Dustin off the water table

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Loving the Day's playday!

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Sydney's 5! A celebration "under the sea"

 5 candles.  When did THAT happen?  Sydney wanted a mermaid, girls only, swim party this year so we celebrated on her real birthday, Friday March 9 at a local rec center with a great indoor pool.

 We partied in the party room with pizza, fruit salad and cupcakes.

 Little Miss Kate saying "cheese"

 The girls started a couple rounds of "ring around the rosie" to them saying "happy birthday" over and over

 Some of the sweetest little girls I know!  We invited her friends from school, dance and some of our family friends.

 Then it was time to swim!  Since I promised my sweet friends that I would not photograph them in bathing suits :), here are a few pics from the pool of the girls

Overall, it was a relaxing and fun party and Sydney loved every second of it!  Happy Birthday Sydney Elise!  So thankful God gave me a little girl so fun of sugar and spice and everything nice 5 years ago!!!!

Royal Ball 2012

 Introducing Princess Sydney Walker

 For the first 2 weeks in February, the senior class at Sydney's preschool learned all about medieval times and royalty, leading up to THE ROYAL BALL.  Each girl chooses if they are a princess or a queen and the boys are either knights or kings.  Then they are paired with a partner to be announced at the ball.  The announcer (who sounded SO much like her beloved teacher Mrs. Jenny) said "Introducing the beautiful Princess Sydney Walker and the Noble Knight Griffin Davis" and they walked on rose petals down the isle...

 where he presented her with a rose, she curtsied...

 and he bowed to the serfs (all the parents were servants) and other royalty.

 This is the Brave Knight Nicholas Sella, who has been one of our buddies since they were 5 months old in the baby class.  He came home from school several weeks ago and told his mom "I am going to marry Sydney Walker."  When she asked him how he knew, he replied "She told me so."  LOL

 After the royalty was all announced, the gentlemen asked their partner for a dance and when Griffin came over to Sydney she was grinning SO big I could see her dimples without my zoom lens.

 I cried watching them.  And I am not really a happy crier.  But it was PRECIOUS!  They danced to "Beauty and the Beast" and I have to say- it was precious!  He spun her around several times and they were chatting about who knows what!

 Then the royalty were invited to dance with their parents.  

 And I cried again.  They danced to "I can show you the world" from Aladdin.

 Don't you worry- her momma got a turn too!

 Then it was time for the Royal Feast.  The teachers went all out- there were candelabras, goblets, place cards, etc.  It was such a special morning and most importantly, Sydney felt beautiful, celebrated and special.

 Each royal family represented was asked to make a coat of arms to represent their interests.  Sydney wanted dancing, princess stuff, and swimming on ours.

 This was just a part of the room decorations- a castle that helped transform their classroom into a magical and memorable Royal Ball.  I can't believe that she will graduate from preschool in 2 months!!!!!!  

Where in the world has time gone?!?

So, I find myself saying this nearly every 4th post, but I have been crazy busy with work and home pressures and the blog has sort of fallen off the radar.  But I have to keep at it because this is my kiddos scrapbook!  It is spring break, and the majority of our last week has been focused on Sydney having surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids.  I could not be more proud of her!  She literally walked herself into the OR with a nurse without any tears and has been a rock star during recovery.  The biggest challenge has been to keep her quiet and still- hahaha if you know her you are laughing out loud.  Thank goodness for art projects, new movies and of course, Popsicles and ice cream!!!

Syd as photographer

She is obsessed with my camera- both my real one and on my phone.  Here are just a few of the nuggets I find randomly :)

Joe Smith for NLR Mayor

Well, it is official!  My step dad Joe is running for North Little Rock Mayor.  We are thrilled for him to have the opportunity to follow this dream and are already in full campaign mode.  Please visit www.JoeSmithNLR.com or www.facebook.com/JoeSmithNLR!!!