Sydney's Birthday

All Syd Syd wanted for her birthday was a pink cake and balloons!  So, we made it happen!

Streamers waiting for her outside her door and 2 dozen balloons blown up!

Cracking the eggs for her cake

Stirring

Daddy helping make the cake PINK

One final stir before baking it!

On Sunday, August 4th (we pretended it was her birthday one day early) we headed to the zoo in the morning. 

Checking out the camels with daddy and Uncle Mark

So pretty

She loved the camels!

Running to see the elephants

Nani & Syd

These guys were SO close!!!

Polar Bear photobomb!

Syd and the gorillas

After lunch and naps, we continued celebrating by skyping with family. 

And wearing crazy party hats

Saying hi to Mimi & Jawg

Then it was pool time:

Swimming with Poppa

And practicing going under

Jumping to daddy

Silly Poppa

We're trying to teach her to swim with her mouth closer.  Still needs some work...

Bubba and Hollie came up for the afternoon and dinner!

Opening presents!

Singing happy birthday to Syd Syd.  She got an Elmo cupcake to go along with her pink cake

She LOVED the cake!!  The first thing she asked for the next morning was more Elmo cake please :) 

Happy Birthday, little one.  We love you. 

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Syd Syd!

And the following set of photos is what happens when you try to take a picture of a two year old...

- She is the sweetest!  

- She is able to count to 10 (sometimes skips 7 and 8 though)

- She can sing her A, B, C's!

- She genuinely LOVES Cole.  He is the first thing she asks about when she wakes up and will go give him kisses throughout the day.

- She loves books, bubbles and coloring and is fantastic at independent play. 

- She refers to herself as Syd Syd

- She sleeps from 7:30p - 6:30/7a with a 1.5-2 hour nap

- She wants to help with everything..."Syd Syd try..."

- Her happiest part of the day is when Daddy walks through the door from work.

- So thoughtful of others - always asking if you're ok, careful when walking around Cali dog, etc.

- Such a great eater, when she's hungry!  Loves cheese, meats and carbs but also scarfs down salmon, broccoli and quinoa once a week!

- She tests us.  If she knows she shouldn't do something, she will ask (usually while she is doing it) if it's ok.

Can't believe our baby girl is 2!  We love you sweet Syd Syd.  

Life in San Diego

We are so fortunate to have Nani and Poppa living in San Diego.  They have made this move SO easy for all of us and have graciously opened up their empty nester home and transformed it into a safe and fun environment for the kiddos.   We are trying our best to get into some sort of routine since we have been back from the East coast. 

Sydney helping Nani brush Cali

Hello Kitty cup - check.  

Tutu - check.  

Etch a sketch - check.  

Lei around waist - check.  

Poppas shoes - check.  

Saturday morning chores with Poppa.  Gotta earn our keep!

Reading the newspaper

Syd Syd and Cali

Sydney coloring with "bear"

LCDR Sydney

I walked into her room after she was quiet for a few minutes to see her sitting in this tiny cradle with her pacifier.  Ha!

Sydney has started going to a gymboree class a few times a week.

Nani and Cole hanging out at gymboree

Bubba played a softball game at the high school down the street from the house so we walked down one night to cheer him on.  Daddy and Sydney were running around during inning breaks. 

Go Bubba!!!

We went to a movie in the park (but left before the movie began!) last weekend.  Sydney LOVED the bounce house and had it to herself for quite some time. 

Bubbles!

Talking a break while walking to the playground

Look who's sitting up all by himself!!

Pedicures!

We meet a playgroup every Wednesday at the park.  Sydney LOVES riding this zebra

 

Clean boy!

Helping with the laundry

Kiddos!

We FINALLY got our "express" shipment from Hawaii last week.  Sydney was happy to have her water table back

Swinging at the park

Cole's first time in the swing! 

He LOVED it

 

Playing in the backyard...wearing a lifevest :) 

First time trying cereal

He didn't know what to do with it at first but quickly learned.  I think this boy is going to like food!!!

:)

Cole Scooting

Quick video of Cole scooting across the floor today!