Jinxed...

...all that bragging about Payton being out of Pull-Ups backfired on me.  Yep.  Just as soon as she was out of them at night, she was back in them.  Oh well. We have dry mornings, and we have wet ones.  She went through a week, or more, of awful behavior, and wanting to be treated like a baby.  She wanted diapers, a crib, high chair, a paci (?? she never even HAD one to begin with), baby food, me to feed her, etc.  She wet her pants on purpose, and peed in the tub 3 different times (and smiled when she told me about it). It was a tough week.  She was getting into trouble at school (taking toys and pushing others).  I think, I HOPE, we have moved past this.  She seems to be doing much better now.  The "terrible threes" are looming.  Can't.Wait.  Just a little more than TWO months until that big birthday.  I can't believe our baby girl is going to be 3!  What happened to our 8 pound, 6 ounce, strawberry blonde-headed, tiny, squishy baby girl?

Stats on Payton now...
-She's a big girl.  Her whole life has been one growth spurt.  Growing doesn't seem to be slowing down.  She typically wears a size 3T, but pants are too short.  Her dresses are 4T.  Wears a size 10 shoe!
-Weighs 37 pounds.  Is about 39 inches tall (average size of a 4 year old).
-Loves Cinderella, Taylor Swift, Despicable Me, Tangled, and Polar Express.  She won't let me sing to her Taylor Swift CD in the car with her.
-Her vocabulary is impressive.  She's pretty descriptive, and tells you exactly what she thinks and wants.  And asks "why?" ALL.THE.TIME.
-Started taking ballet, and loves it.  She needs to be a better listener though!  Very into princesses.
-She's bossy (NO idea where that comes from ;)  She does use her manners, though!
-LOVES her little brother.  Talks to him and tries to hug him, or comfort him when he's upset.
-"Chicka Fillet" is her favorite restaurant.  Publix is her favorite store (she gets cookies there).
-She's a fashion diva.  Loves to pick out her clothes, make sure they match, and is very opinionated about it.  

I'm almost THREE?!?!

The kids love to sing...watch out, American Idol...hahahaha!

Payton went to a friend's birthday party at Build-A-Bear.  What an awesome party it was!  The kids got to ride a carousel, choo-choo train, and then pick out a bear, get it stuffed, then pick out an outfit. The party was for Daniella, with whom Payton went to Mother's Morning Out for her first 2 years.  Another school friend, Banks, was also there.  The "three musketeers" back together again, like they didn't miss a beat!  What an awesome day....

Daniella, the birthday girl, and Payton

Banks, Daniella, and Payton...3 Musketeers together again!

Giving their new furry friends a "bath" post-stuffing

Brian and I have been busy doing projects around the house.  Brian cut some 1x6's and we stained them to match our new ceiling fans.  He hung the wood up over our existing beams in the kitchen and living room.  They look awesome!  I helped, as much as possible, but he needed me to climb the ladder to the highest point in our house...all I had to do was climb it and hold a piece of wood so he could tack it up.  I tried twice.  I could NOT get to the top.  No way.  Legs wouldn't move.  I am a chicken.  VERY scared of heights.  Thankfully our friend, and neighbor, was available to help.  Whew.

BEFORE:  The beams were white...

It makes such a difference!

We are getting the kitchen tile and carpet on the stairs installed this week.  Yay!  And we need to replace our shower door, among a few other things before we can truly get the house on the market.  Lots and lots of weeding out, putting away, and cleaning.  The house is looking really nice, though!

Neon. Big hair.  Leg warmers.  Are the 80's back?  You'd think so!  Our friend, Adrianne, had a birthday party for Heather.  Theme...80's.  Payton wanted in on the "action" so the girls took her upstairs, with them, and let her get "ready" with them.  I'm thinking make-up "artist" may be a stretch.  She's a hoot:

We've had a good time at all the parties lately...and there have been lots of them!

Amanda "Aunt Mainda," Me, Our Favorite Becki

Heather (HH...the birthday girl), Me, Aunt Mainda, and Obie

Greg and Brian

Britt and Mainda

We also went to a friend's surprise 80's party...Jace, one of Brian's best friends, threw his girlfriend a surprise 30th birthday, and he pulled it off perfectly.  We had a great time, and BIG thanks to Grumps and Granby for keeping the kids...evidently they had quite an adventure taking the kids out to dinner.  ie-flying hush puppies, blue-haired ladies laughing at Grumps while he was chasing Griffin around the restaurant, and Payton running the people out of the booth behind them.  Good times.

Happy birthday, Audrey!  A surprise, indeed!

Brian and Jace

One thing Payton really does enjoy is her ballet class.  They started learning a dance to "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" from the movie, "Annie."  It's pretty cute.  Griffin and I spy in on her each week (well, this was just week 2).  Griffin likes to go "warm up" with P as we wait on class to begin.  (I'm totally getting SO many good, embarrassing pictures for both their wedding days lately!)

Monkey see...Monkey do!

We've had a LOT of rain in the past week.  The lake is the highest I've ever seen it.  We finally had some gorgeous days, and it happened to be on the weekend!  I took the kids up to our tennis/basketball courts to play on Saturday, while Brian was out shopping.  Yes, shopping.  Griffin just wanted to shoot the ball over, and over.  And over.

One of my friends asked if he is "real," because he looks like a baby doll.  I think I'd have to agree!

And, well, that brings us to the AFC Playoff game.  My Patriots versus the Baltimore Ravens.  Brian's cousin's team (um, congrats to Karen, Julie, Aunt Irene and Uncle Ken, er, I guess ;)  It didn't go our way, but here we were BEFORE the game, when we had hope:

Mommy's boys, watching football

TOUCHDOWN!

LOVES Thomas the Train, and books, in general.  Look at that Budha belly!

My little buddy

ALWAYS throwing stuff.  Equally, with both hands.  Little Tom Brady in the making?

The Boughmans stopped in for a bit.  The girls had fun playing together, and had no disagreements :)  Griffin needs to have a talk with Auntie Cheryl.  I mean, where can he take Camryn with hair like this?  Seriously.  ;)

And, the Horne's stopped by for the second half of what turned out to be a crappy game.  In the meantime, I was doing my best to teach Roman to become a Patriots fan.  I think he liked it :)

By the way, Tobias pointed out that we were winning until he and Diana showed up...I'm just sayin'  Hehehe.  Happy MLK Day, everyone!