Sydney is 5

Holy moly... where did the time go?  It seems like yesterday she was a baby and now she is an independent 5 year old.  Sweet, kind, caring, sensitive and gentle is how I would describe our Syd Syd.  She is a people-pleaser and loves to see people happy!  She is the BEST big sister and would do anything for Cole.  I love being around her and enjoy her perspective on life.  I wish more people were like her - the world would be a better place.

Table waiting for her 

Streamers

Elsa and Anna 

We had  Uncle Mark, Nani & Poppa, Brian & Hollie & the Ducotes over to celebrate Sydney

Opening presents in her tiara! Ha!

Sweet Julia is the only one who would look at the camera

We walked/biked to the ferry landing beach to burn off some energy before dinner.  Trying to get a decent pics of the cousins was challenging, to say the least

Then we played in the water for awhile... 

Poppa getting the kiddos

Back to the house for dinner and cake!

The next morning she was up and already into her presents... 

She's 5!!!

The Monday after her birthday daddy took off and the two of them had a special day at Knotts Berry Farm.  She won a hello kitty playing arcade games and then wanted to bring Cole home something so talked daddy into winning a batman for him.  

Riding rides

Happy Birthday, Sweet girl.  We love you. 

July

Trying to get caught up... here are some pictures from July:

We spent an afternoon at Sea World - I know it is so controversial but we LOVE it there. 

Momma and Syd Syd

She asked me to take her picture and send it to Aunt Hollie because she thought her hair was just like Hollie's!

And then she asked me to take this picture so she could remember this stuffed animal we wouldn't buy her - ha!

We rode bikes to the playgound by the beach one afternoon and the kids saw these doggie poop bags - they asked for one and then started picking up trash.  Unprompted.  

Swimming at Nani & Poppa's pool- these kiddos have made SO much progress this summer it is amazing.  In June Cole wouldn't even put his head under water.  Now, he is doing cannonballs and swimming underwater. 

He kept telling me he was NOT tired and didnot need a nap - ha!

They asked to change into their swimsuits at 7:30a when the sprinklers came on and I said YES!  They were so happy. 

Silly kids!

Sesame Street Show Live at Uncle Brian's work

Picture by Syd - Momma and Cole at the zoo

Beach days

Painting their canvas for Ms. Ashleigh (my good friend/old roommate moved back to Iowa in July :( but before she left she had her friends (and their kiddos) paint a canvas for her new place.  T

Carousel rides at the safari park

Playground at the waterfront park downtown

We rode the ferry over one morning to go to the playground/water area by the county admin building.  I had two dresses for Sydney but forgot to pack a change of clothes for Cole.  Sydney said, "it's ok mom, he can wear my dress!  I don't need 2!"  I asked Cole if he wanted to wear Sydney's dress or sit in the stroller with a towel - he chose the dress and was SO happy. 

Sydney passed her swim test at the pool meaning she can swim without an adult within an arms reach of her.  She had to swim 25m and tread water for 1 minute..  It's amazing what the body can do when you put your mind to it.  She was motivated by the bracelet and did it. 

More sprinkler play

Sydney and her friend Greyson - they both say they are going to get married one day.  

Greyson's mom knew one of the lifeguards at the beach so he invited the 4 moms at the beach and all of our kids to check out the lifeguard tower. 

Looking through the binoculars

This picture doesn't do it justice but this was such a perfect night - we ordered pizza to go and sat on a bench right by the Del.  We ate, there was live music from an event going on at the beach on the Del ,and the kiddos just ran around in the sand.  So nice!