Future Picasso???

This morning when Brad dropped Sydney off at Jo's, Jo commented that we have a litte artiste on our hands. Says she loves to paint & colour. As much as I love to hear that, I sure hope that soon Sydney learns how to put the colour on the paper rather than herself! Although I really like this daycare, Sydney sure is not coming home sparkling clean!

Yes, if you look closely you can see the paint in her mouth.
I knew taking her shirt off was a good idea.

All in all, things went well this week at Jo's. I think that it is a good switch for Sydney & she really seems to have fun. I think Brad might be happier if Jo was closer to the Mrs. Doubtfire image since Jo is actually only a few months younger than he is. If he is capable to raise a child & she already has a "tween" and a "kid", why should she be any less qualified?

Today we started at a new daycare...

A couple of weeks ago we had the working parents nightmare & realized we immediately needed to find new day care for Sydney. It was very stressful, but it looks like it might all work out for the best in the long run. Sydney is now going to a woman named "Jo" and it didn't feel like a rushed decision because I actually interviewed her the first time I was searching for care, but she didn't have all the days I needed. Since we now only need 3 days of care, with some juggling for the next month, this will all work out.

Jo's philosophy on "craft time" is much different than where Sydney was going. Today Sydney came home with glue still stuck in the crevices of her fingers because she was obviously actively involved in what the other kids were doing- before she would have been sectioned off from the rest of the troops. I think this is great, but it was a good reminder to me to not send her in clothes that I don't want to see stained.

Unfortunately the day did not end on a high note. At suppertime Sydney really spiked a fever, was really dazed, and pretty much was limp while I put her in her p.j.'s. Not sure what is wrong, but hopefully it passes through the night. The selfish side of me did enjoy it a little bit though- I got to cuddle with her for 45 minutes before she went to bed. I would have held her longer, but realized that unless I planned to do it all night- I better make the transition before it was too late.

Another very belated post...Easter.

Good Friday was spent by travelling to Aunt Debbie's for Easter lunch. Unfortunately we did not have the happiest child that day, but were lucky enough to capture one good smile from her- thank you Nana.
Even the fun of an easter egg & goodie-hunt did not capture many smiles. She participated, but not with much spunk. The proof is in the picture.
On Sunday we tried the egg hunt again & Sydney really liked it this time. Her "treat" inside the eggs were raisans & she loved it. Wonder how many years we will be able to get away with that?
Nana was visiting for the weekend & Grandma & Grandpa ("Ga & Papa" in Sydney-speak) came to have lunch with us. Afterwards we took the third run of the Easter egg hunt outside. She still really enjoyed it, so I think Friday was just an off-day for Sydney.
Finally, the day came to a close with a bit of play & some final posing for the camera. As you can see, Sydney is still interested in the raisans hiding in the eggs.

Happy Belated Birthday Craigie!

Almost two weeks ago, my dearest brother turned the big 40. So that he didn't feel too old, Aunt Debbie made him a bunny cake. Whether you are young or old, you could not help but admire the cute cake. Although it may have been a bunny cake, Craig should be happy that Debbie made it & not me. He would have been lucky to get a cake that was level, let alone decorated, if I had been responsible!

Busy, busy day

Yesterday a gentleman from work, Milos, welcomed anyone from work who wanted to come into his home. He had chocolate eggs scattered around the property for the kids to find & animals for them to see (chickens, ducks, bunnies, pheasants, pony, and a goat). The pony & goat were on lend from his neighbour & we had to leave before the pony rides started...oh well, maybe next year.
Milos loves to cook for people & make sure that they are happy in his home. He did a good job yesterday & I think all the kids had fun. There were a few bales of hay set up for the kids to play on & it made me realize how easy it is to amuse kids sometimes. Or was it a city-kid thing? I can't imagine a kid from the country would even notice a few bales of hay sitting around & if it was haying season they probably would avoid it like the plague.

I'm sure Sydney would have loved to be jumping around on the hay, but...

her activities on the hay were more sedentary (picture taking with Ashley), or

checking out the bunnies. She also really liked the birds.

After Milos' we were off to Uncle Robb & Aunt Michele to visit with some cousins. Max was a late starter at the party because he was taking a marathon nap. The kid didn't get up until 5:30! Scott was joking saying that Max would still be up to watch SNL with Robb & I wouldn't doubt it.
Sydney started swimming lessons last week & her cousin Jack is in the class too. (I wanted to have swimming pictures to share, but Grandpa wouldn't come on the deck to take the pictures because he had to take his shoes off).

So here Sydney is fully clothed with Cousin Jack.

And her attacking Cousin Max.

Our attempt at a picture of all three of them was not very successful.

What a little ham she is...

Here are two of Sydney's common poses lately....

CHEESE!!!!
This picture was taken because I was checking the camera. I wasn't planning on taking her picture, but when someone is yelling "Cheese" at you, you must take a picture.

And the bashful look- don't let it fool you, it's mainly an act.

Tea Anyone?

This weekend we went to my Mom's so that Brad could help her with some painting. Sydney & I took off for the day & went shopping while the troops did the work. I maybe should have taken some pictures to show their hard labour, but that would have required staying around and Bradley did not want me in the house when they were painting. Protective Daddy.
So, the only pictures that were taken were of Sydney "having tea". It is really neat to see how her play is changing now. She is role playing more now & you are many times being "served" things, usually tea or soup. She loved playing at Nana's little table with the tea set. The set is porcelain (thankfully thick & not delicate) so the lesson of "gentle" needed reinforcement. Most times it appeared that the lesson was understood, but there were some lapses in memory.
Sydney knows that tea is hot, but she doesn't seem to know for sure which end she holds & from which end she pours. But that will come with time & for now she is just having fun.
Another thing that I really notice now is how much she copies what you do. The other day I was sitting with her on the couch & had my feet up on the coffee table. She couldn't reach the coffee table with her feet, so she hopped off the couch & went to get her little rocker (thanks Laurie) to pull up to the table to put her feet up. She really made me laugh- so of course I had to go get the camera.