Sydney Fuller

American Heritage Girls - Walker Ranch Field Trip

This year we enrolled the girls into a girls troop called American Heritage Girls. We were disappointed in the way our girl scout troop worked last year so we were looking for a new girls group for this year. When a Mom at our school asked if anyone would be interested in starting an American Heritage Girls Troop at our school. After a little research we were excited to help organize the new troop. I signed on as Troop Treasurer and away we went. AHG is comparable to Girl Scouts but it must be partnered with a church. It has tons of really cool badges the girls can earn. And best of all, we have really dedicated Troop Leaders who are committed to make this troop fun.

We had our first troop field trip this weekend to an old Ranch in the Boulder foothills. Three times a year volunteers get together to work the ranch as it would have been run in its day. They were all in full 1800’s wardrobe. They had a horse plowing the fields, a blacksmith making hooks, an old laundry set-up for the kids to wash socks, sausage making, log cutting, music, etc….. The girls all had a blast. My hands were full with Kayla and the other girls to get too many pictures. Shame on me. But, here are a few we did get. Hopefully the other parents will be forwarding me more soon.

Our first cabin visit

Its finally official! We are now the owners of our very own cabin in Leadville. Daddy is in Norway for business this week so Mommy had to sign her life away all by herself. But, we got it done. We couldn’t wait for Daddy to come home before we checked out our new place. So us girls decided to go up once on our own and look around. Here we are!

Welcome!

We have a great deck to run around on and take in the mountain views.

Upstairs we have a loft which will be converted into the play area. The girls already think its awesome that they can look down at us folks down in the family room.

Thats all we want to show right now. The interior needs some paint, furniture and a little work before we are ready to show more. But, we are really excited to start enjoying our new home away from home.

Sydney’s 7 Year Old Portraits

We had the girls annual portraits taken over the weekend and here are the results. They took a total of 142 pictures and we had to whittle them down to what we thought were the best. Which was no easy task. We received digital copies of all 142 pictures so at least we can print more if wanted. There were so many good shots. As I look back over them I am seeing ones that should have been in our top list. It was so hard.

GRANDPARENTS & FAMILY: You are expected to tell us which ones are your favorites so we can mail them out to you. We have plenty so don’t be afraid to ask for several. Enjoy!

Parents Day

Today, I had the pleasure of going to school with Sydney. Her teacher this year seems to be really great about including the parents in the school year with the kids. She has all types of special parties, field trips, and other special days of which the parents are included if they wish. Today was Parents Day. Mommy took Sydney to school this morning and was able to stay in the classroom for the entire morning. To my surprise this meant that even I had to do some schoolwork. There was MATH-O, like Bingo only you had to do math problems to get your squares. There was a scarecrow puzzle. And a final craft project for parents and kids to make together. Here is Sydney and I’s paper bag penguin.

Of course we also had recess.

Here is a picture of Sydney with her teacher, Mrs. Hoffman. Happy to say we lucked out once again. One more awesome teacher for Sydney!

Nice Shoes

Now and then we have a kid that forgets to bring shoes in the car. So today I said I am not going to carry her and she had to figure something out! Introducing the doggie poop bag shoes. Its a new fashion trend for 2010. Just wait and see.

California Day Four - Great America

For our last day in California we decided to take the girls to the local amusement park, Great America. To Sydney’s surprise she was finally big enough to ride the first tier of real big kid roller coasters. Here she is about to take off on her first real roller coaster, The Grizzly.

She loved it! And made her parents take her on the coaster again, and again, and again. Until both parents were feeling a little pukey. Next, she moved onto “The Demon” which even goes upside down. I think we’ve created a monster.

California Day Three - Pacific Grove

Today’s agenda would start off with rock climbing along Pacific Grove. The girls always love this activity. There are plenty of ragged rocks to climb….

Along with amazing views of the tides…

Lots of hidden beaches to explore…

A plentitude of cool and weird objects to discover…

There was fun for the whole family.

Today the hunt was on for the coolest seashells. Most were broken but Sydney was able to find a few treasures to add to her collection.

Before getting into the car I made the girls all pose in front of my favorite beach flower, Ice Plant. Its one of the things I really miss whenever I think of the years we lived in California. The ice plant in Colorado just isn’t the same.

As you can see it goes on for miles along the beach here. Absolutely beautiful.

After our time at the beach we made our way over to the pier for a special treat. Daddy and Mommy love to kayak along the Bay and enjoy the abundant wildlife of Monterey. But, we didn’t think that was a possibility with three youngsters so next best option, a boat ride. We found a one hour glass bottom boat tour of the Bay. Just our style.

The tour guide had several bay creatures on hand for us to sneak an up close look. Here the girls are holding some jellyfish of which we saw tons of under the glass bottom.

And SpongeBob Squarepants himself.

The girls were glued to the edge of the boat to see all the seaside sights. Some were louder then others.

Once back on land we took a walk along the shoreline to view the quieter & fatter residents of the bay. The girls thought these seals were by far the cutest.

We finished our day off at the big Denis the Menace playground. Very cool place with lots of new and adventurous playgrounds.

They even had their very own train parked for climbing. Many parents would ban their kids from playing on the train. “Too dangerous.” But our kids climbed up it, through it, on top of it, and under it. Their Papa would have been proud.

California Day Two - Monterey Bay Aquarium

After our day at the museum we got into the car and headed over to Monterey Bay for the weekend. Monterey has always been one of our favorite spots and the kids love it as well. We got in late but the kids were ready to explore so we did a quick hike along Cannery Row in the dark. The next morning we woke to cooler weather so we decided to spend the day at the Monterey Aquarium. Its been a few years since Sydney has been back to Monterey but the aquarium always proves itself as a great aquarium. As always the girls had a great time. We didn’t get too many photos of our day but here is a shot of the gang at the aquariums outer deck. Always a great photo spot.

After the aquarium we stopped for some ice cream at Ghiradellis before taking the girls souvenir shopping. They had their allowance saved up and it was burning a hole in their pockets. Another great day!

California Day One - San Jose Children’s Museum

Daddy had to make a trip out to San Jose for work this week. It had been so long since the whole family was able to take the trip back to our old stomping ground. So we decided to make it a family affair for the long Labor Day weekend.

Brandon had to work the first day so Mommy took the girls to one of their favorite children’s museum in downtown San Jose. Here they are cruising the sea near China for some fish.

While Reagan made pizzas in the kitchen, Sydney stopped at the corn husk doll making station. I was really impressed with the final outcome. My girl is talented!

Doll done. Time for pizza.

Next up, the bubble exhibit. In prior years this was never one of the girls favorite exhibits. They didn’t quite get how to make big bubbles. But, this year they finally got their bubble skills. Sydney loved the bubble hose. She figured out how to make bubbles stick to her hands and walk around with them.

She loved it so much that she didn’t really try too much else in this exhibit. But at least she had a blast.

The special exhibit this time around was centered around the Bob the Builder TV show. While Kayla loved this room, the big girls thought is was babyish and boring. So we had to have a little discussion about letting your little sister have some fun too. Afterwards, they were great showing their baby sister a good time.

And at last, the water room. I think this is one of the best water play areas in any Children’s Museum around. They have all types of contraptions to send the balls flying through the air. All powered by water pressure.

Sydney really enjoyed this contraption. You would place your balls in the side tubes. Once full you could pull on this rope and send the balls flying into the air. You would of course get soaked as well. But, she loved it.

We always save this exhibit for last because the kids are drenched by the end of the activity. And you don’t want to be near tired kids in wet clothes. Its not pretty.

Another great trip to the museum. Hoping that my girls don’t outgrow this one too soon. I love seeing them running around here just being kids.