Cute Sydney Stories

Today on the way to Sydney's dance class, I told her that we needed to decide if she wanted to take Tae Kwon Do in the fall or stay in dance. I told her we couldn't do it all, so she needed to pick. She said, "Mom, I think i'll have to have a day just to clear my head and think and not get distracted by playing with Kielea (our neighbor girl). So someday if Kielea comes over to play, you need to say, Sydney you can't play. You need to use this day to think of if you want to be in dance or Tae Kwon Do."

On the way home from dance she was really sad because I thought there were four sessions left, but there was only three. Sydney said, "Mom, can you help me get my mind off of thinking about only 2 sessions left?"

Yesterday we were going through her cook book and looking at cakes that she would like for her birthday. She had quite a list going. I said, "I think we need to narrow down the list." She gets a huge smile on her face and jumps off the couch so excited, "Yes, let's narrow it down. What's narrow it down mean?" I told her and she got really sad and said, "Oh i thought it meant to write it down. I don't want to do that." ;)

Valleyfair

We got to enjoy a fun day at Valleyfair with the kids. There was practically no lines, so we got to go on TONS of rides. Jordan tried most of the roller coasters. Sydney was only tall enough to try one of them, but she was very excited (and a little scared sometimes) when she went on it. If fact, she went on it three times ;) It was a really nice day and the water park there was pretty full although we did still hang out there for a couple of hours.

Prices have gone up so much for food there. A large soda that you can refill for only $1.99, cost $10.39! My funnel cake (that i have to get) used to be $2.75 and now is $6.25. Hamburgers were $8.00 or more. The only thing that wasn't too insane was corn on the cob. That was only $2.00. I was shocked at the prices of their food.

We went to the Imax and saw a show on cave exploration. We had lots of fun time together. All in all it was a fabulous day.

The corkscrew...one of Jordan's favorite rides and probably my favorite!

The big wave try to hit Jordan, Sydney and Arlie!
Super cool ball factory. Nerf balls that you can shoot at each other across the room. We spent a good long time playing here!

The water park!

Arlie's birthday

We had planned on going to Valley Fair on Arlie's birthday, but it looked like and was predicted to be raining. We revised our plans. We went out to Famous Dave's for lunch. Then went to the movie "UP" and then played laser tag with the kids ;) I am sad to say... the boys beat the girls. However, it was Sydney's first laser tag experience, so after she's practiced up, we'll have a rematch and I'm sure do so much better! It was a great family day and a day to appreciate the man we love and admire so much! Arlie is such an amazing dad and husband. We have been blessed beyond measure. He has such amazing character, such a sweet spirit about him, he is kind and loving and an example to everyone around him! I'm so proud of him and even prouder to be married to him! God's blessed our family so much and one of the hugest blessings is Arlie!

The worlds best breakfast in bed!

Arlie's birthday and Father's day happened to fall on the same day this year! Jordan is so sweet and always wants to do kind things like bringing us breakfast in bed. This day was no exception. The day before Arlie's birthday I had a wedding, but while I was gone, Jordan drew a diagram of what he needed for breakfast, figured out the dishes he would use and then proceeded to bring the dishes up to his room to place under his bed until the next morning. Sunday morning, my dad was sitting in our office (Arlie and I still in bed sleeping) and he heard this strange clanging noise. He come out of the office to investigate and saw Jordan almost stumbling down the stairs, eyes hardly open (about 7:15am) with the dishes for daddy's breakfast in bed. He walked over to my recipe cupboard and pulled out his "information". My dad being so smart, quickly went to grab the camera to capture these precious moments (thanks dad!). Arlie's breakfast included: Pickles, 40 precisely counted blueberries (because Arlie said he could eat 40 blueberries), a brat with ketchup, mustard and pickle relish, and my favorite, a carrot/mustard sandwich. He also had a bowl of honey nut cheerios with milk and a glass of milk. Jordan had some potatoes salad out.. He asked what would be a good way to do the potato salad. They talked about maybe putting it on bread. He got a spoon or fork to stir it....stirred it and said, "I can't use this..it's to gross" (or something close to that :) ). Sydney woke up right after Jordan got done making everything, just in time to help bring it up to Arlie. At 7:30ish, we woke up to kids bringing Arlie breakfast in bed (funny thing is, i was planning on having the kids help me do that about 2 hours later, but they beat me to it. My breakfast would not have been that original that is for sure!). Both kids looked so tired, that my dad was worried they wouldn't make it up the stairs with out dropping and spilling everything. They made it and they were very proud. What great kids we have!

Jordan studying his diagram! :)

Soccer Camp for Jordan

In June, Jordan took part of a soccer camp for a week. As it turned out, the 3 hour time period, was a bit long for him since he isn't really that into soccer. The first day when I went to pick him up, I went a little early and saw him climbing the net while everyone else was playing soccer. I decided to let it go. The second day, the coach told me that "Jordan has a hard time focusing and doing what the other kids are doing"...aka he climbs the net and the trees instead of practice soccer. I talked to Jordan and told him that his coaches are like teachers at school. You have to listen to them. We talked about doing what the other kids are doing and not going off and doing your own thing (which actually surprised me a little because last year in his one hour class, he LOVED soccer and was very focused). The rest of the week went better. Jordan said every day, when i asked, that he loved camp. He was enjoying himself and that's what really mattered. The last day of camp, I went and watched. Jordan played good and tried hard. You could tell the other kids probably had been playing soccer for several years.



Jordan's skills weren't quite up to the same level as some of the others, but he sure was good at....fixing the cones and hiding behind people ;)

At the very end of the camp, they gave out certificates to each kid. They would say how great the kids did, what they improved on, how well they played soccer, how good they were at specific things with soccer (example: you did great scoring those goals, playing as a team, getting break always, defense) and how much they enjoyed having them at the camp.

The coaches looked at the certificate and started talking...."This person, stuck with it even though you could tell he really didn't want to be here. He improved over the week at paying attention and doing what the group was doing." Second coach, "yeah, even though you could tell there were lots of other things he'd rather be doing, he stuck with it". Jordan during this time was standing (picture below) nodding his head like, "Oh yeah...that's me" very proud of himself! :) Sure enough, they called Jordan! I was glad he was proud and didn't notice the huge difference between what they said about him and what they said about the other kids. He did try hard!

So proud!

Little Gentleman

On the way to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July, we got out of the car to walk to the park. Jordan grabbed Sydney's chair to carry it the several blocks for her.

"Girls shouldn't have to do any work" he told Arlie.

Sydney loved that and giggled a little and then said, "And another thing Jordan, You're really handsome".

Jordan got this proud look on his face and said, "I was hoping you'd say that to me some day!"