Cuddle Time

I had the sweetest moment with Peyton earlier this evening.  After putting Reagan to bed, I went to the playroom to spend to one-on-one time with Peyton before he headed to bed.  As we played, I grabbed Peyton in a bear hug, and said, "I miss cuddling with you when you are at school."  When Peyton smiled and hugged back, I continued, "In fact, I'm just going to come up to your classroom tomorrow and go to the door and tell your teacher, 'Mrs. Hendry, I need Peyton to come here.  I need some cuddles.'"  Peyton grinned bigger, "Are you joking, Mommy?"  "Yes, Peyton.  I'm going to come to the cafeteria at lunch time and interrupt your LUNCH to get some cuddles."  Laughing, "Are you joking, Mommy?"  "Yes, Peyton.  I'm going to come interrupt your MUSIC class to get some cuddles."  "Are you joking, Mommy?"  "Of course I'm joking, Buddy.  Mommy can't really come interrupt your school day just to get some cuddles."  Then Peyton said the sweetest thing, "Mommy, you can come give me cuddles at school anytime!"  Oh, if he would just feel that way forever! 

Peyton's School Work

Peyton drew this picture of our family at school today!  I LOVE everything about it - the blue for the boys (and they're dressed alike!), the pink for the girls (don't know why the bow is on Mommy's head though!),  the dress on Mommy (although Mommy rarely wears a dress), the gray clouds mixed in with the white clouds (Peyton always thinks its going to rain if a cloud looks even a little bit gray!).  By the way, Peyton explained (without us asking) that Reagan does in fact have arms.  She's just hiding them inside her shirt!  Peyton was so proud of this picture!  He happily told us all about it!  

We couldn't have asked for a better start to his school year!  He has been excited to leave every morning, and he is happy when we pick him up in the afternoon.  He truly wants to obey the rules and make good choices.  Mrs. Hendry read another book to the class that we have at home - Froggy Goes to School and Peyton was excited about that.  He was a bit disappointed today that he didn't get to play an instrument in Music class.  He's very interested in the megaphone the teachers use to call the kids in the carpool line, and he has asked if he can "earn" one for himself.  He's learned the names of a handful of students in his class.  For his homework tonight, Peyton had a put several items in a small paper bag that tell a little bit about him.  He chose - a train piece from his train set (he likes to build and make things), a little soccer ball (he plays soccer), his star word cards from school last year (words he knows how to read), Woody from Toy Story (because he likes Toy Story), a picture of his animals that he sleeps with every night and a picture of the four of us at Disney World last summer.  I would so love to be a "fly on the wall" as he shows and explains his items to his class! 

Reagan is starting to get adjusted to not having Peyton around during the day.  She is really enjoying "her time" with Mommy!  She is having a hard time understanding why Peyton goes to school but she can't.  She has asked many, many times every day this week, "Is it my school yet?"  We made progress today, though.  She only asked two times!  Her preschool doesn't start until Sept. 7 (meet the teacher is Sept. 2).

Peyton's First Day of Kindergarten

Peyton's first day of school started early - 6:30 am!  He woke up very excited and ready to go!  He said that he anticipated the first day of school being "weird" but that the second day would be normal!

 Peyton enjoying a special "First Day of School" breakfast - an ice cream flavored Pop Tart, mandarin oranges and chocolate milk!

All packed up and ready to go!  Last night he drew a picture for Mrs. Hendry and it was safely tucked away in his bag, along with his lunch box, snack, and water bottle.

Kindergartner!

Finally at school!  Mommy walked Peyton inside while Daddy and Reagan parked the car.

Peyton walked into school confidently and ready to get the day started!

A hug from Mrs. Arnold aka Aunt Stephanie

Finding his classroom.

Finding his seat.

"Mom will you PLEASE leave already?!"

Peyton in his classroom ready for a fun day!  We noticed that Mrs. Hendry had a copy of The Kissing Hand sitting out.  We had just read that book last night, and I told Peyton that he would probably get to hear the familiar story again.

Mommy met up with Daddy and Reagan in front of the library for the "Tears and Cheers" breakfast.  We chatted with Stephanie and a few others for a bit and then the principal came in to introduce herself and give a brief talk.  Reagan had a hard time leaving school without Peyton.  "I want Peyton," she kept saying.  She was fine by the time we got home, but she is definitely going to miss having her big brother around during the day!

Reagan and I picked Peyton up after school.  Peyton's report was that the first day of school was "weird", but he did seem like he had a good time.  His favorite part of the day was recess (shocker!).   He enjoyed going to PE today, but he was a little disappointed that they didn't have music today.  At Specht, the kids go to PE every other day.  I LOVE that they get all that exercise!  Peyton smiled when we talked about Mrs. Hendry reading The Kissing Hand, just as we had predicted.  Peyton even brought home a Kissing Hand take-home book which he had colored.  We discussed why school seemed "weird" today and that it would seem less "weird" tomorrow.   Stephanie called to report that Peyton had had a great first day!  She had lunch duty while Peyton's class was in the cafeteria, and she said that he did really well at lunch time and ate all of his lunch.  She passed along a "great day" report from Mrs. Hendry, too!  Couldn't ask for a better first day!

Comments of the Week

Reagan: "Where are we going?"
Mommy: "We're going home."
Reagan: "I don't want to go home. I want to go to Mars."
Mommy: "Where is Mars?"
Reagan: "I don't know. I can't see it."

Reagan: "Where's Daddy?"
Grandma: "He's at work. Where's Mommy?"
Reagan: "Mommy doesn't work!"

Mommy: "Peyton, are you practicing self-control this morning?"
Peyton: "What does Daddy have to say about that?"

Peyton: "Mommy, let's go to the Lego Store. I want to get a prize for you!"

Peyton (having a light-bulb moment): "Hey! We didn't get to meet the Care Bears at Disney World!"

Reagan: "I want to go to Pawnee!"
Mommy: "Who lives in Pawnee?"
Reagan: "Ummm..... Snow White!"

Meet the Teacher Night

On Thursday evening, we went to Specht to meet Peyton's Kindergarten teacher.  His teacher this year is Mrs. Hendry, and we are very excited that Peyton will be in her classroom!  Her class mascot is the "Texans" and her room is decorated in a cowboy/western theme.  As of now, there are 22 kids in Peyton's class - 13 girls (including one named Reagan!) and 9 boys.  

Peyton has been looking forward to this evening every since we got the first notice about it!   On Thursday morning, as we were going through his clothes (getting his outfits together for the first week of school), he asked what he was going to wear to Meet the Teacher.  I told him that it would be okay for him to wear his play clothes that he had already put on.  "No," he said, "I want to wear nice clothes to meet my teacher."  So he picked out a polo-style shirt and nice khaki shorts!  

Reagan stayed with Uncle Brett and Bob Thursday evening while the rest of us were at school.  Peyton couldn't wait to find his new classroom.  

Mrs. Hendry's bulletin board in the hall outside Peyton's classroom.

Peyton and his Kindergarten teacher.

Daddy and Peyton looking around the classroom.

After leaving the classroom, we showed Peyton where Daddy will be dropping him off in the mornings and the path he will walk to his classroom.  We also took Daddy on a school tour, since he had not been inside before.  Peyton remembered where the cafeteria, music and art rooms were from Aunt Stephanie's (he has to call her 'Mrs. Arnold' at school) tour last May.  We also went to the gym and the playground.  Peyton didn't want to leave!  He's so excited about starting to school on Monday morning! 

Peyton's Daily Schedule

Peyton drew up a schedule of the things he does every day.  He kept the list with him all day long checked off each thing after he completed it.

1 - go to sleep

2 - wake up

3 - eat breakfast

4 - get dressed

5 - brush teeth

6 - eat lunch

7 - have a quiet time

8 - eat dinner

9 - put "jamamas" on 

10 - brush teeth

11 - go to sleep

(notice the frowns by each sleep/quiet time!)

Aunt Stephanie's Graduation and Greenville/Dallas Trip

Aunt Stephanie graduated from UNT Grad School last weekend.  We've had a quick trip to Dallas on our calendar for a while now to attend her graduation and see a few friends.  Dustin was planning to work from the Plano office on Friday.  Originally, we were supposed to drive up on Thursday and return on Saturday.  However, as we were getting ready to leave on Thursday, Dustin was presented with the opportunity to attend a small-group luncheon with his company's CEO in Plano on Monday.  So we called Gran Gran and PePa in Greenville to see if they were available for some last minute house guests on Saturday and Sunday nights.  With our new travel plans set, the kids and I headed out Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Brett (everyone else had made other travel plans due to work and appointments).  

Before leaving on Thursday morning, the kids (Peyton) wanted to make sure Mommy had a special birthday morning.  Peyton and Reagan treated Mommy to a morning at the "salon".  Peyton did my hair while Reagan did my nails.   According to Peyton, I needed to look "beautiful" for my birthday!

On the drive up to Dallas, we made several stops.  One stop (of course!) was at a Dairy Queen for ice cream!

After checking into our hotel in Denton, we all (Grandma, Grandpa, Brett, Stephanie, the Bonnettes, the kids and I) we out to eat at The Greenhouse.  Then we headed back to the hotel for birthday cupcakes.  Daddy arrived in time to enjoy cupcakes with us.  The kids finally went to sleep some time around 11 pm!

On Friday morning, Daddy woke up early and headed into the office for the day.  Grandma, Grandpa, the kids and I went to Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, where we met up with several friends we hadn't seen since our move to San Antonio (and got to meet one tiny new friend for the very first time!).  It was so great to see our good friends again!

That afternoon, we all went to Stephanie's Grad School Graduation at the collesium on the UNT campus.  Apparently, the graduation really made an impression on Reagan.  A week later, she went to Brett and Stephanie's house and on the way over said, "When we hear 'Stephanie', we yell 'Yaaaayyyyy Stephanie!'"  Today she say a commercial with people dressed in graduation gowns and caps.  She said, "I see Stephanie!" 

On Friday evening, Stephanie's parents hosted a  celebration dinner at Hannah's on the Square in Denton.  The food was delicious and everyone had a wonderful time!  

We requested a late check-out on Saturday morning, so the kids and Daddy were able to enjoy the indoor swimming pool at the hotel.  Peyton was so excited that the pool was shallow enough for him to stand up in a lot of it!  The kids didn't want to leave!   We were able to see everyone off and then enjoyed a leisurely morning. 

After finally leaving the hotel, we headed to Freebirds for lunch.  Peyton ran into a friend from Preschool.  We also went to the mall again to do a little clothes shopping for Daddy for his luncheon on Monday.  

We made it to Greenville late in the afternoon.  The kids were very excited to get to stay at Gran Gran and Pe Pa's house again!  For dinner that evening, Gran Gran and Pe Pa had arranged for us all to have dinner with Nona and Grandad at Crackerbarrel.  Then we came back to Gran Gran's for dessert.  For the third evening in a row, we enjoyed a wonder dinner with wonder company and the kids got to stay up WAY past their bedtime! 

On Sunday, the four of us went to church with Gran Gran and Pe Pa.  Reagan had fun in the nursery, and Peyton attended "big church" with us.  The rest of the day included a delicious lunch, long afternoon naps, a trip to Nona and Grandad's house (Peyton enjoyed climbing their trees!) and a least a couple of desserts!  :)  

We left Greenville early Monday morning and took Daddy to the office in Plano.  Then the kids and I went to the play area at The Village in Allen.  Peyton requested this play area because it has a Texas shaped maze that he loves to wind his way around in.  When it finally got too hot to be outside, we met with friends at Chick-fil-a for more play time!  Then the kids and I did a little back to school shoe shopping at the outlet mall and had lunch.  Peyton's next request was to go to the Chick-fil-a in Frisco to play because he insisted that, in all the years we lived there, we never went to that Chick-fil-a to play.  I honestly couldn't ever remember taking him there to play, so we headed over there to play until Daddy called.  When Daddy was finally ready to leave work for the day, we headed over to the Heartland offices to pick him up, and then we hit the road.  We finally got home around 8 that evening. 

Swimming Lessons and Fun Family Times!

We had a fun family-filled week last week!  On Monday afternoon, Kelsey (who was in town for work) came over, and we all went out to dinner.  On Tuesday evening, we met with the Cullis and the Riveras at Chick-fil-a for dinner and some playtime!  On Wednesday evening, Mommy and Stephanie went to see the new Ramona and Beezus movie.  On Thursday, the kids and I drove to Pawnee to pick up Grandma and then came back to San Antonio.  In the midst of all this fun family time, the kids have been taking swimming lessons at our neighborhood pool.  Our HOA offers free swimming lessons in the summer time.  On Friday (the last day), Grandma, Stephanie and Daddy came up to the pool the watch the kids swim.  Peyton really took his swimming lessons seriously!  He really loves being underwater and he really bonded with his teacher.  Reagan had a more social and playful approach to her lessons.  She didn't make quite as much progress as Peyton did, but she still had a good time and is now more familiar with swimming techniques.  After Friday's lesson was over, Grandma, the kids and I headed back to Pawnee to spend the night.  We came home around noon on Saturday, giving Daddy time to get started painting in Peyton's room.  (It's blue, by the way!)  Daddy even let Peyton paint a bit with the small roller.  Peyton was really proud of his work! 

 Peyton "resting" after playing in the pool before his lesson started.

Mid-yawn!