It's Children's Book Week and Olivia has decided to celebrate by compiling her first ever Top 5 list.
Olivia's Top 5 Favorite Books Ever:
1. Winnie the Pooh -- A.A.Milne
2. Olivia and the Missing Toy -- Ian Falconer
3. Peter Rabbit -- Beatrix Potter
4. Madeline -- Ludwig Behmelmans
5. The Wind in the Willows -- Kenneth Grahame
Monday, May 11, 2009
Olivia's Pick--4 May 2009
Our little artiste has been busily expanding her oeuvre of late, and has been enjoying experimenting with watercolor.
Mama likes watercolor, too. It isn't very messy and it provides hours (OK minutes) of entertainment.
Even better, I found a quick and easy recipe for making your very own watercolor paint.
Cheap, easy, non-toxic. What else could a Mama ask?
Mama likes watercolor, too. It isn't very messy and it provides hours (OK minutes) of entertainment.
Even better, I found a quick and easy recipe for making your very own watercolor paint.
Cheap, easy, non-toxic. What else could a Mama ask?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Olivia's Pick--27 April 2009
It doesn't take long for the weather to warm up in the Northeast. What I mean is, once Old Man Winter finally releases his death grip on the region, we usually go from 40 degrees to 80 degrees in the space of about six days.
This weekend, the mercury spiked and our backyard became a summer-like wonderland. Sure, the leaves on the trees were still curled tightly into little buds, but the sprinkler was out and Olivia & Co. were running, jumping and laughing their way into the season.
Her Green Toys sand play set is still her favorite outdoor dirt & sand kit. It's made from recycled milk jugs, but you'd never know it. It's cute, durable and "eco-groovy." And if that's not enough, it's made right here in the USA.
This weekend, the mercury spiked and our backyard became a summer-like wonderland. Sure, the leaves on the trees were still curled tightly into little buds, but the sprinkler was out and Olivia & Co. were running, jumping and laughing their way into the season.
Her Green Toys sand play set is still her favorite outdoor dirt & sand kit. It's made from recycled milk jugs, but you'd never know it. It's cute, durable and "eco-groovy." And if that's not enough, it's made right here in the USA.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Olivia's Pick--20 April 2009
Q: What's more fun than the zoo for an almost-3-year-old?
A: The Bronx Zoo
This place is definitely not your average zoo. In fact, it's the largest metropolitan zoo in America, clocking in at 265 acres. They work hard to give animals room to roam in landscapes that resemble their natural habitat.
Well-placed signs inform urban adventurers about the zoo's inhabitants and the challenges they face. For instance, I had no idea that only four to five thousand tigers remain in the wild. Or that recycling my old cell phone (something you can do at the Bronx Zoo) could help preserve the Congolese gorilla population.
Even if you don't live close enough to plan a day trip, their website is a terrific resource, loaded with video, facts and ideas for sustainable living. They even have a special section on their website just for teens.
As for Olivia, she's busy planning her next trip.
A: The Bronx Zoo
This place is definitely not your average zoo. In fact, it's the largest metropolitan zoo in America, clocking in at 265 acres. They work hard to give animals room to roam in landscapes that resemble their natural habitat.
Well-placed signs inform urban adventurers about the zoo's inhabitants and the challenges they face. For instance, I had no idea that only four to five thousand tigers remain in the wild. Or that recycling my old cell phone (something you can do at the Bronx Zoo) could help preserve the Congolese gorilla population.
Even if you don't live close enough to plan a day trip, their website is a terrific resource, loaded with video, facts and ideas for sustainable living. They even have a special section on their website just for teens.
As for Olivia, she's busy planning her next trip.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Olivia's Pick--13 April 2009
Our house guests for the holiday included a lovely, patient, 15-year-old cousin, whom Olivia adores. In fact, when she's around, Olivia has very little use for me!
Over the weekend, this cousin was painting her fingernails pink. As you might imagine, Olivia was thoroughly intrigued and wanted her nails to be pink, too. So, Olivia had her fingernails painted for the first time this weekend, two different shades of pink, one shade for each hand. I have a feeling, however, that it will not be the last.
It was another moment for the memory bank, another small step on the path from baby to little girl. A moment she will surely forget, the memory of her tiny pink fingernails poking out from the sleeves of her Easter dress will stay with me forever.
Over the weekend, this cousin was painting her fingernails pink. As you might imagine, Olivia was thoroughly intrigued and wanted her nails to be pink, too. So, Olivia had her fingernails painted for the first time this weekend, two different shades of pink, one shade for each hand. I have a feeling, however, that it will not be the last.
It was another moment for the memory bank, another small step on the path from baby to little girl. A moment she will surely forget, the memory of her tiny pink fingernails poking out from the sleeves of her Easter dress will stay with me forever.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Olivia's Pick--5 April 2009
We had a festive weekend at our house, complete with a fancy dinner out. It was Olivia's first experience in fine dining (read: not a diner, pizza joint or Mexican restaurant). An early reservation (6:00 PM) coupled with persistent promises of birthday cake to be had as a reward for good behavior made the whole evening rather manageable.
And she couldn't have looked cuter, in her pretty pink sweater dress and black Mary Janes. She even carried a purse--a vintage, ivory, beaded evening bag that was my grandmother's.
It would seem that Olivia has embraced her more elegant side. ("This is a very fancy restaurant" she said as we stepped into the powder room for a potty break.) It was sweet to watch her negotiate this new environment, especially because she did it with such class.
My little one acted just like a little lady (with enough squirm thrown in to make sure you know she's still a kid). She charmed the pants off of the entire staff and made Mama & Papa very proud. Sharing an evening like this with her was the best birthday present this Mama could get.
And she couldn't have looked cuter, in her pretty pink sweater dress and black Mary Janes. She even carried a purse--a vintage, ivory, beaded evening bag that was my grandmother's.
It would seem that Olivia has embraced her more elegant side. ("This is a very fancy restaurant" she said as we stepped into the powder room for a potty break.) It was sweet to watch her negotiate this new environment, especially because she did it with such class.
My little one acted just like a little lady (with enough squirm thrown in to make sure you know she's still a kid). She charmed the pants off of the entire staff and made Mama & Papa very proud. Sharing an evening like this with her was the best birthday present this Mama could get.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Olivia's Pick--29 March 2009
"Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood..." my little one fell in love with a Silly Old Bear and his band of loyal friends. That's right. Olivia has discovered the world of Winnie-the-Pooh (and Christopher Robin, too!). Rereading these sweet stories for the first time in many, many years, I find that I am falling in love all over again. I'm also thoroughly enjoying the perspective of my years; it sheds new light on these beloved old stories.
With the distance of the intervening decades and the recent reintroduction of Pooh-Bear into my life, suddenly the idea of another book, The Tao of Pooh makes complete sense. Looks like I'll have to add that to my own library, just as Olivia and I are making our way through the original.
With the distance of the intervening decades and the recent reintroduction of Pooh-Bear into my life, suddenly the idea of another book, The Tao of Pooh makes complete sense. Looks like I'll have to add that to my own library, just as Olivia and I are making our way through the original.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
