Memorial Day Family Time

This Memorial Day weekend we took a little road trip to Meramec, Missouri!!

Met up with this handsome bunch - Mike, Kathy, Coco, and respective fams <3

Coco was the sweetest to bring Syd bday donuts...the real way to a gal's heart (at least Syd's)

After a ton of rain, our plans to visit the caves and hiking trails at the Meramec State Park were cancelled, so we headed into St. Louis to the zoo

Big Mistake.  Big.  Huge.

Several of us were stranded at the zoo with a meltdown, nap-needing Syd...while the rest of us drove around looking for a spot to park the RV.

Reunited with the bus!  Phew!

TGFP.  We love Imo's.

Quick naps.

Then back to the cabins.  Siblings!

Cousins! (Minus a napping Dan and a working Beth)

Loved spending time with Aunt Kathy

The Wilson men

My man

Lots of scootering this weekend.  Syd is so thrilled to have her own.  I just love it!

The girls love every minute spent outdoors.  Even though the rain put a damper in our plans, they didn't know the difference.  We were all just happy for the chance to see everyone and eat M&Ms and play board games and catch a couple of hugs before heading back to our home states.  Until next time, gang...

Little Gym Show Week

This is it for Syd and The Little Gym (except for holiday camps).  She'll be moving to the big girls' gymnastics place soon, where Millie goes!  Can't wait to see her in a leotard!  We have adored TLG and I'm so thankful for these people the past 4 years that have allowed this SAHM an outing at least once a week.  Admittedly, lately it has felt more like a chore because we have a lot going on these days.  But when the girls were much smaller, it was a savior and something we looked forward to each week.  Everyone there still jokes that they didn't know what Syd looked like until she was a year old because she slept in the Ergo carrier every time we went that first year of her life.  It's the first place Millie crawled and where the girls learned to do somersaults and jump off of stuff!  We had a very special 2 year old bday party for Millie there, which was one of the last few times we got good Bubba time.  Truly, the end of an era.

Video: Syd can somersault!

Syd loves to catapult herself off the balance beam

Thanks for the memories, Little Gym!

Last week of school and swim

Last week was packed!  It was Millie's last week of school and of course she had theme days.  Tuesday was her party for summer birthdays and they could dress up like princesses or superheros.  She insisted on wearing heels and then complained later when I picked her up.  Welcome to life as a woman, Mills!

wait for it...

 Very last day of preschool...ever!

This kind of milestone calls for "real" camera use.  I love this shot of Mills <3

Syd wanted in on the action too.  Sweetness

sisters

Her besties from her class at a bday party

Last week was also the end of swim lessons.  Millie is all set!  No floaties this summer.  I'm amazed at her progress.  It was so fun to watch her conquer this.  She can swim the length of the pool and back!  She learned some other styles of swim too...backstroke and side crawl.  Her teacher said she needs to be in a swim program...she could be really good at this!  

Syd is another story.  Yes, she made progress, but she wouldn't be quiet long enough to let the instructions sink in.  She griped and whined and pleaded the whole time.  "let me out, where's my mommy, i don't like this, don't make me do that again, stop".  I'm not convinced that she's safe at the pool this year, so I'm trying to decide for or against floaties.  Safety first, but the puddle jumpers create bad habits.  We'll see how it goes once we get in our neighborhood pool.

I'll miss seeing her in her swimsuit everyday ;)

I don't mean to make it sound as if she learned nothing...she can starfish float and swim under water for a bit!  I know she can do it...if she'd just shut up for a minute ;)

Milestone alert:  Millie's first REAL concert.  A group of us took our big girls to the Ellie Goulding concert last week.  It was sort of awesome.

So fun to watch Millie with her little friends, acting way too grown up!  She shocked me by starting the dance party on the lawn!  I thought she'd be all shy and sit back to observe, like she normally does in crowds.  Nope.  She went for it.  I'm so glad!  People behind us were cracking up at the girls.  Video: Millie's moves

It was a pretty special night for us.  We stayed as late as we could, but Mills was falling asleep, so we headed home at 9.  She had a great time.  Worth it.

We woke up the next morning to a Midge visit!  First stop: Farmer's Market

Someone was feeling fancy

Pretty great weekend of Midge time, playing outside, drinks on the veranda, and even a chips place visit!  And lots of sidewalk chalk time...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sydney!

From this...

...to this, in three short years!

On Millie's 3rd birthday, we started the tradition of eating cake for breakfast.  Syd was thrilled!

Our favorite Momofuku Milk Bar birthday cake, with some extra pizazz (Syd requested a purple cake!)

Officially 3 and almost 5!

This was the absolute BEST day.  Syd woke up super excited and stayed in the best mood all day!  The entire household was jolly that day.  It was so fun to watch her have a special day and enjoy it.

nom

When daddy got home from work, she got her present...

A super cool kitty cat helmet and a purple scooter of her very own!  She was thrilled!!

We have cracked up at her non-stop...every time she rides, she gives it some extra flair.  Twinkletoes, indeed.

Syd's current favorite things: Video: Baby Beluga

chewing gum, baby dolls, barbies, playing outside, scootering, camping, playgrounds, following Millie around, wearing dresses (will NOT allow pants or shorts because they don't twirl), shoes (all of them), wearing a braid in her hair, accessories, treats (all of them), scooby doo, hot dogs/corndogs, wearing sunglasses, Walter the Farting Dog book, toddler time at the library, iPad games, roasted marshmallows, princess pajama dresses, singing (baby beluga or bringing home my baby bumblebee), cheese sticks, swinging like a big girl (no more baby swing seat), routines, trampoline park, acting like her baby dolls or barbies are walking (see pic below)

Syd's least favorite things:
vegetables, going poop in the potty, wearing pants or shorts, listening to the swim teacher, taking a nap (it's turned around lately...I expect she'll drop her nap before the end of 2016)

Syd is just a smidge below where Millie was at 3 years old!  Dr appt stats: 39.8 lbs (97th percentile in weight), 38.75 inches (86th percentile height).  Dr Averitt said she's healthy and a bit advanced in what she can do at this age (thanks to having an older sister), but she also said it's time to start cutting down on portions and treats.  We should be seeing her drop some of the fluff and she's not.  Admittedly, this is my fault.  We've been eating out way too much and gotten into terrible habits of Sonic slushes and treats after meals.  Nothing to worry about, just need to trim it back.  I'm on it, Piddy (might need to change your name to something other than Piddy Poundcake)!

Look at this sweet girl.  I cannot believe she's already three!  Birthdays are kind of emotional as a parent; I had no idea.  My baby is no longer a baby.  She still loves me though and is definitely still a momma's girl.  I love how our hands just find each other as we are walking.  I love how she still wants me to carry her upstairs.  I love how she twirls and prances and twinkletoes everywhere she goes.  I love how she gives the best kisses and won't go to sleep without a hug and kiss for everyone.  She's a sweet little momma to her baby dolls, and she's so caring with her big sister.  She's very girly.  This year has been so fun to watch her gain confidence at Little Gym and Mother's Day Out and on our outings when Millie isn't around.  She's had to be brave, and she stepped up...I'm proud of her! She's definitely not a wimp.  She's a typical stubborn Taurus and can give us a run for our money.  She's particular about clothes and shoes, who buckles her seatbelt, what's in her purse, and who reads her books/puts her in bed.  She's really in the phase of wanting to do things herself (it can be so exhausting).  She asks every day for a big girl bed, which I'm certainly against...we'll never be able to keep her in it!  However, she's happy every day and finds such joy in the small things.  It's good for all of us to have her (and her hilarious cackle) around.  We love you, Piddy.  We love you as much as you love cake!  Video: 3 year compilation