One Double Peppy Pizza, Please!

Tonight, at Peyton's request, we made Double Peppy Pizza. In one of the Boz videos, Boz and friends Drew and Gracie make a Double Peppy Pizza. Peyton makes a delicious Double Peppy Pizza, too!

What we've been up to....

Last week was Peyton's second and Reagan's first Vacation Bible School at our church. I was helping with Preschool crafts, and Peyton and Reagan got to go to their own classes. Peyton had several friends in his class. The highlight of each day for him was getting to watch a Boz DVD. Reagan almost always has a great time in the church nursery. When I pick her up the nursery ladies almost always talk about how happy and content she is and how well she plays by herself.

Last Saturday we traveled to Cache, OK for Brittney and John's wedding reception. It was Reagan's first trip out of Texas. Peyton was very excited about going to Mike and Denise's house. The kids did fairly well in the car on the 31/2 hour trip up there. The evening dinner was a lot of fun - the food was great and we got to visit with Mike, Denise, Brittney, John, Matt, Christy, Corey, Erin, Braeden, and Evan. Peyton really had a great time running all around their huge back yard and playing with the other kids. Reagan reached one small milestone while we were there - she went from a nealing/sitting position to standing up without anything to pull up on. One second she was sitting in the grass playing with a few toys, the next she was standing up all on her own! Peyton really loved the chocolate fountain! He pretty much got chocolate from head to toe! After spending Saturday night there, we returned home on Sunday.

Reagan's balance seems to be improving every day. She can stand for a really long time, and she has even taken 2 steps in a row. She really enjoys walking around by holding onto our fingers. Today, she climbed onto the first rung on Peyton's bunkbed ladder. She was really trying to get to the second when I pulled her off.

Reagan now says "Mama" or "Mamamamam" pretty frequently, especially when she needs something. Once last week, I caught her saying "bye-bye" and waving while playing by herself.

Last week we moved Reagan out of the infant carrier and into a Peyton's blue convertable car seat (rear-facing until July 17!). We got Peyton a new booster seat, which takes up less room in the car. He likes it because he can now unbuckle himself.

Peyton seems to find a new "activity of the day" every day. One day all he wants to do is watch his Boz DVDs. The next day all he wants to do is play with water and water toys outside. The next day he wants to build roads (and lately draw roads, which he has actually become pretty good at) and towers. This week he has become very obsessed with obeying. "I neeed to obey, " he says. "I'm obeying." It's good that he really tries so hard to obey these days because last week he said, "Spankings only hurt for a little bit!"

Another funny thing Peyton said recently: "It smells like hot outside." Too true, unfortunately!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

My Daddy
By Peyton (age 4)

(The words in " " are Peyton's exact words.)

My Daddy is special.
His name is "Daddy."
He is special because "Daddy goes swimming wif me."
I like it when my Daddy "swims wif me."
My Daddy is best at "Chuck E Cheese."
Daddy is "10" feet tall.
My Daddy is smart. He know "how to put toys together."
I'd like to tell my Daddy "Mooooo" and "Want to play wif tinker toys, Daddy?"

Where is Peyton?

He really is in there somewhere... Along with every stuffed animal we own!

Big Brother Bear

Tonight Peyton said to Big Brother Bear, "I love you Big Brother Bear. You're the best Big Brother Bear in the whole wide world!"

Our week...

Monday - For the first, and last, time, I took both kids with me to Hallmark to shop for Father's Day cards. Peyton had to open each and every music card over and over and over. When I finally got him away from that, he found a huge hanging poster display in front of the window and decided it must work like the darkening shade in his room - when you pull on it and let it go, it will go up. Only this "shade" fell completely down - and broke! The sales ladies came running over, and I apologized over and over. I quickly made my selections and left in shame. Oh, and Reagan had decided to "screech" (happily) at the top of her lungs during this entire trip. Now I have to find a new Hallmark store. That evening was Peyton's first swim lesson (with friend Caleb) at the McKinney HS Natatorium. I had to drag Peyton and Reagan in her stroller through the pooring rain. Peyton was terrified of the water, his instructor, basically the entire thing. He refused to go into the pool and instead spent 30 minutes playing by himself along the edge. For the first class, I decided that was okay - give him an opportunity to grow used to the environment. After the lesson, we met Dustin at Chick-fil-a, and he discovered that our less-than-one-year-old car has been keyed - all along the drivers side and most likely in the MHS parking lot. When we got home, Dustin took Peyton to our neighborhood pool to "practice."
Tuesday - Was a much better day than Monday. I took the kids to the gym. Then we ran errands. At swim lessons, I told Peyton's instructor to just pull him in. She did, and he wrapped arms and legs around her and refused to let go until she got out of the pool.
Wednesday - We went to play group at a friend's neighborhood pool. I made Peyton get in with me, and he did a little better. I even got him to blow a few bubbles and kick a little. Reagan LOVED the pool! We have a ring floatie to sit her in. She had a blast floating around the pool! She giggled and shrieked and bounced and splashed. That evening at swim lessons, Peyton got a new instructor - the program head! He pulled Peyton into the pool and Peyton did his typical screaming and clinging. He finally settled down after about 15 minutes and actually started following instructions. After swim lessons, we picked up Daddy and headed to a friends' house for dinner.
Thursday - Peyton's much anticipated doctor's appointment. Peyton has known for a while that after he turned four he would have to go to the doctor and would get a shot. The day had finally arrived! Dustin stayed at home with Reagan, and I took Peyton. We took Blue Bear, and Peyton was promised a trip to Animal House after the doctor's appointment. I was so proud of Peyton during the entire appointment! I could tell that he was apprehensive about his shot, but he was also very curious about everything. He acted like such a big boy! He was weighed (34 lbs 2 oz) and measured (39 3/4 inches). His vision and hearing were tested - both passed. He got a cute little hospital gown to put on. When it was finally time for the shots, he sat in my lap and watched the nurses closely. He got four shots, two in each thigh - and he didn't even cry! (It obviously hurt but was over too fast.) Peyton got to select a sticker and a lollipop as a reward. We picked up Reagan and headed to Animal House to meet Will and Lauren. After 1 1/2 hours of hard play, it was time to go home. The afternoon passed quickly and it was time for swim lessons again. The program head met Peyton again. This time, Peyton only cried for about 5 minutes. He finally settled down and had fun "swimming." Even though Peyton had cried each day, he still resisted when it was time to leave. I had to remind him that he would be coming back the next day to get him to come quietly with me. And he always seemed to look forward to lessons each day. That night, we had him practice blowing bubbles in the bath tub.
Friday - Animal House again - this time with Thomas and Andrew. More fun! Peyton loves the big, blow-up slide. He likes to "jump and slide." Reagan discovered the little slide in the toddler area. She would giggle and shriek everytime I would set her at the top. She also discovered how to climp up the four steps to get to the slide's platform. After Animal House, we went to "Macsters" (MacAllisters) for lunch. Tonight was Peyton's last swim lesson. We promised him that if he didn't cry at all, we would take him to Peter Piper Pizza for dinner. He never shed a tear! At first, he looked like he really wanted to cry, but we could tell that he was really trying not to! On his last day of lessons, he did great! Then he got his promised trip to Peter Piper Pizza. He ate pizza and dessert and played ski ball. He figuered out exactly how hard he needed to roll the ball to make it stop at the top and roll back to him so he could roll it all over again!

Happy Birthday Peyton - Round 2

Peyton's 4th birthday has come and gone, and Peyton is ready to do it all again! He keeps saying, "It's June 5th today" and "I'm going to be 5 tomorrow." The concept of an entire year is a little much for a 4 year old to grasp!

His birthday was a lot of fun. Dustin and I were especially excited about his birthday this year because we knew he was going to be super excited, and we couldn't wait to see his reactions. On Thrusday morning, Peyton woke up and headed straight for our room. He said, "I'm 4 now!" Grandma and Grandpa were at our house to help Peyton celebrate his special day. His presents were piled on the coffee table, and he quickly tore through them all. Then it was time for him to see his big present (that Daddy and Grandpa had strained their eyes to put together in the yard the night before). Peyton opened the door and immediately saw his new, much anticipated "little house." He was obviously excited, but also a little confused. Dustin had moved his swing set ("playground") to the far corner of the yard to make room for the party later. Peyton couldn't see it and thought it had "gone bye-bye." His fears quickly subsided, however, and he enjoyed exploring his new little house.

Back inside, he enjoyed his favorite breakfast of 4 (now that he's four) small chocolate covered donuts. He spent more time playing with his new toys. Reagan enjoyed Peyton's new toys as well. She had a blast rolling around his new can of Lincoln Logs. Soon it was time to catch the bus for the last day of speech class. During snack time at speech class, the kids got to have cupcakes to celebrate Peyton's birthday. They ate on Seasame Street plates and napkins that Peyton picked out himself.

After speech class was over and after saying good-bye to his teachers, we headed to Sam's to get Peyton's birthday cake. Grandma and Grandpa came with us and took Peyton to the snack place for a pizza lunch.

Back home, Mommy and Daddy rushed around to get things ready for Peyton's pirate themed birthday party. Daddy had a hard time blowing up all the outside water toys and pools because it was a very windy day! Mommy even put a "Beward of Pirates" sign in the beds by the front door that blew away before the party even started! Peyton played more with his new toys - including his new digital camera from Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa took Peyton and Reagan to Chick-fil-a to play for a little while so Mommy and Daddy could finished getting things together. Brett and Stephanie came over and helped fill up water guns and water balloons.

Just before the party, Granmommy and Grandaddy called to sing Happy Birthday to Peyton. Peyton changed into his swim suit and didn't need to be told twice that he could go outside and play.

His friends arrived and the party began! All the kids had a fun time splashing in the pirate ship pool and sliding around (and getting thrown down by the dads) on the slip n slide (a gift from Granmommy and Grandaddy) and squirting each other with water toys. Even Reagan had fun in her very own little pool with rubber pirate duckies. (Her very own "spa" as one of Mommy's friends said!) Everyone muched on sandwiches, chips, and fruit.

Peyton was thrilled when it was time to blow out the candles and eat his cake. Like the Saturday before, Peyton relished everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him! Also, like last Saturday, he blew out his candles and then said, "I blowed them hard!"

After everyone had cake, a couple of the kids wanted Peyton to open their gifts, so we all sat down and Peyton ripped into more birthday presents.

When the last present had been opened, we headed outside for the "grand finale" - water balloons! The kids had a ball grabbing water balloons from the bucket and smashing them into the yard! Peyton was anxious to get back to his water toys, but it was time for his friends to head home. I told Peyton that before he could play more, he had a job to do. He needed to saying good-bye to his friends, thank them for coming to his party and give them their party gift. So Peyton stood at the back of the house and started yelling as loud as he could, "Bye friends!" After another discussion from Mommy, Peyton went to the front door and performed his host duties much nicer. He thanked each friend and gave them a treasure chest to take home.

By this time, Reagan had already conked out in Grandma's lap during her bottle, so she was in her crib sound asleep and still fully dressed! The clean-up began, and Peyton finally ate some real dinner. Daddy and Peyton got out Peyton's new construction Leggos from Brett and Stephanie. Stephanie joined in on the fun and the three of them built numerous construction vehicles. They also playing with Peyton's new "Pump bag" (bop bag).

Everyone was exhausted, but no one wanted the fun to end! Brett and Stephanie headed back to their hotel, and Peyton finally headed to bed around 10 o'clock. We think Peyton had about as much fun as a four year old can possibly have on his birthday!

Happy Birthday Peyton - Round 1

On Saturday we celebrated the first of three 4th birthday parties for Peyton. We spent the day in Greenville at Nona and Grandad's house. Granmommy and Grandaddy were there for the weekend. GranGran and PePa came over for a little while to party with us. We ate a yummy brunch and then brought out Peyton's ice cream cake. Peyton sang Happy Birthday to himself as we sang Happy Birthday to him. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at Nona and Grandad's house. Peyton played in their large yard and watched videos. He also took a trip to Wal Mart with Grandad and Grandaddy. Mommy and Daddy even got to sneak away for a little while to see the new Indiana Jones movie. Reagan enjoyed banging on the glass coffee tables. Peyton even climbed a tree in their front yard. One of Peyton's favorite things about going to Greenville is getting to "go see water." He is really impressed by Lake Lavon and loves going over the bridge.