And The Winner Is......

Shannock Valley B

Congratulations Girls on the tournament win & going undefeated!!

Well we survived the tournament very well as you can see. The girls did a great job and won all of their games. They were pretty tired by the end of the day.

All of the teams were made up of third & fourth grade girls. Let me say I learned alot that day. Now I am one who cheers & sometimes yells (never at anyone elses kid mostly defense & hands up) from the stands. (Go figure huh? Sorry it is in my nature I grew up with a Dad hollering at me to sacrifice my body while playing second base in the church softball league. Seriously, Dad grown men hitting the ball at me. What were you thinking?) These parents from the other schools were down right ruthless. Normally the one school has four teams well they combined all their good players for one "super" team. Those parents were actually banging the bleacher for foul shots. Hello People! They are in third & fourth grade. Our lucky girls had to play them twice. We did have some folks from our side start to bang in the championship game but our coach put an end to that quickly. Good for him. He told his team that they didn't need to do that to win.

I would like to say that I think there is something in the water in a couple of these towns their girls were huge. They were all taller than our tallest girl. When you are a head shorter than your opponent it gets a bit rough. Our girls were in there with the best of them. Lots of bumps & bruises but held their own.

A great thing happened that day though and I was so proud of our girls. The Dayton team has a girl who has Down's Syndrome I believe her name is "Evie" Well when she got the ball and yes her teammates passed it to her several times our girls backed away so she could try & do something with it. Well wouldn't you know it she dribbled halfway down the lane and lined up for a granny shot. And it went in!! That gym erupted into cheers & clapping. it was the most amazing feeling. I am so proud our girls have that kind of good sportsmanship.

Sydney & Anderson posing with her trophy. That is the closet he has been to it since.

Birthday/Slumber Party

We celebrated Sydney's 9th birthday with a sleepover. When she first asked my first response was "Have you lost your mind? Do you not realize how small our house is?" Well I guess I had 2 responses. Basically, I was in shock because she had never mentioned it before. Lucky for me I did not have to tell her no. My Uncle Lou & Aunt Sally were to be in Florida at the time and graciously let us use their home.

So 4 giggly friends later, 1 little brother & 1 terrific Grandma (who hadn't been feeling well) the party was under way. Oh, did I mention 1 father who was ready to get the heck out of there?

Here is her cake. I decided that I would make my own icing and try to decorate it. Huge thanks to Elizabeth for sharing a recipe with me. She has made some awesome cakes. Well I had no plans on getting  that fancy. at least I know I can do it. For my first attempt I got the icing a little soft. But with as tired as I was and as late as it was I was happy with it. 

Everything was going great til some of them decided to get up at 6:30 am. I mean come on Anderson normally doesn't get up that early. I figured with them not going to sleep til 11:30 pm I would be good til at least 8:00 am. WRONG!!

The gang is all here!

The treat bags I decorated for everyone. They only cost a dollar at Micheal's. We decorated wooden frames and ceraminc animal statues. These are some crafty girls.

Grandma & Anderson playing.

Lucky for me all of the girls were great with Anderson and didn't mind him being around. They were constantly giving him toys & making sure he was happy.

Yeah for good friends!!

Well I wasn't sure I would ever see this again. A Fowler wearing the number 32. Sydney is playing basketball this year. Sydney decided she would wear the same number her Dad did when he played. Sorry it is a little blurry it is hard to catch them standing still.

Actually we are almost at the end of the season. She is really enjoying it. I think she would play entire game if she could. The girls are even running & shooting hoops at halftime. You think they would be tired they run ALOT! Her team is made up of third & fourth grade girls. The coach does a really good job of making sure they all play. Sydney has decided she like defense the best because her ball handling skills are not that great. Hopefully, Steve and her will work on that this summer. Right now she doesn't have alot of arm strength. She actually was practicing foul shots before a game and managed to hit 2 of her teammates right on top of the head. Those were consecutive shots by the way.
She has played against some girls that are quite a bit taller than her. She is not afraid to go after them though. They even played in the fifth grade tournament last weekend. It didn't go so well for them. The other girls were huge, but her team kept the score pretty close.

On the move again.

This was at the end of the game where she got her first basket. YEAH!!! Unfortunatlely Steve had to work & missed it.

Our tournament is in a couple of weeks so that should be interesting. Go Spartans!

Little League

Sydney has finished another year of little league baseball. Next year if she decides to play she will have to play girl's softball. Steve & I always joke she won't like it as much. Because she would rather play with the boys.

She was much improved from last year. During her last game was one of the few to get a hit & get one base with one of the better teams in the league. She actually scored too. She even volunteered to catch at a bunch of games crazy girl!

Run Sydney Run

Sydney had field day towards the end of school. Boy did she have a busy day! I was helping at school when they signed up for things and could not believe some of the events she volunteered for. They compete against the other two second grade classes. There is always at least 3 or 4 from each class in each event.

The day started out looking like they might get rained out but cleared up enough she came home with sunburn on the back of her legs. I was glad my very preggo self felt well enough to go & watch her compete at least for the first half of the day.

First event was the Girl's Basketball Relay which they placed 1st in.

Next was the Bowling Pin Relay. They had to carry 7 pins back & forth without dropping them. She was the only one with elastic band so they could stuff her full of pins. They place 3rd in this event.

Then off to the Long Run. As we were walking to the football field she told me she did not want to do this one. I explained that she signed up for it & needed to try her best for her class. For this event you have to run the length of the football field up &back. Yikes! I was so glad I got to see her do this one and was so proud of her because she tried so hard. Sorry the picture is not a close one but it shows you how much she won by. She's a little speedy gonzales unlike her mother.

This is the Three Legged Race. When I asked how this one went because it was in the afternoon her response was "Not so well." Which informed me not to ask any further questions. Her partner was Madison not exactly a good match for height.

This picture is of the Mixed Relay. Which has 2 boys & 2 girls running in it. They each have to run one length of the football field. On her team was Lance, Emma, & Allen. You can't really see the look of determination on her face it is too funny. She ran the 3rd leg of the race with Allen running at the end. Allen happened to win the Long run for the boys so having Syd & him on there team was a very good thing. Another 1st place!!

Her last event was the Individual Tug Of War. Why she thought this was a good idea I have no idea. She has no fat on her body at all. But bless her heart she came in 2nd place.

My friend Lorene was kind enough to take pictures for me. I don't have pics of the Long Jump which she placed 1st in. Also, there was the Wheelbarrow race. Which was another "Not so well." She had a great day! Needless to say she was exhausted for the baseball game she had later that night.

Here is a picture of her ribbons. Great job Syd! Okay I am done bragging now.

A House Divided

As you have seen from some of the posts Steve & Sydney have a disagreement when it somes to favorite football teams. Steve has been a Washington Redskins fan since before I met him. He takes alot a grief from the family and friends about it. Sydney has taken to pulling for the Pittsburgh Steelers which fits into our locale.

We have received some gifts with the new baby coming. One was for Sydney its is from her Grandma Worthington. She had it made for her. Of course Syd was pretty stoked.

After Steve seen this his comments were that the baby will not wear any Steeler garb and will only wear Redskins. So save your money people.

Luckily, we also received a oneies which was favorable to Steve's team. Jackie also sent a Redskins sleeper for when he is older. (I would post a pic but it is under things I cannot lift.)

Should be interesting as the baby gets older!

Field Trip To The Zoo

A few Thursdays ago was the field trip for the second grade at Shannock Elementary. They go to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. This amounted to 2 very loud school buses, 60 kids, & about 14 chaperones. It was a big debate as to whether I should go on the trip being 35 weeks pregnant. With the go ahead from my doctor on Wednesday I was ready to go. I was told to drink plenty of water. Great extra water and I already have to go to the bathroom all the time.

Sydney's second grade class.
Of course the kids were all hyped up even the ones that had been there before. If you have not been to the zoo in Pittsburgh it is really nice. It ranks in the top 3 for zoos in the country for kids. Amazingly enough it is about 3 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. When you enter you ride this very very steep escalator up to the top of the hill and start your zoo experience.

We were able to get quite a few good photos of the animals. Some only wanted to show us there backsides. Which of course to a bunch of 8 year olds was hysterical!

This guy is always ready to pose for a picture.
The Polar Bears were not cooperating today. I don't think Syd will ever see them in the water. But the guy below was having a blast in his water area!

Last year the zoo had 2 elephant calves & baby otters. We got to see one elephant calf she was quite active and came right up front.
All we got to see of the otters were their backsides hanging out of the log. Again with the backsides.

A snack before the ride home.
Fun was had by all and everyone returned to school safely. They have announced that one of the seals is now pregnant so I guess that will be the next trip to the zoo.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!!

A Kid Thing

As I watch Sydney growing up it makes me reminisce about things from my childhood. There are alot of things I remember Jackie & I doing. I am not sure if she remembers or not. One her friend Karen touched on running through the house in your socks and sliding. Well we went one step further and would spray Pledge on the floor to make sure we would really slide. (We did get along no matter what our parents say.) When Mom & Dad left to go for the evening if we got left Chef Boyardee we would eat it right away then have to scrap together something to eat at supper time. Watching TV after school and waiting 30 minutes til our parents got home to start our chores. One of the others Sydney has been doing for a little while but has recently perfected.

She sits and watches TV like this.

Do you remember doing this as a kid? What other things do you remember doing?

PS. I know I blogged about her losing her tooth but she has also gotten a black eye at school and fell down the stairs in the past week! She fell tonight on her way to bed. She wants to know what is wrong with her. Klutzy stage here we come. Look Out!

Just bring me the money!!!

Well Syd has done it again! This time by herself.

I knew her other front tooth was getting loose. When I picked her up tonight. She could really move it around. Well after the last one I figured it would be another month before it came out. She went into the bathroom to "try" and pull it. She came out and said she could turn it all he way around. I was getting ready to go & see with a little pull she yanked it on her own.

Luckily the other front one has started to come in.

Good Job Sydney!!!

New Hairdo!

On Saturday Sydney and I went to get haircuts. After a very very long wait she was able to get her new do. I realize we normally cut her hair short every year but this year we are ahead of schedule. I have started making her dry her own hair. At least she starts then I take over. Her hair is so thick it takes a little while to get done. She cannot wait til it gets warmer so she can let it air dry. Well all she has done is complain about how long the drying process takes I told her a easy solution was a haircut. She finally agreed.

Then came the struggle of how short we were going to cut it. She wanted it up to her ears. I was trying to explain it was still cold and we could go shorter when it warmed up. So we compromised and did halfway between.

Do you know when we washed it the first time she complained about drying it! UGH!!!! I told her my next step was to shave it if she did not stop.

The hat pics are from Dr. Seuss days. This week they have a fun thing to do everyday to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday. Monday was wacky hat day. What you cannot see on the hat was the way it was decorated. I love this one of her laughing!

You would think she had seen Pulp Fiction. She was dancing like that. I have no idea why. I can only give the excuse I always give....She is crazy just like her Aunt Jackie!

Sydney's 1st Published Drawing

Sydney's drawing was chosen to appear in the local Kittanning paper. I guess the art teacher had them draw pictures of the different seasons. Lucklily we had a friend of hers call & tell us it was in there. Pretty cool huh?

Sydney's 8th Birthday Party

We had Sydney's party at the local bowling alley. We were very lucky as there were no other parties that day. Actually, there was only 3 other people there at the other end from us. I guess they heard there was a party coming.

The Party Group

We had 14 second graders in attendance. Let me say they were really really good. They paid attention to when it was their turn and cheering each other. We only had a couple we needed to keep moving. No one dropped balls on their toes or pinced anyone fingers YEAH!! It is always fun to watch kids get strikes & spares when there ball is traveling under 4mph. We had a couple of kids get over a hundred. Syd came really close with a 94. We were pretty impressed although, they were using bumpers. (I think everyone should be able to use bumpers when bowling. It would make me feel good about my bowling. )

The silly pic of the crew. They tried to do this first but I told them I needed a serious one first then they could be silly.

Steve lighting the candles.

We had pizza & cupcakes. All in all it was a good 2 hours.

After the party and deciding Syd's friend Katie was spending the night. (Momentary lack of insanity). Syd, Katie, Mom & I were off to eat & see Coraline at the movies. Thanks to Aunt Jackie & Uncle Aaron she had movie money. First we ate at Eat N Park were the girls had giggle meals. Then to the movies. Well this was a first because it was in 3D. It was really neat as we did not get the cheapo paper glasses. We actually got plastic glasses. the girls looked funny because they were so big. They reminded me of really bad Blues Brother glasses.

The movie was okay I have seen better but the girls really liked it so that's what counts.

The girls fell asleep on the way home only to wake up & start talking as soon as we got home. Luckily for me they were tired from all the running around and weren't too bad about going to sleep. Boy was I exhausted!!!

Spending Time With Grandma

Mom came down Thursday night after work thank goodness as Sydney did not have school on Friday. After all those snow days they had an inservice day. So she spent the night with Grandma at my Uncle Lou & Aunt Sally house (who are in FL). Of course Sydney was up early & ready to go. They went sled riding up on the hill. Where they came across a large herd of deer which I hear Syd was very excited to see as she said" I have never seen that many a one time." I guess we should be glad there was no trips to the doctor as they decided to ride down together. They ended up tumbling off and Mom kicked Sydney in the head. Mom bruised her hand really bad just going by herself. Maybe they need a babysitter to keep an eye in them while they are together. Sydney also was witness to a really large Fox Squirrel stealing from Aunt Sally's bird feeder.

They also decorated Sydney's valentine's box for school. Yeah I got out of that craft. Syd was pretty wore out when I got done with work on Friday. I guess working to clear the snow, crawling up the hill, sledding, going to the car wash & crafting was all she could handle.

I won't get into Mom building a fire and telling Syd to watch for smoke. Poor Aunt Sally when Syd goes to spend time with her will learn all the things that almost happened to her house.

Thanks MOM!!!

Before the Party

Yes, I know I have already complained about people not RSVPing. But can you believe that I actually got 3 the day after the last RSVP date. And I got 2 yesterday the day before the party. One came at 9:00pm. What are you supposed to do tell them no your kid cannot come. That doesn't seem fair to the child. Although one mother said she did not get the invite til Friday. Knowing this child the way I do I find that totally possible. Thank goodness I did not cancel any of the bowling lanes.
So in just under 3 hours we will begining Syd's party with 15 second graders. I know it will be fine. I just hate the making sure I brought everything. Like did I forget the cupcakes, candles, paperplates, Sydney. Just kidding about her she would walk if she had too. I did forget the silverware last year. Thank goodness we don't live far away.
Later on you will have the joy of seeing pictures from the party. I know that you are WAY EXCITED.

Sydney's Steeler Cheer

Per Elizabeth's request I am going to post the cheer that Sydney and her 2 friends made up for the Steelers going to the super bowl. Keep in mind they are 7 years old.

Let's Go STEELERS

Let's Win This Game

We Know Your Colors Black & Gold

We're Going To Win The Super Bowl

Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Let's Go!

A VERY Happy Sydney!!!

Well after a long wait for the game to start. Sydney came downstairs right at 6:oo to find out if the game started. She was a little dismayed that there was pregame stuff to sit through. She called "tails" for the coin toss only to be upset that it did not go their way. I could here her from the kitchen that the Cards had won the toss. It was very funny. So down she sat with her terrible towel. to wath her team. Her wondeful dad bought her a new one even though it oained him greatly. I wish we had some money for every question that she asked us. She tried to get me to let her stay up & watch the game. No deal.

So today she set off for school with her jersey on & her black & gold painted nails. What a crazy little person!!! It would make alot more sense if her father or I were big fans. She still does not understand why her dad does not like the Steelers. I don't think she ever will.

She sat with the towel the whole evening I thought she was going to spill her drink waving it around!!
Had to add this one.