Sydney is (gulp) NINE!

Everyday I'm reminded that I'm getting old. By my children, usually, who point out how many years I am. But yesterday, they didn't have to say a word to make me feel ancient.

Sydney turned 9.

I could write volumes of cliche fluff about how much I love her and how the time has flown. But I won't. I'm morally opposed to cliche fluff.

Sydney is beautiful. She has a caring, outgoing, people-oriented spirit. She loves Jesus, music, horses, fashion, Hannah Montana, and High School Musical--1 and 2. Don't get me wrong--she's not perfect, but I wouldn't trade her. Despite what she sometimes thinks. :)

I think she had a nice birthday and felt special. For our family outing, we went with Jeanne to see some Christmas light displays. Syd's treat was getting to walk around the block with Jeanne by herself while I stayed in the van with the boys.

Happy birthday, Sydney! I don't mind getting older if it means watching you grow up. :)


My feeble attempt at a violet electric guitar. We took this cake to PWOC to share with the homeschool class last Wednesday.


Syd loved her new American Girl beauty products & tote bag!


For her 'real' birthday cake, Syd wanted a pink acoustic guitar. Behind the cake is the paint-by-number plaster model horse she received.


Syd carefully painted the appaloosa model.


I'm not sure the facial expression truly reveals how Syd felt about receiving these nesting dolls from the Czech.

Staying Busy

We've managed to keep busy around here. Last weekend was our chapel's production of The Great Late Potentate. Sydney was in the choir, and I helped the directors with odd jobs and discipline. Apparently I'm really good at putting kids in their place. I sang with the choir on Sunday morning, but Sunday night I was able to sit in the audience and get a few pictures. I'm very proud of all the kids--they worked hard and did a great job. And Sydney, who can be very shy despite what others might believe, overcame her fear of being in front of an audience. She even smiled as she sang!

Back home, we're trying to accomplish some Christmas projects. Just little things to keep the kids entertained. Yesterday we made foam stockings. Eventually we'll do some stamp art and put together foam wreaths. We did assemble our gingerbread Christmas tree, but Brady has eaten all the decorations. I'll have to find 'before' and 'after' pictures.

Barry's doing well in Korea. His schedule's been hectic, but the guys are working half-days this week. I guess their afternoons are full of 'mandatory fun.' Really. They schedule activities the soldiers may or may not want to participate in, then make them. It's not all bad--just kind of a pain when he might have an extra hour to talk to the kids before bedtime but has to be at the bowling alley or something. I don't think he's updated his website recently, but I know he's thankful for all the goodies sent his way. His schedule's been so crazy lately that if he hadn't received snack food from all of us, he wouldn't have had anything to eat! Thanks for all your prayers and care packages!

To quote Bryan: "Mewrry Chwistmas to all, and to all 'night!"


Getting the cast of The Great Late Potentate together for a group picture was, um, challenging.


Justin (our neighbor) and Sydney sang with much gusto!



Sydney was all business during craft time--at least when the camera came out.


Bryan loved playing with the stickers--and the glitter.


Even though Bryce was feeling sick, he thought making a foam stocking was fun.


Brady liked taking the stickers on and off of his stocking.

Happy Birthday, Brady!

Finally, a few highlights from Brady's second birthday (November 29)!

For his birthday, he received the Polar Express train sets, the Cars Spiral Speedway, TMX Elmo, several characters from Cars, and a Mickey Mouse airplane. Perfect for a little boy who loves things that go! I made him a Lightning McQueen birthday cake, which he loved.

On the kids' birthdays, we try to do something special. Bryce went go-carting with Daddy, and Bryan visited the fire station. Since Brady's great-grandparents all sent him money, I chose to take the kids to the zoo. They had so much fun, and they behaved very well. The zoo's being practically empty didn't hurt, either!

So happy late birthday, Brady! We love you!


I love this face!


The Polar Express sets in all their glory!


The kids manage to sit still long enough at the zoo for one group picture.


Our edible Lightning McQueen.


Brady always claps for himself when others clap for him. I think it's cute.


Brady shares his spiral speedway with Bryan, who had to keep reminding himself, "It's Baby's toy."


"Look, Mama! Look!" Brady is so proud of himself for lining up all of his Cars characters, much like I'm told his daddy did when he was little. (The band-aid is one of Bryan's Sponge Bob band-aids from his IV incident--Brady just wanted to wear one.)


"Wee!" McQueen races The King to the bottom of the speedway saying, "Speed? I am speed!"

Poor, injured children

The day after the snow was a little dramatic in our house. Bryan woke up screaming that his tummy hurt, and when I looked at this belly, I knew why. The poor boy was retracting, fighting for each breath he took. So I took the other kids to a friend's house (who doesn't hate me for calling at 6:30 a.m.) and took Bryan to the ER. The doctors ordered an IV (lots of fun), blood work, chest x-rays, steroids, and breathing treatments. So the 'gray doc-tor' was mean (the nurse who started the IV), and the 'green doc-tor' was nice (the intern who came to listen to Bryan's chest). When the intern left, Bryan yelled, "Bye, fireman doc-tor man!" That's a huge compliment from this boy! After everything was done, another nurse came in to remove the IV. Bryan screamed at her! But as soon as the IV was out, he was all smiles. "Thank you," he told her. Then he insisted he get band-aids and a purple lollipop. So ended that drama.

That night, Bryce was trying to steal some of the lollipops I'd purchased. I'd promised Bryan, but with 3 other kids, I decided a bag of candy was better. I'd hidden the lollipops in a jar on a top shelf. Bryce successfully snuck the lollipop out of the kitchen (no, I didn't know), then tripped over his feet as he made his getaway. When I got to him, his lip was bleeding and quite swollen. "I'm sorry! I'll never steal a lollipop again!" he cried over and over and over. Wow. That has to be one of the first times I've not had to 'lecture' about why something bad happened. His lip was normal by Friday, which was good since we had our Christmas pictures taken that day.

Bryan giving himself a breathing treatment at home.





Bryce smiling as best he can.

Memories

Syd models her mini-snowman while Brady tries to figure out what all the fuss is about.


This is Barry's favorite Christmas decoration--a spinning Christmas tree.


Syd & Bryce pose in front of our living room tree with a couple early presents.