Big Bro/Little Sis

After spending all summer with their big sister, Isa, at home, and listening to her call the shots as to what they all are doing, it's been a good experience for Cade to experience being the older child since Isa went back to school. At first, he seemed to not quite know what to do with his new role, but it didn't take him long to start enjoying being the boss! And he also enjoys helping Sydney. This video shows one of those times. I was glad to have my camera close at hand so I could capture part of this scenario.

                                 Makes me smile each time I view this!

The Golfers

Oh, my Avid Golfer. I am not a golfer. At one point, early on in our marriage, I received a few lessons from the Avid Golfer. He very patiently instructed and corrected my stance, swing, grip, etc. and it was fun going out on the course with him--- I especially liked driving the golfcart. That was our first date even. Not playing--me driving the cart while he played :). But, as patient as he was, I soon realized that my fleeting vision of us playing together was NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. He did not consider these outings as actually playing golf. So I gave up that vision and let golf be just his. After all, I was never willing to give up sewing/crafting and there never would have been time for both! I have, however, learned to perfect my role as a golfer's wife. If you're not married to a golfer, you have no idea how much time is spent by A.G. in analyzing said stance/grip/swing--especially the swing. If you're a young-married and your husband is a golfer, you need to practice the following responses: hmmm, uh huh, really?, that's great!, wow!, and nodding is good too. And use lots of eye contact!  That's really all it takes. He's going to figure out for himself what changes he's going to make. Your job is just to be interested.  :)

On to the next generation. A.G. had such high hopes for our daughters to play golf.  Women's golf was really starting to take hold when they were young. Sigh. The interest just wasn't there for the girls. According to A.G., they had such terrific swings, too.

So now we are entering the next generation.... Aren't they cute!!!! (Notice that each has his/her own modified club!)

Snapshots

Wow, September got busy! With school starting and Jill and Marcus moving to a new home, there hasn't been much time for blogging. So here are a few snapshots.



Helper Cade really likes vacuuming! I'm hoping this lasts awhile!





Cade and Sydney pausing to rest on the trampoline.



 

                                                              

After school dress-up time



Watching NASCAR with Grandpa.



My sewing room gets converted to a movie room.



Preschool For Cade!

Cade started Preschool today--all day! The original plan was for him to attend 2 half-days per week. But when Jill and Marcus started looking into the possibility of him attending all day, he was excited to try it! Really? Yes, even after explaining that he would have to lay down and take a 2 hour nap after lunch, he was still wanting it. (This boy hasn't taken regular naps since he was 2.5...)
So I met Jill, Cade, and Sydney at Small Wonders this morning so that Jill could go on to work and Syd could come with me.


Anxious to get inside!

Cade reported that he had a great day! The only little hitch in his day was that he DID fall asleep during nap time and when he woke up he got a bit scared because he didn't know where he was. He also had to report to Grandpa that he didn't snore during nap time, since Grandpa had asked him about that the night before and Cade had said that he thought that he only "breathes out air when he sleeps"!

My favorite part of his report was that he excitedly said, "I made 2 friends!" (Thursday, he will learn their names  :)  )

And Syd... was smiley and happy and talkative all day and very mellow. Well, her kind of mellow.

Sydney is Two!

"The Baby" turned 2 on August 7th! Sydney was very excited that it was finally her turn, and knew exactly what to do since she had observed during Cade's birthday in June and then Isa's in July. Notice that her candles are sitting away from her while we are singing.... Since she does observe everything going on around her, this little one is constantly jumping ahead to the next step, and those candles would most likely have been blown out! (ie, if I mention that I'm going to make a sandwich, she's up and in the refrigerator to get everything out; if  I say it's time to go get Isa from school, she runs for her shoes and Cade's, grabs her blanket and her water cup and heads for the door.)  

Very excited about her new Minnie bike from Nana

Our Sydney:

• Has begun to carry "Ba" (blanket) everywhere with her
• Gets herself in trouble mostly because she is trying to do something she has seen someone else do, or something she thinks needs to be done
• Likes to sing and dance
• Really likes puzzles!  Often does multiple ones at a time.
• Enjoys helping others
• Runs up to her blanket saying, "Ba, Ba!", scrunches it up into her arms, and begins giving it kisses all over.
• Is full of enthusiasm
• Gives great hugs and kisses
• Adores Minnie Mouse
• Brings us so much joy!

First Day of Second Grade!

Second Grade. I spent the greater part of my 38 years of teaching in Second Grade. And now, it is Isa's turn. I'm excited! It should be a fun year!
Isa was more than ready to get to school this morning. She really looked more excited than nervous. However, she revealed when I picked her up after school that once she got to her room and sat at her desk, she was really nervous. This reveal came after I found her at the back gate of the school instead of the front as I had told her. Not a big problem, just more walking to find her. After having to park about 3 blocks away in the morning, we did our share of walking today--with no complaints from Cade and Syd even!

Dancing Partners

Even though the adults around Sydney seem to comment a lot about her antics, she has a very special relationship with her siblings--call it mutual adoration maybe. I'm not sure about the next stages that are ahead, but right now they can have such sweetness toward each other and fun together, and I'm glad to sometimes be able to capture them in action. This video is one of those times with Big Brother Cade and Little Sister Sydney.  :)

And just an added note: I started this post a week ago and couldn't get the video to download. After several tries, I deduced that using the icon of "insert a video" doesn't work (!) I got the video to download by using "insert image", the same as for all of the pictures. Go figure.