Halloween rewind

A full length post filled with pictures will come next week, but to tide you over until then, here is a look back at Peyton's best (and only) three Halloween costumes...just in case you need to be reminded of how incredibly adorable she is. Please keep your fingers crossed for some good pictures this year!

Grandpa

No captions or long-winded explanations needed for this post. It is as simple as it appears - Peyton snuggling with Grandpa watching a movie. Happy birthday, Dad.

Let me tell you a little something about Peyton

A few recent Peytonisms:

"Daddy, what is wrong with you?" (in response to Martin bugging her while she was trying to play on a Saturday morning)

"Mommy, I just really have to tell you something." (usually followed by a long pause while she thinks of something to say)

"What the heck?" (in response to the show in the iPad not playing properly)

"What did you say?" (in repsonse to almost anything)

"This guy is so silly he just cracks me up. He is hilarious!" (in reference to the chef at Benihana putting shrimp in his hat)

"Daddy is my favorite." Death stare from Mommy. "Oh, and Mommy too."

"Mommy, may I please have a sip of your Fresca?" (seriously, who knows what a Fresca is at 3?)

"Mommy, I accidentally didn't take a nap today because I wasn't very tired."

"Silly Peyton." (She loves referring to herself in the third person now)

It's October - time for Pumpkin Patch pictures

There are many certain things in life. Death and taxes come to mind. But come October, the bevy of pumpkin patch pictures on celebrity gossip sites and on social media never fails. Because I have an unexplained desire to be a part of this pop culture trend, I hereby give you my pumpkin patch photos, 2013.



The best shot of all three of them. Ugh.

Decent picture taken, pumpkins present, my work here is done.

Partners in pumpkin picking crime.

"Enough with the horse riding!"

Putting on a fake smile for the camera.

Hammers

Because I'm a mom, I can't help but get a bit nostalgic when these yearly events come around. I remember our first visit with Peyton to "The Patch." We lived in Virginia and took her to a nearby produce farm with the sole purpose of getting a prized photo of her in her orange and black pumpkin tutu outfit. I remember being incredible stressed out that the sun was casting horrible shadows on the pictures, that Peyton wasn't cooperating, that she kept falling off the pumpkins I had placed her on. I think I need to have a full-time professional photographer with me at all times.

Peyton at the patch, 2010

Pumpkin head.

Mommy can be just as much fun...

Okay, so Martin outdid himself with the epic Daddy-Daughter date night 2013. Never to be outdone, I took advantage of Martin enjoying a boys night out and spoiled Peyton silly on Saturday night.

As soon as Mr. Perfect Pants left for his beer drinking adventure, Peyton and I hit the town. We got the car washed (okay, I realize this isn't starting off well for Peyton, but to my credit, I did let her get whatever snack she wanted while waiting). Realizing I was losing ground, we sped over to Fashion Square Mall and hit the Disney Store. It's basically crack for kids, so I knew I was in for an expensive outing.

Up until this moment Peyton was adament that she dress up as Rapunzel for Halloween. And I was particularly happy about this since we already owned a Rapunzel costume and I would not have to spend a dime on Halloween this year.

And then she saw it - glistening with glitter and sparkles from the back of the store - singing her name and enticing her to come over. The Tinkerbell costume. She needed it. She wanted it. She had to have it.

"I thought you wanted to be Rapunzel?" I questioned.
"I changed my mind, Mommy. I am Tinkerbell."

So, what's a competitive mother like me to do? Peyton was just clinging to the costume. In love with it really. And she had just come off that wonderful night with her daddy...and I"m pretty sure at one point during the day she told me he was her favorite (crushing). So I had no choice really. Yes, I'm a sucker. Peyton will be Tinkerbell for Halloween. And the smile on her face when I told her I would get her the costume was worth every. damn. penny.

We spent the rest of the night playing at the mall playground, eating dinner with Gabriella, getting glitter tattoos, and walking around Scottsdale Quarter. She went to bed late (again), skipped her bath, and slept with her light up Tinkerbell shoes next to her bed. I let her eat fruit loops in bed in the morning.

No fancy dresses for our date - just some bad ass leopard loafers and skinny jeans.

Play time at Fashion Square Mall - a place Martin HATES taking her, but she loves. Score one for Mom.

Martin, I'll see your princess play and raise you a glitter tattoo.

Extra snuggles in bed on a lazy Sunday morning.

I don't know if I will ever "out do" Martin - and I don't really want to. As someone who has a special relationship with her own father, I fully understand the unexplainable magic that exists between a dad and daugther. But that isn't going to stop me from trying to create some special mother-daughter memories with her...even if it sends me to the poor house.

If this doesn't make you swoon, I'm not sure what will

I know I hit the jackpot (figuratively, not literally) when I met and married Martin (special shout-out to Rebecca for the intro). But based on the Facebook feedback and record number of "likes" I received after posting these pics of Martin taking Peyton on a date last weekend, I'm pretty sure the rest of the world knows what a great guy he is too.

Thanks to Uncle Jim, Martin scored free tickets to the Valley Youth Theater's production of "Princess and the Pea" at the Herberger Theater downtown. He decided to take Peyton on her very first date.

Just as any good friend would do, I picked Peyton up from school and helped her get ready for her evening. We picked out the perfect dress (and a new pair of shoes, naturally). I helped her do her hair and even let her wear a bit of makeup.

I let Peyton practice her modeling skills before it was time to go...I'm not sure where she is learning these poses.

Martin came home to pick her up with flowers in his hand. Can I get a collective "awe?"

They came home way passed her bedtime, and she was so tired she could barely talk. All she could muster was the night was "good" and "Daddy is my best friend." I die.

Lazy post pictures

Other blogs I read come up with really clever names when they just post pictures with no real story behind them. "Wordless Wednesday" comes to mind. I'm not gonna lie - this post is really just a round up of pictures that I think are cute, but I'm too lazy to put into a real post.

First real fall day outfit. Why does she look 8 years old in this picture?

Homework assignment- trace the months in Spanish.

Playing teacher and reading stories to her babies.

Princess power

Sofia.

Anyone who has a little girl has likely become closely acquainted with Disney Junior's latest brain-child - Sofia the First. The Princess has taken over our TV sets, our toy room, and our bookshelves. And thanks to the money making machine that Disney is, Sofia is now touring the country.

Of course Peyton and her buddy Gabriella were first in line to snag coveted tickets to the show. Purchased back in May, the date had FINALLY arrived for us to watch Sofia, her awesomely bitchy step-sister Amber, brother James, King father Roland (Rollie!) and mother Miranda sing, dance, and entice on stage.

  

Needing a ride downtown, Gabriella and Peyton graciously invited Grandma R, Jenny, and me along. G and P opted for a pre-show meal at downtown's hippest hangout, The Arrogant Butcher. They noshed on pretzel fondue and mac and cheese, while the moms and grandma sipped wine on the patio.

Enjoying a pre-show dinner downtown.

"The mommies may be cramping our style, but at least they're good for dinner and some Sofia swag."

We walked across the street to US Airways Center and took our seats. Of course, Grandma R couldn't let the show start without buying the girls magical light up amulets - JUST. LIKE. SOFIA'S!

"Let's go! We don't want to miss the beginning. I hear Doc McStuffins makes a special appearance."

The girls spent the entire show clutching their gem necklaces - holding them up as high as possible (without strangling themselves) in hopes of showing Sofia that they too had an amulet. Just like her.

"Like OMG. We are just like her!"

The girls enjoyed every single second of the show. They sang along, waved, danced in the aisles, and scrambled to pick up confetti - a precious memento of their brush with the famous Princess of Enchancia.

Peyton has barely taken off her amulet. She sleeps with it on the foot of her bed, and nearly had a heart attack when poor Baby Charlotte tried to put it in her mouth. Between the tickets, dinner, amulets, and other souvenirs, we collectively spent no less than $16,000. It was worth every penny (although, I would have paid DOUBLE if they sold booze at the show. Idiots, I tell ya!)

Thanks Grandma for the best gift ever.

Wheeee!

A big milestone has been reached in our house. Peyton has mastered the art of pumping her legs on the swing. She can now start from sitting still and manuever herself to a full on swing. And she did it just in time for the perfect fall weather.

While I am thrilled for my daugther's accomplishment and the obvious pride this brings to her, the best part of this is that I now get to sit down and enjoy my wine while she entertains herself on the swingset. Gone are the days of me standing behind her for hours pushing her "HIGHER! HIGHER!" Most moms would likely feel a bit a sadness about this - ultimately wishing their little girl would stay frozen in time. Not this mama. Have fun on your swingset, Peyton. I've got a People magazine and a Pinot with my name on it. (Readers, please feel free to submit this post as supporting evidence for my Mother of the Year submission).

Peyton's most favorite friend in Texas

The one thing that made Martin and I feel slightly better about ditching Peyton for eight hours to watch a football game was the fact that she got to hang with her BFF in the DFW, Emma-bo-bemma.

These two have not seen each other in about 8 months, but they were both as anxious as can be leading up to the trip. And they definitely made the most of their short time together.



The morning after look.

Like mothers like daughters...

Silly faces!

Funny to see these girls grow up so quickly (you can read about their first meeting here)...



P Dizzle and Swizzle in February, 2011.



First vacation together to Durango in August 2012.

Strengthening their friendship in February 2013.

I have to say, I am so grateful that my closest friends have kids the same age as Peyton (yes, I know, this is commom). Not only that, they are all cool kids who Peyton likes to hang with. Could you imagine if my friends' kids were lame and Peyton cried each time I said we were going on a weekend trip to see them?!?  I hope it always stays that way...

The Game

After years of waiting, Martin and I finally got to watch our two favorite college football teams play head-to-head. Notre Dame took on ASU at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, and the weekend was full of surprises - both fun and some not so fun.

First things first - Peyton's game day shirt. Special ordered from Etsy. Perfection.



Heading out with lots of ASU support (good job, Peyton!)



We hopped a quick flight from PHX to DFW on Friday evening. Peyton seemed a little off on the flight, but we figured she was just hangry as we call it (so hungry you get angry). But as we were walking off the airplane, Peyton puked all over herself. Not the exact way we had envisioned the trip starting. Once we got to our friends' home in Frisco, we found out she had a 102.5 temperature.

Uh oh.

We quickly went into contigency planning mode. Peyton was supposed to stay at my friend Rebecca's house during the game with their nanny, their 4 year old Emma...and their newborn. But with some unknown illness taking over her body, we didn't feel comfortable doing that. So, who would stay home with her? How long before we pulled the plug? Would she feel better in the morning? Did we travel all the way out here, spend beaucoup bucks on tickets and talk about this weekend non-stop for at least one of us to miss it??

The next morning, perfect little Peyton rallied, Rebecca was amazing and said it was fine for her to come over, and we went ahead with our original plan.

We tailgated. We cheered. We booed. We had so much fun.

Ready to go in our team gear. Peyton wore her $40 "ASU/ND House Divided" shirt for all of 3 minutes.

Tailgate

All smiles before kickoff.

I met Rebecca on the first day of my freshman year at ASU. Have been best buddies with her ever since.

Our crew.

Headed into the stadium.

Everything really IS bigger in Texas.

Love her.

At about halftime. Still sitting pretty close together...

The game was good. ASU played well, but not quite well enough. Martin went home the victor. But, the two play again next year in Tempe, so we'll see you in hell, Notre Dame.

The game is under protest by this ASU fan.

Team toddler

Scott and Peyton - a mere eight months apart in age - have already teamed up against poor Baby Charlotte. While I don't think she really minds now, it will be interesting to see how she handles the fearsome twosome of "Scotton" (my moniker for them). Here, they are playing doctor and "fixing" Charlotte, complete with shot to the forehead.