All Good Things Must Come to an End

Well, our summer is officially over and school is  back in session.  We made it through our first week back.  I have a nice group of 2nd graders.  It is my biggest class yet with 25 students.  Chad is enjoying his classes and his cross country kids.  Middle school cross country practice started last Thursday.  Payton is doing great back at daycare!  I think she really missed her friends and Karla.  My goal is to keep up with this blog, but you all know how that goes.  I was doing really well posting over the summer, but now that I'm back at work, who knows.  Here's to a great school year!

To the Birthday Girl

Dear Payton,
We can't believe you are two already!  Where does the time go?  You fill our lives with so much joy and we are so lucky to be your parents!  You are constantly making us laugh.  Your new-found obsession with our keys and cell phones is quite amusing.  Keys:  You don't quite understand that we need the keys to get into the house and start the car.  When we take them from you, you get a little very angry.  Phones:  You like to pretend that almost any object is a phone and you put it up to your ear and start chatting away. 
You are definitely finding your independence and like to do lots of things on your own.  We have started doing "time-outs" when you are acting naughty, but those don't seem to be working effectively.  When you start acting up and we ask you if you want to sit in time-out, your reply is "Yeah."  So...we might need to look at a new approach to the time-out situation.  :)
Your appetite continues to be great, and I am still amazed at how one can eat as much as you do and still remain in the 5th-10th percentile for weight.  Can you share your tips with me?  :)  You eat almost anything we set on your plate, but your favorite is definitely fruit.  You love all kinds: bananas, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, canteloupe...you name it! 

You continue to have Papa wrapped around your finger.  When Papa is in the room, you want nothing to do with anyone other than him.  You are his little princess.  I love watching your bond with him. 

You have enjoyed being home with Mommy and Daddy over the summer, but I think you are ready to get back to Karla and all  your friends at daycare.  

You were doing really well with using the potty, going every morning and after nap.  We kind of got out of the habit this summer though.  When school starts back up, we hope to really work on the potty training. 

We love you so much and are so blessed.  Happy 2nd birthday, sweet pea!  We love you to the moon and back!

xoxo  Mommy and Daddy

2nd Birthday Party Fun

Yesterday was Payton's 2nd birthday. We held a zebra-themed party at our house last evening. The birthday girl sure loved seeing everyone and is enjoying all her presents. Thank you to all who made her special day so memorable!

Happy Heavenly Birthday

Sending birthday wishes to Chad's dad in heaven. Today would have been his 60th birthday. It makes me sad that Payton never got to meet her Grandpa Pietig, but we know he is watching over her. We love and miss you Gary!