Olive has an amazing memory and knows how to figure out words based on context clues. One time she read (recited from memory) a book to us after only hearing it once. She has also been practicing writing and knows how to write most of her letters. Olive is very creative and focused when she is making something. She loves to build with blocks, design outfits, draw, and paint. She almost always has a pen in her hand.
She adores her big sister. It was a difficult adjustment to spend time away from Hannah this year. Olive still says she misses her just about every day. Hannah is her favorite playmate. Olive had no interest in playing with other kids until about 3 years old. Then she started to make friends with older girls (who looked like Hannah) on the playground. And now she has transitioned to making friends her own age.
Life with Olive is never boring. She is a roller coaster of emotions, sometimes within just a few minutes. Her personality is the opposite of easy-going! She is independent and likes things to be on her terms. In Olive's words, "I don't like rules." If she senses that people really want her to to do something, she will often refuse to do it even if it is something the likes (dressing up for Halloween, blowing out candles on her birthday, etc.) She has been in "the terrible twos" for years, but the tantrums have definitely become less frequent in the past few months. She stopped napping after she turned 3 1/2 and that really helped her mood (which I know seems counter-intuitive).
What I love about Olive:
I love how sweet Olive can be. She likes to randomly cuddle and give me hugs and kisses during the day. She is the best sister to Hannah and wants to make her happy. I like her laugh, her smile, and her chubby cheeks. She is a wonderful artist and I like watching her create things. I love how determined she is when she goes after something she wants. Olive always stands up for herself and others. I have no doubt she will be a strong, confident woman one day.
What Steve loves about Olive:
Olive can be fierce. She can be determined. She can be sweet. Olive loves to joke and make us laugh.
What Hannah loves about Olive:
She's talented. She's good at putting on shows. She helps me.
What Olive thinks about herself:
I like to talk. I'm really good at making up games. I'm good at drawing.
Olive's Favorites:
color: purple
animal: owl
foods: ham, macaroni, salsa, raspberries, strawberries, carrots, broccoli
drink: chocolate milk
restaurant: McDonald's
place: Roe Park
song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
books: Berenstain Bears, Little Critter
TV shows: Strawberry Shortcake. Olivia
toys: Magna Doodle, blocks, dolls, Pipeworks, playdough, ipad
activities: building with blocks, drawing, painting, reading
game: Go Fish
jobs when she grows up: painter, ballerina, train engineer, stay-at-home mom
dislikes: having her hair brushed, big dogs
