Escape to New York City

A work function required me to be in New York for a few days in September. New York in the fall? Sign me up. Martin and I used it as a mini getaway, dumped poor little Peyton with Grandma and Grandpa, and jetted off to the Big Apple.

While techinically I was there for work, we did plenty of playing. Our first stop was dinner in Little Italy, one of our must-do's while visiting. Martin and I have eaten there every time we've gone and it never disappoints. There was a huge street festival going on so the sidewalks were packed with vendors.

We spent some time at the World Trade Center memorial which was amazing, and a must see for anyone who goes. It is overwhelming and literally took my breath away when I walked in. Words can't describe.

Freedom Tower

One of the memorial pools.



Names of those killed in 9/11 surrounding the pools.



We spent the rest of our time wandering around the city, cruising through Central Park on bikes, and buying Peyton all sorts of guilt presents.

Pit stop during our bike ride around Central Park.

Peyton's loot.

A special shout out to Grandma and Grandpa for watching Peyton while we were away. I've heard stories of skipping school, buying Hello Kitty sweatshirts, and missing bedtime...

Staycation

I had never heard of a "staycation" before moving back home to Arizona. Whomever came up with the notion, and the catchy word to describe is, is a damn hero in my book. Martin and I took full advantage of the staycation this summer by locking in a steal of a deal at the Westin Kierland Resort. A mere five minutes from our house, it's amazing how one can get away without really getting away.

We spent one romantical night alone, sans PK drama. We did take one picture before dinner but it sucks, I look fat, and Martin thinks he looks old, so I'm not posting it. We did enjoy a night out alone and proceeded to fall asleep at 8:52pm.

The next night the little bugger joined us. Cheap-ass Martin treated us to a free dinner at the Melting Pot (we had a gift card left over from our birthdays) and we introduced Peyton to Shirley Temples and hotel bars.



Daddy's girl is an understatement.

Working hard for her dinner at the Melting Pot.

Peyton's definition of "staycation:" Shirley Temples and no bedtime.

Family shot. She's cute, but seriously, why can't just smile like a normal person?



iPhone: check. Wine: check. Pic of Peyton: check. Mommy has done her job.

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Newsflash: It rarely rains in Arizona. So when it does, this happens:

Peyton got a kick playing in the rain a few weeks ago. She danced around the driveway and splashed in the puddles for a few minutes until she realized that she was getting wet, and well, getting wet kinda sucks. An Arizona girl she is indeed.

What the hell is this crap falling out of the sky?!?

The visit

The countdown calendar in Peyton's toy room finally read "1 day til Amber." After months of waiting and complaining "I miss my Amber," Peyton and I finally made the cross-country journey back to our old stomping grounds in Virginia for a 5 day visit on Sullivan Circle.

Peyton donned her awesomely eighties "I heart DC" splatter paint shirt for the flight, caught up on Sofia the First and Tinkerbell, and before we knew it, we had arrived!

"I'm like totally excited, Mom!"

Away we go!

Tinkerbell movies on the iPad to pass the time on the flight.

Despite a minor TSA incident featuring alarm bells and warning sirens, Peyton and Amber didn't miss a beat and once again proved that friendship - even at this early age - knows no geography.

Together again at last!

Our trip was a whirlwind of activities including spa pedicures, sleepovers, tricycle riding, spraygrounds, and dress up.

"Kinda reminds me of old times Amber. Didn't we used to sit on this exact sidewalk doing the exact same thing years ago?"

Sofia dance party

Princess twins

Obnoxious Paris poodle dress twins

"Amber, does this suit make my butt look big?"

Big brother Ethan

Sneaking snacks

Sun lovers

"We've been eating horribly this trip, Amber. We should get in an hour of yoga before dinner."

"Hey, there's a rumor going around that several kids on the circle haven broken their arms falling off this very tree. Let's see if we can freak our parents out."

Bench buddies through the years

Twins. Again.

It was exhausting and exciting for young and old. It reminded me (and I'm sure Peyton, too) that some friendships will last a lifetime.

Weird, they're wearing the same outfit?

A highlight (at least for me) was the generous offer of Sullivan Circle neighbor Andrea to take some professional pictures of the girls. I love our iPhone snapshots, but Andrea really captured Peyton and Amber's personalities perfectly.

"Don't tell our moms, but I'm totes gonna sneak in your suitcase and move to Arizona."

Love.

As with all good things, this trip had to come to an end. The farewell at the airport was brutal for moms and kids alike. The girls pouted and then cried. Amy and I hid behind our oversized sunglasses.

No fair.

No fair squared.

"PEYTON!!!"

"AMBER!!!"

Peyton and I arrived back in the sweltering dessert to an eargerly awaiting Daddy and a return to our normal, not-so-crazy everyday lives. And I continue to stalk the airline websites for airfare deals between Arizona and Virginia. See you soon, Richards family!

Pesky TSA rules

There will be a whole, long-winded post dedicated to Peyton's recent trip to see her bestie Amber coming soon, but the video of them seeing each other at the airport is worth its own space. For one, I love how excited each of them is - complete with running toward each other, ending with an embrace. But, the best part is the look on each of their faces after Amy crossed the "DO NOT ENTER" line and the TSA alarm sounded, warning them to stand back. We definitely started our trip off with a bang!

A whole new world

Being in the "big girl" class at daycare is opening our eyes to many things never experienced before. The first official week of school was "spirit week" complete with crazy hair day, hawaiian day, and sports day. Peyton got really into the concept and loved dressing the part each morning. And, she asks almost every Monday if it is spirit week again!



Aloha!

Pink hair, crazy piggies.



Go Devils! And Peyton's first Show and Share - a pic of her bestie Amber!


 

A royal sleepover

She's only 3, but Peyton already had her first sleepover. In an homage to her favorite new Disney Princess, it was no doubt a "Royal Sleepover" of which Sofia would be proud.

Peyton's cool to the core buddy Gabriella (her mom is pretty awesome too) joined us for a night of shenanigans. We played dress up, made pizza, drove the car, went swimming, watched movies, did crafts and played until Martin and I were on the brink of death.

The girls bunked in the toy room on air mattresses and to my surprise, they actually both slept. In fact, I had wake Gabriella's lazy butt up at 8:30!

They did great, hopefully had fun, and are asking when they can do it again. Jenny, it's your turn.  


Getting the party started with Sofia accessories!

Romantic sunset cruise around the block

Homemade pizza making.

Twinsies all rested up and ready for breakfast.

Happy birthday Shark Bait!

A very special happy birthday to the adorable Scott! Peyton's cousin and partner in crime turns three today. Here are some of my (and Peyton's) favorite things about Scott.

1) He calls Peyton "Peyton Bear" every. single. time.
2) He shouts "I eat losers for breakfast" each time I see him.
3) He is stubborn. He refuses to eat his veggies but doesn't give a poop if you tell him no dessert.
4) He has the most perfect blue eyes. Teenage girls consider yourself warned.
5) He lets Peyton be the boss when they play.
6) He has never once eaten anything I've served him at my house.
7) He giggles each time I sing the "Shark Bait Bruhaha" chant.
8) He loves rough housing with Uncle Martin.
9) He can hit a baseball as well as most 10 year olds.
10) He will have Peyton's back for the rest of their lives.

Too cool for school

The facebook pressure of taking the most adorbs "first day of school" picture is crazy. Even though Peyton is in a glorified version of daycare, I caved when I saw all of my friends posting pics of their kids in their first day outfits with their backpacks. And I just had to have one myself. 

Then, in a moment of sheer stupidty and weakness, I went to Pinterest and went bat-shit crafty crazy myself. Everyone who knows me knows I have an evil Martha Stewart twin who comes out once in awhile. I immediately ditched work, hit up Hobby Lobby, bought $100 worth of chalkboards, organized file folders and other crap to forever document Peyton's first day in room 6 at Scottsdale Learning Center.

I picked out a perfect first day outfit (making sure not to try too hard, be cute, functional, and set the tone that this chick is the bomb.com), worked diligently on my first day sign, and got the for reals camera charged (iPhone snaps simply won't do).

Here are the results of my efforts. Game, set, match, Facebook friends.