Smarty Pants

Sydney got an award for making Principal's Honor Roll for the first grading period - All A's.

Way to go Syd!!

A Trip to the Oldest City...

Deer Park's 4th graders took a field trip to St. Augustine, FL yesterday. St. Augustine was founded forty-two years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts - making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.

We left the school at 7:00 Friday morning on four charter buses. It was a 3 and a 1/2 hour trip which was actually much quieter than I expected. The fact that there were probably as many parents as kids and that movies were playing helped I'm sure.

First, we visited the oldest wooden school house in the USA.

I loved the kids faces as the tour guide told them about dunce caps and paddling.

We also visited Castillo de San Marcos Fort. The fort was started in 1672 and took 23 years to build. The Spanish built it to protect themselves from future attacks after an English pirate attacked in 1668.

Sydney's 4th grade class

I just liked this picture from the top of the
fort looking over to the lighthouse, so I threw it in.

Sydney and her friend Emma posing inside the fort.

We got to drink from the Fountain of Youth. ;)

At least that's what Ponce de León thought he had found.

I was only able to manage a sip with my nose held.

The sulphur smell and taste was very strong.

While we were listening the Timucua Indians

tell us about trading, this pirate was doing what you see above.

Below is his work of art...

Sydney and her teacher, Mrs. Linden,

showing off with the wood the pirate had burned.

This "Spaniard" fired the cannon for us.

This is the Love Tree. Its very strange looking

because it's a palm tree growing inside an oak tree.

The legends say that couples that kiss beneath this tree

will seal their love for eternity. Awww...

Sydney and I had a great time learning some Florida history today.

We finally got back to Deer Park around 10:30. After no sleep on the bus,

this was Sydney 5 minutes after we walked in the house. I think she enjoyed her day!!

Student of the Month

Just wanted to take a second to brag on Miss Sydney...

Sydney was chosen as the Student of the Month for October in her class. She was also picked to be one of two fourth grade co-captains for the Deer Park Dazzlers (her pom squad). She is loving her new school and making tons of new friends. Each month the entire school district has a writing prompt that is scored, and their progress is tracked over the year. Last month's prompt was to write about a time you meet a new kid at school. Her teachers told me that several kids in her class wrote about her. They all talked about how much fun she was, that she was friends with everyone, and how she could make anything a funny joke. We're glad she's adjusted to a new place so easily and are so proud of her. Love ya, Sis!

Painting Pumpkins

Who says pumpkins should be orange...

Happy fall y'all!

Syd's Haircut

She looks so old with shorter hair!! I love this precious girl!

Basketball 2010

Basketball is officially in full swing. We started our Thursday league games last week and played in a tournament in Searcy this past weekend. I have no idea how I'm going to be able to stand these intense games for the next 9 years...it's soooo stressful! Sydney and the other girls played great, and we're so proud of how much Sydney improves each game. I'm amazed! She's way better than I ever thought about being at her age. Hopefully this weekend's tournament goes as well as the last.

Carson loves watching his "Syney" play. He gets a little restless, but can usually find something fun to pass the time. He even took a 1 1/2 hour nap last weekend during the Searcy games, buzzers and all. That sweet boy can sleep anywhere!

Hope you're all having a great week!!

Happy 9th Birthday, Sydney!!

My sweet baby girl is 9 today! I absolutely can't believe it. I know everyone says it, but it really seems like she was born yesterday. We had her party a week early because it's always hard getting several girls together as Christmas gets closer. We haven't had a "real" party in a few years, so we decided to do something big. We had 8 girls sleep over at the Embassy Suites. They swam, decorated pillow cases, had pizza and cake, got their fingernails and toenails painted, and watched movies. Oh and did I mention...stayed up WAY too late!

Sydney's cake request was a pretty tall order but Mimi came through as usual. It was perfect!! Thanks for another great cake, Mom!! You're the best!

Here are a couple pictures of the wild and crazy girls.

We have to thank Aunt Ashely for spending the night with us. She was a huge help, especially getting the girls to finally go to sleep. *Thanks Ash!*
My friends Anna Carol and Kerri were awesome too. They painted lots of fingers and toes. Thanks for hanging out and helping. We love you all!!

Sydney requested waffles for her birthday breakfast this morning. Since we'd already done birthday cake, we decided to do candles in the waffles. Cameron, Carson, and I sang "Happy Birthday" and Sydney quickly replied, "Thanks but BTW, y'all should never join a choir." Thanks for your honesty, Sis. We love you bunches and hope you had a fabulous birthday!

My smart, responsible Syd...

Sydney got her first 3rd grade report card last Friday and it was PERFECT! By perfect I mean, all A's, all S's, and perfect attendance. We couldn't ask for any better and are so proud of Syd. I have to say that 3rd grade has been a big adjustment...for Sydney and me both. We do a lot more studying and homework than ever before. I guess that's just what happens as you get older.

Also, Sydney was picked to represent her class at Hall of Fame this month. The character word for the month was "Responsibility". Here's a picture of her getting her certificate and Chee Burger Chee Burger coupon. It also happened to be P.J. day, hence the monkey pajamas.

Syd's a "Thriller"

Here is Sydney's cheer performance from this past Friday night at the Central High football game. She is on the right front as you're watching the video. Enjoy!

Lots of pictures from the past 2 weeks and Halloween coming soon...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_e5JR5Vm0

Grandparent's Day

Our sweet, sweet Nana was in town during Grandparent's Week at school. Syd was so excited that she could come to her class and have lunch with her. I thought this was the cutest picture.

**Thanks, Nana...you're the best!! We love you!!**

3rd grade, really?!

Today was Sydney's first day of 3rd grade. I can't believe she is old enough to be in third grade already. She'll be one of my "big kids" next year. Wow, how time flies. She had a fabulous day, of course. She's a social butterfly and couldn't wait to see all of her friends. It was my first day also and I think it's going to be a great year for both of us!

Pretty Girl

She just gets prettier and prettier everyday. I love that girl!

Sydney's Surprise!

Since the beginning of July Sydney has been baby-sitting Carson during my LAST graduate class. No I do not leave my eight year old home alone in charge of my two year old while I head to Conway for class. My class is online, so I'm home too. I do have to log in at a specific time and participate in class discussions with a headset and microphone. Cameron and I decided Sydney was responsible enough to watch him during that hour and a half, especially since I'm in the other room if they need something. She has been AWESOME!! They have never really needed me for any problems and have a great time together. Carson thinks his sister is the coolest person in the world.

A baby-sitter isn't free, right? Sydney and I talked about how she wanted to be "paid" for keeping Carson and we decided to redo her bedroom. She and I starting planning a few weeks ago, bought her new bedspread/sheets, and sold some things from her room in a garage sale. Needless to say her room was chaos, books on the floor (since we sold her bookshelf), new room stuff piling up, etc... She was getting a little anxious to get everything done to say the least. Cam and I, well really me since I had to do a lot of talking to get him motivated, decided to do her room while she was gone last weekend to surprise her. After a couple of very long days and late nights it all came together and she loved it. It looks so cute and we loved getting to surprise her. I have to thank Mimi and Nana for the little things they added too. Of course, there is never a surprise without the two of them in on it.

See for yourself...

We painted her room bright blue and it looks so much better than the bubble gum pink she had before. She wanted some zebra print with her bright colors so I made her name in zebra letters and covered some picture mats in zebra to go in frames over her bed. We decided to put verses that we'd like for her to remember and live by as she grows up in the frames. There are still a few things we'll add here and there but it's finished for the most part and we're so glad she loves it.

Chef Sydney

Sydney and I are addicted to the Food Network. I think they brainwash you somehow because I would have never thought watching someone cook would be so interesting. Since we're on this food craze, she decided she wanted to make dirt cake for dessert tonight. We picked up the ingredients during our Kroger trip today and she made it all by herself. I helped crush the Oreos in the food processor but the rest was up to her. It turned out great...I know Mimi and Nana will be so proud!!

Getting it all together...
Mixing...

Filling...

The finished product.

If ya like it then ya shoulda put a ring on it...

Okay, you're probably laughing at the title to this post but it was my favorite of the songs used in the dance routine for their big Twister's halftime performance, which by the way was PRECIOUS! The girls have been practicing for a couple of months now and it really paid off. They did have a minor setback when one of the girls got too nervous and decided not to perform. They had a lot of partner stuff in their routine but the other girl did a great job going on without her. Here, take a look for yourself...Syd's in the front of most of the formations and is the flyer on the right.



I have to say that Sydney should feel pretty special with the huge fan club she had there to watch her. Thanks so much to all of you that came. She is so lucky to have so many friends and family that love and support her. You did great Syd and we're very proud of you!

This is Sydney with her cheer coach, Micah, who is so amazing with the girls, obviously.

The girls were recruited to hand out peanut butter at the door. It was the Twister's promotion for the night.

Little Rocker's Marathon '09

Sydney ran in the Little Rocker's Marathon yesterday and had a great time. There were a ton of kids from her school that participated, so she was able to run with her friends Sarah and Emily for most of the race. Unfortunately, it was much colder than I remember it being last year. I had to help in the safety zone but Cameron was able to snap a few pictures. He and Carson spent most of their time looking for the guy dressed as a bunny on a bicycle. Carson kept saying, "Where da bunny go? I don't know." Now everywhere we go he thinks he sees bunnies. Enjoy the pics and I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Sydney rounding the corner for the finish line
Showing off her cool medal

All good things must come to an end...

Sydney played her last basketball game for the season today and her team did so well. It's amazing to see how much they improve each week. She scored twenty something points today...I was trying to be a good mom and get this one of film so it was a little hard to keep up and tape. Unfortunately, this is the only game I managed to film this year. I usually don't because I get so caught up watching that I forget I'm filming. It always turns out a little Blair Witch-ish, and I get motion sick very easily. Ha! Here are a few pictures from the game.

Sydney and her friend Emily after the game (Carson affectionately calls her "Enemy")

Nice steal Syd!

We can't wait for next year!