Olivia's swim meet

This is Olivia's 2nd year on the swim team and last night was her first swim meet of summer.

She is a strong swimmer.  Always taking first or second place in every event.

Neighborhood swim meets are a fun summer evening event to attend as a family!  

Let's go four bridges flash!

Last day as a first grader

Dear Olivia,

You had the most amazing year of school!  I watched your confidence soar this year!  It was amazing to watch you grow so independent this year. 

You never once had to be told to "do your homework!"  You always were responsible enough to tackle it everyday right after school!

You were also responsible enough to pack your lunch box most days!  Your did such a great job at packing healthy food for lunch!

You had made so many great friends this school year!  And ofcourse you and your best friend, Mia were inseparable this year!

You had such a great group of solid girlfriends!

 

(Here you are with your Dasiy Troop!)

Your reading this year absolutely took off!  We couldn't keep up with you!  You went from reading beginner reader books to chapter books this year!  Your favorite thing to do is read books!  You take them everywhere with you - in the car, on the bus, ect.

You played a lot of sports this year. You dominated in basketball this winter, you also tried cheerleading… Which wasn't your favorite but you stuck the season out, and you played soccer this spring.  We truly enjoy watching your sportsmanship on and off the field.

It was such a great school year!  I am so proud of your accomplishments, big heart and dedication to learning!  

You were so brave this year!  You even read at the whole school mass this year...

You rocked first grade and are so ready to be a second grader!!!!

I love you so much an excited to have a fun summer together!

Love,

Mom

Father daughter date

Olivia went on a special date tonight with her daddy. 

For Christmas Justin purchased Olivia front row tickets to go see Disney's FROZEN on ice at US Bank Arena.  It was a gift of experience!

These two got cleaned up and went out to dinner beforehand! And enjoyed a quality evening just the two of them. I absolutely love the relationship these two have. The father daughter bond is so special. Olivia is one lucky little girl!

Livs and Sammie

My two girls!  

Sammie's almost 11 years old.  

Hard to believe.  

She craves more affection and attention now than ever before.  

She's so calm and protective and we are going to miss her terribly one day.  But I can't even think about that yet!

Proud mama

I am so incredibly proud of Olivia!  She read at the podium today at the whole school mass.  A pretty tall order for a first grader!  She was so incredibly nervous but muscled through her fear!  Makes me so proud!! 

We use the word "brave" a lot in our family and she sure demonstrated what being BRAVE truly means!

At a girl, Liv!

Olivia Ruth

My sweet 7 year old girl.  

Torn between a little girl who still craves all her mommy's attention and a girl growing into an independent lady.

I love this little person more than anything.  

She truly has a heart of gold.  

I find her doing the "right thing" even when no one is looking.  

She's a great kid with a moral compass that can't be compromised.

She makes us proud!

Bffs

This is Olivia's very best friend, Mia!  These two are literally inseparable.  Constantly giggling and having fun together.  They are such good buddies it is the sweetest thing.  Olivia also told me if they ever bicker or fight at school they work it out right away.

It also works in their favor that their moms are dear friends too.  That makes for lots of family gatherings, play dates, trips to the zoo (above) and summer vacations together as families.

Life is always better with a close friend by your side!

Here they are in Hilton head last summer for vacation!  Going again together in July!

Celebrating New Years together!

At their first grade Christmas musical!

Happy Valentine's Day

Not to be forgotten by her father on this special day!

Olivia felt OH SO SPECIAL when her dad greeted her 

with red roses, a balloon, a card and ester price chocolates.

To feel so loved by the most important man in her life is so valuable.

Feeling so very G-I-R-L-Y here!

Smelling her roses!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Downtown date!

It's not often we travel downtown Cincinnati - so when we do....its extra special!  Almost magical!  

We had the day off school today so our Daisy troop had a mother daughter day planned!  We went downtown and saw the play Snow White at the Taft Theatre!  All dressed up and we walked hand in hand to the gorgeous theatre!  

One of the moms passed out Snow White themed goodie bags with specialty cookies made.

The girls enjoyed the play and afterwards we treated them to ice cream.  Such a special day.  What a great group of moms and daughters.

We are blessed with a great community!

Her thing

She has found "her sport!"  And is committed to being the best basketball player she can be!  She's realized the positive impact her height has on the game!  Never to miss an opportunity to rebound the ball.  She had declared this to be her favorite sport.  And we would concur.  It shows when she plays!

She is making up her own dribbling drills here.  All on her own.  Love that spark!

Olivia Ruth at 7 and a half years old

I wish I could freeze her in time.  

She is at the best stage ever.  

Young, sweet, hard working, eager to please, responsible, impressionable & independent.  

She is the total package wrapped in a one beautiful and infectious pretty young lady.

She has spread her wings this year and is flying with such grace.  

She has come to understand the power and beauty of friendship.  

She has made her very first true best friend this year in first grade.  She has this little girl's heart and is so loyal to her.  They are attached at school and often write each other love notes.  

It's really sweet and has made Olivia feel like she truly has a soft place to land every day at school.

Just the other day Olivia asked me why she is so much taller than all the rest of her friends. 

 I have been waiting for this question from her for awhile now.  

I explained to her that she is made just the way God intended her to be.  

Healthy, strong and perfect. 

 I also remind her mommy was also very tall growing up - and it a-okay, 

and she'll most likely appreciate that height as an adult.

My absolute favorite time with you is at bedtime.

You and I love laying in the dark together sharing stories.

You are fascinated with stories of my childhood and it's fun for me to deliver stories from my past.

Its such quality time we spend together - even if it's because you are stalling from falling asleep.

I adore you, Olivia! 

I love you forever,

Mom

Olivia's 1st grade Christmas program

Oh, what a sweet night!  Nothing can light your Christmas Spirit like a 1st grade Christmas musical!  What a special evening listening to the Christmas story told by first graders in between their sweet caroling!  My heart could explode... 

Olivia with her two best school friends, Mia and Emme! 

And who could resist holding baby Jesus!

Love my sweet girl!