Sydney's Birthday

Yesterday was Sydney's 12th birthday but the celebrating started on Saturday with a little friends party. We are weird parents and only let the kids have a "friends" party on certain birthdays (8,12,16) so this was Syd's year. She invited just a few of her friends for a swimming party. We are fortunate to have great friends in our neighborhood, one of which loaned us their pool for the evening.
Here are few pics from the party...





Yesterday we celebrated her b-day with the family. But first Syd went to her first day of Jr. High...which she loved! She is so excited about this year. She thinks her teachers are great. She doesn't have alot of her good friends in her classes, but she knows at least one person in each and this will give her an opportunity to get to know new friends. Hopefully she'll keep the old and make new great ones. I am excited for her.

After Ken got home from work we took the kids to one of our favorite places...Red Robin's. I love their food, the kids love the atmosphere, and I can feed my family for the same price as the drive thru at Wendy's plus left-overs. Way cool! That was fun. When we got home we hid Sydney's presents for her to find. Tyler, Kaylie and Emma all went in together to buy her the fishing pole and gear she has been wanting. Strange request for a 12 year old girl I know, but that is what she really wanted. The kids were so happy to get it for her, and she is thrilled to have it. She also got a new outfit (which I must say she looks too grown-up in) and a bike lock so she can ride all the way across the street to school. :)



Only one more year until we have a teenager! I just realized we are going to be right in the thick of teenager's and toddlers in the next few years. Bring it on!