Making Cookies

Our annual cut-out cookie extravaganza.
Sydney was happy with one pile of dough to roll out, add flour, roll again, add more flour. They both expertly decorated the cut outs. And, we consumed the delights well before Christmas Eve. I have to come up with  plan B for what to set out for Santa.

Santa Visit

Colin and Sydney were very excited to see Santa. Sydney shook off my help and walked up to Santa without any fear. She sat in awe while Colin tried to keep his list to 1-2 things at Santa's request.

This was a our second year seeing Santa in our neighborhood. Santa shares great stories about how his reindeer names came to be, about his home in the North Pole, etc.

As our kids were visiting with him, Colin mentioned he liked to draw things like dragons. Santa went into a tale about how he once new a dragon name Smaog that met a terrible end and he met a gray wizard. Bill and I were laughing at the Hobbit references.

Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!

Careful, you made need a dramamine to watch her.

Frosty the Snowman

Sydney is in love with Frosty the Snowman. She's picked up the song quickly having read and reread the book Colin received as a Christmas present 5 years ago from Great Grandma Kate. I didn't capture it, but she did eventually get around to the Thumpity Thump Thump part.

Also, go back in time to our blog post November 2010 to see Colin's version of Frosty the Snowman. 

Happy Halloween 2014

We decided to try the mall trick or treating because the forecast said it was going to be very cold.
The mall was an interesting experience, a lot of little kids and lots of strollers. We noticed that most of the kid clothing stores were not handing out candy. Lame. Leaving the mall, it didn't seem all that cold. So, we met up with neighbors and the kids ran door to door. Colin's take was 4 lbs 11oz of candy. He's going to have it for a year!

Colin's pumpkin face designs.

This posed picture is from Sydney's preschool party.

Apple Orchard

A beautiful, warm fall day for some apple orchard fun. We didn't buy any apples, but enjoyed a caramel apple, live music, a train ride, kid corn maze and a wagon ride.

At the edge of the property were two horses in a fenced in field. Sydney was a little scared of them so she threw her corn cob that she picked up in the corn maze at them. One of the horses ate the cob and Sydney was so upset with the horse!

Colin had fun "America ninja" climbing all over the wooden train set. 

Leaf Piles

These two were attacking the leaf pile! They enjoyed burying each other and running and jumping into the leaves.  MN Syd had to be coerced into wearing a jacket when we noticed her nose was red and her hands were freezing.

Hanging out in the Rocking Chair

Colin reading to Sydney who now sits still for the book. The last picture she looks just like her daddy lounging, playing a game on the iPod.

First Lost Tooth

After a whole year of watching other kids lose their teeth in kindergarten, Colin finally had his first loose tooth at the start of first grade. And then he didn't want to touch it. After three weeks, it was loose enough that Bill had him twisting it to get it to come out. Some blood and some pain, Colin finally yanked the tooth out.

No Fail Water Fun

In warm weather, the kids would busy themselves for 30 minutes scooping and measuring water.
It usually ended when someone got soaked.

We are trying to teach Sydney to say 'hair farmer'. The humidity brought out her curls. 

First Day of 1st Grade

Colin noticed he was not as nervous as last year when the first day of school arrived.

This year Colin is still very interested in Hero Factory Legos. He figured out how to ride his two wheel  bike and was a fish swimming under water at the pool.

His favorite color is Gold. His favorite food is pizza.
Over the summer his did gymnastics, lacrosse, nature explorers, lego and clay camps. We have him signed up for the Y's lacrosse for the fall. He enjoys all of the running and racing to get the ball.

Summer is Running Through the Sprinkler

A perfect summer day, hot sun and low humidity.  Yes, Colin has a mohawk.

'Wimming!

If Sydney could go 'wimming every day, she would be a happy girl. "Hm!"

Lake Week 2014

A super fun week spent with family!

Colin rode the jet ski at 55 mph! He worked on his American Ninja Warrior (kids' edition) workout: balancing on the hammock, climbing up the porch awing poles, pushups, situps and general monkeying around. He completed his faux hawk hair cut with fake tats and black nail polish. Quite the punk rocker.

Sydney couldn't get enough of the tubing. She wanted to go Faster! Both kids enjoyed the lake and hanging with the cousins.

Sibling Fun

The last few weeks Colin and Sydney have been playing together for a solid 30-45 minutes before someone breaks out in tears. We've enjoyed listening to their laughter and the new found time to get some things done.

Dress up is a current favorite activity after dinner.

Last Day of School

How did this year go by so quickly?
Now it's time to enjoy some summer sunshine!

Butterflies

A visit to the arboretum to see the butterflies.
Not getting her way about something.

Celebrating 2!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Sydney Katherine.

All week, Sydney had practiced singing "Happy to..." and would name Daddy, Mommy, Colin, etc.
When everyone started singing to her at the party, she had a look as if to say, "Hey... My birthday?"  She really got into opening her presents and started squealing, "Oh my gosh!" at each gift. Colin was good big brother, helping her tear through the wrapping paper.

The adults enjoyed a Derby dinner with mint juleps and hot browns. It takes a lot of sugar to make bourbon taste good, in my opinion.

She can tell you that she's two and is trying to hold two fingers up, looks more like three or some sort of shadow puppet shape.

Lucas waiting for cake.

Papa waiting for cake.

Colin waiting for cake. 

 

Opening presents

 Such a silly girl! Cheeeese!