Another Year Gone By...

It's amazing how quickly kids grow.  In just a matter of months so many things can change.  Getting bigger, speaking more, and everything that comes with getting older.  Because those things are so noticeable when kids are younger, it makes it very easy for us to remember that we, too, are getting older.  As tragic as it is to add another year to my own longevity, Sydney was at least present to help me bring in another year.  She was very excited to repeatedly tell me happy birthday, and she was also very instrumental with helping to unwrap some presents.  So, as painful as it was to turn 28...at least it was nice to usher in this occasion with such excitement from her.

In other news, Sydney moved rooms at school.  What does this mean?  It means she has progressed academically (or perhaps chronologically), from toddlerhood into young girlhood.  I've picked her up from school a few times where she was playing with her four and five year old friends.  This doesn't really surprise me since she is an advanced little tike (she gets that from me).  But she has loved moving into her new room at school, and she always shares what she has done at school.  And it's a little funny, but Fridays are now 'show and tell' for her.  I guess that's another marker of her age.

In other news, Sydney's last tumbling class was today.  This means she'll have a little break before starting back up with either swimming, more tumbling, or archery.  She also mentioned wanting to take some culinary courses, so we'll have to weigh everything out and see what she ends up taking.

In other news, Sydney's Nana from Montana will be here next week.  She is looking forward to spending some time with her, as well as an excursion to the zoo.  It's always a fun time when she's here, so Sydney will make sure to rest up for Nana's arrival.

Have a great weekend!!!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

If you're a mother, a mother of a mother, or a mother of a mother of a mother, we appreciate you and hope you have a relaxing Mother's Day.  Sydney appreciates all of those important women in her life...her Momma Karen (obviously), her Nana Donna, her Grandma Gloria, and her Great Grandma Pagels.  And for all of the other mothers out there (excluding those on the freeway...those are a different type), thank you for all that you do.  You are appreciated!

In Sydney news, she recently achieved another major milestone....accomplishing her first cinematic experience.  That's right, she went to the movie theater and watched the movie Rio with her dad, mom, and grandma.  She watched the entire movie and never made a peep.  The possible reality could have included one of those unfortunate situations of having an obnoxious kid that ends up crying or throwing a tantrum much to the dismay of the audience in the theater.  And while we hid our natural fear of the unknown as we entered a darkened theater, we were very pleased that she watched the whole movie and liked it.  This will ease our fears of taking her to other movies in the future.

On a different note, Sydney also had a blast at Easter.  She had no shortage of family members on hand willing to blow bubbles for her.  Like any kid, she loved running around and popping all of them.  Of course, she was intent on trying to produce bubbles as well.  Unfortunately, this often resulted in her blowing very hard into the wand.  While bubbles typically did not form, she excelled at spitting violently trying to produce them (she did not catch on to the technique others were using).  For some reason she also thought the wand had to be pushed against her lips, which did not help her bubble-producing cause but did result in rather large soap deposits on her chin.  Well, I'm sure she'll get it in time :)

Sydney also continues to enjoy tumbling class.  This is an opportunity that also doubles as a time to visit with BFF's Maggie and Kate.  Well, there's always a lot more that's going on, but that's a quick summary of the past two weeks. 

Have a great weekend everyone!!!