Hair Cut with "Mom"

Saturday is our "Mommy and Oliver day."  Typically, it goes something like this:
-Oliver wakes up and crawls into bed with me (a few toys in tow).  He will snuggle in and drive his cars over me and my pillow and talk about whatever is on his mind.  Sometimes he will bring a book or two.  Yesterday, he brought a book we used to read a lot when he was little, "I took the moon for a walk."  We read it and talked about related topics for awhile.  Soon, I'll ask if he wants to get dressed and go get breakfast.  We will talk about what to make for breakfast and our plans for the day.
-Saturday breakfast is often cinnamon French toast, fruit, and sausage.  The little market near our house and in the same building as Oliver's pre-school always has fresh bread, so Joe usually picks me up a loaf of their amazing cinnamon bread on Friday's when he picks Oliver up from school.
-At 9:00am for the past year, we have been going to Spanish class on Saturday mornings.  Oliver does not mind it and we have become friends with Drew and his mom, Tara.  But, some mornings he would really rather stay home and play.  To ease the transition out of the house, I offer that if he has a positive attitude and participates, he can choose the activity after Spanish.  This has worked wonders, and he truly brings his best attitude to the class most weeks. 
-Oliver always picks one of two activities for after Spanish: 
1) "The train table", which is a toy store near us (about a mile) that does a great job of making available toys and games for kids to try out and, of course, they have a train table.  The train table is not any better than the one we have at home, but Oliver loves to go there and play with it.  Some days we spend the whole visit at the train table and other days we spend our time at the marble tracks, building activities, or playing games. 
2) The latte shop and bookstore (Politics and Prose).  We will have a latte/milk and a treat, usually a biscotti.  I usually bring some cars to play with at the table and we will hang out playing and chatting.  Sometimes we make it to the bookstore.
-If we go to the train table, we usually have lunch at "the Greek place" after.

Just down from the Greek place is a little barber shop.  I always consider trying it, but we like the other place he goes and avoided the change.  But, this week, his hair situation had really gotten out of control and I knew we would not make it to Georgetown for a cut.  I suggested we check out the barber shop before going to lunch.  He was game, but noted that since it was a new place they might or they might not have lolly pops.  I agreed.  We went, he did great, and they did a decent job.  He was thrilled when they offered him a sucker after.  I am happy we now have a barber much closer to home and a place that can easily be fit into our weekend routine. 

Random side note about the hair cut:  Shortly after Oliver started his cut, another little boy sat down in the chair next to him.  The boy was the same age as Oliver, and his dad looked familiar.  Then I realized, it was John King, the CNN news reporter. 

Finally, the past couple weeks Oliver for unknown reasons has definitively started calling me "Mom" and Joe "Dad".  This coincides with a burst of independence and generally maturity that makes us both happy for him and amazed again at how quickly he is growing up.

Easter 2015

Easter was a nice quiet day at home this year.  My brother Daniel and his wife Bethamy were in town over the weekend so we spent some time with them.  They were on their way back to Indiana early Easter Sunday.  Joe, Oliver, and I enjoyed Easter baskets, decorating eggs, hunting for eggs in the yard, eating treats at home, and playing trains. 

 

Let it be Spring

It felt like a long Winter.  For may reasons: the cold weather, snow delays/cancellations, many colds/flu/ear infections, shorter days and busy work schedules.  After a couple of false starts, I think Spring is finally prepared to stay.  We are still flip-flopping between windy cold days and warm sunshine filled afternoons.  Oliver kept busy inside during the cold months playing with his cars and trains, art projects, and building (model cars, train tracks, towers, you name it).  But, the past couple of weekends, we also enjoyed some time outside (even though half the time he was still in winter coat and hat).

We celebrated Daddy's 40th birthday in January.  He is currently planning a boys trip with his high school pals to Iceland to mark the milestone.

The last few months included a lot of trips to the train table, Legos, cars/trains, crafts and building stuff.  Oliver has also been practicing writing his name and letters.  Lots of new books and new favorite stories to read every week.  But, Thomas the train stories are always a hit.

Last weekend we enjoyed a really beautiful day.  Oliver was excited to hang out with Abby and Bo, who we have not seen a lot of this winter due to everyone taking turns being sick.  All three kids rode their scooters to and from the park.  It as quite the adorable scooter gang.

Today, we finally planted some seeds (several varieties of tomatoes, sweet peas, cucumbers, sunflowers) and started getting the garden ready.  Dandelions popped up and the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom.

 

 

 

We are ready Spring, please stay!

Half Birthday

School has been going great.  Oliver really enjoys his friends and is adjusted to the routine and structure.  In February, Oliver celebrated his "half birthday" at school with his friend Clara since they both have birthdays during the Summer when regular school is not in session.

We sent pictures for a timeline of his life.  The kids sang a song, blew out a candle and then his teacher read a little summary story (filled in by parents) about the child.  I copied Oliver's below.  The b-day kids can bring treats to share.  Clara's mom send cupcakes, we shared strawberries, and Oliver volunteered to help pass them out to his friends.

A Birthday Celebration Bio for:  Oliver Joseph Marx
When I was born on August 8, 2011, it was such a special day!   On that day, my Mommy and Daddy were there to greet me and welcome me to the world.

Newborn:     As a newborn baby, during my first year of life, I accomplished so much, like…When I was a baby, I learned how to crawl, walk, and talk at the condo on M Street in Washington, DC.  I loved jumping in my jumper, dancing with my mommy, going for walks while riding in my daddy’s backpack, playing with cars and trucks, and reading books.  When I was a baby my favorite toys were Sophie the giraffe and my wooden truck.
                                                                                                           …Then I turned 1!

1 Year Old:    When I was 1, I learned to do many things that year, like…When I was 1 year old, we still lived on M Street.  I learned how to say lots of new sentences, sing songs, and paint.  When I was one, my favorite toys were Myrtle and my yellow school bus.
                                                                                                          …Then I turned 2!
                                                                                                                                                                                         
2 Years Old:   When I was 2, I found I could do things like…When I was 2 years old we moved to Rittenhouse.  I learned to climb up and down stairs, how to garden, and how to drive my fire engine really, really fast.  I started sleeping in my race car bed, got my sandbox and met my friends Abby and Bo.  When I was 2 years old, my favorite toys were Myrtle and Panda, my ’57 Chevy, and my fire engine.
                                                                                                        …Then I turned 3!                                                                                                     
3 Years Old:    When I was 3, I discovered …When I turned 3 years old, I started school at Broad Branch Children’s House.  I learned how to ride my scooter, use the potty by myself, and be a really good friend.  My favorite toys are Legos, trains, cars and trucks.  I am really good at building things and having great ideas.

                                                                         …and then I turned 3 and a half!                          

Now I can do so much…like I am learning how to read and write…
It’s GREAT to be me!!

Now, whenever someone asks him how old he is, he proudly tells them, "I am three and a half years old."

Note:  the green shoes are not a fashion statement.  All the kids are given green or blue slippers to wear inside while at school:-)