzel that I had to take a picture.

Boating?

This morning I asked Olivia if she wanted me to take her directly to Sarwat's house or if she would like to go with me to vote.

She said, "Boating, like will there be water there?"

I said, "No, vuh-vuh-VOTING! We write on paper who we are voting for."

She said, "Will they have snacks there?"

Good question...it would make voting much nicer!

I said "Maybe a water fountain. No snacks."

She said "Okay, let's go vote."

And so Olivia had her first experience at the polls. We waited patiently in the long line at the church near our house. She carried her baby doll and stood quietly the entire time. When our turn came she assisted me in completing our bubbles on the ballot, put our ballot carefully into the machine and took an "I Voted" sticker for her shirt!

I started thinking about the last time we elected a president, Olivia was just a glimmer in my eye. Now I have a little citizen to raise, nurture, and teach. It was really a neat experience, even if she did originally think that we were going to the lake!

Halloween and Project Weekend Complete

My Little Butterfly



Wonder Woman and Butterfly



Cinderella, A Pumpkin Princess, My Butterfly, and Wonder Woman



Olivia's New Room



The Nursery...and yes, I know that babies sleep in cribs.