Dana thoughts

I've recently been introduced to a blog, Story Warren and I love the way it makes me think... about kids... about imagination... about the world... about faith. I realize I don't do that very well on my own... thinking. I mean I do think... mostly about my "to do" list, but rarely about imagination or how my faith grows when it interacts with the "real world" or how my kids could probably teach me so much more, if I would just S.L.O.W. D.O.W.N.

How come when Hannah sees paints and brushes and a blank piece of paper, she sees princesses and flowers and the ocean? I see the makings of a mess. How come when Grace sees a box of toys, she sees a chance to baby her dolls or make some music? I see... yes, you probably guessed it... a mess in the making. How come when Elizabeth sees water in an indention in the concrete, she laughs with glee as she scrambles to splash in it? I see mud spatters everywhere, including in her mouth, which is messy.

One of the blog posts was about how God Makes Messy Things Beautiful. It was a timely read for me. It seems my children have a better grasp on this than I do. Why is that, I wonder? What could I learn in all this? And if I did learn it, how might my life be different?

Just a Dana thought. Hum, maybe this thinking thing isn't so bad?

Hannah thoughts

I'm glad its windy, because the trees like to dance.

Grace

Preschool Graduation

We were really blessed by the wonderful experience Hannah had in preschool this year. We will definitely miss everyone at the Gordon-Conwell Nursery School next year, but hope to be back the following year with the next Olson! Thank you, Ms. Celine and Ms. Tracy for an amazing year!

Last week was the end of the year program and "graduation". They do a really nice job.

The newest Gordon-Conwell "grad" of the family

Getting her diploma

The sisters

Ms. Celine

Ms. Tracy

Uncle Jim came to celebrate with us!

The family on graduation day

Ladybug Cake by Daddy

Daddy made Hannah's 5th cake today. The day after her LAST birthday, she decided she wanted to have a Ladybug cake and kept that theme the whole year. Daddy does it again!

Questions with Hannah at 5

Hannah Joy Olson, Age 5 

 Interview with Hannah:

1. What is your favorite color? pink
2. What is your favorite toy? dolls
3. What is your favorite fruit? kiwi
4. What is your favorite tv show? Sesame Street
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Meat and Cheese sandwiches
6. What is your favorite outfit? new peach dress with "gems" on it
7. What is your favorite game? puzzles
8. What is your favorite snack? cookies
9. What is your favorite animal? horse
10. What is your favorite song? Jingle Bells
11. What is your favorite book? Cinderella
12. Who is your best friend? Mariana and Abbie
13. What is your favorite cereal? Strawberry Healthy Morning
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? plant vegetables
15. What is your favorite drink? lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? water cup because I am always thirsty and lambie and kitty and Rose
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Healthy Morning
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? fish on the grill, corn-on-the-cob, fruit salad
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? an artist and draw pictures for books
21. What was your favorite thing about being 4? going to pre-school and learning to plant a garden in our backyard
22. What are you looking forward to about being 5? Going to kindergarten and being in the summer weather.

Other thoughts from Hannah: My favorite thing to draw is princesses. My favorite thing is princesses.

Elizabeth's Dedication Day

Today, we dedicated Elizabeth to the Lord. We were blessed to have our church family surround and support us in this journey of raising our girls. May God continue to give us wisdom and strength. May our girls live lives that love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength... AND their neighbor as theirselves.

(Photos taken by Carl Oulton)

Elizabeth and Mommy

Pastor Jim ~ Dedicating Elizabeth Anne Olson

We were so distracted that we forgot to pose for a family picture:-(. We will need to do a re-inactment soon.

 Today was a good reminder of two other dedication days. Wow... who knew what lay ahead for the Olson family! So many blessings in the form of our daughters... Thank you Lord!

Pastor Derek ~ Dedicating Grace Elise Olson

Olson Family at Grace's Dedication

Family with Nana at Grace's Dedication

Pastor Derek ~ Dedicating Hannah Joy Olson

Olson Family at Hannah's dedication