Grandpa's Birthday in Olathe

Ron and I jumped at the chance to celebrate his 58th birthday, a few days early, in Olathe with Amanda and Peyton (Chad was playing golf in a tournament, so we didn't get to see him this trip). We arrived early enough to play outside with Peyton on her playset before it got hot - she loves swinging and going down her slide - scared Grammy a bit when she went down head first, but her Momma assured me that she was a pro (which she was). While Amanda took Apollo to the vet to see about his double ear infections (poor guy), Grandpa and Grammy took Peyton to their neighborhood pool. The last time we took Peyton to the pool earlier this summer, 15 minutes was about all the time she wanted to spend there. Today, we had to make her leave after an hour! The swim lessons she took in June took - she now loves the water and showed us how she can blow bubbles and had a great time getting in and out of the baby pool, jumping in, etc. She had such a great time watching her have fun.

We took Grandpa to the restaurant of his choice for his birthday lunch - he chose Smashburger, which was quite tasty. Peyton especially enjoyed the ranch dressing with her sweet potato fries, dipping her chicken strips and sometimes just her fingers. She thought the sips of orange pop were especially interesting. After we returned to the house, we enjoyed specialty cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday before Peyton took and nap and we returned to Clinton.

Peyton's vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds - she continues to entertain us. Her parents have taught her well - she is very mannerly with please and thank you. Her short sentences are fun, and she knows her colors so well, "yellow" is my favorite. She is sooooooo much fun - a hoot! She seems so mature for her 21 months.

All in all another spectacular day with our girls! We are blessed.

Peyton Makes it Okay

Although it has been a stressful summer due to health issues with my parents and my own struggles with chronic hives, time with Peyton makes it "all right" with the world. Last weekend we had time with her and her parents on their way to the Lake and then on their return trip through Clinton, they had a nice visit and lunch with us - time we always relish. On Friday, Ron and I took the day off and spent some time in the Kansas City area, finishing our day staying with Peyton while her parents went out for a "date night". Stress just seems to disappear when I am with her.

A few notable moments - while playing with building blocks, Peyton was able to identify the colors red, blue, green and yellow - she also knows purple and pink - a step forward from everything being "blue"! She is getting very accomplished at using silverware, even getting peas into her spoon and then into her mouth - I sometimes have trouble with that! ha ha An hour after she ate a big dinner, she was ready for her snack which included 1 1/2 cheese sticks and an entire container of yogurt, plus milk. The girl likes to eat! Peyton told me twice that she had wet her pants - sure enough, still warm. A positive step. She wanted "Paw Paw" (he may have a new name) to brush her teeth for her which was so cute. After we read a couple of books, I told her we were going to say her prayers, and she put her little hands together for prayer. Awwwwh. Then, as I was rocking her and singing Jesus Loves Me to her, her Paw Paw was two floors below watching and TV and sleezed - half asleep, Peyton said, "Bless You". Isn't that precious.

The kids bought her a tent with a tunnel coming out of it which she absolutely loves - trouble is, she loves it so much, she wants Grammy to get in it with her all the time. It is tiny, and it is hot, but in Grammy goes every time she asks. (it is in the family room) Grammy had a brainstorm last night for a flooring upgrade (folding a quilt in the bottom) which helped tremendously with the hotness and the crunching on the plastic floor. Peyton loved it. Spending time with her in her imaginative play is so much fun. We were only with her for about 3 of her waking hours, but it was the best 3 hours of the week! Her hugs and kisses and her smiles and giggles make live worth living. Grandpa and I talked all the way home about her great day.

Saturday was fun too - it was August birthday celebration day with the Mintuns. Ron grilled hamburgers for the meal, and I made homemade ice cream, the first of the season. The St. Louis crew arrived around noon - we had a great time eating, visiting and singing happy birthday to Mark, Ron and Tom. Family time is good time.