Happy Birthday Donald!!!

Yesterday was Donald's birthday. While Payton was down for her nap I made some cupcakes & a round cake. I also made a banner that is further down the page. When Payton woke up she decided that she wanted to help me frost the cake. I was so frazzled because I was running out of time before Donald got off of work. So I really didn't pay attention to her.She was so happy to be able to get her hands in there & get messy & eat frosting.
Look mom... you should try some. It's SOOO good.
I asked her where all of the frosting went & she showed me here.
We Love you Dad...
And the round cake.
The banner I made out of that foam craft stuff. I have a die cutting machine & alphabet set so it was farely quick. Donald loved it so that is all that matters.
This is his surprised (rehearsed) look coming in the door.
When he originally came in he was on the phone.



Payton helping Donald blow out his candles.
She went to reach for it & caught my mom mid motion going to grab her hand.
Even after all of that frosting she still wanted more.
She only took a bit when Donald helped her with it.
Donald is the big 30 & had a great birthday.
2317

Our strong girl, can also fake being strong.

We went to go get sushi at this place in Pasadena with a friend of Donald's, Elane we need to get together again soon! So we had finished & we were waiting for our check & I was grasping at straws to find something to keep her busy. After trying a few things a napkin turned out to be the best entertainment for her & for us.

The sad part was after the video I went to get her out of her chair & she had completely pee'd out of her diaper. I don't mean a little either. The only part of her jeans that were dry was a small section on top of her thighs. I guess the up side is that since her jean were completely soaked no one would tell that they were wet & the part that wasn't wet, well jeans are made like that already. So she looked like she was in fashion!
2147

Does it ever feel like you have a monkey on your back?

I bought Payton a harness & wanted to be sure that she would wear it before I attached the leash & 'restricted' her ability to roam. Well turns out that she LOVES it! I pulled it out & put it on Payton & she wore it the first day for almost 2 hours.
The next day she wanted it on first thing so I put it on her. We then had to go so she wore it down to the car & didn't want to take it off. I had to take it off to put her in her car seat so instead I just gave it to her & she held onto it until we got to my mom's. As soon as I got her out she wanted it on.
She is so funny. She just cracks me up! I love her little personality, if only she minded a little better she'd be even more perfect... oh yeah talking would be nice too.
2085

Videos

Payton has turned a corner as far as being careful is concerned. Her new favorite thing is to 'ride' the ball. We have to watch her carefully because, like any other kid, she has no concept of danger around her like a wall, chair legs, etc.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This video is of Melissa trying to get Ryan to calm down. I love how affective it is.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ryan is so cute. Videos like this is why I can't wait for Payton to start talking.

Payton is starting to do hand motions to some new songs that we have been doing. I really want to get it on video but right now she only does it in the car while I'm driving. We've tried it several times with my mom there & nothing! We are so close though.... I just have to be patient.

Another attempt... w/ success

I think that we have found that with kids you just have to keep trying for that picture were they all look good. The last 'group' photo that we tried to do Payton ended up being cropped out because not only was she an 'unwilling participant' but she LOOKED the part too.So these turned out a lot better than last time. I included the one below because it is such a good picture of Casey.
These ones turned out better of the kids but the lighting was off. :(
At least Payton was a little more cooperative this time.
2013

Let's Wrestle

Payton & Ryan have been able to spend a lot of time together in the last couple of weeks & are really starting to play well together (in other words Payton will play with Ryan, Ryan has wanted to play with Payton for a while now). This is such a cute picture of them.This was taken while Donald was spinning them. So cute!
This was the next spin around.
In the pictures below Donald is helping them 'wrestle'.


It is so cute to see them play together. They also get so excited when they see each other. I think Ryan is Payton's first friend! What a cute thought.
1927

Halloween Preview...

Payton is going to be a Monkey, Ryan is going to be a Lion & Casey is going to be an elephant. The parents are all going to be zoo keepers.
Ryan is roaring! So cute!!!
1893