February 2021- Playhouse Updates, Scootering, And Strawberry Picking

 February wasn't near as busy as January was. But, we still seemed to get quite a bit done. I have been wanting to re-do Livi's kitchen for YEARS and finally got the nerve to do it. I think she got her kitchen when she was 2 years old. It came from Cracker Barrel and she had eyed it for a few months before my parents got it for her. After searching Pinterest for weeks and trying to figure out colors, I finally decided on white and gold. My original plan was to do peel and stick subway tiles for the back splash, but I couldn't pass up the vinyl stickers from Target. I think they were $5 for 4 sheets. I was able to stick them to a poster board and then I nailed the poster board to the back of the kitchen. After MULTIPLE coats of chalk paint, it was finally done. It was interesting figuring out what went where since I didn't label anything when I took it apart. That's how I roll. Basically, take it apart and figure it out later. Anyway, it turned out so cute and we ended up putting it in her playhouse. 

We also started adding plexiglass windows to Liv's playhouse. The pollen was so bad she couldn't even use her playhouse until we added them. Right now theres three in there and we still need to add two more. They aren't perfect windows, but they work and keep the rain and pollen out.

We spent lots of time outside. Livi was getting used to her scooter and after a few weeks of riding it a blister came up on her foot. It took a few weeks to go away. We sent photos to her docs at Shands and we took her to the pediatrician. We never really found out what it was. It's possible it was a blister, but it took two weeks to pop. We had to do foot soaks and it hurt to walk on. After a few weeks off her scooter it finally popped and she was able to scooter again. That was her only concern and she was afraid she'd forget hot to do it. 

On Valentine's day we ordered take-out from Outback. We don't usually go to dinner on V-day anyway because it's so busy. But, with covid and everyone ordering take-out more it was pretty fast to pick-up and all. It was delicious, as always. We let Olivia decorate the table for us. <3

School work continued. But, Olivia had finished Social Studies early so we were just working on Language Arts, Math, and Science. 

We fit in a play-date with Peyton one day and got to visit my mamas chickens. 

Here's some of Olivia's artwork. One day we set up a doctor's office with some printables I found online. 

Once the weather was warmer we took a field trip to Backroad Berries to pick some strawberries. It was fun and the farm was so pretty, but we were done within 15 minutes. I'm not sure that we will do it again next year. We're currently counting down the days until we can go pick blueberries at The Red, White, and Blue farm in Williston. It's beautiful there and the berries are the best we've ever had. 

Thanks for following along on our monthly posts. Next up is March. Eventually, I'll be caught up and then I might go to weekly posts. <3 

January Update Part 2

Olivia's birthday was on a Thursday this year so we weren't sure how to celebrate it with covid. But, we've been a part of a few birthday parades, so decided to plan one. I still ordered her a cake, but it was small and the perfect amount for our little family to have Thursday evening. Since she was a baby we have decorated the night before and put balloons all over the house, so we still did that to make it special. 

Her birthday parade ended up being AMAZING! I made an event on Facebook to invite people. That way we would be able to see who was coming. I also reached out to Marion County Fire Rescue to see if they wanted to join in. Not only did they come, but an ambulance and Mr. Amado with his dog. Which Olivia loved!  The entire day was so special and made me pretty emotional. What started out as just being family coming turned into a huge parade of friends and family. It'll be hard to top that next year. My mom dressed in a unicorn costume was pretty great too! <3

Not only did we celebrate Olivia's birthday, but Olivia got her Make-A-Wish playhouse a few days before. That was an incredible day also. We didn't tell her it was coming, but I think she suspected something was happening because I had been working on the back patio and cleaning it up the day before. She had also got a shirt in the mail from MAW that she was going to wear that day. So, when she woke up and came outside the builder was here so I told her that her wish was happening that day. She was super excited and wanted to come outside to watch. 

Before Covid we had a trip planned for Disney World. We were going to stay at Give Kids The World, but we cancelled a week before. During that time all wish kids trips were cancelled and everyone was trying to find alternate wishes or they could wait until it was safe to travel if they wanted to. But, Olivia had mentioned a playhouse in the beginning also, so that was her next choice once the Disney trip fell through. Not only is the playhouse beautiful, but it fits Olivia's personality perfect with all the colors she picked out. Her playhouse was built by Imagine That Playhouses! Josh, the builder was super nice and helpful. They can customize all of the house according to what you want. Olivia was able to pick out all her paint colors, whether or not she got a loft, and if she wanted the flower boxes. 

Our little family fits in here perfectly. <3

Her favorite part is that it has a doorbell that actually dings. I can't tell you how many times she hit that button the first day. 

Some gorgeous balloons were added once it was all built. 

SO happy for our sweet girl. She deserves the cutest little playhouse for everything that she has gone through. Not only in the past 6 years, but the pandemic was especially hard on us missing out on seeing family so much. It came at the perfect time. 

Once her house was done, we ran to Lowe's a few days after to pick out some flowers and shrubs to add to the outside. Eventually, we want to add some planter boxes so she can have a little garden of her own. <3

Still enjoying her playhouse and her scooter she got for her birthday. Her bicycle has been put on the back burner because all she wants to do is scooter. 

We did get manage to get some school time in with all the other stuff. I think we got two days in with all the MAW and birthday stuff, but some is better than none. 

And this was from her gi check-up and infusion. Appointments have all gone well, but we have to see gi prior to every Entyvio infusion. We double masked at this appointment before we found out about Happy Masks. It wasn't a cheap mask purchase, but well worth it since we wear them a lot. <3 <3 

January 2021 Part 1

 We had a VERY busy January and I've wanted to post about it, but just haven't had time to put it all together. So, I'll have to separate it into two parts. Most of you have seen all of these photos and memories, but one of the main reasons I do this blog is so Olivia can see it when she's older. So, here goes...

The weather was much colder here this winter, so we played outside when we could. Which meant playing outside with alllll the Barbies she got for Christmas. <3

Lots of teeth were lost in January. It took awhile to adjust to that toothless little smile, but I love it and could just keep her toothless forever. 

Coffee and bundled up for a morning walk. Some mornings start off rough and we just need to take it outside. I wonder if the neighbors ever laugh at the explosion of pink they see walking down the street when they see us? 

We all got matching vans for our birthdays and were super excited to wear them together. Unfortunately, Olivia's were tight and she didn't notice just how tight until a few times after she had worn them. Kids feet grow so fast! So, if anyone wants some cute purple vans, size 12, let me know. 

Lots of art!! Olivia tried an Outschool class and loved it. If we could, we would let her do allll the classes. But, the cost will eventually add up. So, we decided to stick with some Arthub classes for now. She could seriously paint all day though. 

We did do school! School has been rough this year, so I feel like we haven't documented a lot. Boomer likes to hang out with us too. Which makes me laugh because when I was doing my classes through The University of Phoenix she would always lay on my desk and sleep while I worked. 

Lots of new books. I'm so glad she has a love for reading and that we can lay and do it together. <3

Playdates with friends & adult conversations are amazing. 

We read about MLK Jr. and colored some pictures on Martin Luther King Jr. day. 

And celebrated on Inauguration Day and spent most of the day watching TV. 

AND Olivia's room got a little update. We added some new prints to the walls, I found her a small nightstand that we could put clothes in, we added some bookshelves from Amazon, and basically just added any and every unicorn we could find. We've already moved her room a few times since these photos have been taken. But, she still loves it and it's given her lots of more room to play. 

Thanks for following along, up next I'l share the second half of the month with her playhouse and her birthday.