Making her Christmas List

We are in the beginning stages of potty training. We take Sydney when we change her diaper, well daddy does it a lot more that mommy. The other day Sydney insisted on sitting on the big potty. I guess she know comfort when she see's it!

Parent's Day Out (aka Free Morning Mondays)

Sydney started Parent's Day Out (PDO) this past Monday. We talked about how much fun it would be to go to school and play with other little girls and boys her own age. When we drive by the church where PDO is I point it out saying "that's Sydney's preschool." Monday morning finally came and I was all excited, maybe too excited. This would be my first time out alone without worrying about the babysitter or if David was making it okay with Sydney. I would have time to myself and I had my list of "fun" things to do.

Sydney slept late; like til 8:15 and we have to leave the house at 8:35. So I hurried her up with breakfast- can't send her to school on the first day hungry, worked on her hair as she was eating, and loaded up the car as she finished. Then we washed our face and hands and it was time to change clothes. Of course she wanted this to be a "naked day" and proceeded to run from me with glee. I finally caught her as she was crawling under the dining room table. I managed to get the diaper and "cute first day of school" clothes on before she bolted yet again. I had a sneaky mommy trick...a new pair of shoes. I pulled them out and showed her how they sparkled and that was it, putty in my hands. We got our backpack on, but had to check to see what was inside and were VERY upset that the Thomas book could not come along.

Finally in the car and driving and going over my checklist of things to do- returns and such and making sure I put diapers, wipes and a change of clothes in the backpack. We pull into the parking lot and unload. We skip (I skip pulling my 2 year old along) into the building to find chaos. Moms are dropping kids off, teachers are barking orders and kids are crying. Just what I did not want. Well we managed to find our picture and hook to put our jacket (yep I did grab that) and backpack on. As we head into the classroom the teacher asks if we washed our hands. Oh no, not hand washing. This is now the most favorite pastime of my daughter. She will spend 20 minutes in the bathroom playing with the soap and water. We manage to get in and out in record time and clean hands. Then it happens. The leg grip. I walked hobbled into the classroom as the teacher tries to greet Sydney- still attached to my leg- to see moms with cameras (I knew I forgot something!!) and crying kids. I start to see the look of uncertainty run across Sydney's face, until I show her the play kitchen. She makes a mad dash for the toys and I bolt out of the room. As I enter the hallway I let out a Whoo Hoo! and smile at all the moms bringing in their kids.

I did have a slight emotional moment as I was pulling out of the parking lot and wondering if Sydney was doing OK. Then I remembered my "fun list" and that I only had 3 hours to get it all done and if I was good and got it all done I could fit in a pedicure. Then the rain started. I barely got the errands run before it was time to pick up Sydney. It was a fulfilling morning out and I am looking forward to the next year of Free Morning Mondays!

Sydney gets a wagon!

Kiki and Papa got Sydney a wagon for her birthday. When Aunt Jodie came for a visit she and mommy put the wagon together. Sydney was so excited that she could not wait for the assembly to be finished!!

Great Job Aunt Jodie on putting the wagon together!

Daddy's Trip