Fall School Pictures

I can't believe how big my girls are getting!  We got their fall school pictures back and they are so cute!

➹ Sydney Pre-K 2016 ➹

➹ Olivia 2nd Grade 2016 ➹

➹ Last year to this year! ➹

My Money Makers

While my parents and brother were away in Hawaii for a couple of weeks {waayyyyy back in September}, the girls helped them out by taking over a few of their jobs.  Sydney was in charge of Peyton while he stayed with us and Olivia was in charge of watering trees and plants at some of Poppy's clients' houses!

Both girls did such an AMAZING job with their duties.  Sydney was SO sweet with Peyton...she fed him, loved him, and even slept with him the entire time e was here.  Olivia took her job seriously and had her clipboard and checklist each time we went out!

Sydney's Shimmer and Shine Party

Sydney turning FIVE was a BIG deal!  She got to have her very first true birthday party with a full on theme and more than just neighborhood friends coming over to swim.  

She really wanted a Shimmer and Shine birthday party at her dance studio.  I really didn't want to do a character party, but when it was all said and done, I'm SO glad we went with exactly what she wanted!

I had seen some belly dance outfits online and thought they would be perfect for her party, so that was our kicking off point!  With the help of my friend, Sheri, and a million and one trips to Hobby Lobby, we made her party one for the books!

➹ Her Shimmer and Shine bags that held her belly dance outfits for the girls. ➹

 ➹ I made some "magic carpets" out of fabric, scrapbook paper, and tassels...they turned out cute and looked good as a centerpiece on the kids table at the party. ➹

➹ Once I started blinging things out, I had a hard time stopping! ➹

➹ Seriously, I have to give such a huge shout out to my friend Sheri and her husband Dave.  She designed the Shimmer and Shine palace and then had it printed on foam board along with the girls, their pets, and the vases.  After it was printed, Dave took it to the Tech Shop and cut the girls out.  She and I spent one night attaching all of the jewels to them. They turned out so cute!  ➹

➹ Sydney insisted on a cake...next time I'm going to work hard at convincing her to do cupcakes because they are so much easier! ➹

➹ The bags looked so cute on the tables! ➹

➹ I wish I had gotten some better pictures of her with all of her stuff, but she was having so much fun with her friends, I hated to ask her to pose for pictures! ➹

➹ I loved having the party at the dance studio!  They used all of the songs from Shimmer and Shine shows and taught the girls a dance to the Mistake Song from the show. ➹

➹ My birthday girl! ➹

➹Sydney and her friend, Hailey! ➹

➹ Even the boys had fun! ➹

➹ Such a great crew and such a fun day! ➹

Interview With a Five Year Old {Sydney}

Oh, my sweet, SWEET Sydney!  How I love you so!  You are sweet and kind and loving...your heart is so big it might surely explode with love for those around you.  You are my little buddy and I am soaking up every minute of you that I can.  Keep your loving spirit, always, and you will go far!

Favorite color:  Pinkish Purple

Favorite toy:  Shimmer and Shine toys

Favorite Stuffed Animal:  My Cheetah 

Favorite Thing to Sleep With:  Mommy

Favorite Fruit:  Raspberries

Favorite Cereal:  Strawberry Yogurt Oh's

Favorite Breakfast:  Scrambled Eggs

Favorite Lunch:  Mac N Cheese

Favorite Dessert:  Strawberries and Whipped Cream

Favorite Drink:  Water

Favorite Animal:  Rhinocerous

Favorite Song:  Shimmer and Shine theme song

Favorite Book: The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home

Favorite Game:  Bubble Fever {Tsum Tsum}

Favorite TV Show:  Shimmer and Shine

Favorite Movie:  Zootopia

Favorite Thing to do Outside:  Swing

Best Friends:  Riley, Brooke, Hailey, Jake, Taylor, Ty, Reagan

What She Wants To Be When She Grows Up: Horse Trainer

As per usual with our birthdays, I put together a birthday slideshow for Sydney.  You can watch it here...
Sydney's 5th Birthday from Amanda Michelson on Vimeo.