What I learned - on vacation with Olivia....

I did this before with Mia - noting that vacations are a time for reflection, for reacquainting with family and spending time getting out of the routine.

Here are some of the things I learned about Olivia over this past vacation:

1. Girl does not want to brush her hair!!!  What a mop!  She refuses to listen to us about how and when to brush her hair.  Mostly because she has a double dose of stubborn  - from both parents.

2.  Olivia is quiet.  She is thoughtful and observant.  She is artistic and has an eye for the creative.

3.  She keeps working on something until she masters it.  She made about 15 friendship bracelets this trip - and handed them out to everyone.  She has greatly improved upon her first try.

4. She is learning how to keep things to herself to be nice.  Case in point - we went to visit my Aunt in the nursing home. She is very young, but is no longer herself.  Mia flat out told us she didn't like it there.  Olivia, you could see in her eyes felt the same way, but she worked with us to try to make it nice for my Aunt and to help out.

5. She is growing up before my eyes. 

6. She gains confidence in herself and her abilities every day.  She did the hike with us, in keds and a skirt - for 3 miles.  She was tired, and sometimes slower going uphill, but she did it and attacked those hills with the confidence that she could conquer them.

7. She is a great big sister.  Sometimes, she just wants to be left alone and to indulge in her own wants and needs - and who can blame her?  Most of the time though, she makes it a point to help her sister and look out for her.  She has fun with her sister and I love the bond that they have built.

8. She is really starting to get funny too - to go along with our sarcasm.  The day we left Kansas for New Mexico, we left early since it was to be the longest drive we undertook.  As Olivia was getting in the car, she saw that Mia was still sleeping.  She asked "What about Mia?"  I said, "We're going to leave her here."  Without dropping a beat, she responds "Bye, Mia!" with a smile and walks out the door.  I was tickled at her response.

9. Olivia is sweet and sensitive and really takes in everything.  She is a great kid!  We are lucky we got her.