Natalie and Sydney had a fun evening together this week that includes playing in the "fort", watching a little Diego, and then having a mock sleepover (Natalie had to go home 10 minutes later)
Ok...back on the horse for blog entries. It's been a busy couple months. What a group we had over the other weekend. We're spreading around the country but luckily manage to get together here and there. Baby Gracie is getting big and Sydney talks about her frequently. She had fun putting on a show for this group including her normal set of ABC and Twinkle, Twinkle.
Well not really, but I couldn't help but be swept up in the excitement. All the parents waiting on the corners with their kids and I loading mine into the backseat for the ride to "school". When we got to Sydney's daycare, parents were lined up outside to watch the kids who arrive for early care board the bus that takes them to school and flashes were popping left and right. Sydney said "cheese" as we passed by. Upon entering, our lone signal that some imaginary bar had been hurdled was that she has now moved from page 4 to page 5 on the sign in sheet. What an accomplishment. I think we saw a page 4 kid on the way to our room and Sydney gave him the cold shoulder. I guess the page 5 kids don't associate with the page 4 kids. I have so much to learn.
The problem with taking so many pictures of Sydney is that she now considers herself quite the photographer....which is in turn creating problems getting some nice pictures of that smiling face :)
We're pretty good about holding out, but sometimes in the late afternoon it's easier to have a happy little one than a screaming tired toddler. So we plopped Sydney and her friend Grayson in front on some Diego and enjoyed a quiet evening. It's cute when they both say "Go Diego Go!".
Sydney routinely insists that we "go color Daddy", but really she just likes to put the marker tops on her fingers and then laugh hysterically. That is quickly followed by crying when she gets frustrated that she can't do anything with that hand and discovers yet again that the marker tops do not fit on daddy's fingers not matter how hard she pushes.
As a photo comment, I don't know if birds have emotion but this one legitimately looked pissed. I stopped taking pictures as it looked like this bird was going to make a run at me.
It's not often I post something that doesn't have a picture of Sydney, but indirectly this has to do with kids and little baby animals which fascinate Sydney. Outside my office window is a holly tree and I've watched the last couple of months as some birds built a sturdy nest, laid some little blue eggs and then recently we got to see them hatch and out popped little tiny birds. Sydney had fun looking at them and wanted to pet them which I assured her would not be ok with mommy bird.
Last Sunday we took Sydney out for her first try at picking fruit. I think it was mom and dad's first time as well and we pulled in a good haul of peaches and plums. Sydney like the picking but was more interested in the other activities like the animals and these little tricycle things that are powered by a back and forth motion. Suffice it to say it took my back a couple hours to recover from this thing.
Sydney has gotten smart enough to know when I have the flash on and she squints for every picture. So I'll take the flash off and then the pictures are blurry or not filled in. I can't win but I'm happy just to get some shots of her that make me laugh.
A favorite childhood pasttime that Maggie and I remember so well has found its way back to us. Sydney has started finding things she can hide under and it's only a matter of time before we have a panic attack that she's gone missing. Fortunately for us, she hasn't quite mastered the art of hiding in her fort and little signs stick out to point us in the right direction. (and yes, apparently she reads People magazine in her fort)
After the fun filled parade and a short nap, we had a great afternoon barbeque with friends and all the kids had a great time in the pools and sandbox. Sydney cuddled up with Gabby to watch a movie before the big fireworks show.
Saturday afforded us the opportunity to get Sydney out to a good old all-American small town 4th of July parade, complete with about a dozen people pitching themselves for governor and state office and handing out stickers. Sydney couldn't have been happier and would have looked like a political billboard had we not distracted her with the llama's (which she pronounces "mamas") that followed shortly after. 
With the beautiful weather, we've been able to get outside a lot this last week. Sydney loves getting pushed on her tricycle although her legs just aren't long enough to peddle yet. Maybe another month. But she likes to be chauffered anyway and we don't mind pushing. Elmo also likes to ride on the tricycle.
Sunday was a momentous day as Sydney got her first locks cut. We went to a place where they can watch cartoons and that was about the only thing that kept her even remotely near the chair. The comb was mildly concerning but when she caught a glimpse of the scissors, all hell broke loose and I became more of a restraint than a joyful participant.....but mom pulled out a lollipop, and a couple promises that we'd ride the choo choo train later she was settled and we were able to finish up. All in all it was another fun "first"!
Sometimes Sydney likes to just get into her birthday suit and Swiffer the floor while eating a popsicle. But really, don't we all feel like that sometimes?
Sydney just loves her corn and we need to keep a constant supply on hand. One of her favorite phrases right now is "mo butta" (translates to more butter) which she repeats over and over because she thinks it makes us laugh hysterically...which it does.
Sydney had a blast when all her friends came over for a bbq and pool party. Mom and Dad however were tired for three days.
This picture pretty much sums up her reaction to everyone singing happy birthday which was probably, "Are you all crazy or something?"
She also showed us she's picked up the old "I can put my finger over the flame" trick. She must have misunderstood when we told her to blow out the candles.
She was also very concerned about what she was being served, having had a banana for her first birthday.
Lastly came the presents and it's great when your child is old enough to read her own cards!
We've started early with the training and she's particularly fond of checking out ears and giving fake shots.
