A Happy, Happy Birthday to my sweet Mom today! We sure love our "Grandma Wendy!" She is always there with a hug, a hand to help and heart that continues to bless lives every day. Mom, you are adored by all and continue to amaze and impress with your example and love!
... and what did I see? Sure enough, looks like popcorn on that tree! Just had to share some of my springtime "backyard blossoms!" I wish our trees blossomed like this all year long! It makes everything feel kind of 'magical!'
We randomly stumbled upon this carnival at the mall today. Sydnie spotted the ferris wheel from a mile away. I was pretty skeptical at first....something about the dirt, germs, 'diverse' crowds of people and rides that are assembled in one day provides a few issues for me and carnivals. However, I gave in to Sydnie's curiosity and found a couple of rides for the kids to experience. Of course, anything with a steering wheel quickly became the favorite ride. Both of my kids love to be behind a wheel. Luckily, these carnival ride-maker people were bright enough to put multiple steering wheels in all of the vehicles. So, much unlike any situation at home, the kids didn't have to fight over who got to be in the "driver's seat." They both got to steer themselves silly. However, Sydnie did have to make the executive decision in choosing the PINK car ;)
We decided to break up the monotonous day of yard work today with a little picnic lunch outside. I had to shoot this picture of the kids. They really are just so great! It is so fun now that Kade can actually join in all of Sydnie's little schemes. They run around, laugh, giggle, wrestle, hug, play and just plain love each other! It warms a mother's little heart! Kade has such a hard time if Sydnie isn't around for some reason. Sydnie is always looking for her little brother so she has someone to follow her and to boss around. If ever one of them is sad or crying the other promptly runs to their side to see if they can help. I can only hope they stay close like this forever...and never decide to gang up on Mom together!
So, we've been passing this nasty cold around our family the past few weeks. We're now on the second round, and I just had to share some of Sydnie's latest "sick quotes," because they are just too funny! The other day, she was sniffling and I asked her if her nose was running. She answered, "No Mommy, my nose isn't running...it stay right here on my face!" 
amazed! No complete sentences, yet, but he's sure trying to keep up with Syd! He can repeat, in some form, almost anything you ask him to say. He loves his sister, "NiNee," and can say "doggy," "Nana,""Bubba,"(grandpa) "thank you," "please," "blankie," "drink," "what?" "look!" and many other little words. One of my favorite new trends is that when he wakes up in the morning, or from a nap, he YELLS, "Daddy!" over and over and over. Don loves it and has now been suckered into getting up with Kade in the morning every day ;) Our kids are amazing, and most of all....they just make us smile because they love each other so much! Sure love you guys!
There was barely time to take that much needed vacation nap! No regrets, though! We loved the time spent there and loved spending time with great friends and each other. We also feel so blessed to have the priceless support of family and friends that helped take care of our munchkins while we were gone! We wish we could have taken you all with us! And thanks, hon, for the great trip! I'm so proud of you...and it definitely makes up for all those late work nights ;)
Sunday we enjoyed the time together as a family and the sweet little lessons learned. The kids looked so perfect all dressed up in their new Easter digs. Sydnie picked out her own dress this year. We walked into the store and she ran straight to this pink dress and threw her arms around it saying, "Mom! I love this pink dress! It is my most favoritist dress in the whole world!" I had lost the battle at that moment. No amount of polka dots, paisleys or pastels were going to distract that girl from her "most favoritist dress ever." I soon gave in, and Syd was a vision in cotton candy pink--she "loooooves pink!" I tried to dress Kade to match--but Don strongly opposed the matching pink coordinates I had picked out. Oh well! Maybe next year she'll pick something more "brother compatible."
I just happened to have shot these cute pics of the kiddos with their Grandpas this last week. Both of these kids love both of their Grandpas. They get soooo excited to see them, play with them, sit with them....even if it does involve arm hair being pulled or appendages sticking out of tiny playhouses, they're great sports! Love you both! Thanks for being there...and being willing ;)
We celebrated our Nana's birthday this week! We went out to the "fire restaurant" (as Sydnie calls it) and spent some great time with one of our favorite people. We love you, Nana, and are so grateful for all you do for us! Hugs and kisses from your little munchkins...and Syd & Kade, too. ;)
After a long, hard battle, our princess finally decided to potty train herself! After her success last month, we decided that as her big reward for making such a great choice, she wanted to go and see the princesses. Tonight was our night! We spent the day doing nails, fixing her hairdo and dressing her up in her Snow White costume--all ready to
celebrate in style! It was a "Mommy, Daddy, Sydnie date," and so little brother stayed at home. We enjoyed a quick dinner at Market Street where she got plenty of attention and loved her ice cream--and then we were off to the show! I think she was pretty overwhelmed at first. H
undreds of little girls...all dressed to impress...music, photos, stands selling all kinds of plastic wonders, blinking tiaras and flying Tinkerbells. A lot for a first timer. However, the moment we sat down with our Kettle Corn and Mickey and Minnie popped out--she was back in her element. The show was great, and she loved every minute of it! It was surprisingly spectacular with fireworks, large scale cast numbers and great costumes! Her favorite parts were Snow White, of course, and sharing the Ariel sno-cone with Dad ;) Most of all, it was so great
spending some sweet time with Syd. She is such an amazing little girl! However, if you make the mistake of calling her a princess, she will actually correct you and remind you that she is just a little girl. A little girl full of a lot of love and dreams that never end.....love you Syd!
