Goodbye Daisies, Hello Brownies!

Sydney's Girl Scout troop recently had a bridging ceremony and they are now all officially Brownies!  They sold a record number of Girl Scout cookies this year that they had a fun party at Sweet and Sassy to celebrate!  I'm so proud of Sydney for selling almost $1,000 worth of cookies, my little sales lady!  At the party, they all got updo’s, wore fancy dresses, walked the runway and rode in the big pink limo!

It's a Baking Party!

Sydney’s 6th Birthday Pink Carpet Princess party was pretty fantastic last year. I almost immediately started thinking, what could we do this year. That’s it!!! We both share a love for cooking and baking, Paula Deen and Giada DiLaurentis. It had to be a baking party! I had sooo many lists, so many things to buy and lots of things to make!

I did bunches of research on Baking Parties and scoured and gawked and gawked some more. Some of my favorite party websites where I found great inspiration were from Amy Atlas Events, Tip Junkie, Pizzazzerie and Birthday Party Ideas.

I chose the colors - hot pink, light pink, mint, yellow, white, turquoise and light blue. So, I first started out by making tissue paper flowers in all these colors to hang from the ceiling. I needed to make big ones, small ones, pointy ones and scalloped ones. Overall, I think I ended up making about 26 of them.
I found some great tissue paper tutorials on You Tube.

Sydney's First Emergency Room Trip!

Such a busy year it has been already!  We started 2011 off quietly at home with the kids.  Tim was sick and went to sleep at 7:30.  We were out watching the massive firework shows on both ends of the street while Tim rested and recouped!

It's the start of a new decade, already!  In high school I remembered that meant one of those decade long compilation CD's with all the popular songs that they sample on late night tv.  Haha!

2011 means Tim and I will celebrate 20 years together (instantly feel OLD), 15 years of marriage and our 20th high school reunion!  There are so many good celebrations to look forward to in the months ahead.

January started off to be a little crazy!  On the 15th, Sydney had a little accident with a barstool falling on her toe at my parent's house.  It happened just moments of us leaving to go home (isn't how that always works)??!!  We rushed her to the Emergency Room, her first trip!

Daddy carrying our baby girl!

After stiches and all bandaged up!

Big brother pushing his sissy!

Luckily, we went to a brand new hospital close by and we were able to walk right in at 9:30pm on Saturday night.  I thought we would be in for a good 3-4 hour wait.  So we were lucky.  Sydney was actually much braver than her momma who almost fainted after it happened.  She had to get numbing shots on both sides of her toe and she squeezed her hands together really tight but didn't cry.  We were so proud of her.  The barstool landed right in the middle of her left toenail which was hanging by a thread.  Her toe was lacerated (I'll leave that picture off)!!!  You could almost bend the whole tip of it back.  I couldn't look!!  Sydney had nine stitches and the x-ray showed that it wasn't broken...amen!! 

We had to dress it and Neosporin and bandaid her toe up for a few weeks.  She got to skip P.E. for two weeks and be at the front of the line so no one would step on her toe.  This also meant no tumbling class for awhile.  She's so active, this was going to be difficult!! 

Thanks goodness her toe is on the mend now and today is week 4 of no tumbling class.  This MUST change since my little active girl is now best friends with the couch and Good Luck Charlie!!

How is 2011 treating you?

The Pumpkin Patch

Several weeks ago, Sydney's little Girl Scout group (Daisies) had an evening trip to the pumpkin patch. 

I was so excited to get my annual pictures, but almost right after we got there, I was juggling so much in my hands and dropped my baby aka my Canon Rebel on the ground.  I had my big lens on it and when I went to take a picture, I noticed the view finder was all distorted and blurry although it still takes pictures.  The timing was lousy and I'm SOOO sad as much as I take pictures.  My camera is like my 4th baby!! 

We took an evening hay ride under a full moon, roasted hot dogs in the firepit, made smores, fed the cows hay and played on the playground.  The girls wore their Halloween costumes and they all looked so cute!  Brody had so much fun playing with all the pumpkins and wagons.  Blake had a baseball game that night or else he would have loved to be there. 

My Girl

My girl Sydney.  Love her!  From the time she was able to talk and walk, we knew she was little Miss Bubbly, Miss Personality, Miss Chatterbox, Miss Larger-than-Life, the list could go on an on.  Everyone knows crazy Sydney, she shines! 

Through the years we have butted heads.  She is so strong-willed.  So not shy - the way I was growing up.  She has always wanted to do her own thing.  Last year, Sydney started Kindergarten and I was worried for her because of her talking.   Luckily Blake's second grade teacher and my friend was now her teacher.  She began e-mailing me that she was really concerned about Sydney.  Here is a post from last year.  I received contstant e-mails about her behaviors and we tried everything for positive reinforcement to see if it helped and nothing did.

Now, we are almost three months into First grade.  It has started out to be a difficult year for us but today, I am one proud momma!  I got the most wonderful news!!

October 16, 2010 was the day that Sydney's doctor told us she had Attention Defecit Disorder (ADD).  It was not news to us but just official according to surveys that Tim, her teacher and I had taken on Sydney's behaviors.  She scored a 7/9 for hyper-activity and 9/9 for lack of focus.  It was not a slight case of ADD, but severe with scores like that.  Her doctor said it is not common in six-year old girls.

I knew we were in trouble after getting a call home the second week of school.  I was worried about her talking and that wasn't even the issue.  I was so saddened to hear her teacher describe that Sydney was in a whole different zone when she was teaching.  Staring into space as she put it.  I wanted to cry.  I felt so bad for my baby girl. 

When she mentioned that her grades were beginning to suffer, I knew it was something we couldn't ignore.   I waited two more weeks hoping there would be a change.  I was in denial even after many discussions and disagreements with Tim.  

Benignus was on my phone calling me again...cringe...what report was I going to get this time?

"Hi Mrs. Fortunato" on the other end from her very caring and sweet teacher, Mrs. Burson.  My heart raced as I thought, "What is she going to tell me this time?"  I hoped that she would say that Sydney was magically doing much better in class.  No.  Not the case.

She had a 27 on a math paper and a 55 on another paper
She has to do redos in order to get her grades higher
She is reading below grade level
She did not listen to a bit of instruction on two-part math problems
She does not focus
She is more worried about her classmates and what they are doing
She is so very distracted by her pencils and erasers

After that call, I could not waste any more time.  We needed to do something to help our sweet, energetic, strong-willed girl.  This decision took over a year to make and lots and lots of cries in my closet.  I called the doctor's office immediately and scheduled a consultation.  My hand was shaking the whole time.  I hung up the phone once the appointment was made and I broke down.  I cried almost the entire afternoon.  It ruined my day.  This stuff happens to other people, not us.

What were we about to do?  Would Sydney's spirit be broken?  Would she be a completely different child?  Would there be long-term side effects?  These were all the questions running through my mind. 

Not to mention - guilt - what could we have done different?  Shame - for those that will judge us for our decision to medicate our child.  I realize so many people think parents throw their kids on it for an easy solution.   But it wasn't easy.  It was the hardest decision I have had to make as a parent.  Fear - that one day we will find out that her medication will cause some other ailment that could have been avoided if she did not take it at all.

This is our third week now.  What a difference her medicine has made.  Sydney hops in the car after school and is so excited to tell me that she gets tickets instead of time outs.  Time outs have ended.  If she has a good day, tickets can be saved up to buy things from the treasure box.

Reassurance came for me today.  I AM doing the right thing and I can finally feel good about our decision although it still will take some time.  We are helping Sydney be the best she can be in class and in her sports.

This morning, I was at my Moms group at church and one of the topics we discussed was measuring success for our children.   Not that it had to be anything grand, but just something short-term.   I chose Sydney and shared with my group the struggles we have had with her.  My measure was for her to get a good Tuesday folder with positive marks.

Within 10 minutes of sharing my story with the group, my phone rang.  It was Mrs. Burson.  "Mrs. Fortunato", in a very cheery voice!  She was calling to tell me what a wonderful job Sydney was doing in class.  Her reading has improved, she is getting math and completing her work.  She's focusing and paying attention.  Her eyes and attention are not on her classmates.  Her grades have improved.

I lost it and broke down crying to her teacher.  I told her how much that call meant to me.  It was the call I have been waiting for.  We DID make the right decision. 

God's timing could not have been more perfect.  It was His way of telling me it's ok!  :-)

Finally, some even better news...Sydney's tumbling coach promoted her tonight to the advanced class since she is doing so well.  Running round-off back-hand springs here we come!!

I'm so proud of my girl!

Sydney's First Soccer Game

Yesterday was a busy sports day = 8:30-8:30.  Soccer and Baseball. Sydney had her first soccer practice last Monday, what a crazy day!   Bed late Sunday night, gymastics at 4:30-5:30 then soccer practice from 5:30-6:30.  How would I do this for the next ten weeks?!  By the time we got to soccer, Sydney was already exhausted.  Some of the other girls played soccer for several years already and they knew how to play.  Poor little Sydney stood there confused and tired.  The other girls ran, she walked and stood there.  Oh no, this would be interesting.

She was so excited yesterday morning.  We got her all decked out in her gear and she was ready to go.  It was a little slow start for her but then she caught on and did very well!!  She did not like the opposing team to have the ball.  I was so proud of my little athlete.  We ended up losing 6-5.
 

Kindergarten Graduation

Today was Sydney's Kindergarten Graduation.  It was so cute.  They got to parade in front of all the parents in their caps up to the front of the cafeteria to receive their diplomas.  I can't believe that Kindergarten is over.  It seems like it just started!!  I remember how sad I was once school started and my little girly wasn't with me anymore during the day.   It's been a fun year, but also a year filled with notes home for my little Miss Chatterbox's talking, not following directions, not staying on task, getting into her classmates' business, arguing with others, getting out of her seat, talking in line and redirection.  Her poor teachers, they are angels!!  I don't know how they do it all day long!!  Lordy, I think I am the one who needs the "I made it through Kindergarten" diploma!  Yes, I shed many a tear over this.  My sweet little Sydney has a mind of her own.  She is so strong-willed and wants to do her own thing.  She is so the opposite of my personality, but I love that she has taught me so much, especially patience!  Oh...the morning arguments before school, the crying because she didn't have the right outfit or shoes on, goodness.  She's a girl, and this is only the beginning!!!

I am soooo excited that Sydney has come home for the last 7 days in a row without ONE single mark on her folder.  I can already tell, she's growing up a bit.  She has been waking up before me for the last week and gotten herself dressed and fixed her hair.  All without her momma and all without a single tear or argument!  I am lovin' it and I love my girl to pieces!!  Congratulations my lil' graduate! 

 Sydney's friends

Sydney's BFF Brooklyn

Sydney's Teachers - she adores them and plays them after school every day!

The girls!

Sydney's 6th Pink Carpet Princess Party

Two Saturdays ago, we had Sydney's 6th birthday party.  A lot of planning and work went into it since it was held at home this year.  The pink "carpet" was rolled out with glitter all over in front of the sidewalk to our front door and I hung a white backdrop with Sydney's birthday logo (thanks to my sister Stephanie's creative graphic design)! all over it to make the girls look like they were walking the red carpet. 

Sydney with my niece Alexa

The tables were covered in hot pink satin, zebra and leopard fabric and the chairs were wrapped in matching tulle.  For the centerpieces, I bought clay pots at Michael's and painted them hot pink and added lime green polka dots with rhinestones.  Inside the pots, I made tissue paper flowers with hot pink, lime green, black, silver, zebra and leopard tissue.  They turned out really cute.  I got the idea from my favorite childhood place - AstroWorld.  My dad bought my sister and I those huge flowers and I used to always make them.  Each princess had a crown at her seat along with a plastic wine glass full of lemonade and a cotton candy puff on the straw. 

I love thumbing through magazines especially In Style and finding party decorating ideas and one thing I have always loved is the look of paper lanterns.  So, I bought hot pink and lime green lanterns at Hobby Lobby and Michael's.  Blake hung them for me even though it wasn't easy.  Sydney's cake matched the whole theme.  I found this awesome cake lady at Michael's - Confections By Erica, she had her magnetic sign on her car, so I thought I'd give her a try.  She did a wonderful job on the cake.

I made the 6 on the cake, I got the idea from some customers of mine who order initial cake toppers for baby showers.  It was in the wood section from Hobby Lobby.  I painted it, cut out paper with pinking shears, sanded it, Mod Podged, glittered and rhinestoned it all up!  I am going to be adding cake toppers to my website.

I kept the girls busy with fun activities like painting princess crown and high-heeled shoes and then once they dried, they decorated them with rhinestones and feathers.

Then, we invited Sydney's older friend Kinley (from baseball) and her friend Cassidy to help out with the mani/pedi/hair station...

Sydney's friends Malynn and Katie

Finally, we had a sugar scrub station.  One of my favorite shops in a little town about 15 minutes from us is called The Bath Hut.  You can choose your favorite scent and mix up a little scrub and get a matching lotion.  Sydney loves to go there with me since they let you try it out on your hands and they rub it off with a big pitcher of warm water.  So, I have a ton of scrubs and when her friends come over, they always ask if they can do scrub.  I figured since her friends love to do it, we could do this at the party.  Each girl stood in line and we scrubbed hands at the sink with a sugary pink scented mix.  Then we sprayed an oil spray followed by yummy lotion.  The girls loved it. 

We also made our own sugar scrub that the girls could take home.  They had fun taking turns mixing it all together as did my sister and some of the moms.  The recipe was so easy and I think we tripled this so there was enough for each girl to take home a little plastic Glad container of it. 

Sugar Scrub Recipe

You will need a large bowl and spatula

2 cups sugar

1/8 - 1/4 cup shower gel

1/8 - 1/4 cup lotion of your choice

6-10 drops of vitamin D oil (you can find at Hobby Lobby or Michael's)

6-10 drops of aloe vera oil (Hobby Lobby or Michael's)

6-10 drops of fragrance oil (Hobby Lobby or Michael's)

4-6 drops of coloring

Mix away with a spatula!

Your hands will be soooo smooth and soft after using this!

Then it was time for cake and presents.  Sydney opened her presents so fast, I missed so much of what she got and I tried so fast to write everything down so I could do thank yous.

Sydney with her sidekick/BFF Brooklyn!

My awesomely talented sister made me this super cute sticker to put on the goodie bags. 

If you are in need of any kind of sticker/logo design, you can get in touch with my sister through her blog - http://www.queenofthejuggle.blogspot.com/

Each girl took home a sugar cookie cutout of a high heel shoe.  My friend Kimberly (one of my fellow baseball moms) is starting a cookie company with her mom.  We were her guinea pigs and first customers.  She did a fabulous job on the shoes and they made them with our colors and added ribbon to each cookie.  They were so yummy too!  I think she even got some new business before she left!  If any of you are in Spring, Tomball, Cypress, Magnolia areas, let me know if you need a cookie lady!!

It turned out to be a very fun party and we had 16 girls once everyone showed up, wow!  I remember how much fun I had at my birthday parties that were at home.  I wanted to do the same for Syd.  There was so much planning and shopping trips to buy stuff.  It was a lot of work and I'm glad I did it, but I'm thinking next year, we'll do it somewhere else!!  I'm not much of a drinker, but I did kick my feet up and had a few glasses of wine once it was all over!  Oh and the mess, it took hours, I think I was up till 2am cleaning!!  :-)

Thanks Mom for all your help watching Brody & taking the kids to breakfast so I could get ready!

Thanks Steph for all your help with the finishing touches.  I don't know what I would have done without y'all!

Love you bunches!!

Shan