The First Race!

The O'Reilley Challenge

Today was the day Sydnie has been anticipating for a long time: her first NASCAR race! Every year she asks to go with Daddy and friends, but unfortunately, has been allowed that rite of passage.

Knowing her dislike of large crowds and loud noises, it was a decision we made very purposefully, waiting until we thought she would actually be able to enjoy the experience. Am I glad we waited. The smile on her face was truly priceless!

Donned in her M&M's race shirt and National Guard jacket, she was so excited on the drive to the race track I thought she might explode! Wiggling, counting down every few minutes, worried we wouldn't be allowed in the gates if we were late to arrive- the anticipation was palpable. Unfortunately, we were a few minutes late. We watched the drive over from the parking lot and were just outside the track when we heard the call for engines to start and the rumble of motors began. "Wow! You can hear them out here. It's so loud!" Grinning even larger, it was looking like a great day unfolding.

Our dear friends the Fikes joined us in celebrating "the first race". We missed the Hatchers, but they were with us in thoughts. Without writing a play-by-play, let's just say it was a success and Sydnie wants to return! She bounced in her seat watching the race; looked at most of the haulers to "get the full experience" but was anxious to get back to the race so she didn't "miss anything" on the track; saw a car catch on fire; and a really good burn-out. 200 laps was a good length of time for her first race and she couldn't believe how short it felt. What's the saying? Leave them wanting more?  I think we did. There were no complaints of the noise, the crowd was not bad-I think Tim has a new race buddy!

 "It was even cooler than I expected!"  We were right to wait. If only all parenting decisions were so clear and easy. We just have to be grateful for those moments and keep them close.

Happy Racing

My Knight in Shining Armor!

This afternoon while scooting on her scooter with a couple of girls in on our street, Sydnie bought the pavement. The first growing up accident...not including falling off the slide in preschool when she was 2 years old. While she had to have stitches after the slide, this time only required a good cleaning, band-aids and lots of extra love. But is it ever really that simple???

I pulled out the first-aid kit and began cleaning her knees, through her tears, she was insistent I continue very carefully. She took a quick shower, dressed and cried from the pain in her knees. I sprayed her knees, with the pain-stopping spray, and she begins screaming it stings so badly!!! So much for no pain...then Daddy stepped in and saved the day. He gave her another shower to wash off her knees and put neosporine and band-aids on her. For the rest of the evening, she clung closely to Daddy, her "knight in shining armor".

What would we do without a Daddy to rescue us? I don't think it matters if we are 6 or 66, Daddies are special men in our lives and we should tell them often. However, too often, we leave our true feelings unsaid, whether we're embarrassed, uncertain, or have some other hidden reason. Take advantage of today and the opportunity to say "Thanks" to that special Dad, before it's too late.

I love you, Dad. You were a great dad and I am thankful Syd can know her "Pa". It's a real blessing.

We are still here

Well, it's been 6 months since my last post. Don't worry, I won't bore you trying to fill you in on 6 months. I'll just give the highlights:

• We went to Florida for our first official family vacation. We met Tim's family there and rented a house with them for a week. It was a beautiful time to go, but the ocean was VERY rough and Sydnie only ventured in twice. It was a little scary and she worried about anyone who went in. We were actually able to get in the water before the oil spill reached the area.
• Sydnie started Kindergarten. Yes, Mommy cried while Sydnie took off ready to go. Tim was a great Dad and husband: he took off the day for Syd and myself :)
• Sydnie has lost 5 teeth and has 2 loose now. She leaves notes for the Tooth Fairy (and Santa) with very clear expectations. The Tooth Fairy is nice enough to write back regarding Syd's concerns and thoughts. Like, a mini-trampoline really is toooooo big for a Fairy to bring for a lost tooth.
• Sydnie and I went to Tennessee after Christmas. We rode back with my mom and dad to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday celebration. We surprised her when we showed up on her door step. I must say, it was one of the best surprises I've been involved with in a long time.
• Sydnie is planning a redesign for her bedroom. She has some very clear ideas; we'll see how it all comes out. Right now, we are looking at colors, accessories, and budget. It will be a couple of months before it's finished, I expect.
• We have been out of school for 3 days now with icy weather and rolling blackouts. Today to break things up a bit, we had orange muffins for the Chinese New Year (good luck for the new year) and some friends braved the roads to visit. Cabin fever was averted for one more day. We'll see what happens tomorrow with snow predicted tonight.
• Sydnie is in Daisies (Girl Scouts) and is selling cookies. Yeah! She gets to sell cookies she really shouldn't eat - no gluten free options with these yummies. Her troop is also researching Egypt for World Thinking Day They are also planning for a day camp this month. A busy month for Girl Scouts!

I am sure much has happened in our little circle, but you get the idea...never a dull moment! But, we are blessed to have the opportunities we have and look forward to many more!

Blessings to you all.

Zoo Fun

Sydnie LOVES going to the zoo and the last time we went, she was very bummed the new exhibit, The African Savannah, wasn't open. So, we went today. Even better, we went with Nana and Pa! It was HOT. It was fun :) We finally saw the cheetahs and elephants. Of course, we saw the lions, warthogs, and giraffes, which only received a passing glance. "Ok, I've seen it, what else can we see?"

After the zoo, we went to eat and yes we were so hot, we enjoyed a little bit of Frosty to cool us down :)

Memorial Day Fun

Happy Memorial Day!! We didn't have big plans for our Memorial Day, or Memorials Day, as Sydnie put it, but it turned out to be lots of fun...and memorable...hahaha.

We had some friends over, kind of a last minute thing, to grill and just 'hang-out'. Sydnie and Silas, almost 4, have lots of fun together so they were sooooo excited to have the play time. Even so excited they didn't eat when the adults ate. If you know Sydnie, you know that is amazing, she will almost always be willing to stop what she' s doing to eat, especially grilled steak (which is quite a treat). After lots of good playtime, and a good meal, Sydnie decided to do something about her loose tooth, or rather allow someone else to do something about her tooth. Let me explain...

Silas's family came over. You know that when kids come into the family the parents don't get the mention, as before kids, but Silas's mom is also a dental assistant. Sydnie wouldn't let Mom or Dad touch her tooth, but she let Mrs. Tiffany pull it!!! She was a little wary, but she was patient and out it came. We now have a snaggle-tooth in the family, who is very proud of the hole in her mouth :) She asked the tooth fairy for the tooth. She did leave the tooth, which she said was a 'very unusual request and practice' but this is Sydnie: the queen of unusual requests :) She looked at her tooth all night and all the next day. I wonder if each tooth will carry this kind of excitement??

So, we really did have a big memorable Memorial Day, maybe not as one would expect, but perfect for our family. A good evening with friends (Mr. Jacob and Carly, we are glad you came too) and a good family event we were happy to share.

'Til the next event...

Blessings :)

Gluten Free/Yeast Free Recipe

I tried something new for lunch today I had seen in Yeastfree Cooking, or something like that. Anyway, it was so simple and actually tasty. I don't usually make meals during the day, I don't always sit down to eat, so what's the point? So this was more than I'm used to, but so easy. Ready?

One cooked sweet potato, peeled and sliced
1/2 banana cut lengthwise, peeled
1/4 cup pecans, toasted
oil

Toast the pecan for a few minutes, remove from the pan and add just about a tablespoon of oil. Add the banana and sweet potato slices. Cover and let cook until warmed through. You don't even have to turn them over. Plate with cooked side up and sprinkle with nuts. The bananas have a nice sweetness that comes out with cooking and blends well with the potato and pecans. Surprisingly yummy!

A Loose Tooth

Well, it has come at last...Sydnie's first loose tooth! She has been waiting since the last dental visit. Looking at the xrays, the dentist said he anticipated he two bottom teeth would fall out this summer. She has been anxously awaiting. When she realized she had a loose tooth, I thought she would actually jump out of her skin. She had to call Daddy and work and give him the BIG news!! It is loose and getting looser, with help, of course, but she doesn't want Daddy to pull it. I'll be curious to see how things go when it is so loose it wobbles on its own...