Velcro mermaid fins.

The events following Christmas included:

Non-stop playing outside in gorgeous weather.  I would bring my book out and bask in the sun like a lizard on a rock while Olivia pranced about barefoot, drew with sidewalk chalk, played in the playhouse, and drove the little cars.  And climbed on top of them, too. (?)

Play-doh!  And why do they spell it that way, anyway?

Olivia and her cousins had the opportunity to feed and ride a horse named Poppy through the orange groves, thanks to some family friends.

I thought she’d be really nervous, but she didn’t need any prodding before jumping on Poppy’s back.

We made gingerbread houses at Blake’s parents’ house.  That was a sentence with serious apostrophe usage.

Sushi! (As usual.)

S’mores in the backyard fire pit.  Although ‘pit’ is a terrible word for the pretty set up they’ve got back there.

A date with Nana to see Chipwrecked and to get Build-A-Bears.  Isaac and I sent Olivia off with Sherri and Corisa for the day, and if you’re wondering what heaven is like, I will just tell you, it’s a lunch date in the middle of the day with nary a responsibility in sight. 

Playing at the park.

Olivia played on the equipment for maybe 10 minutes before she started frantically collecting acorns (or some kind of nut?) like a rabid squirrel.  She couldn’t even be bothered to look up for a picture; notice her eyes scanning the ground for more treasures.  She filled that entire bag, you guys. 

We went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate Sherri’s birthday. And Olivia randomly invented a game where she crumbled pieces of her coloring paper and sent them catapulting everywhere off her fork?  I asked her to stop a few times, but she couldn’t help herself (and she’s usually a pretty good listener!).  She kept sending papers flying every time I turned my head.  Until she accidentally shot her entire fork into Corisa’s water glass.  Then I had to get serious business on her.  Even though it was a pretty spectacular shot.

Setting up another shot. Rylee’s face just tells you that they’re up to mischief.

I really tried to get a cute picture of the two of them, that’s all I can say.

The Tierneys had to fly back to London on New Year’s Eve.  Here they are saying goodbye.  I think we all had watery eyes after their little embrace.  Can you feel the love in this photo?  Because I can.

Olivia’s favorite activity was swimming in the jacuzzi.  Or “chacuzzi”, if you’re Olivia.

Velcro mermaid fins!

Right???

We finally left on Tuesday.  We stayed in Vegas again, not necessarily because we need to, just because we like to.

Olivia was pretty impressed with the ceiling in the Bellagio.

I was, too.

Practicing her ‘princess manners’ at Maggianos.  She took behaving like a princess really seriously throughout the entire dinner; don’t tell that I earned 150 gold star mom points for thinking of that one.

Enjoying the amenities in our room.  Also don’t tell that she is watching SpongeBob. (I think I lost my gold star mom points for that one?)

Pretty view.

Some of Olivia’s photography on the drive home.

And now we’re home.  All of us together in the same house, I feel like it’s significant to point out.

Here’s to a New Year and new beginnings, yes?

We all need them, I think.