It's Official!

The Ackerman's are officially HOMEOWNERS!!! This evening from 4-5 pm we signed our financial life away as we closed on our new home. Now the real fun begins, or so I'm told! We have until July 24th to move out completely from our rental home, but we plan on moving the majority of our stuff into the new home over the next three days.

"I've got the keys!!"

Entering for the first time as the homeowner!

Pictures in the Park

Sunday, June 14th, the three of us had a family portrait taken at Wilcox Park. A few weeks prior, Aunt Julie informed of us this event where Russ, a professional photographer for Tiberius Images and fellow member of her church, spends a few hours taking free pictures of anyone who stops by the park. It was such a beautiful evening and the perfect opportunity to get a great, professional (plus, FREE) family picture! I think the pictures turned out great! Thanks, Aunt Julie!

Since Wilcox Park is right next to Aquinas College and my parents were attending a play that evening at the Circle Theatre, we stopped by to see if they wanted a free photo shoot with their granddaughter after their play ended. They couldn't pass up this wonderful opportunity! Afterward, we all ended up going to dinner at Applebee's. Olivia enjoyed an ice water at the restaurant, which she drank from the straw out of a child's cup. She also was quite verbal towards the end of dinner, letting out some shrill, happy shouts, which let Grandpa know that it was time to head home.

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday, Peter celebrated his first Father's Day.

Dear Dada,

Dada you are special; Dada you are sweet.
You bring joy to my life and make our family complete.

Mommy takes care of me during the day,
But I look forward the most to when you come home and play!

I watch out the window and crawl across the floor,
And I shriek with delight when you arrive at the door!

You can make me laugh and bring smiles to my face,
But more importantly, you give me love through your embrace.

It's no surprise I love to move along;
For I am your daughter and my will is strong.

But when I tumble and fall down,
Your hugs and kisses always turn me around.

You read to me and take me out;
It's the time we spend together that I'm happy about.

You show me patience and give me your time.
During the night, you get up with Mommy at my littlest whine.

You comfort and calm me so very much;
I'm truly blessed to experience your touch.

When the sun has set, and the moon has rose,
You pray with me and say goodnight with a kiss on my nose.

I've found my voice; there is no doubt
That I can pierce others' ears with my shrill, shrill, shrill shout!

Your love is the greatest, and that's why I scream;
For there is no better Dada that I ever could dream.

I love you Dada;
You are the BEST!
It's no secret that I prefer you far above the rest!

Love,
Olivia

The Sweeter Things in Life

A few weeks after we introduced table foods into Olivia's diet, she became a bit of a picky eater and started turning her nose up and putting up a good fight with foods she previously devoured and even some new ones. I think we started combining too many things at once, or maybe she just wasn't feeling well. Despite this, she did find one new thing that she is fond of...

Words from the Nursery

Olivia attended LaGrave's infant nursery again last Sunday. The volunteer recognized her from a previous visit; she was the worker from the first time Olivia attended LaGrave's nursery, which was a great experience. After this past Sunday's service, we entered the nursery to find Olivia in Alana's arms. Olivia's eyes were a little red, but she got excited once she saw us. Alana explained that Olivia had a little trouble right at the end (in Olivia's defense, it was a longer service because of communion). Alana also had some other insight about our daughter, "I hate to say it, but she is strong-willed...not in a bad way, though." Peter and I smiled at each other. Is this stranger talking about OUR daughter?!?! Alana continued, "She lets you know if she doesn't want to do something. She pushed her bottle away." Peter agreed, "Yes. Yes, she has been known to do that." Alana had attempted to give her a bottle toward the end of the service. Alana also added, "She also likes touching babies." Apparently, Olivia enjoyed playing with her fellow nursery friends, who were all much younger than her. We took Olivia in our arms, and she let out one of her shrill shrieks of joy. Alana's teenage son made a similar shriek back at Olivia. Alana explained how they enjoyed listening to Olivia talk and getting her to shriek with joy. She then thanked us for bringing her. I had to laugh as we walked outside with our strong-willed daughter. By the way, as soon as she was situated in her carseat, our little girl drank the bottle Alana had prepared and previously offered. Stubborn, strong-willed, headstrong, decisive...you decide!

Kansas

Yesterday, the three of us went to Fifth Third ballpark to help Uncle Craig set-up and run his Play 'N Trade Guitar Hero Tournament. The tournament preceded a free Kansas concert that evening. Olivia was so good the entire afternoon! We left to run errands around 12:30 pm and didn't leave the event until 5:30 pm! At that time, I left with her to visit my parents and feed her dinner. Peter stayed for the beginning of the Kansas concert, returning home around 11:30 pm. It was a long, but fun day for us all!

Olivia enjoyed strolling around the ballpark and sitting in her bugaboo during the set-up of the PNT event.

Daddy & Olivia outside the PNT pavillion.

One happy, little girl with her Mommy!

Sitting in front of the PNT table area I decorated.

Aunt Lindsay and Olivia had fun playing with the balloons and letting out shrill shrieks of joy!

Olivia loved playing with the balloons!!

Olivia had fun reaching out her arm towards me and then pulling it back and screaming when I touched her fingers!

Craig, Master of Ceremonies for the Guitar Hero Tournament

After Olivia and I left, Ian and Lindsay manned the table, and I was told the area got quite busy as the night progressed.

Craig presents the winner of the Guitar Hero Tournament a guitar signed by Kansas.

Spring Musicale

Wednesday evening, Peter and I attended Jenna's piano recital at St. Cecilia's Music Society. As a Step 8 performer, Jenna's repertoire included Ode to Joy and When the Saints Go Marching In. She was quite the talented performer on stage! It was a fun and entertaining evening for us all!

The Program

Where all the magic happened

Jenna & other students from her teacher's group take a bow for their wonderful performances.

Receiving applause with other students from her teacher's group

All the performers returned to stage at the end of the concert...

And received another round of applause.

Flowers and cookie reception for the star pianist

After the performance, we went out for ice cream at The Parlour at Cherry Hill Market.

Communication Between a Father & His Daughter

These videos were taken tonight during Olivia's diaper time.