Better than Ice Cream!

Nana & Papa are here for the Holiday!!

Ironically, just as Tom and I were catching a poorly-timed cold, Nana & Papa were catching a flight down to Charleston to spend Christmas with us in our 70 degree Winter Wonderland. By the time they arrived, Tom was feeling a little better and I had lost my voice completely. Sydney was just getting used to me clicking, whispering, and (unfortunately) snapping at her - and her new favorite phrase was "Mommy, You Speak LOUDER!" so she was even MORE excited than normal to see (and hear) Nana & Papa - as was I! (read NAPTIME for Mommy)
For those of you who don't know, Nana is recovering from some scheduled surgery on her foot and is hobbling on crutches, so she was being chauffered by my father through the airport - Sydney was more than happy to take over...

Walking out of the airport, Nana was laughing hysterically at the site of us in the crosswalk - Sick Pregnant Woman pushing Grandmother holding Toddler in wheelchair while carrying crutches. "We would be at least a thousand points!" she burst out laughing. You can see where I get my sense of humor from.

But regardless of any of our setbacks, we had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed lots of laughs (and naps) and plenty of Christmas fun!
CLICK HERE to see more photos of our week.

Santa's "Sleigh"

Waiting for Santa to come on the firetruck...

and here he is! All the kids came out to see him
and everyone got candy from his fireman "elf"

I realized today that Sydney doesn't really know what a sleigh is.
She's only ever seen Santa on a Firetruck!

No Tears.

Santa stopped by the Club House today. Sydney was genuinely very excited to see him, and thankfully he was patient enough to wait for her to ask for "candy and Olivia's Christmas Book" to which he just smiled and nodded. But on the way home Syd assured us that Santa already knew all this because, "Yeah, it's on my list."

But ironically, after we lit the candles tonight, it was Hanukkah Harry that brought her the coveted Olivia Helps with Christmas. I just finished reading it to her after Daddy tucked her in bed. Oh yes, it is a Happy Hanukristmas for everyone!

Note the new Olivia doll that Auntie Berta sent (and Sydney's matching collar left over from her Halloween costume) as well as her new boots from GranGran and PopPop, which I might add, light up in three places when she walks... (and Yes, I Do wish they made them in my size - thank you very much.)

Just another

day at the park with Moira...

S'mile

Today Sydney discovered the magic that is the S'more.

Green Friday

Well, no doorbuster deals could get us out of bed at 4 am this Friday, but we did head out in the afternoon to get our Christmas Tree (or "Hanukkah Bush", depending on which side of the family you're on...) Tom was ready to buy the first one he saw, but I insisted he hold them up one by one, so Sydney and I could inspect each one and find the perfect Rokita Family Christmas Tree. By tree number two, Sydney cared more about hiding her toy frog in the cinder blocks separating the trees while completely ignoring Tom and me - so we compromised on a nearly perfect tree that was on top of the pile and called it a day.

Surprisingly, we brought the tree in the house and set it all up by Friday night, but since then we've only made it as far as the lights and a few strands of tinsel. But Sydney doesn't seem to mind. That way she can still play "Ring-Around-The-Christmas-Tree" and not break anything.

Thankful

Hope you all enjoyed your Holiday. We enjoyed a nice relaxed Thanksgiving over at Ms. Cindy's house next door. I made Sydney a simple little smockdress for the occasion, and surprisingly she loved it. It was reversible so she kept peeking inside the collar to make sure her pocket was still there, or to announce that the "S for Sydney" was on the inside... Typically she couldn't care less about anything I make her, and as soon as I make her try something on, she takes one look and says, "mmn, I want this Off" so I was thankful that she was pretty excited to wear this little number. And best of all, when she inevitably got cranberry sauce and gravy on one side, we just flipped it over, so she could get pumpkin pie and whipped cream on the other.

Soccer Star

Well, the Titans had their last game of the season this past Saturday.

After the game (and after their "Mighty Mighty Titans" song)

they had a little awards ceremony and...

Sydney got a TROPHY - a bobblehead soccerman trophy to be exact.
She's very proud. As were we.

Although I do think Syd's trophy should have read, "ALL STAR HANDHOLDER" or "RING-AROUND-THE-ROSIE QUEEN" or "DID I KICK IT ENOUGH TO GET A TREAT YET?"

Tiny Titans

Got Sydney's soccer photos today...

I guess I should be happy she's even looking at the camera.

Soccer Syd

Check it out - it looks like she's actually running TOWARD to ball!
Now that's what I call progress... or just a well-timed photo. Either way, I'll take it.

It's official...

Well, I'm finally ready to announce the news... I'm pregnant!
And it's a Boy!! Thanks to those of you who have been keeping it a secret - or who have just been pretending not to see my bulging belly. I had my 16 week ultrasound today and everything looked good - so that was a huge relief. They've put my due date at April 17th, which means Sydney may just have to share her birthday with this little guy. I'm betting she'll be okay with that... as long as it doesn't involve sharing her cake.

A Very HAPPY Halloween!

Don't worry Papa - I brushed her teeth like crazy...
Click here to see more of the Halloween Fun.

Pumpkin Patch

We headed out to Boone Hall Plantation today for the Halloween Festival. Sydney got to play on the bizaare jump "pillow", feed some stinky goats, climb on the crazy tube swings, and we all enjoyed the exceptionally spooky hayride. All in all - a great time!
Here are some photos from the day.

"silly Daddy"

proud PopPop

I think she could have stayed in there all day.

Spooooky HayRide = "I'm Not Scared."

To see more, click here.. And pay close attention to the "pumpkin patch" - definitely not fooling anyone.

Olivia Wins!

Today was our neighborhood Halloween Party - costumes, contests, candy, what could be better?! Well - GranGran and PopPop made it to town just in time!

Sydney won the costume contest as Olivia the Piglet - her absolute FAVORITE storybook character. I was sure the prize was going to Strawberry Shortcake, Sydney's good friend Megan. I mean - check out that adorable hat!

Click here to see more of the Halloween fun.

Par-tay

Sydney went to her friends' birthday party this afternoon and got her face painted for the first time...

I was amazed that she was willing to sit still the whole time - not to mention how entranced she was by watching ALL the other kids get their faces painted too. Definitely a girl after my own heart.

"It's a BUTTERFLY!"

Here's Sydney with the birthday girls Maranda & Mya.
What a great way to spend a Saturday!

playdoh Papa

Guess Who?!

Soccer Saturday

Sydney got her Soccer Uniform at practice this morning.
The Titans are Tangerine!

I don't think we'll have any problems spotting our teammates on the field... even if our games happen to be scheduled for the middle of the night during the Winter Solstice.

Silkscreen Success

Look what I made Sydney tonight:

My first two-color print! The registration's a little off and I smeared a little red ink on the shirt, but lucky for me Sydney's so in love with Olivia that she won't even notice... we'll see how she likes it in the morning. Maybe she'll even wear it to Soccer Practice! More news tomorrow.

Sydney Starts Soccer

Sydney had her first micro-soccer practice today... and while I can't tell you she really grasps the concept of the game just yet, I can report that she had a blast meeting her team, running all over the field (and sometimes even the neighboring fields), "PLAYING WITH MOIRA!" as she likes to scream at any given moment, and most importantly - learning to use the couch's gigantic water jug all by herself.
Click Here to view the photos & videos from practice.

Sunday on the water.

Sydney's First Day

Today was Sydney's first day of "school" at the YMCA - and she seemed to have a blast. Before we left this morning, I was trying to prepare her for the reality that I wasn't staying with her, and she looked at me and said, "Mummy, you gonna go home? do a little work?" and when I said, "yes," she got a far away stare and then quickly looked back at me and screamed, "I play with KIDS!" (Picture full fist pump & leg stomp here for added emphasis.)
There were definitely a few moments when I dropped her off where she got incredibly shy and looked around at the other kids like they had three heads, and I have to admit every time the phone rang while I was home, I instinctively thought it must be the Y telling me Sydney was crying hysterically for me, but I also got the entire house cleaned had two loads of laundry done, checked my email and even had time to plan dinner.
Don't get me wrong, it made my day to hear, "It's my MOMMY, it's my MOMMY!" when I picked her up, but it would have been an added bonus if she was actually willing to let go of her kung-fu grip on the swingset in order to come home with me.

On our way for dinner.

Spencer Wipes Out

looks like Rolo likes Sydney's new sneaks...

Lulu & Syd

back together again...

Look who's here!

The Sandberg's are in Charleston!

Sydney won't leave "Miss-Tine" alone... but luckily Tom was able to "babysit" Sydney, so Christine & I spent the day in Savannah. A good time was had by all!

Any idea what to do with them?

She also didn't want me to photograph any rooms without her IN them... not sure that's exactly MLS standard.

Getting Ready...

We're getting ready to put the house on the market, so that means good bye to my beloved pink rooms...
Sydney was VERY excited about helping me paint. And surprisingly, she didn't do such a bad job. Perhaps the tutu helped.

Ballerinas

Moira came over this morning & the girls had a Ball...
(I know, bad pun, sorry.)

Blooming!

The seed package said "GIANT" - hmnn.