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!!!

Head Over Heels...Literally

There's a certain segment of the two-year old demographic in Whatcom County that is back into tumbling action.  In this case, Sydney, Maggie, and Kate are all enrolled in the Spring session of tumbling class at the Y.  What does this mean for the energy-abundant two year olds?....well, of course running, jumping, tumbling, and screaming with fun.  What does this mean for their mommies and daddies?...that's right, chasing, corralling, persuading, and at times, crying while begging for cooperation.

I make fun of it, but all in all, it's a great time that the little ladies enjoy.  Who wouldn't enjoy jumping on a trampoline and doing somersaults down squishy mats?  It is great fun to see them burning off the energy, all while hoping enough energy was released to eventually result in an afternoon nap.  And while achieving a nap might seem like a small benefit, after tumbling class a nap is actually much needed and well-deserved by the parents.  So, when we are lucky enough to achieve such a gift, we make use of it by participating in the same napping activities.  When we are less fortunate, we struggle through the day with growing bags under our eyes that are a badge of our dedication and love for our children.

 

The Throne and More

Sydney has definitely made progress on the potty-training front.  Last weekend we were able to spend most of our time at home.  That gave her a chance to be without a diaper.  Overall, she did pretty good and only had a couple of setbacks, but we asked her on a frequent schedule if she had to go to the bathroom.  On one occasion, she said, "uh oh, I spilled."  Which, I guess if you are spilling your bladder then technically it is accurate.  But, in general, she did really well.  Since she hadn't been as excited about using the throne at home, we had to resort to a little bit of the old and time-tested method of bribery.  This at least peaked her interest in trying, which was all we were striving toward.  Hopefully this will start the natural trend of wanting to go and she'll make it her normal habit.  Having said that, I won't be holding my breathe quite yet.

In other news, Sydney has been obsessively playing with a cardboard box in our living room.  Sure, what kid doesn't like a cardboard box?  But there's only so many times you can put her in, take her out, put her back in, take her back out....before you become fatigued.  I think the excitement with it is wearing off, but I'm sure she'll have a new fixation to take it's place.

As far as counting and ABC's, she's doing great on both fronts.  She will occasionally skip a few numbers, but that just means we don't let her leave the tip when we eat out.  And as for her letters, she has got the ABC song down pretty well.  We're just waiting for the remix version to come out, along with the club mix.  All in all, everyone is doing well and Sydney is just loving life!

As for the pictures, I thought it would just be fun to include a few of the older pictures...since now she is becoming such a young lady.

Grandma Gloria went to Oregon to visit Uncle Nathan and the cousins, so we hope she travels safe and has a lot of fun with them!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

What Goes Down...

...must come up.  Is that how the saying goes???  Well, perhaps it's the other way around...unless of course, you are underwater.  We recently got some pictures that the instructor from swim class had taken.  She had a waterproof camera, so she was able to get some fun pictures.

Honestly, I think Sydney did very well in the class, overall.  She not only got the basics down, but she took first in "who can hold their breathe underwater the longest" competition.  She also placed runner up in the cannonball competition, and took a respectable third in the 10 meter platform dive.  All in all, she loves swim class and I'm sure she'll be in another one in the near future.  I think the next series offers some deep water equipment testing and how to avoid the bends.

In other news, Sydney will get to spend some time with her BFF Maggie today.  She is pretty excited to see her and play with her at the park.  It looks like there is a big bright object in the sky (I'm not sure what it's called but someone said it was the sun), so that should make for an enjoyable time.

Recently, Sydney also helped to celebrate her Great Grandma's 80th Birthday.  Happy Birthday Grandma!!!  She's still such a young'n...we can only hope our genes (and jeans) serve us as well. 

   

 

  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nightwalker....

It's been a few weeks since our last post.  Apparently, life has found a way of happening even without blog entries...who would have figured :)

But, in a recent development, Sydney has taken to is 'nightwalking.'  It's not sleepwalking, because she is certainly awake for it.  In fact, sometimes it is very strategic in nature...her sneak attack is very stealth.  We can be downstairs watching TV, and without any hint or knowledge, we feel an urge to look up...and sure enough, a little girl with bright blond her is crouched down, watching us, all while knowing she should be in bed.  In fact, even now as I type, I hear the twisting of the doorknob from her bedroom door...actually, very literally.  Last night, as I peered up the stairs into the darkened hallway from down below, and I could see a very faint object.  I assumed it was a little two year old girl, but my aging eyes weren't sure what the outline was.  Sure enough, Sydney was up in the darkness peering back at me wondering what magical things might be happening downstairs at night.  Of course, the easy answer is 'not much', but her curiosity is too strong.  Funny thing is, as I approach the stairs she runs into her room and dives back into bed.  I'm sure it's part game, part curiosity, and part natural predatory instinct to stalk prey...ha ha!  But, we're hoping she grows out of this and just sleeps once we put her to bed!

In other news, Sydney is very clear about what she likes.  Right now, Tinkerbell seems to top that list at the moment.  When I pick her up from daycare, I put her in her car seat, we leave the parking lot, and then I hear, "Tinkerbell Dada."  And if I say 'maybe,' she asks at least a few more times.  If I don't provide the response that she likes, she asks in an exponentially adorable way that eventually makes me cave in.  Funny thing is, when we're on our way home I also hear, "check the mail, Dada."  She actually reminds me to check the mail, which I find pretty entertaining.

Sydney also continues to amaze us with her new found knowledge of...well, everything.  Her awareness, her communication, her humor, and all of her expressions just grow at such a rapid rate.  While we enjoy seeing her grow and learn, it's always tough see how fast it is happening.  But, I guess you have to try to enjoy the process while it unfolds. 

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Residual Glow

It’s been a few weeks since our trip to California. While we were there basking in mid-eighties heat, we thought that glow would last us until summer. After all, the snow would be done for the year at home…right? Well, unfortunately that was not the case. And while the nice weather was thoroughly enjoyed while in it, the realities of snow and colder weather upon arriving home worked hard to dash the remaining embers of sunnier times.  Although the recent snow has taken it's toll, we cling to those last little fragments of vitamin D we absorbed while there.

Beyond the residual physical affects from the trip, there are still some residual social affects as well.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but Sydney has become a real big fan of Pirates of the Caribbean. The particular ride I was nervous to take her on has become one of her favorites. So, every morning has the sounds of “Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me.” She loves the song, and sings it regularly.  I wouldn't say it borders on obsessive...no, actually, I will say it borders on obsessive, ha ha!  Actually, it's not too bad, especially coming from a two-year old.

In other news, Sydney continues to surprise us with her mental developments.  While sitting at a stoplight the other day, Sydney said "we go that way" as she pointed in the correct direction we were going to head.  The next day, at a different stoplight, she replied "we go left."  Sure enough, she was right...or 'correct,' I should say.  She has an amazing sense of direction.

We did have sad news in February. Sydney’s Ya Ya passed away.  We attended her celebration of life last Sunday.  Sydney loved her Ya Ya, and she was a large part of so many people's lives.  She will always be remembered and loved.  There is so much that could be said, but words likely would not do it justice.  I have included a few pictures.

On the celebration front, Sydney's Nana from Montana celebrates her birthday this weekend.  She turns a young 42!!! :)  Happy Birthday Mom!