Time Flies

Here's Liv last year at this time.

And here's Liv two years ago.

Yes Please

An ice cream treat after a post-dinner exploring walk. And this face. Delicious.

My Favorite Game

Olivia's "not the camera, again!" face.

Here's her "totally annoyed" look.

She does sad well.

My direction was "show me what your face will be when you meet our new baby." Melting. Me, not the ice cream.

Book Worm

Olivia loves books - I frequent the library every 3 weeks for her (and me). There has been a noticeable trend in her tastes - less princess, more mischief. If it involves scheming and unique characters, she's in. Her most favorite two are Miss Nelson is Missing by James Marshall and Wizzil by William Steig. Going off of those books, we've branched into others they have written with much delight. These books are as fun for me as they are for her.

I just came across this book: The Clock Without a Face by Gus Twintig. On the McSweeney's Store website, the description is this:

We’ve buried 12 emerald-studded numbers—each handmade and one of a kind—in 12 holes across the United States. These treasures will belong to whoever digs them up first. The question: Where to dig? The only path to the answer: Solve the riddles of The Clock Without a Face!

Olivia might be too young for this, but what a fantastic idea for an older child!

Cool Globes Geneva

Today Cool Globes opened its 10th exhibit. The globes are on display along Lake Geneva through the summer. I wish I could have gone, but I'm not so sure this 27 weeks pregnant gal is up for that kind of travel. Up next is Marseille, France in June, with this fall bringing the potential for both Rio de Janeiro and Cancun exhibits.

Obsessed

Olivia has always loved to look in the mirror, a clean window, any reflective surface, really. Well she has found a bit of heaven with the photo booth on our laptop. We were almost late to swim lessons on Saturday because of it.

Nesting

The weather this weekend made it a perfect opportunity to paint the baby's room, or as Liv likes to call it "my second bedroom." Steve let Liv help for a few minutes before bed, and she really felt like she was the luckiest gal.

No One Will Recognize Me

This is Olivia's "disguise", never mind the fact that seeing a toddler draped in a purple sheet would arouse suspicion.

Cool Globes Vancouver

We opened our 9th Cool Globes exhibit yesterday in Vancouver. Some of the globes were lucky enough to have been on display during the Olympics, and saw an upwards of 40,000 visitors per day due to their close proximity to the Olympic Village. The opening went well, and it's always inspiring to see the school children's energy and interest in the globes.

Home Sweet Home

Although I was only gone for basically 24 hours, it sure felt nice to come home. Especially to this cute sign, and Steve and Liv's cute faces. Speaking of faces it is near impossible to capture Liv on camera lately. I told her I was taking a picture of the sign, not her.

A New Pet?

Olivia was so excited to get this cool picture of Grampie in the mail. There was some confusion, though. Liv thought perhaps he caught the fish for her, as a pet.

Scapegoat

Yesterday Olivia told me her Hello Kitty wallet was missing. "I have an idea who took it - his name begins with an em...mett." This is a trend, as of late. Blame it on the baby! He can't defend himself!

What Olivia doesn't realize is that before too long, Emmett will be walking, and talking, and will no longer be an innocent pawn in her blame game.

A Picnic in a Basket

Mrs Durkin on vacation + a gorgeous spring day = a picnic in the park with my girl.Also included was my intent to tire her out so that I could work while she napped. After our picnic, we headed to the playground where all of her preschool pals were playing. Now here's to hoping she actually naps...

Sunday QT

Spring is In The Air

Here's Liv this past Saturday. Bubble machine going, she's all decked out in her finest protective wear while she paints with chalk paint.

Girl Talk

Liv and I were talking about dressing up, and she asked me if I could dress up like a princess. And then she said: "wait, do you even *have* a princess dress?" I said no, I didn't. Her response: "well, you could wear your wedding dress, or the grey dress from Laura's wedding."

A few minutes later, I asked Olivia to laugh her "new" laugh for us, which is mostly like an adult chuckle, and really never fails to delight. She said "sorry, I can't. I'm done with it, I threw it out"

Girlfriends

Olivia's pal Erin was displaying her new moves from gymnastics, which "little shadow" Liv delighted in.

I Could Be Onto Something...

Surprisingly, Olivia was a big help in doing some spring cleaning in the yard. Hmm...future weed-puller?

Indoor Gym

Steve has proven to be a fantastic jungle gym/pillow/punching bag for Olivia. They both get such a kick out of rough-housing.

Out of the Mouth of My Babe

This morning, while eating breakfast, Olivia said: "I thought to myself, I wonder if it's going to be a nice day." What struck me as cute was her use of "myself" and the fact that she was thinking ahead about the weather. A bit later, I was getting her dressed for Durkins and she turned to me and said: "Do you know how much I love you?" So, so sweet.

Egg-cellent Eggs

False Start

Oops, Steve grabbed the wrong eggs in the fridge. We had a good laugh.

It's Never Just a Smile

I shouldn't bother asking Olivia to "smile" - because usually it's anything but. I'm not sure what the middle pose is. Bored teen?