Happy Birthday Grandpa - and a VERY sick little girl...

Last weekend was the weekend before Grandpa Arthur's birthday so Grammy & Grandpa came up on Saturday to visit! Daddy was playing golf so he missed out on the celebration but we had a great time! We started with some play time outside -

and while I took Apollo to the vet - poor guy, he had a double ear infection - Grammy & Grandpa took Peyton for some splash time in the pool. Last year our pool visits were about 30 minutes MAX but now Peyton loves the pool so much our visits are closer to an hour or longer!

After cleaning up we packed-up the car and headed to Smashburger for a tasty lunch which we wrapped-up with awesome cupcakes from Smallcakes! A fun morning! After a super long nap - almost 3 hours which is unheard of at home - Peyton was ready to play again! Here are a few pics from Saturday afternoon & Sunday.

Total admiration - priceless!!!

Daddy teaching Peyton how to swing a club - note that the golf ball didn't move after this swing! ;)

Checkin' out the clubs -

The best of friends -

Then on Monday I left for my first business trip since having Peyton. I was a little nervous to fly for the first time every but knew that Peyton & Daddy would have a great time! Little did anyone know that Peyton would come down with quite a little bug during the middle of the night on Tuesday night. Several sets of sheets and PJs and quite a few naps with lots of cuddle time with Dad, Peyton was on the mend. This was really the first time she has been throw-up kind of sick for an extended period of time. Daddy did an excellent job taking care of her AND keeping up with the massive amounts of laundry and clean-up that was needed!

Since we didn't expect an illness Daddy did have to run to the store for a few things on Wednesday morning and since Peyton was under the weather and totally in love with Elmo right now she got to pick-out a toy while at Target. Apparently Peyton very carefully checked-out a stuffed baby Elmo, regular sized Elmo, Tickle-me Elmo, etc but handed them all back to Daddy saying no. But when she spotted the Elmo cell-phone she looked up at Daddy and put it in the back of the cart - guess the girl knows what she wants!!

I was super excited to see everyone when I arrived home on Wednesday night!!

On Friday night after picking out a new TV - Chad is super excited for our new set-up to arrive - we decided to check-out a new trend in KC - Peachwave! It is a self-serve frozen yogurt place where you pick-out your flavor(s) and add all of your own toppings. Peyton was a big fan - see below!

21 Month Pictures

So pictures used to be a LOT easier to take but here are a few from Saturday!

Story Time

Ok - three quick stories that I'm afraid I will forget if I don't type them out now and these are three I don't want to forget -

Tonight Peyton was playing in our room and went and got her Cinderella book and put it on top of one of her balls - she then said "Cinderella goes to ball" - wow, she is really putting things together (even if it is a different kind of ball Cinderella goes to!) - very cool.

Prayer time - for the last few weeks we have been working with Peyton to put her hands together to pray at meal time and at bedtime. It is so adorable as now she remembers what to do and sometimes even wants to say a second or third prayer! I'm so thankful that she is learning at such a young age how important it is to talk to God and thank him for our many blessings!

And just now - after snack time Peyton wanted to go into our room to see Daddy, I thought to say good night. Instead, when I went in to get her into her PJs she looked at me and said - Mommy - bye-bye. And to make it even more clear as I walked closer she held up her hand and said no-no - I sit with Daddy! Ok, so Peyton & Daddy are having some priceless Father-Daughter time before bed - I can't argue with that! :)

Visitors, the Zoo & the Royals - OH MY!

Last weekend may have been one of our busiest for a while but we had a GREAT time! On Friday, Grammy & Grandpa had come up to help me out with a few things around the house and offered to stay with Peyton so Chad & I could have a date night which of course we couldn't pass-up! Although we appreciated them staying with Peyton I think they would tell you that they got the better end of the deal! We tried out a new restaurant and we're glad we tried it but definitely didn't make the list of places to try again anytime soon. :P Grammy & Grandpa kept themselves quite busy with Peyton as the girl is literally non-stop motion (or Perpetual Motion as Daddy has now nicknamed her!) It was pretty hot outside but I think they found plenty of things to play with indoors - Peyton's tent, blocks, books and of course - dinner and a snack - two of Peyton's favorites!

Peyton LOVES her tent and wanted to make sure Grammy knew just how fun it was! I'm sure she loved being without her pants on!

Wheee, Grandpa - more, more more!

Friday night brought a terrible storm, which knocked out our TV but that's a whole different story, that woke Peyton up, the first one that has so far. After talking to her about the storm, and even a small snack (and the worst of the storm passing), Peyton was back out for the night. I haven't heard thunder like that for a long time!

Then on Saturday morning we headed to the Zoo as it was early-entry day for Friends of the Zoo members. What a great event - early entry, fewer people (though it was still pretty crowded), breakfast & best yet - cooler temperatures! It was also fun to see a lot of the animals having their breakfast - something Peyton made sure to announce to us frequently while pointing to the animals - eat, eat! We got to see Nikita, the new Polar Bear at the zoo - Nikita was quite playful in the pool and drew quite the crowd!

Patiently waiting in line to see Nikita -

And of course, what's a visit to the zoo without a carousel ride? Peyton didn't get upset at all this time - she even smiled a few times! We are making progress...

Peyton - what does an elephant say?? All of the elephants were up close to the fences - they are huge!

A quick family snapshot-

Peyton has a stuffed lion that makes noise at home and one time when she was almost asleep she laid on it and the growls scared her - now she just shakes her finger & head at the lion, saying no-no! Surprisingly when we told her we were going to see the lions at the zoo she was ok with it and actually kind of liked them!

Just looking too cute to pass-up the picture - Don't you just love her monkey shirt and tropical skirt?

And of course, we had to visit the baa-baas. I tried to pet the sheet with Peyton but only Daddy would do for this task -

After a short nap we headed up to Crown Center to meet-up with several of my friends from college and their families - it was fun to visit with Tara C, Kyle & Leah, Katy, Zack, Tara W, Drew & Abby! Needless to say we filled two tables at Fritz's which was super fun for the kids!

Peyton in the Clifford visit at Crown Center -

Waiting for our food at Fritz's - I tried to get a pic of Katy, Tara W & kiddos but it didn't turn out :(

Yay - the food is coming!!!

After dinner we headed to Kauffman to take-in a Royals game. Last year, the girls only lasted through 3 innings - this year we made it to the middle of the 6th (and we could have made it further into the game had the Yankees not scored as many runs in the 6th...) - Yay Peyton & Leah!!!

Another family pic - all decked-out in our Royals gear -

Too cute for words -

At the Little K playground - Let's Go Royals, Let's Go!

Sunday morning we just relaxed around the house and before Tara, Kyle & Leah headed home we had lunch at Noodles & Company. We are pretty sure that Leah & Peyton were having their own eating contest with the amount of food they put away!

On Sunday afternoon Peyton laid down for her nap and I knew she had to be exhausted. Daddy was playing golf so I laid down to rest. Peyton woke-up after only an hour so I went and got her out of her crib and laid down on the daybed in her room with her - over 2 hours later Daddy came and woke us up - we had an EXCELLENT nap!

I really need to be better about writing the little things Peyton says down because as I sit here I am having a hard time coming up with some of her more recent phrases but you just never know what she is going to say anymore! She is very into say "I sit", "I slide", "I swing", etc. and even announces "I sit on Pooh" (which Pooh is on her rug in her room) when we get ready to read stories at bedtime.

We are definitely also moving into the phase of "I do it" as Peyton likes to try and get herself dressed in the morning and for bed. She amazingly does a pretty good job and I'm so proud of her for her persistence in trying new things.

Peyton is also announcing when she has wet & dirty pants a lot and Daddy is working to teach her to say "ca-ca" when she has dirty pants! I'm quite sure we are a long way away from actually potty training but it is great that she is starting to recognize when she has wet/dirty pants and wants to be changed. She is also practicing pulling her pants up and down - all steps in the process!

And I will close tonight with one last story - as we were playing outside on the playset last night Peyton came up to me and said - "Mommy, go!" which really means, come with me, I want you to climb up into my tower. So I climb up there with her, she slides down and then starts walking up the stairs to go inside and says "Mommy, stay - bye-bye". I slid down and stared to follow her and she held out her hand as if to say stop! Cute.

Ok - one more - Peyton has a few favorite books but one of her all-time favorites has been Go Dog Go! Now when she picks up the book we hear "Go Dog Go Dog Go Go Go!" She then proceeds to "read" at least half of the book to us as we turn the pages - amazing what she has picked-up on over time and it is absolutely adorable. Another one of those things I'd love to get on video and maybe we will one of these days but just hearing her develop new words is the best!

Bye-Bye, Love you!

A couple of weekends ago we headed down to the lake to visit Grandma & Grandpa Todd. On the way we stopped for a quick visit and snack with Grammy & Grandpa and to drop Apollo off for his Clinton vacation. Grammy had found a little mouse wind-up toy that did flips over and over again - you would have thought it was the best thing ever invented, Peyton loved it! Surprisingly, Peyton stayed awake the rest of the way to the lake even though it was past her bedtime and had a quick visit with Grandma & Grandpa before heading to bed. We had a fun-filled Saturday swimming and relaxing at the lake - Daddy & I even got to take the jet ski out for a short ride!

You might think by the name of this post that Peyton has gotten very sweet with her good-byes. Peyton does say bye-bye when people leave but she has also gotten into the habit of telling almost everything bye-bye - from the swingset, to outside, to her crib in the morning. But while we were at the lake, Peyton repeatedly said - bye, bye - love you to the STICKS as she was throwing them in the lake - hilarious! She also got very frustrated when the waves would bring the sticks back - she had told them bye-bye, they were supposed to be gone! We also learned that it takes approximately 3 jelly packets for each 1/2 slice of bread, as evidenced in the following picture -

Here's Peyton getting ready to take her first plunge into the lake.

Peyton, Grandpa & Daddy swimming in the lake - Peyton loved jumping in over and over again. She floated a little bit and even practiced her kicking.

Can we swing some more Grandma?

Later on she found the stash of Mardi Gras beads - the girl is really starting to like dress-up. At least she didn't "earn" these beads!

Then on Sunday we headed back to Grammy & Grandpas. After lunch we visited with Granny & Great-Grandpa. Granny had found a doll that when you pulled her string she waved her hand. Peyton was enthralled with this and even figured out how to pull the string herself!

Nigh, Nigh Pooh

Peyton continues to keep herself very busy! Two weekends ago the Mayberrys came for a visit! Like always, Peyton & Evan were back together like they had just been together the day before - so cute! Friday night the parents enjoyed a tasty dinner at Bonefish Grill while Marla's mom (who was in town for a family baby shower) stayed with the kiddos. Saturday morning the Mommys and kiddos dined at First Watch while the Daddys chased a little white ball around. After breakfast we headed to the park for some fun before it got too hot outside to play! Peyton & Evan wore themselves out and were ready for lunch shortly after we got back followed by nap time! Saturday evening we dined at home and had fun just relaxing and catching-up with our friends that we miss so much! After breakfast on Sunday it was time for the Mayberrys to go home :( but we sure enjoyed their visit!

Daddy teaching Peyton the letters of her name - last night he wrote out her name again and he asked her what it spelled - she said "Peyton" - WOW!!!


Sidewalk chalk time -


And some good old fashioned coloring!


I bet you can't catch me Evan, I am SO fast in the tunnel!!!


And a few pics from the park -


Doesn't she look 6 or 7 in this picture??


Miss Marla and the kiddos -


And our attempt to pose the kids in their "one fish, two fish" shirts - this is the best we could do :P


Last Friday we had a birthday party for Kylie, one of Peyton's neighbor friends. Peyton was looking adorable in her party outfit so I had to snap a few pics -




Then on Saturday we headed to Lexington for a visit and to go to a baby shower for Chad's cousin Tonya. Peyton was quite a ham and enjoyed visiting with Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Papa, Aunt April, Wyatt & Whitney - her personality seems to come out more and more every day! She also entertained some of the shower guests by running around the island in the kitchen and although I know I am partial looking adorable in her dress! Peyton also made it quite clear that she loves iced tea and would not be tricked by our attempt at giving her water instead!Daddy, Grandpa & Wyatt chased that darn white ball around again while us ladies went to the shower.

Grandma Todd & Peyton at the shower -


Checking out the toy box with Papa -


Higher, higher Grandpa!


Who can fill-up their bucket the quickest??


And our attempt at catching all three grandkids in the same place at the same time!


And on Sunday Grammy & Grandpa came up for a visit. While Peyton finished-up her nap Chad & I snuck-off for 90-minute massages (awesome by the way!) before we headed to Red Robin to celebrate Grammy's birthday! Peyton was hilarious when we got back after lunch and decided it would be fun to put on her pajama TOP as a skirt and put the pants on her head. It was hard for her to walk around but she was quite proud of herself - let the dress-up games begin!!!

Grandpa & Peyton coloring - it is serious business, you know ;)


Grammy had to try-out the tent with Peyton - she LOVES her new tent and wants everyone to join in the fun -


Peyton was very interested in Red Robin (and the carousel horse not too far behind him)


Peyton in her new outfit -


Peyton is starting to pretend more as well. I would LOVE to have gotten her going down for her nap on Sunday on video. For some reason she wanted Pooh to take a nap with her so of course we put Pooh into her crib. As we were watching her on her video monitor she took Pooh out of the corner, laid him down on his stomach, covered him with her nigh-nigh and patted his back until apparently he was asleep! After this was done she went to the other end of her crib and fell asleep - how adorable! She has also used my cloth napkins to put other dolls, toys to sleep while playing in the evenings. Peyton is also quite the hostess for tea parties which we enjoy a few times a week!

Coloring has become more serious these days and she is very particular about which color she is using and likes to color on every page available to her! We have finally gone from calling every color blue to now identifying blue, purple, yellow, red and sometimes green.

For the last several months we have been given Peyton warnings before things are going to change - 1 more minute until we have to go inside - and it really seems to help her transition from one thing to the next. Anyway, now when we start to say - 1 more... - she holds up her finger and shakes it as if to say, "I know, I know - one more minute." Cute!

"Ha Dog Ha Dog Ha Diggy Dog" - Peyton is now singing along with the Hot Dog song on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the mornings (with a little dance most mornings too)! She is quite proud of herself as she is learning more words, and rightfully so!

When we are ready to have dinner, Daddy usually flips the light on and tries to get Peyton to say the magic word - abracadabra. Last night, she actually did it!! We were both a little shocked, as was she I think - but to see her smile when it came out of her mouth was priceless!!!