Wednesday, March 7, 2012

PK Turns Two: The Party Before the Party

As previously mentioned, birthday celebrations last for more than a day. Peyton enjoyed a pre-party with family on Friday the 13th (!). Grandma and Grandpa Hellmer (visiting from Albuquerque), Grandma and Grandpa Richardson, Aunt Ginger, Umple Jim and Baby Scott, and Amy and Amber enjoyed burgers and hot dogs, and chowed down on Sprinkle's cupcakes for dessert.  Peyton also got a few presents.  Shocker.






After the fun, party Nazi Kristy came out and ordered all of the guests still around to help prepare for the big party.  Chores included assembling the cowgirl cookie jar favors and fluffing tissue paper poms.  The volunteers were rewarded with neverending glasses of wine.



PK Turns Two: AMBER IS HERE!!

The best birthday present Peyton got this year was a much anticipated, much needed visit from Amy and bestie Amber.  It had been just over two months since these two trouble makers saw each other...and that was two months too long.  But, just like last time, their reunion was great, and they didn't skip a beat.  Peyton was thrilled to goof off with Amber, show her the Choo Choo Train Park, play on the swing set with her, and drop hints that she and her Mommy should seriously consider moving their whole family out west. Ironically, a house three doors down came on the market while they were visiting.  Coincidence?

While the girls played their old favorites of babies, jump like maniacs in the crib, and sing songs, their mommies enjoyed the time together too.  Many mimosas were consumed.  The worst part is always saying goodbye...and despite an attempt to extend their trip, the fun had to come to an end.  I overheard Amy telling a friend that it is up to us, as the girls' parents, to make sure they see each other regularly and don't forget their awesome friendship. I hereby commit to that - because to this day, I have never seen Peyton so happy as she is when she is with Amber.  It's as if they were born to be each other's buddies.  Thank you for coming to Peyton's birthday weekend.  It would not have been the same without you.
The reunion....

Holding hands on the train....
Crazy hair morning!
Goof off time.
Silly faces.


Back in the famous house! All is right with the world.
Birthday lunch at Kierland.
Lollipops at It's Sugar.
Amber getting in on the annual birthday picture fun.
Stickers!

Love that girl...
Tear.

PK Turns Two: Two Going on Twenty?


As with all things in my family, birthdays are somewhat overdone. This holds especially true for birthdays. We don't celebrate the day.  We celebrate the month (heaven forbid anyone's birthday falls in the same month.  Actually, Martin's and my birthdays are both in May. But I believe he has resigned himself to the fact that I get to celebrate for 30 days of the month while he gets one).

Peyton turned two on January 13.  And all of a sudden, my little baby was a little girl.  As if in an instant she walked, talked, put on her own shoes, ran, jumped (well, we're still working on this one), put on makeup, went to kindergarten, graduated college, got married, and had kids.  Ok, I know I've gotten a tad ahead here, but honestly, I look back and don't know when my baby turned into a kid. And I certainly don't remember what life was like before her.

Peyton strings together five words at a time, signs songs, can count to ten in english and spanish (although she has a hard time remember seven and eight, but who really needs those numbers anyway?), is learning how to play hide and seek, and helps me make a salad for dinner every night.

One thing we have quickly learned about Peyton is how big of a heart she has.  Almost too big at times.  She is constantly worried about everyone else, and gets quite upset if anyone in the family leaves the room.  As my parents put it, she wants us to be like the Waltons with everyone around all the time. She is really into routines and little things tend to set her off - like spilling her cheerios or dropping her bear. She's passionate. She is an individual. And she is becoming increasingly independent ("Myself, Mommy").

Peyton blow dries her hair, puts on makeup, and likes to wear my jewelry. She is a girly girl in every sense of the words. And she is two. This is truly an awesome age. And we can't wait to see what this year has in store for our little Monkey.

January 13, 2012 - two years old
January 13, 2011 - one year old

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Summer in December

There are many reasons we wanted to move back to Arizona.  My family is here.  Martin's family is a short drive away.  The schools are great.  The scenery is gorgeous.  But we can't leave out the awesome weather.  After suffering through eight long years of snow storms, ice showers, rain, humidity, and overall gloomy days in Virginia -- where a cloudless sky and a day at the was a rarity -- we are thoroughly enjoying our fist "winter" back in Phoenix.  Case in point: December.  It does get chilly, but for the most part, we are finding ourselves sans jackets and our snow shovel and ice scrapers are relegated to the back cabinet in our garage.  What's even better, is the year long warm temps allow this: regular weekend trips to the nearby playground in a long sleeved t-shirts with the sun shinning on us.   








Monday, February 6, 2012

Spoiled Rotten

Someone got entirely too many presents for Christmas.  And it wasn't me.  Peyton was spoiled so rotten I'm not sure we can ever go back.  From her fancy new backyard playground, to the baby stroller and changing table, to the bathroom vanity with hair dryer and makeup, I'm not sure there is a toy left she doesn't have.
Waiting on Santa... 
Showing Scott some love...
Let the opening begin. 
Peyton insisted on wearing her new fairy tutu and winged shirt as soon as she opened it.  Over her clothes.
And then insisted on wearing her new monogramed robe as well.
It never fails...the box is the favorite toy of the night.



Attempt #1 at a family picture.
Attempt #2.
Christmas Eve with Nohnee and GeeGee.
More presents.
Stimulation overload.
Checking out her new playground, courtesy of Santa and his elves.



More presents?