Sydney Fuller

I Like It Hot

A little trip to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs on the last day of 2011.

My Dad Rules, Wait He Sucks

After our last ski day, I decided to buy Sydney new boots and skis to avoid the future rental lines. Its an investment in saving time plus we have 3 kids to rotate through then I can always resell them. So I dropped some coin over in Frisco buying some new sweet skis for Sydney. She loved the more expensive white boots. Fine. Got the binding cheap. But the ski sizes were picked over. She was on 100s the other day. They had those but I wanted to go bigger for some growing room. 120 was the next size in stock. "Will these be OK?", I would ask. Nobody was sure but figured they would work now or eventually. So we got them.

So we are back at Ski Cooper. Same routine. Reagan and I, then Sydney solo. Syd heads up before us. All is well. We re-group at the top. Let's go! That was so much faster. Good job, Dad!

Crap. Why is Sydney falling constantly? Why can't she turn? Better go over there. I find Sydney 1/4 way down the mountain bawling. She can't turn. Her feet hurt. She wants to go home. Wow! Everything in her life was ruined at that moment. I tried to get her to just keep going but she would just fall. It was like she wasn't trying. She says she was. I didn't look like it. Just looked to me like it was harder and she threw in the towel. My fault.

So I took one of Reagan's straps off and tied it around Sydney's backpack. I then tried and finally succeeded at getting them to both ski straight downhill in front of me while I held them back. It was a huge V-formation. I looked like I was driving two horses or something. Sydney kept falling even in this situation. It was bad. Reagan was a trooper but she was getting really bored and cold waiting for Sydney all this time. It sucked for her.

After way too long, we got to the bottom and all fell into the snow to relax. They wanted to go home. I wouldn't let them. We had to think of a better solution. We ended up renting Sydney some 100 skis only and using her new boots. I pepped Reagan back up and we were on top of the mountain again 30 minutes later. Sydney had new life and picked up right where she left off the other day. I hated that I screwed up the morning. Lesson learned.

That's Syd up on a chair solo in front of us.

We took a mid-afternoon snack break and then got one last run in during a wind storm. I figured these kids had been burnt out after this. However, when we got home, they put there ski boots on and their skis and tried to ski everything on our property. Guess they had fun.

Skate Date

We took a family skate night at the Leadville ice rink. Lots of craziness. Such a fun time.

Back On Skis

Reagan, Sydney and I went skiing at Ski Cooper today. Its such a great family spot. Sydney rented skis for the day. She had to ride the lift by herself as Reagan and I would take the next chair behind her. We tried to entertain her by playing movie trivia by just yelling answers between chairs. It passed the time.

I was (and wasn't) surprised that Sydney picked up right where she left off last season. Just skiing from the start all by herself as Reagan and I followed behind. Very proud of her. Never worried about her. Even when she would fall and lose a ski. She had to deal and she did. Cool to see.

Skiing has been one of those rewarding things I get to do with the kids...like teaching them to ride a bike. Once they get it, they are off!

Sledding

Sydney loves anything outside involving snow. She doesn't even have to wear gloves when I am freezing to death. Freaky.

Halloween 2011

The favorite holiday of the year is here. And the costume of the year....

Notice the swoop of bangs. I was told this added to the look of the costume. Must have worked because I think she made one stunning Cleopatra.

Group shot of the year.

We once again had the Sandoval gang over for pizza and trick or treating. Looks like this is becoming a tradition. I learned that trying to get a group shot of kids who are ready for trick or treating is quite difficult. Not too bad.

Nation's Day

The month of October at our school is dedicated to educating the kids on different cultures. Each class picks a different country and learns everything there is to know about the cultures, geography, etc on their chosen country. This year Sydney's class would be learning about Ancient Greece. I volunteered along with two other Moms to lead a Greek craft and snack session once a week for the month. During our first week together the girls made brooches and bracelets. While the boys made shields. Both to be used later in the big Nations Day event. Our snack would be a samplings of Greek Yogurts and yummy lemon cookies. Lemon being a Greek staple.

The next week we created Greek pottery masterpieces. I was so busy helping with this one that I didn't get any pictures taken. We studied the Greek pottery called Black or Red Figure. The pottery had either a black or red background with everyday objects painted in either red or black. We made Black Figure Vases, red clay with black clay objects for decoration.

Week three we made Greek Relief carvings out of Ivory soap. This one definitely taught the kids a lesson in patience and using a gentle touch. While the carving was easier then thought, too much pressure would crack the bar in two. I think all crafts went over really well with the kids. I got lots of thank you's and hugs for my efforts. And best of all I always love being with the kids in the classroom. Its a great way to get to know the classmates. For our snack I made a batch of nut free baklava. The baklava was a huge hit with the kids. Good to learn I can bake some things.

Week four would hold the big Nations Day celebration. Each class prepared for a presentation on stage. Our class would be re-enacting the great Ancient Rome vs. Ancient Greek Battles. The other third grade class was studying Ancient Rome. The presentations were first thing in the morning. Sydney was chosen to be one of the elephants used in battle. A coveted role I hear.

The other elephant would be portrayed by her best friend and partner in crime, Madison.

After the presentation, the third grade class would be re-enacting the first Olympic Games. We had the Javelin throw...

The ball toss...

The discus toss, and finally they galloped in the big chariot race.

After the games we gathered in the classroom for a Greek luncheon of Pizza. These are kids and our teacher hasn't had the best luck with Greek foods in the past. We had some crazy sword fights and good ole goofing off before I was off duty for a couple hours.

First, we got a few pictures. Here's Sydney and one of her many BFF's.

And a shot with the teacher of the year, Mrs. Tadewald.

The final event of the day was the annual parade of Nations. The kids walk the halls and outside perimeter to show off all the great costumes. Always a fun filled day at our school.

Of course we have video of the presentations.

AHG Family Game Night

Tonight was our first annual family game night. Each family was to bring one or two of their favorite games to share. I have to say I wasn't too excited about his event. But, it turned out to be a great night. The kids all had a blast just hanging out with each other. Sydney was much more into the social aspect of the night rather then the actual games. However this one did catch her attention for a bit.

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend was time for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Since Kayla was old enough to really enjoy the activity we decided to make the trip to the big pumpkin patch. This place also has mazes, petting farms, and other activities. We went straight to the pumpkin fields first. The hunt to find the perfect pumpkin was on.

You can tell when you spot the perfect pumpkin.

Here's the gang with their pumpkin finds.

After the pumpkin field we made a quick stop at the hay maze. I guess your never too big.

Thundercats Still Rule

We haven't been up to Leadville much since school started so we went up this weekend to check on things. Fall time here is always so weird for us. Its too cold for summer sports, yet not cold enough for winter fun. So, we had a nice lazy relaxing weekend up in the mountains.

Dad had the foresight to order a new TV show on Netflix for the girls to enjoy over the long weekend. Much to our surprise this show was a huge hit. Well, not too much of a surprise. After all it was a favorite of both of ours as kids. Good to see the genes passed on to our kiddos.

On Sunday we woke up to a light dusting of snow. Our first snowfall of the year. The big girls went straight outside to make snow angels.

And be silly for the camera.