Fairbanks

Last week we took our annual trip up to Fairbanks for State FFA Convention. We drove up on Wednesday. Eight and a half hours after leaving Anchorage we arrived at Chena Hot Springs. Somehow (much to the surprise of her parents) Sycely managed to keep herself awake for the WHOLE journey, which meant an extra two hours or so of entertaining that we didn't expect since we figured she'd nap on the way. She did remarkably well considering we literally spent the whole day in the car. I got this fabulous car seat tray that allowed her to play with her princesses and farm animals, color and do stickers. We also brought along a cookie sheet and magnets, playdough, pipe cleaners and of course movies and other surprises to keep her busy. Once we got to Chena and got checked in we went for a swim in the hot spring pool.

Thursday we spent outside at Chena, for the most part while Lem was in a meeting. Sycely had fun collecting pine cones. After lunch we packed up and headed back into Fairbanks. Sycely was able to get a nap in on the hour long drive, thankfully. We grabbed some dinner and got Sycely to bed. She actually slept extremely well at night and at nap the whole trip and I'm SOOOO grateful for that!

Friday and Saturday were pretty full with convention activties. We did get a chance to take the visiting National Officer to Santa Claus House in North Pole. We took our traditional photo of Sycely in Santa's chair. My, oh my, how these little ones grow! It's truly amazing.

We had a yummy family breakfast on Sunday and loaded up in the car to head back home. The drive home took us less time, since we didn't have the extra hour to Chena. Sycely slept about 25 minutes before frost heaves interrupted her nap. Between snacks, potty breaks, toys and movies we all managed to survive the drive home. Man was it great to get all of us back into our own beds Sunday night! I think we're full up on the Fairbanks drive for another year or so-at least!

The new Big Sister Room

The Big Sister Room overhaul/remodel is finally completed! Though it was quite a lengthy, detailed, baby-step process, we somehow sustained the stamina to see it through to the end. It's a whole new Princessy world in what used to be our "office" (AKA Storage Room B). Sycely's new room features new carpet, paint, and trim, a new window, new light fixture, new outlets and switch covers, new closet unit, new dresser, storage cabinet, shelving, bedside unit, bookcase, and of course the ultimate in Big Sister furnishings, a special made princess canopy bed with sheer curtains. Of course there's plenty of Princess details included throughout the room including artwork, wallie stickers on the furniture, bedding, clock, lamp and hamper, among other things.

The Big Sister Room project sure did turn out to be a true "family affair" so to speak. My Dad and Kate got Sycely's bed frame ordered and Lem's parents picked it up in Homer. Lem and his Dad fashioned and assembled the canopy structure and his mom sewed the valance and curtain panels for us. We're so blessed to have such generous family so close by to help us make such magical things happen for our little princess. Sycely told her Daddy her "new Big Sister bed is magical and spark-el-y."

We did the big reveal last night. Sycely's been quite aware and involved in the whole prepping process, but didn't know about all the "Princessing" that was going to take place. That part we kept a surprise until the very end. Her and Daddy went to get the curtains from Nanny and Mommy put all the Princessy touches in her room while they were gone. She saw it all put together and ready for her when she opened the door for the first time last night. Bedtime routine and getting to sleep went remarkable well for such an exciting evening (probably thanks to the fact that she didn't take a nap yesterday-maybe a blessing in disguise?!) And, Sycely made it all night without falling out of her new bed, which was a comfort to Mommy since it's so high up off the floor (though I did go in once and dig her out of her covers since she likes to sleep like a mole burrowed about half way down toward the foot of the bed!)

So far this morning, Sycely's bed back in bed several times, reading books to and snuggling with her stuffed animal friend and babies. Something tells me she feels right at home and quite content in her Big Sister surroundings. There has been some confusion with the cat, Charlie, as usual as to who this new bed is intended for. It's no surprise considering we experienced the same situation with the Bassinet and the crib. He did give us a demonstration of his circus quality skills last night, leaping from the mattress to the top of the canopy cross bar and balancing, walking his way across for a few feet. I hope that's the last demonstration of that kind!

Hope you're finding life as full of joy and excitement as we are!