Livin' the Good Life...Cabin Style

A glimpse into Peyton's life at the cabin...

Easing the stress away in the hot tub.

Letting her creative juices flow with a craft.

Exhibiting her inner diva on a walk though the tree lined streets.

Enjoying a cocktail in her robe.

Charming the pants off of everyone at dinner.

Peyton's Hair Salon - Open for Business

While spending the 4th of July at the Richardson family cabin, Grandma and Grandpa spoiled Peyton with a new toy. And her life has never been the same since. Peyton picked out a new doll (later named Karina) and a hair stying chair, complete with smock, play scissors, hair dryer and brush. Peyton shampoo'd, dried, and cut every single one of her stuffed animals' and dolls' hair at least 40 times each, charging each patron $20. Daddy was in charge of collecting payment. She even did our hair as well. Funny thing - as much as she was ub-sessed with the hair chair at the cabin, she hasn't played with it since we've been home. Perhaps she knows it's appropriate to wait 4-6 weeks between cuts.

Snow White gets the celebrity treatment.

Kneeling down to make sure everything is even.

1, 2, 3, BLASTOFF!

I can only assume Peyton learned this at school. She did not learn it from me. But whatever the source, this is one of Peyton's new favorite things to do lately (even if she was a little camera shy at the get-go).  Pretty darn cute, if you ask me.

Trying Out a New 'Do

I'm not gonna lie - Peyton's hair is a challenge. We've already discussed the mullet, which is still present, although it is growing in a bit. But, she has inherited my directionally challenge hair - it all falls directly forward in front of her eyes.  I refuse to cut bangs - so every day we MUST have a clip, bow, or some other device holding it out of her eyes. Today, I tried pulling it straight back in a piggy at the top.  It took about 15 minutes of me brushing, wetting, and grabbing to convince the wayward hairs they needed to bo back, not forward. Hopefully, this will achieve two important goals: 1) keep her hair out of her eyes all day, and 2) train those crazy hairs to move back!

Quack Quack

When six of Martin's college buddies decided to make our home the destination for their 2012 get together, I quickly made arrangements to take Peyton away for that weekend. While Martin and the crew did who only knows what to my house, Peyton and I made the 2.5 hour drive to Show Low to spend a relaxing weekend at the Richardson family cabin. 

Let's start out by saying Peyton LOVES the cabin. Leading up to the trip, she talked about it non-stop. I'm guessing her affection for the cabin stems from the fact Grandma and Grandpa spoil her even more than normal (if that's possible) while up north. Special activities are planned, her favorite food is prepared, and she gets as many treats and as much juice as she can possibly desire. (As a side note - cabin life is pretty great for Mommy too. I have two doting grandparents who take on a lot of the work with Peyton, there is usually napping, and as with Peyton, I get as much juice (aka wine) that I could ever want).

The highlight on this trip was duck feeding. Grandma and Grandpa had originally planned to bring a few slices of bread to the lake. I advised them it would be best to bring an entire loaf. Although slightly shy at first, Peyton quickly warmed up to the idea of feeding her new friends, and couldn't get enough. Within about 10 minutes, the loaf was gone.

Duck feeding = huge success!

The weekend also included cocktails in the hot tub, a nature walk, flower picking, and several showings of Snow White. Much to my surprise, Peyton and I returned to a standing house that was clean and free of any major trauma. 

The Heat is On

The mercury is on the rise in the 480. Temps are consistently over 100, and even my morning runs are getting a little unbearable. So, to be the heat, we've been spending a lot of time in the pool, and frequenting any location that offers cold water to cool off. Peyton, of course, has no objection to her nightly swims or playtime at the splashpad. And she had the tan line to prove it.

The one downside - I've become slightly obsessed with buying Peyton bathing suits. At last count, she was up to 12.

If the Shoe Fits

Peyton's new favorite toy: Mommy's shoes. She loves putting on my shoes and walking down the hallways in them. And while she doesn't discriminate - she loves my slippers, my Old Navy flip flops, and anything with a heel - she has shown an affinity for the finer brands. While playing in my closet one morning before school, she had the option of picking any pair off my shelves. Smart girl - she grabbed the Jimmy Choo's and proceeded to strut her stuff. 

"I think the nude shoe compliments the black and white outfit perfectly, don't you?"

"So what if they are two different shoes? Helena Bonham Carter did it. So can I."