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!

Colin

We are counting down the days to the end of the school year. How is that even possible?

I would say Colin's enjoyed much of his kindergarten year, made some nice friends, and has excelled at math and reading. Just recently, he's figured out his right from his left (and odd thing for this bright kid to have a hard time grasping), thanks to playing Wii Dance Dance Revolution in gym class. Whatever it takes.

For much of the 2nd half of the year, Colin has had a behavior chart to help curb some issues with listening, following directions, and keeping his hands to himself. His teacher has seen much improvement. We think some of it could have been because everyone was so cooped up this winter and some boredom at school.

He waffles between playing really very well with Syd to tormenting her when walking by her. All things big brothers do to their little sibs.

Colin is so disappointed that he has not lost any baby teeth. He is the ONLY one in his class that doesn't even have a loose tooth! We hear about it almost every day. I think there's a chart at school that isn't helping.

While sometimes it feels like he is constantly talking, it is fun to listening to his creative story telling in his drawings, video games or Lego hero factory builds.

Sydney

There's no containing this little one's personality!
We are into anything Minnie Mouse, wearing cousin Lexi's hand-me-downs, and just wreaking havoc on the house...and her brother. 

When she's not changing her outfit for the 3rd time that morning, many times she just insists on running around in the buff. Very scary when she's not completely potty trained.  Even her daycare teacher said she turned around one day and saw Syd standing there holding all of her clothes smiling ear to ear.

Syd enjoys sitting on the Big Wheel at the top of the drive way, picking up her feet, and Weeeee all the way down where we stop her before going into the street.

"Syd do it" and will not let you help her get dressed. Easter outfit was a grungy shirt worn inside out and backwards.

She enjoys going on walks, especially when she gets to ride in the stroller.

She's doing well in her swimming, 'wimming', classes.

Such the polite girl, she'll announce "Sydney toot, 'cuse me."

We are working on 2 yr molars and have had some rough nights.

She will let you put hair clips in her hair as a game, but then she removes all of the "pretties" and refuses to wear one for the day. So she has the Dorothy Hammel do.

And then there are days when I am slightly freaked at how much she can remind me of Grandma Dee!

"Dogs and Cats Living Together" - Dr. Peter Venkman

All was quiet....

Found these two reading books together in their room. Colin is picking up books and reading them. All month long at school they've had reading book assignments and his patience and confidence with sounding out words are impressive. I'm glad Syd is seeing him read, too. She loves sitting in your lap and reading picture books. She's not quite interested in full story books.

Birthday Party 2.0

Invited the family over for Colin's birthday.
Complete with Lego cake and a crazy sister.
Uncle Russ was in town visitng, too!

Happy 6th Birthday

Caved and did the Chuck E. Cheese birthday party. It turned out to be a great time for the kids and they all behaved very well. Colin invited some kids from kindergarten, his preschool, the neighborhood and his cousins. 

Then the boys figured out which games gave them the most tickets so they could 'buy' a bunch of candy and amazing plastic toys.

Fun With Big Boxes

Boys' and Girls' secret hideouts!