Trick or Treat...

Sydney really got into Halloween this year. When she figured out that all she had to do for candy was smile and hold out her bag she was all over it! We were a ladybug this year, thanks Aunt Nancy and Cousin Kylie, and the weather was FABULOUS!

Long time, no post...

Sorry that it has been so long since I posted to the blog. We have been really busy and I have not had any new pictures of Sydney to share. I finally pulled the camera out to snap a few of her precious moments. However it is so hard not to put all videos up as she is saying the funniest things.

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

I'm 2!!!

Sydney turned 2 on Monday at 12:10 am. I did not wake her up but I did go in and give her a birthday kiss. It is hard to believe that it has been 2 years already. She has grown so much and has such a funny personality...most of the time.

Mommy and Sydney had a cookie on Monday as daddy was travelling. We spent the day playing and swimming. Then we had a little party with a couple of neighbor girls Wednesday morning. I wanted to keep it low key since she is only 2 and does not share that well.

Sydney loves checking the mail now since she has gotten a card everyday this week and I know there are a couple more to come.

An Iowa girl

We had a very Iowan dinner tonight- fresh corn on the cob and pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon. YUUUMMM!! Sydney has decided that she too enjoys the fresh corn and wants her own ear to eat. I tried to snap a picture while she was actually eating and happy, but these days the digital camera either gets a cheesy grin or the reaction seen in this picture.

Sydney go fast!!

Sydney loves to ride her little car down the driveway. I love how she goes fast and then stops and turns. She gets up a lot of speed too!

Fun with the cousins

We took our summer trip to Minnesota last week. We got to see a lot of family and Sydney loved playing with her cousins. They thought it would be fun to get into the pack 'n play together and read to Sydney. However she figured out how to climb out of the pack 'n play during this trip. We hoped that she would not climb out of her crib at home, but no such luck. We took one side off of her crib this weekend. She is now in a "big girl" bed.

Busy in the kitchen

Sydney loves playing in her kitchen. She cooks all kinds of stuff for us and makes the best "juice." We have the kitchen in the garage since we are outside so much. All the neighbor kids love to come and play with the kitchen.

Sydney's Swimming Pool

Sydney loves the water and had a great time in the pool.

David's New Car

Here is David's "new" car that he got when his dad passed away. It is a 1956 Buick Special with the original paint and interior. His dad completely overhauled the engine and most of the mechanical parts. David is quite proud of the car and has lots neighborhood interest now that he is a "car guy."

Happy 4th of July!!!

We had a very nice 4th, including a block party and bike parade for the kids. I decorated Sydney's Cozy Coupe car for the event. She thought it was pretty cool, but had a hard time keeping up with the big kids on bikes (she was Flintstone-ing it, you know two feet scoot). She just pulled off to the side and got out and went to play on the other toys while the big kids were gone. Smart girl!

Sydney's latest trick

Sydney loves to play dress up. She will put on any shoes and take her purse and fill it with whatever she can find. Right now there are Little People, a fake cell phone, a sticker, and a straw inside her purse. Don't you just love the shoes!!!

Finally home, finally not sick

We returned from our Texas trip about 2 weeks ago, but have been fighting various illness. As with our last trip to Texas, we came home with an unwanted souvenir- pinkeye. This time it was the Sydster who had it. Let me tell you it is not much fun holding a 21 month old down to put drops in her eyes. However we managed to get some medicine in. I was also sick with a stomach bug. I though I was going to die. David was at work and Sydney wanted to know what was going on. I had to lock myself in the bathroom so she would not "help" me.

Lots of pics to share and stories to tell from Texas...

Our Tea Party

Sydney is really into pretend play and LOVES her dishes. We had a tea party today, but I did not get anything to eat. She went around like a bird picking all the food off the plates. Oh well…

Sydney celebrates Tax Day

She can spy a pen or pencil on the desk from a mile away. This was her signature on the 2007 taxes, well she made her mark on the house at least...

p.s. she got mad and embarrassed when I tried to get her to stand beside her artwork.

New seat for the car

As we are starting to get closer to that magical age when we will begin potty training, I have started to pick up a few things that we will need. I got a bargain on a Dora potty seat at a consignment sale and Sydney knew exactly what to do with it...sit on it! However she seems to like the cushy feel as she has tried and become very frustrated that she could not use the comfy seat in her car.

New "do" for Sydney Lou

I decided it was time that my daughter look like a little girl and not a wild haired kid. So I attempted to "pig tail" her. It took the high chair, daddy, mommy and 30 minutes to accomplish, but we did it- sort of...