Summertime

We've been doing a lot (and I mean A. LOT.) of swimming.  Sam discovered goggles this summer, and now it is impossible to go near the water without them.  He's been practicing without his lifejacket a bit, and he's doing great.  It's hard to find that balance between teaching him to respect the water without instilling fear.

 

 

Sydney got ahold of The Bear. Honestly, she doesn't play with dolls or stuffed animals that much yet. But she grabs Sam's sacred Pooh every chance she gets.  As you can probably imagine, he really doesn't appreciate it very much.

 

 

I came up with a $2 pool noodle storage. A laundry basket from Dollar Tree and a couple of zip ties. I just cut out the bottom of the basket. Very Pinterest-worthy, if I do say so myself. 

 

 

Sam went to Bible School. This was supposed to be a relay race where they used water gums to spray shaving cream off of some balloons. Watching the teacher try to explain the concept of a relay race to a bunch of 4 year olds was highly entertaining.  It was basically a free-for-all.  But it involved water, so Sam loved it.

 

 

Since they didn't have a class for Sydney's age group, she hung out with Daddy while Sam and I went to church. Usually when we divide kids, Sam goes with Shawn and Sydney stays with me. But I think Shawn enjoyed a little bonding time with his girl. 

 

 

But the coolest thing our Bible school this time was the last night.  We had a man come and give a presentation about different types of animals.  He brought a few animals with him, and he talked about how God made each of them unique, just like he made all of us unique.  It was a wonderful presentation, and he even let the kids pet his boa constrictor after the presentation.  I asked Sam if he wanted to pet the snake, and he didn't even hesitate.  Such a brave guy.

 

 

We've been playing outside a lot.  Sydney loves to drawn with the sidewalk chalk...

 

 

...and Sam does too.

 

 

These feet...  I mean, are they not ADORABLE?!

 

 

Sam has been learning to ride a bike.  He's doing really well; I think all of that swimming he's been doing has been helping to make his legs stronger, too.  He has to stop every so often and honk his horn...just for good measure.  He's turning into such a little boy.

Dear Sydney,

You turned two a few days ago.  I'm a little behind in writing this letter because, well...life happens.  I don't want to go into it right now because this letter is about you, but the days immediately following your birthday were...eventful. 

You are so much fun right now.  I kinda feel like that's a generic thing I say in all of my letters, but it's always true.  You and your brother are just fun.  We delight in you.  You, baby girl, have a light in you that refuses to be hidden.  I hope you always let it shine. 

Your appetite is still healthy.  You will eat most things, and no meal is complete without some ketchup to "dip-dip."  A few months ago, Daddy and I started fixing you yogurt smoothies with milk to trick you into drinking milk.  You went for it for a while, but before long you were onto our sneaky games.  And now you refuse to drink the yogurt smoothies too.  Sometimes you will sneak off with Brother's chocolate milk, but after a couple of sips you realize your mistake and you will throw it down, vehemently proclaiming, "I 'on't yike it, milk."  You still eat yogurt, but you really prefer to eat it with chips so you can dip them in it.  We've settled for giving you calcium gummies, and you love them so I'm okay with it. 

You love playing "outsideporch."  I'm not sure how, but somehow going outside turned into "outsideporch" and you get most offended if we let Molly out and don't let you accompany her.  You love to beat a path down the sidewalk.  Every now and then you'll turn and look at me, shake your finger at me, and in a sing-song voice say, "Ah-ah-aaaaahhh."  Almost like you KNOW I'm going to tell you that you've gone too far. 

I think you're turning into a blankie girl.  I have to admit, I've been a little bit sad that you haven't really needed a lovie or anything.  You never really attached yourself to a particular stuffed animal (although you do love to torment your brother by running off with his Pooh).  But lately, you've started wanting one of your baby blankets when you're tired or upset.  It's this thin, gauzy material, and there is a hole in it where I think Molly chewed on it.  You are very particular in how it covers you.  It has to be completely flat with no wrinkles.  But as soon as you wake up in the morning, blankie is the first thing to sail out of the crib. 

You are all about Mickey Mouse right now.  I mean, you are obsessed.  I love watching you dance the hot dog dance.  You have got some serious moves.  In fact, you love to sing and dance in general.  At night, we sit in your room and rock, and if you're having a hard time getting sleepy, we'll sing for a while.  You will usually tell me which song to sing:  "Go song" for the song from Frozen, "Dog" for the Hot Dog song, "B-B-B" for the ABC's.  If I guess wrong or if you just decide halfway through that you don't like it, you'll grab my face, put your nose on mine and say, "No!"  But if I do it to your liking, you reward me with a big smile and you sing with me. 

We have another nighttime routine where we have to call role and tell everyone night-night.  While we rock you'll ask, "Where'd Daddy go?" and I'll say, "Daddy went night-night.  Night-night, Daddy."  Then we repeat the whole process with Brother, Momo, Elmo, Mickey, Kitty, and anyone else who comes to mind. 

You have really enjoyed the pool this summer.  You're getting more and more brave.  You love to stand on the steps and yell, "Fee, two, b'astoff!" and jump into my arms.  You also love to ride the noodle-horses and race with Daddy and Brother.  But I think your most favorite thing to do is to just play in the little plastic baby pool with Momo. 

My Sydney-girl, I love how you'll reach up and pat my face when we're rocking.  I love how you watch your brother with your eyes that miss NOTHING and you try to mimic everything he does.  I love hearing you count your toys, "Eight, H, Two!"  I love how you will dig through my purse to find my hand lotion and you insist on putting some on.  But most of all, I love that you are my little girl.  I'm looking forward to all of the pedicures, shoe-shopping expeditions and girl-food lunches we'll have together.  And if none of that is your thing, that will be fine.  We'll go rock-climbing or do whatever it is that you do.  I can't wait to see who you become.

I love you forever,
Mommy