Sydney is 3 1/2!!

Our little Piddy is officially 3.5 years old!  She thoroughly enjoyed her half-birthday and kept asking when we would get cake (sadly, we never did).  She did have a super fun day though: first was her thanksgiving program at school where she sang her heart out (see videos below).  Then we had lunch with Millie at school, which Syd has never gotten to do before.  Followed by nap (she loves to nap), park time with Cayden and Beckham, then we took the Fab Four out to eat.  It was a pretty killer day, and Syd loved saying "I get to pick because it's my half-birthday".  Love this pic of the girls. <3

You'd think they were siblings most of the time...

It's been fun to see their growth progression side-by-side.  Syd has grown 2 inches since May!  Millie was a full inch taller than Syd at 3.5 yrs old!

Syd's favorite things these days: coloring, singing and dancing, playing with Millie, Little Gym, cheese sticks, lunchables picnics while watching Super Why, snapchat faces, twirly dresses, jewelry, shoes, preschool, gum, walking around with backpacks full of stuff, carrying around a baby doll.  Every morning we listen to the girls' music and sing along on the way to school - current faves: Walk the Moon's Shut Up and Dance with Me, Meghan Trainor's Better When I'm Dancing, Shakira's Try Everything, DNCE's Toothbrush (because it says underwear and they giggle so hard), Annie's It's a Hard Knock Life, Fitz & the Tantrums' Handclap.

Photo cred: Amber Lanning Photography

Contrary is the best word to describe her at the moment.  She's extremely stubborn, and MUST pick out her clothes and shoes every day.  We usually argue about whether it's weather appropriate.  Thankfully she runs hot.  She tells me how she wants her hair  - usually just a braid (never a ponytail for Little Gym because she can't do somersaults).  She orders me around like the little boss she is.  I try to stand my ground, but as JKK points out, I often cave after a few No's.  It's a vicious cycle.  I didn't even realize I was doing it.  I'm tired...tired of the whining and the poopy pants.  Still battling some potty training issues, which would wear any parent down.  But we have a million good moments every day, so I can't complain.  She's very silly.  She makes me laugh and I love to squeeze her.  She's just so squeezable. Wish she would eat more vegetables but thankful she eats such a wide variety of things.  She's my little errand buddy, and I can't imagine the day when she'll actually be in school full-time also.  Will make me so sad.  I'm very much enjoying our one-on-one time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays this year.  Her teacher, Mrs. Kim, brags on her every week how she's the best helper and listener.  I think there is some real truth in how the kids keep it together away from home, but when they are reunited with mom, they just let go.  Emotion overload.  She usually has a strange meltdown when I pick her up from school.  Guess she just needs to get it out of her system!  It's hard to be three.  

Ohhhh, the Thanksgiving Program.  This was Syd's first public performance, and I had no idea what to expect.  I knew her favorite part of school was the "singing and dancing" at chapel, but her commitment really took me by surprise.  I was smiling ear-to-ear watching her get after it.  Two quick videos:
Video 1: Thanksgiving program
Video 2: Thanksgiving program continued

Syd has been very aware that she's still in a crib.  She's been saying that Santa is going to bring her a big girl bed.  So to stall that decision, we took off the front of her crib and converted it to a toddler bed.  Syd loves it!  She's been staying in it too, for both naps and at night.  The first morning she slept in it, she came down in the morning to JKK and I in the kitchen.  It was the cutest thing ever.  She was just all of a sudden there...and we were hugging her and telling her what a good job she did!

She has fallen out a few times.  The first night I had to go pick her up because she fell back asleep on the floor. ;)  Good thing it's not a big drop.

We love you, Syd!  Love your strong will and sassiness.  Love your chubby cheeks and precious blonde curls.  Love your twinkletoes and girly nature.  Love how your little hand is always searching for mine.  Love your goodbye/goodnight kisses.  Love how much you love me.  I love you back so so much.