End of the year party

Payton's class had their end of the year party at Triad Park today. I've never been there before - but was impressed with the trails and two large playgrounds. The park had a couple of other classes of older kids there today, so it was a little crowded at our playground. And it was a sultry sunny day. But, new playground + lots of friends = good time. By noon, I was ready to get the kids out of there though. They were turning red and getting too hot.

I thought that the kids would fall asleep on the way home, but no luck. Neither one of them took a nap today. Well, take that back, Ian slept for about half an hour on the drive to the park. Ian was ready for bed tonight. Hopefully, he'll sleep in tomorrow.

End of the year program

Today was Payton's end of the year program. The kids all did very well. There was the usual crying child, costume malfunctions, and kids staring off into space. Unfortunately most of the time Payton was the one just staring off not saying the words to the songs and bible verses. I don't know if she didn't know the words to everything or she was just busy basking in the splendor of all the attention. I tried to capture as much as I could on the camera - when I got there I realized I only had 3 minutes of battery life left :) Payton's favorite song was Romans 16:19 Says - she sang and did the most for this one.

Ian was entertained during the songs, but then started wandering around and rolling around on the floor during the bible verses. After the program came the recognition awards which I realize are a necessity, but when they last almost as long as the kids' program did - it became a little too much. Ian was flipping out. It didn't help that he was tired. (On the way to Payton's school, we were in the car for 7 minutes and both kids were out - asleep.) So after the program was over, we were supposed to have a covered dish dinner for which I made a beautiful pasta salad. But, after Ian almost ran out the door, and Payton wanting to be held while we were waiting in line to be served, I decided I had had enough and left. I hope everyone else enjoyed the salad. We had some leftover pizza at home.

The day ended with me pretty frazzled, but it wasn't all bad. The first part of the day was fine. We got Gizmo shaved today. Ian and I took him to the Petsmart groomer this morning at 11 and then ate lunch at Chic-fil-A. Ian played in their playroom for almost half an hour. He's learned to pull himself up a step that comes up to his chest. It's pretty impressive to see how strong this little tike is. The he would yell, 'I made it!'

Scott's off to Phoenix

We took Daddy to the Charlotte airport today. He's gone for a month rotation in Phoenix with John Khazin! We'll be joining him for a week in about a week, but we have Payton's last week of school this week. Ian didn't have an easy time with Daddy leaving. He was ready to go with him. He cheered up a little when I said we would go visit him, but I think he wanted to go today.

After we dropped Daddy off, we went to Trader Joe's. Don't get me started on TJ's - I love that place. Then we went to IKEA. I thought it might be good for the kids to run around and bit and eat there. They were actually really good walking through the store. No one ran off and they actually listened. Unfortunately when we got home the day had taken it's toll on the kids. Payton fussed and whined a lot and Ian just needed lots of hugs. After I tucked them in, I found them in the hall. Payton was 'reading' to Ian. I broke it up, and sent them back to bed (of course, I couldn't resist recording them - it was too cute).

This weekend

We went to church this morning. When we arrived Payton asked me if I would go to Children's Church with her. Children's church is a mini-service for kids that happens during the readings and sermon. They have their own little altar, candles, songs, lessons, and even sharing of the peace. I actually had never been to it, but had seen parts of it in passing. Payton would rather go to the nursery and play with Ian than go to Children's Church, but I would rather her go to Children's Church. So I went with her today and she was the acolyte for the first time. She lit the candles (with help), rang a big bell 3 times (to signify the beginning of the service) and helped lead the songs. It was super cute and sweet. She did such a great job (sigh).

Yesterday, the kids and I went to their first little league baseball game. Our friend, Reese, was playing in the game. The weather was gorgeous and we needed something to do in the afternoon. Daddy was working. The field was in a beautiful location. There were several large trees around that shaded the stands and half the field. It took a little while for the kids to warm up to the situation, but I brought some toys for them to dig around in the sand and dirt with. Then after the ice pops, they felt right at home. Oh, and then they found the mud. I barely caught them before they dove in. I think they still had a great time, and Reese won his game.

Some of my peas are ready. I got to pick about a handful. I'm not sure what got the one on the right. I'm hoping it was a bird and not an insect.

The Hostess

Scott and I were invited to go to the monthly seafood buffet Friday night at Scott's boss's country club. When Scott and I have had date nights in the past, we've used the YMCA Parents' night out. But the Y wasn't having it that night. I decided to try to get a college student from church to come watch the kids. She works in the nursery at church - she knows the children and the children know her. I called on a whim, Thursday and the babysitter said she could. Yay.

I told the kids about it Friday morning and afternoon. They were both excited. Well, Payton was excited, Ian was kind of just going along with Payton's excitement. 

When the babysitter arrived, Payton took it upon herself to show her the house and describe everything. 

Payton: This is the computer. I have my own folder. I can play on Disney.com, pbskids.org, and nickjr.com (as she climbs up into the chair to demonstrate.) And this is the laundry room. Gizmo's food is in here. That's his potty where he pees and poops. This is the big TV. Upstairs is the playroom. Here's my room. Here's Ian's room. 

You get the point. Payton turned into Miss Chatty Cathy. It was pretty cute. I'm sure while we were gone, Payton told the babysitter about how we do things, where everything was, and what to do and not do.

We got back at 8:45. The seafood buffet was very nice. We were hoping the kids would be asleep when we got back. We walk through the door and the kids come bounding down the stairs, 'Mommy! Daddy!'

Evidently, the babysitter said it was time for bed around 8:10 and the kids hadn't watched anything on TV yet. They (I'm sure Payton) convinced her they HAD to watch TV. So when we got home, they were reading the longest book we own (again, probably suggested by Payton). Those sneaky kids :)

Oh, well. We'll probably do it again soon. The kids had a great time and the babysitter actually said the kids were, 'sweet'.

Payton's field trip to the farm

Grandma and Grandpa left us last Wednesday morning. We all drove them to RDU, so Payton missed yet another day of school. I know that it's just preschool, but I still feel bad. She hadn't been in over a week. So, Thursday, she went and had a field trip. The whole class went to a 'farm' which was actually some one's house with a garden, two goats, two quail, and some chickens. At least they had a tractor. The kids watched the tractor plow up the dirt and then they planted some corn. We had a picnic lunch and had a surprise visit from the ice cream truck. It was actually a very nice outing. I dressed Ian in a red shirt and he blended right in.

Lots of Fun in the Sun

Scott was off for the entire weekend, and Monday! We decided to lay low this weekend. So Saturday, we went to Target and bought us a $10 slip-n-slide for some good ole backyard entertainment. You may remember that Scott had used a tarp for our own homemade slip-n-slide, but Payton didn't like it because she said it 'scratched' her bottom. The new slip-n-slide is a lot smoother, but much much smaller. And yet, Daddy and I slid on it anyway. Notice the looks on Scott's and Ian's face. There were lots of funny looks captured, but also there was lots of fun had.

After the slip-n-slide, Daddy and the kids washed Mommy's car :)