"I don't do fashion, I am fashion." Coco Chanel

It only took us 90 minutes to leave the house on Saturday morning to meet a friend at the 'Round the Fountain Art Fair. A pile of clean laundry inspired Sydney to experiment. And who am I to interfere with an artist?

Of course, despite the 90-minute prep period, we only spent 9 minutes at the Art Fair :) At least we got to meet our friend Christy for strawberries.

Real time

Spring is here!
Finally!
Today was devoted to yard work, then we enjoyed dinner on the patio. Sydney and I competed in field races while Brian refereed. Then ... we saw it. A hot air balloon in the distance.
But it kept coming closer and closer and closer ... then it began its descent.
We jumped in the car and chased it to a nearby field.

Sydney was ecstatic.

I'm pretty sure she's dreaming of the blue hot air balloon right now.

Back bLogged: Tree shopping

Yep, it's kinda sad that I'm posting these Christmas images now.

We live two-minutes from a Christmas tree farm.

Must smell everything ...

Back bLogged: Harry Otter

Here is Sydney this December with her beloved Harry Otter.

The coordinated outfit is a gift from family friend Helen Kenny. Pretty spiffy!

We introduced Syd to finger painting tonight. She wasn't impressed.
"It's messy."
"Sticky."
"I need a paper towel."

She's always been a polite pal who uses "thank you,""you're welcome," "please" and "excuse me." We've been encouraging "No thank you" for some time and she's finally using it. She appropriately used it today when Brian was trying to brush her hair. I guess she ran from him yelling "No thank you.":)

Back bLogged: Our little Smurf

These photos are from November 2008.

Her eyes are quite striking in this image.

Syd tries on Brian's shoe.

Speaking of shoes. Syd and I went shoe shopping this week. She was a gem as we made our way to the shoe store. She chose to push her penguin in the stroller, and walk alongside me through the mall. At Track n' Trail, she pointed out different shoe colors, and sat next to me on the bench 'helping' me as I tried on trail running shoes. As soon as I took off the second pair of shoes I was trying on, Syd (also known as Flo Jo at our house) bolted out of the store. I turned to the sales lady, said, "I'll be right back." Then, sprinted after her in my socks.

She made her point: who needs running shoes to sprint?

Sometimes folks who see me running or at the gym ask me what I'm training for. My reply, "So, I can catch my daughter."

Back bLogged: Hairspray (not the musical)

After months and months and months of saying, "Sydney needs a hair cut," I finally made an appointment the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

Yes, I took her to one of my posh places but I am not going to take a chance on her hair. Two of the three Patterson girls had bad haircut experiences.

Amy: I'm not sharing details or pictures. It took me years to grow it out again.
Julie: Um, well. I chopped off one of her pigtails. Sorry, sis.

She was well-behaved.

And, very pensive.

And, very serious.

Nearly 3 inches was taken off the back. The girl still has a lot of hair. Good thing the sitters know how to fix it, because I don't :)

Back bLogged: Snow paradise

The snow finally fell the last week of January.

I pulled Sydney in her sled and she watched me make snow angels.

She loved eating the snow.

We're thinking snowshoes for next year.