The Bravest Ballerina

This day started with Olivia insisting that I call her "Ballerina Gennebee." At 10:00, B.G. had her very first dentist appointment. She had been pretty unsure about the idea for several days leading up, so I told her that if she was very brave, we would go get a treat at Amanda's (our favorite restaurant, which happens to be next door) after her appointment.

She was feeling pretty feisty this morning and marched right in, climbed up in the chair and was actually giving the dental assistant a little "what for."

"What is that for? What are you going to do next?" Why do I have to wear this?" etc., etc.

The idea was that we would do a "happy visit" today to get her used to the office and equipment and if she was doing okay, they'd go ahead and clean her teeth. She was totally calm so they not only cleaned, but did x-rays. She was such a brave little trooper all the way through. I watched closely as they put the little water squirter and the "slurpy straw" in her mouth. Her little lip quivered but she never flinched or cried at all. So many new sights and sounds! By the end of the cleaning, she'd had enough though, and said "I don't want to do this anymore!" and big tears rolled down her cheeks. We opted for a cup of water and a quick rinse at that point instead of any more hoses and air :) She did tell the dentist she was going to be a dancer when she grew up, and when he asked her what she like to dance to, she replied "Music."

Stinkin' Mom forgot her camera so you'll just have to imagine it.

Livi-isms

Some of these go way back, but I need to get them documented...

(while playing with a hair clip in the bathroom...maybe we've been reading too much Old Testament lately :) "...and then God became angry at the clip."

"My shadow looks like I'm eight."

"Got it, girl?" (after giving me lengthy instructions to a game she had just invented.)

Me: "Liv, what are you thinking about?"
Livi: "Uh...whales."

"It smells like poop in here!"

"...heaven cries holy, holy, holy" (singing)

(digging through her box of barrettes and bows) "I want some princess action."

"There's something familiar on my nose."

"Don't cry, Dora! Jesus is here!"

(while "reading" a magazine) "Once upon a time, Jesus and Sponge Bob..."

(Liv, looking at her baby doll) "Your head is plastic!" (then turns to look at Annalie), "You're made out of skin!"

(climbing up on Jason's lap) "Daddy, you're so handsome!"
Jason (chuckling) "Thanks! Where did that come from?"
Liv: "From my heart."

"Here you go. (handing us Play-Doh canisters full of "ice cream") Enjoy your life."

"Are you going to put that on your facebook?" (after she said something funny)

"No, mommy! You can't sing OR shake your bottom!"

"Do princesses wear bandaids?"

"I get the funkies out of my nose and put them in the street!"

"Mom, when Annalie grows into a person, she can eat M&Ms?"

"My brain is too small."

"Mom, I melted down." (after I lectured her for screaming and crying while I was on the phone)

"Naked! That boy's running naked!" (when a jogger without a shirt ran by our house)

"I've got a kitchen. I've got a teaset. I make octopus stew."

Bye, Mom. (pause) High five!

And She's Off!

Watch out Learning Center Preschool, "It's Olivia's big day!" (her words). I hope Mrs. Suzanne and Mrs. Dona are on their toes this morning because she is feeling "great and strong" and "pleasant." For six months, she has asked - almost daily - "When is it time to go to preschool?" It is time. And boy, is she ready!

Sitting pretty (wasn't she just in diapers?!)

Pink sparkly shoes are essential for the first day of preschool.

Princess backpack

Walking into school

and up the stairs to her classroom (give me a break, it's therapeutic ;)

hanging up her backpack

I'm getting impatient trying to load all the photos here. To see the rest, go here.

Here's a little first day of school interview: