Happy Birthday Sydney!

We spent Sydney's birthday in New York City. There is an American Girl doll store there that is every 5 year old (and 31 year olds if you are Auntie Amanda) dream! The store was 3 stories with a mezzanie level also. The store had more dolls than I ever thought possible, with a hair salon, doll hospital, cafe, sweet shop and bookstore. Sydney's eyes were huge from the moment we stepped through the revolving door to the time she went to bed that night.

The quote of the day, however, came from Saul. We just spent 2 hours shopping in the store and went up to the cafe for her birthday party lunch. On each of the tables were little boxes of cards. Each card was a conversation starter. One of the questions was, "What is your favorite day of the year and your least favorite day of the year? We went around the table starting with Sydney and then it was Saul's turn. He wasn't really paying too much attention to the conversation, so Auntie asked him again, "Saul what is your favorite day of the year?" to which Saul replied, "not today." Ohh I love his honesty.

Here are some pics from the birthday party and our little trip in NYC! Matt's birthday pics will come soon....it's still early today!

Sydney with her cake and ice cream in a little flower pot!


The napkin ring is a hair binder - Princess had a spot at the table too!


Auntie Amanda and Sydney with her new American Girl, Princess. Her name was Anita for about a hour and then Sydney changed it to Princess.


This was actually before the 3.5 hour shopping extravaganza at American Girl Place. They are checking out the catalog.


Sydney and Nama with Syd's first piece of gum. I told the kids they couldn't have gum until they were five. She had her first piece right after breakfast on her birthday.




Central Park Carousel


The kids at the New York Public Library. They weren't impressed. They expected more books.

Makeup Lesson #1

Sydney is very interested in makeup. Unfortuntely for her, her Mom doesn't know much about it. Lucky for her she has a Nama and Auntie that does!

Saul's new ride

There is no need for a video. He doesn't get very far, but he's on it and he tries!

A Little Manual Labor

Matt was off to work one afternoon. The kids and I were outside and as he pulled out the driveway we were waving and Sydney yelled, "Do good paperwork, Dad!" One of the parts of Matt's job that he doesn't like is the fact that he doesn't get to get his hands dirty. So that comment by Sydney was too good. In fact when Matt told his coworkers what Sydney said they all got a good laugh. Just because Matt doesn't do manual labor at work doesn't mean he's "lost it". Here are few pics of Matt hard at work....getting his hands dirty.


Matt chopping up the old picnic table in the back yard



Changing the battery in the Jetta

Sydney Conversation of the Day

S: Will there be boys at Kindergarten?

Me: Yes

S: Oh great, I don't like boys.

Me: Why don't you like boys?

S: I'm just not a boy fan. I do like Jeremiah, Saul, and Daddy though. And Joseph.

Matt's New Uniform

Matt finally broke down and wore his new uniform. I guess there was some push to make all the branches of the military a little more unified. So he has camouflage blue....I would hate for someone to see him if he were to fall over board...seems silly to me, but there's nothing cuter than a guy in uniform!

Summer Bugs

We've been hearing the cicadas in the back yard for the past month or so. Last night they must have had a party on the tree out back because they left their skins on our tree. Saul the big bug slayer spotted them and added them to his collection.

Saul Quote of the Day

I was tucking Saul in and he wanted me to do it "like Daddy does it" So I told him I wasn't Daddy I was Mommy, to which he replied,

"There I just cut off all your hair, now you are a Daddy!"

While Mom is away....

the kids learn all sorts of useful things. Dad taught them how to bet at the horse races, spit cherry seeds, and Saul got a lesson in shaving! My favorite is when Syd was walking in the house and she says in the most casual voice..."let's have a burping contest." As if it was something we did everyday.

The house was clean and the kids were happy when I got home so I'd say the trip was a success!