Sydney's Birthday and a New School Year (4.75 years and 3 years old)

Sydney wanted a Dora party for her birthday.  She loves Dora the Explorer.  I found some invitations that I liked online.  Brian told me that he could make a cute one for her and, sure enough, he did.  We used our movie screen and had her running across it so he could cut her out and place her in the background.  Sydney loved being dressed up as Dora.

We thought the best place for her party would be at the Little Gym.  They do a great job with parties.  It was challenging this year because she was in between rooms at school.  We had to invite two classrooms.  It's difficult that her birthday is right at the beginning of the school year too.  All the transitions happened after her party but before her birthday.  I feel bad that she has an August birthday.  We are going to have a tough decision on when to start her in school too!

Sydney loved her birthday party at the Little Gym.  We paid extra to have it Dora themed for her too.  She enjoyed it.  Her friends had fun too.  Sydney could remember Austin's party.  She could not wait for the party to be all about her for once.  She doesn't remember her second birthday.  Hopefully she will remember this one.

She got a lot of cool toys too.  Several princess pajamas, princess shoes, and dress up accessories.  Sydney wore kids high heels around the house all night.  She got the game candyland. Sydney and Austin love playing it!  She got some crafts and play-doh too.  I am always amazed at what cool gifts the kids get for their birthdays.  She really had a fabulous day!

On her birthday, it was unseasonably cool.  It was rainy and cool.  I took them to the Science Center in the morning to play.  They really liked it!  They watched a bubble show and learned all about bubbles.  Then we came home and took a nap.

After nap, my parents came over for a little party for her.  I made dinner and they had an ice cream cake.  She got her first cabbage patch doll.  I loved my cabbage patch dolls growing up.  Those were my favorite toys.  We got her a Dora doctor kit and a my little pony.  She likes her pony and brushing her hair.

The day after her birthday the kids started the school year.  They go all year around, but right now they are moving up into new classes and starting the school year.  Sydney is officially in preschool now and Austin is in pre-kindergarten.  It's hard for me to believe that next year Austin will be in kindergarten.  I am really sad about that.

Every morning I work, Brian takes the kids to school while I go to work early.  Then I pick them up.  Often on Fridays we both pick them up.  Brian or I will get the kids up initially and situated downstairs.  They usually get a bowl of cereal on the couch and will want to watch their Kindle.  I leave for work around the time they are getting up.  I will often get them dressed.  From there, Brian will get them breakfast.  He showers and eats breakfast too while the kids are eating.  Then he tells them its time to go brush their teeth (and they usually ask for more food to try to buy more time).  Sometimes he'll make them frozen pancakes or cream of wheat too upon request.  After they brush their teeth, they race outside to play.  Both kids jump on their bikes and pedal up and down the driveway a few times.  Brian loads the car and then they ride their bikes in to the garage and get in.  All summer, Sydney has been riding a big girl bike just like Austin with training wheels.  She's very good at it.  She's never fallen off yet, although she's had to catch herself a few times.

Once at school, Brian unbuckles the kids and gets them out.  They each carry their own backpack and lunch and walk in the school.  Brian takes Sydney to her room first.  She gets her heatable (the part of her lunch that needs warmed up) and puts it in the bin.  Then Sydney gives daddy and Austin a hug.  Sometimes Sydney will run to hug Brian and want to knock him over in the process.  He plays along and will fall to the ground.  Sydney and Austin sometimes play and chase each other a little, but eventually give each other big hugs.  Sometimes Austin will pick Sydney up as he hugs her.  She seems to like it.

Once Sydney is dropped off, Brian takes Austin to his room.  Again they get their heatable and put their things in their cubby.  Then Austin gives Brian a hug.  For a long time, Austin would demand a super huggy.  Sometimes Sydney would too.  This is where Brian sits on the floor with the kids in his lap.  They put their knees to their chest with their arms around them (canon ball style).  Then he wraps his arms around them and hugs them while he shakes them back and forth and yells "Super Huggy!".  They laugh and want him to do it again.  All summer, the kids asked Brian to do this.  After Austin's super huggy, he always opens the door for Brian and tells him which way to go.  He's either told to go left or right (the direct or indirect way back to the front of the school).  Austin often says "And don't forget to pick me up" too.  It's a fun ritual and Brian typed most of this.  It changes over time.  It wasn't long ago that the kids were helping Brian load Sydney's milk in the fridge in the baby room before school.  Now their getting so big and independent and often even are greeted by friends who already want to talk and play with them!

The preschool years have been so much fun!  I'm so lucky I can be home with them several days a week.  It's difficult at times, but so worth it.  However I do believe by next year, Austin is going to be ready for kindergarten.  He has grown so much socially that it will probably be really good for him to start school.

Brian has been working on installing a tankless water heater.  It's not been a simple task.  He has run so many different pipes (new PVC venting, new water lines, new gas lines).  It has been so time consuming for him.  Hopefully just a few more weeks and it will be done.

As fall is approaching, Brian pressure washed the swing set so I can stain it again.  It's been 2 years since we stained it.  The kids love the swing set and we want it to last so we have to do it even though we really don't have time for it.  I am hoping it won't be too bad but I am sure it could be.  My dad said he'll help me which is nice.  I just need the weather to cooperate so we can get it done!