For the love of chapstick

We had two pairs of visitors this summer. First my parents came from Iowa to see our new home in Maryland and check out the highlights of Washington, D.C. Our daylong trip on the hottest day of the week (nearly 100 degrees combined with unbearable humidity) began with a tour of the U.S. Capitol.

Then we went on to the Library of Congress, where Olivia practices her fishy faces while her grandparents admire the architecture of the building and a special display on early maps of the United States.

We continued our walking tour of D.C. by passing the U.S. Supreme Court's building, stops at the National Museum of American History (where the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner can be viewed), the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, White House, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and the National Archives. There we waited in line trapped between two school groups of eighth graders to see the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. One of the key things we learned from this day in Washington, D.C. is that 90 percent of 8th graders come to Washington, D.C. on some kind of school trip and 90 percent of them were in the city the same day as us.

We also discovered on this day that Olivia loves to put chapstick on her lips. And she isn't opposed to slathering it on her hands and checks. Chapstick is her new security blanket. It keeps her busy. It keeps her quiet. And it keeps the group sane during a daylong tour of Washington, D.C.

Here is Olivia and her chapstick, she calls "lips" during our day in Gettysburg.

The day started with heat and ended with rain and hail. We walked more than 7.5 miles in that one day. I took a total of seven pictures that day.

Loads of Fun

Relocation can be a lonely. Moving to Maryland was our first military move with a child, which can be more challenging than moving as a dual income, no kids family. At least I find it more challenging. But to ease the transition (thanks for advice from smart military moms), I've enrolled Olivia in various activities to fill our week, provide interaction with other toddlers and hopefully meet other mothers (potential future friends).

I started with the Frederick County Parks and Recreation Spring/Summer schedule booklet. I flipped and flipped. Loads of activities for three year olds. Not sure for two year olds. Review booklet again. Must find activities for my two year old. The header "UK Petite Soccer" for 2-3 years old. Bingo.

A six-week introduction to the world of soccer for 2 year olds using a games-based approach, providing every child the opportunity to develop motor skills, social skills, coordination and general athletic ability in a stimulating, motivating, educational environment. Activities include fantasy role playing and are designed to maximize the number of touches a player has on the ball. Individual skills will be taught by OK Elite Soccer's Professional British Coaching Staff!

Ugh. An exclamation point at the end of a introductory paragraph. Who writes this stuff for the registration booklet? And why isn't it me? Minus the exclamation point, I was excited.

Week No. 1

We drive 30 minutes to the closest petite soccer complex. Every toddler has mom, dad, aunts, uncles and grandparents to photograph this big moment. A one-hour class to introduce the most popular sport in the world. Olivia has me. Every kid immediately slips on his bright red team T-shirt. Olivia refuses to wear her shirt.

But she is excited about her pigtails.

Week No. 2
Olivia sees another boy who doesn't participate the entire time. Instead he eats snacks and drinks juice the entire time. Olivia takes the cue and decides to quit five minutes into the class. She eats yogurt bites instead of kicking the ball. I'm frustrated that we drove 30 minutes for nothing. Benny reminds me that Olivia is a two year old.

Week No. 3
Olivia organizes several other toddlers to chase butterflies instead of participate in soccer. She picks up the cones with 10 minutes left in class and says she is ready to go home. Benny reminds me, the competitive mother, that she is a two year old. The coach, Ian from Ireland, tells me the point is for Livie (yes, he nicknamed Olivia) to have "loads of fun." Olivia gives him a high five after he says this statement. She still refuses to wear her team T-shirt.

Week No. 4
Benny has the day off of work and is able to participate in parent-toddler soccer. The temperature is over 100 degrees, so we are able to play in the elementary gym instead of sweating outside in the open grassy field. Livie does her best ever, kicking and running the entire time. No stopping for snacks or drinks. I'm so confused.

Week No. 5
Olivia wears the cone as a hat.

Week No. 6 (the last week!)
Auntie Colleen and soon to be Uncle Adam were in town. Colleen was eager to encourage Olivia to kick the ball.

Colleen also tried to get Olivia to wear her team T-shirt. She refused.

Then at the end, Olivia needed to kick the ball from the free throw line to the baseline to "score" a goal past her coach. Once she did that she would receive her certificate of completion. I really didn't think she would do it. And she refused until Colleen said the magic words "Olivia after you kick the goal, you can go home." Olivia nodded and ran to the line.

The fall/winter schedule of sports for the parks and recreation department arrived last week. Petite soccer is being offered again. Livie and I are going to pass. Even though it was "loads of fun." I'm thinking an art class may be a better fit for our little O.

Olivia's Dog-Sitting Service



Olivia taking Precious, a neighborhood dog, for a walk

 Olivia has her first job. It's Olivia's dog-sitting business. She can walk your dog. She can feed your dog. Luckily she has her mother to pick up after your dog while she talks constantly about the dog's bowel movements. Plus she works cheap, no payment needed as long as your dog can be walked by a 30 pound toddler.

Toddler Theatre

How young is too young for a child's first live theatre performance? Normally I would say that five years old and under is too young to appreciate the choreographed dancing and live action singing without the ability to pause the movie for potty breaks. Unless, of course, that child is my two-year-old daughter, then she is the appropriate age for this experience. Plus I was really missing community theatre.

I have a soft spot in my heart for community theatre. Growing up, my mom would take my sisters and I to Elkader Opera House to see the annual children's musicals. It was a big deal to us to see "Peter Pan" and "Annie" and even though the actors and actresses were members of our church and teachers at our school, when I was a child, I truly believed that woman was Miss Hannigan. Somewhere there is a photo of a bewildered Colleen (my younger sister) shaking hands with Captain Hook. Musicals are part of my family memories and I couldn't wait to create new memories with Olivia.

I got my opportunity when I took Olivia to see "Narnia," presented by the Thurmont Thespians. I wasn't sure if she would sit through the entire show. But I hoped she would. Remember, I really really wanted to see it.

As the show began, Olivia sat quietly watching the children's production. She smiled as the kids sang and dance in their creative costumes. I thought this bonding moment was a success until intermission.

After a 15-minute cookie break, Olivia declared she was ready to "go home." Then she was intrigued by the lion until of course he was killed. (Another error for my rookie mother mistakes list. Must preview musicals before viewing and try to find ones that don't involve death.) So as the lion's mane and tail was cut off, Olivia kept passionately yelling "What's happening? What's happening? Get up lion!" This evoked chuckles from the parents while I whispered that the lion was sleeping. Luckily the lion returns.

In the end Olivia made it to the end of the show and clapped enthusiastically as the cast took their bows in this nearly three-hour show. I had a tear in my eye. Our first mother-daughter theater show. Sure it wasn't perfect or pretty. Still it was a show I'll never forget. One for the memory bank.