Olivia's Pick--26 October 2008

A couple of weeks ago, Olivia and I picked up a copy of "The Wind in the Willows," by Kenneth Grahame. We began making our way through it slowly and I was impressed by her focused attention, considering there were only about five illustrations in the whole book.

Last week, she received a beautifully illustrated copy in the mail. (Thanks Grandpa!) It is now officially the only book she wants to read. We're 147 pages into this gorgeous tome, illustrated by Inga Moore. I have little doubt we'll finish it this week. At which point, she'll probably look up at me and say, "Read it again, Mama."

Olivia's Pick--19 October 2008

We've been baking some seriously delicious pumpkin bread around here lately. Olivia is in Seventh Heaven while we bake together. She holds the eggs gingerly, before I break them. And she helps to stir our batter to silky smooth perfection. She watches with glee as I pour our mixture into the pan and put it into the oven.

I think that my little gourmet has fully graduated into Little Kid-dom, because today, I caught her reaching up to the counter top to dip her tiny finger into my freshly poured brown butter glaze that was dripping over the sides of our freshly baked loaf.

Olivia's Pick--12 October 2008

This weekend, we revelled in cool, cloudless days that can only mean autumn in the northeast. Blessed with such weather, we experimented with having some "free fun." We packed our weekend with outdoor adventures that didn't cost a dime.

We took in some sun on the swings at our lovely beachside playground. We visited a nearby farm and "baa-ed" at the sheep and "moo-ed" at the cows, and even made friends with the affectionate barn cat. We invited over some friends to share dinner and were treated to a scooter stunt show, while the littler ones pushed wagons and collected leaves. Olivia assembled a beautiful bouquet of Maple and Dogwood leaves just for her Papa.I

t was a lovely weekend and Olivia had more than her share of fun. As for us parents, we were reminded of something Olivia knows intrinsically: The best fun, the richest experiences don't cost a penny. And the memories are priceless.

Olivia's Pick--5 October 2008

In a moment of respite from the rain and wind this weekend, we were blessed with a sunny afternoon. We took the opportunity to drive to a nearby farm for some good old-fashioned pumpkin picking. Olivia was in her glory! After struggling with a few "big ones" she decided the "small, tiny ones" were more easily managed. Together, we filled the wheelbarrow with our harvested treasures and went in search of further adventures.

We discovered a wonderful hayride over the picturesque grounds. We lost ourselves in an authentic corn maze. And we giggled at the cute, but decidedly "stinky," pigs. Finally, we purchased a bag of the freshest and most delicious apples we've had all year.

Olivia's joy over experiencing autumn on a real farm was infectious. And as we were piling into the car, sharing an apple, she said "Can we do it again?"

Olivia's Pick--28 September 2008

This weekend, Olivia was gifted with some new puzzles, manufactured by the fantastic Melissa & Doug. Made from real wood and painted with sweet, whimsical images, these puzzles have captivated her in a way I never would have imagined. They're sweet, simple and--best of all--safe.

Olivia's Pick--21 September 2008

This weekend, our little town hosted its annual Barbecue and Blues festival. The food was great, the weather was even better and the music was fantastic.

The best part, however, was our discovery that Olivia digs The Blues! She was a little wary at first, but after some first rate barbecue pulled pork she was hooked. We grooved out to some great music and she danced her little heart out!

Now, she's ready for some Muddy Waters or Buddy Guy. For the uninitiated little one, Taj Mahal's album for kids, "Shake Sugaree" is great introduction to The Blues. You're on your own for the pulled pork.

Olivia's Pick--14 September 2008

Last week, I lamented my little one's growing feet and how they were outpacing my shopping capabilities. Fortunately, we have been able to make some new footwear purchases since then, for all kinds of weather.

Olivia's new favorite? Her Wellies.We bought them in the midst of a total downpour, and so she wore them home. But when we got to our house, she didn't want to take them off! She wanted to show them to Papa, to our dog, and to all of her animals. She wanted to eat lunch in them. And then, she wanted to nap in them.

Somehow, with much coaxing, we managed to remove them before naptime. And she has resigned herself to not wearing them around the house.They remain, however, her go-to footwear for every outdoor activity. She hasn't worn them to the playground at the beach yet, but she does enjoy wearing them to the supermarket.