Preschool

Livvy started school at a local preschool up the road. 

One of the perks of living in this country is that the government (or taxes) likes to pay for things, like our healthcare, and 15 hours of school for children from 3 until 5 years old. 

So Livvy is all signed up for school 4 days a week, 3 hours per day, including a little break for lunch. 

The first day she did great, was so excited and pushed me out the door back home. Unfortunately that was short lived, the second day and every day after that she has been sad to be left. The teachers tell me she just likes adult attention and care, which makes complete sense as she's been pretty much solely around me the past 6 months. 

 

So, Livvy and I are both trying to figure this whole school thing out. I am debating on cutting back to just three days a week, but we'll see how she does in the coming weeks. It has been nice to have time with my little boy and for myself.

Livvy the curious.

Livvy has been keeping me on my toes lately. 

These are a few of the questions that she's put forth for me to answer:

(While eating a turkey sandwich) "Mommy, how did this turkey die?" "Was he sad?"

"Mommy, how did Jude come out of your tummy?"

"Mommy, how did Jude get into your tummy?"

She's asked me a million more questions like this, but I can't remember all of them. I've been a little creative in my answers, but mostly I try some version of the truth (even if it is a very vague version). Lincoln, is never in this position, because if he's ever pelted a toughie he just tells her to go ask her mother....

Here is the silly girl dressing herself up in all of my scarves.

She has a few specifications that must be met when creating her ensemble. It must be a dress and it must touch her toes and it must have some sort of sleeves.

This brings me to my next Livvy point. Livvy is obsessed with wearing a certain shirt and skirt. The shirt she calls her "not-modest" shirt (because it has straps) and she insists on wearing it everywhere. I have to hide the coveted outfit so she will let me wash it! 

I love this little girl, who really is a little person and no longer a toddler. 

Olympic Fever

Livvy and I had the opportunity to go and see an Olympic event on the first full day of Olympic action.  It was women's volleyball, which was perfect since I love volleyball and since I thought Livvy would enjoy seeing women play more than men.  It was Japan playing Algeria.     

Our seats were in the Japan fan section.  Everyone was decked out in Japanese attire, there were a ton of Japanese flags and even a number of people dressed up like Samurais.  Livvy decided early on that we were going to cheer for Japan, which was a great choice since Japan was clearly the better team and you don't want to be cheering against Japan when there is a Samurai sitting next to you--always a dangerous move.  

There was a lot of excitement and cheering, and it was quite contagious.  Even Livvy got really excited and cheered very energetically for Japan for most of the match.  

The tickets were actually for 2 matches.  China was playing in the second match, which would have been fun to see.  However, Livvy had had enough volleyball, so we took the Tube over to Hyde Park.  We had a nice stroll through Hyde Park and went to the Hyde Park BT London Live site, where they have I believe 6 huge screens showing Olympic action, food, and games.  Livvy and I had a lot of fun hanging out and watching additional events there before heading home.

I had been worried about how Livvy would do at the Olympics since it was quite the trek out there, we had to leave at about 6:30 am, we walked a lot, and we had to wait in line a while to get our tickets before the event.  However, she did awesome!!  She did so great that I let her pick out a treat on our way back that we took home to share with Vindie and Jude.  

All in all, it was a very fun and memorable daddy/daughter date that I'm sure Livvy and I will remember for many years to come.  Between watching the Olympic opening ceremony at the Visa Olympic VIP Lounge here in London, watching the torch go through our town as well as past the Tower of London on the Thames, and now watching an Olympic event live and seeing the festivities at Hyde Park, I'd say we've definitely taken advantage of our fair share of the Olympic festivities, which has been a lot of fun.  

This has definitely been an amazing summer to be in England due to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration, an exciting Wimbledon, and now the Olympics.  This summer alone we've been to Scotland and Wales, all over England, and had a wonderful 2 week trip in Italy.  We also saw an amazing Les Miz performance, and had a number of family members visit.  We are finishing up our summer here with a bang with trips planned to go see Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds, and Cambridge, amongst other places.  Summer 2012 will be a tough one to beat, but this blog will hopefully help us keep the memories alive for many years to come.

Livvy turns three, three times

Livvy turned three while we were in Rome, due to the inability to take her present in a suitcase we celebrated first at home.

On her birthday in Rome, we spent the day lounging by the pool, taking bubble baths and watching "Pippy Long Stockings" in Italian (the only kids show on the T.V. which Livvy gladly watched).

Livvy opened her presents a Rome t-shirt and umbrella....please note Jude's rolling action in the background.

Lincoln called the front desk and within 1 hour we had the perfect chocolate cake for the little miss. 

According to Livvy, a birthday = cake. As long as there is some cake involved she is satisfied.

Lastly, we had a joint little party with our new friend Ollie in our front garden. The weather held out and Livvy had so much fun playing "What time is it Mr. Fox" , bubbles and going on a treasure hunt with friends!

Livvy had so much fun running around with her friends and eating yummy cupcakes.

The friend party was the conclusion of Livvy's birthdays and now she talks all day about when her birthday will come and she will turn 4. She keeps telling me it's going to be tomorrow. We'll see little Livvy, we'll see.

Livvy at 3

So far this little three year old is quite the handful. Timeouts and tantrums pretty much are how we start our day. But with the bad comes the good. And so as to remind myself that she is not always a stinker, here are a few of my favorite things about the little boss.

She loves to have me "be" things. She'll had me a spoon or a mop or the occasional toy and as long as I make it talk she is excited.

When her doll or Elmo "talks" to her, she looks them right in the eye and totally ignores the voice behind them .

She makes up songs all the time about whatever she likes, her current favorite phrase to sing is "I know that Jesus loves yoooooou!"

She is still a momma's girl and loves to whine out my voice and snuggle all the time.

She loves to dance at the end of movies to the soundtrack and insists I spin and dip her fast!

She is still a social creature and loves to play with any kid she can find.

She is full of fire and will power and never backs down easily.

Since the day I met her I have been smitten with her fiery spirit and non stop personality. Love that little girl inside and out.