Congratulations!!

...to Michael Welker on finding a new job! Yah for employment!

Glasses

Sydney had been complaining that she couldn't see the smartboard at school, but I honestly thought she just wanted to wear glasses because she thinks they're cool. I had the school nurse test her and she recommended we take her for an exam, which I did. It turns out she is a little near sighted and the Dr. recommended glasses. Of course, Sydney was and is very excited. Above, she is modeling the pair she picked out.

And here we both are with our new glasses. I got some too, to help with the double vision I've been having for 2 years. The Dr. I saw a couple of weeks ago discovered that my eye muscles don't work together, which causes me to see double sometimes. So, right now I just have to wear them while driving and watching t.v. We'll see how this goes. I hope it helps! I asked Sydney the other day if she could see the board better at school and she said yes, so let's hope she doesn't get tired of wearing these and realizes they're not all that fun!

The Rest of Christmas

Gah! These pictures posted out of order and if you read this blog enough, you know that drives me crazy, but I'll try to get past it. Anyway, the day after Christmas we had my family over. Chris's family came over on Christmas Eve, but I had lost my camera and we took pics on Chris's phone, so I'll never actually see them. Moving on... above Sydney is dying laughing about the hermit crab pooper scooper she got.

We got my dad a cell phone and brought him into the 21st century. He was very excited.

The crabs in their new enclosure, which you will see the pic of her opening later, since these confounded things are out of order!

Above, she got an "art suitcase" like she wanted from my brother and his wife.

A new aquarium for her hermit crabs, Climber, Cali, Mrs. Pinchy, and Mr. Pincherson. They were so excited about their new home.

This photo was supposed to be first, to show you the preparation it took for this party to get underway. The dog and Sydney, zonked out.

Christmas Morning 2011

One of the big things she really wanted.

She also got a lot of educational, sciencey type stuff.

She wanted this so bad when we saw it in a booth at Harvest Homecoming, but I kept telling her no, and then I had the ladies help me buy it when she wasn't looking. It was all done right under her nose and she had no clue. I'm just glad she remembered she wanted it when she opened it!

She can't wait to do this one!

This is a really cool Eco Dome thing where you go out and collect bugs to put in there so you can observe them. I just made her promise me, no spiders!

Sydney got this for me and Chris. I think my mother was involved. I don't know. It's a Lenox rooster. It's got gold talons and a gold beak.

And this is the mess I was left with. Had to clean that up last night and today so we can do Christmas again with my family tonight. I'm sure there will be more pics to come from that!

Playing Dress Up

Last Thursday, Chris and I went to his office Christmas party. The invitation said "semi-formal" so we got all gussied up. We clean up nice, heh? Despite the fact that neither of us was excited about this party, we had a good time. I got to meet his cohort from up in Indy and she and I really hit it off. We're looking forward to the Indy office party coming in January. Where we can wear jeans!

And this is Sydney's Christmas dress. Too bad I couldn't have made this purchase before her Christmas program at school, but I didn't realize it was going to be so dressy. Anyway, she wore this to church last week and they had the youth group Christmas party where they watched the new Veggie Tales movie, did crafts, played games, ate lunch and then went caroling at 2 local nursing homes. She LOVED it!

So, Christmas is now just 3 days away and I was off work today, so we cleaned a bit, and played a bit. It was nice to be home with her.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had Thanksgiving at my brother and sister in laws new house. Turns out the layout and big amount of space works out very well for large gatherings. Above, my brother and my cousin Josh show off the food.

My brother and his wonderful wife, Jana, and her two kids, Sarah and Sadie.

Sarah and Sadie striking a pose!

Grandma and Grandpa. I am so glad to have them living back home instead of spending holidays in Florida.

My other cousin Josh (aka Little Josh) and his half sister whom he brought because she was going to be all alone on Thanksgiving. He's a sweetie.

My cousin Josh's (aka Big Josh, as seen in the first picture) little boy, Jeremiah. I love this boy. I can pick him up and hold him and he just holds on to me and doesn't say a word. He'll be 2 in January.

Sydney and my brother's dog Lucy (the greatest dog in history) snuggling in the papasan chair. Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was great!

Kids in the Kitchen Part 2

We went back to the local bakery for another edition of Kids in the Kitchen. It was Thanksgiving themed this time and Sydney got to decorate a turkey cookie and a cupcake. She also learned an Italian dance, which is what she's doing above. The family that owns the bakery are Italians originally from New York and the woman who does the Kids in the Kitchen, Grammy, is awesome! She has the patience of a saint!

Sydney with her turkey cupcake. She had her friend Savanna with her this time (that's her to Sydney's right).

Here she is icing her turkey cookie (which she gave me this morning as part of my breakfast in bed, which also included ceral, coffee and a flower on the tray!) with the help of a volunteer dad. We're looking forward to the next one!