Friend Party

On Saturday, we had a few of Sydney's friends over for a party. Guests were the Ghos, Stephens, Babcocks, Darbys and Auntie Liz! For a few weeks prior, I had been asking Sydney was she wanted to do for her birthday and the most consistent answers were Mickey Mouse stuff, color, dance, open presents, and eat cake. So as her guests arrived, we let them all color Mickey Mouse pictures. Then we did a dancing game to the "Hot Dog Dance," decorated Mickey sugar cookies, had a little treasure hunt to find "Mickey's" treats, and then had cupcakes. Sydney's favorite was the treasure hunt. She loves exploring and looking for things. She really enjoyed having her friends over and was sad to see them leave so soon. She wanted someone to play with her presents with afterwards. Maybe we'll try to do something like that next year. It is fun to see her start to prefer other kids and learn to play better with her friends.

  

Sydney's Birthday

Last Wednesday was Sydney's 3rd birthday. Rural Cap Weatherization was still here working on our house, so after helping me make her birthday cake, we headed over to Spring party a friend was having. Daddy surprised us by coming home early from work though, so we soon came back home. He'd brought her some birthday balloons, one even sang "Happy Birthday, and she loved that. After eating lunch and having quiet time, Sydney chose to go swimming. It was Wynn's first swimming excursion and I was really surprised how long he lasted. He stayed in the water for about 45 minutes. Sydney had a ball playing in the water since it had been a few months since we've been swimming. Then we headed to McDonald's for dinner - Sydney's choice. Finally, we frosted and decorated her cake, ate it, and then opened her presents. There was just enough time to play with a few before bed and overall, I think she had a good day :D. At three years old, her newest feats are riding a tricycle, swinging by herself, tracing letters, playing board games, naming several words that start with the same letter, and getting herself dressed and undressed. We love to watch her grow! She really refused to look at the camera and smile all day, so this is the best I have :/, but better to come at her friend party..

Budding Friendship

Wynn has been laughing for a week or two now but I can only get one or two out of him at a time. This afternoon, Sydney wanted to play a game before nap and we decided on "Motor Boat." He laughed more than ever watching Sydney run around. I think we found his first favorite game. Sydney loved that he laughed and laughed at her. By the time I thought to get my camera out his giddiness had died down significantly, but you still get the idea. I think Sydney is starting to realize what fun having a brother will be as he gets older and can play. Wynn watches Sydney wherever she goes and instantly calms down if he is fussing and she goes to talk to him. I think we're just seeing the beginning of what's to come.

Bowling

The truth is I really don't like bowling, but a few weeks ago Sydney attended a little boy's birthday party and he had a bowling set. She LOVED it. So last Saturday we went down to the local bowling alley and let her try the real thing. She loved that too. The first half of the game we didn't use the ramp, but she had a hard time getting the ball going fast enough to get to the end so the ramp helped. I won my first bowling game ever. I think it was because I was less stressed about it. Andy knows how much I dislike bowling because people have unsuccessfully tried to teach me so many times. He didn't try to give me any advice and I actually did alright even without bumpers :D. Maybe we'll try it again sometime.