Day with Daddy

For Father's Day, the girls made Brad breakfast in bed and showered him with hugs, kisses and gifts. We all went to mass and headed to the "Super Pool" (Ballwin Aquatic Center). It was a gorgeous day and we had a blast! Then everyone settled down for a long afternoon nap -- we were whooped! Happy Father's Day, Brad.

Presents & Cake...Now She Believes She's 3!

Ever since Peyton's actual Birthday on Monday, she has been asking when she really turns 3. Since she hadn't had a party yet, no people, no cake, no presents (except for her measly American Girl Doll from Mommy and Daddy)...it wasn't sinking in. Now she believes!

After one of the girls' birthday parties, usually with an attendance of about 40 (due to Brad's huge family), we have to go upstairs and fill a Good Will bag with old toys to make room for the monstrous amount of new ones. This year, when people asked what Peyton wanted for her birthday I told them clothes (and underwear to encourage her new skill). So this year she got a few little things to play with , some money for her savings account and a summer wardrobe to die for. That's more like it!

Age three has really been a big event here at our house. Peyton now talks about how's she's now ready to start school in the Fall (when before she didn't really want to talk about it.) She goes potty like a big girl. And last night she slept her first night in her BIG GIRL BED! Woohoo!!! My little baby is growing up so fast.

Big City Birthday...

Brad had a work conference scheduled in Chicago -- and because the conference days fell on Peyton's birthday -- we decided to tag along.

We had a great trip with great Chicago weather. (Everytime we've ever gone to Chicago before it has been winter and bitter cold -- so we were psyched to finally be there when the weather was nice and we could finally see the place.) We got to spend some time with some local Chicago friends and we visited the Shedd Aquarium which was pricey but worth it. We spent some time walking around Navy Pier and finally rode the huge carousel, where we could see the whole city from up in the sky.

And, of course, we made our expected trip to The American Girl Store for Peyton's birthday present. Peyton has been talking about getting 'Amantha (Samantha) for months now. When we entered the store, the staff let us know that a new American Girl Doll was being introduced that day. Her name was Ruthie and she looked a lot like Samantha. That really threw Peyton for a loop. Peyton didn't realize such a big decision was in the making. She spent, what seemed like an hour doing this...

But she finally made her decision, bid Ruthie farewell with a big hug and we were finally on our way. Fortunately, she loves her new doll and and is very happy with her decision. Peyton and 'Amantha are very happy together. Happy Birthday, Peyt!

Potty Power!

After our trip to Disney, plans were in the making for Peyton's potty training. I knew I had to somehow get it done within the 3 months of summer to be ready for preschool -- but I wasn't looking forward to it. Peyton can be stubborn, resistant and doesn't exactly like to what others want her to do.

As soon as we got back from vacation, I scheduled a day to begin. Right before that day a friend-of-a-friend told me about a charter-on-demand program called "Potty Power." Her son had watched the video once and woke up the next day with the desire to potty training. I was skeptical, but was willing to try anything.

So...on the scheduled day, I went into Peyton's room cheerfully singing a little song about how today was the day to become a big girl. I put underwear on her and turned on the "Potty Power" video. It is a show made up of sing-a-longs, demonstrations and stories about being a big kid, doing things on your own and being proud to wear underwear. She loved it! She used the potty all day and was thrilled to be doing it. We've watched "Potty Power" a couple of times a day since then and we seem to sing the catchy tunes all day long. "No more diapers for me!"

Besides a few accidents because we just couldn't get there quite fast enough and a small struggle with #2. Peyton is potty trained. I'm so proud...and so is she!

Disney Dream Vacation

We are back from a fantastic, fun-filled 6 night, 7-day vacation to Disneyworld. Our trip couldn't have gone better. The flights were great, the kids were great, the weather was great, the food was great and the entertainment was great. Did I mention we had a GREAT time? Peyton did wonderful on her first flight and the two of them kept themselves busy watching DVDs.

When we arrived early evening Tuesday...we headed to Magic Kingdom to give the girls a taste of the fun ahead. We went on a few rides (including the tea cups, of course), and stayed for the "Wishes" fireworks display at Cinderella's castle. Gorgeous! Our first full day was spend at Hollywood Studios where we caught some amazing shows like Beauty and the Beast, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and High School Musical. We had lunch at the Playhouse Disney Play and Dine where the girls met the first of many characters. Mommy found her new favorite ride -- the Rock-n-Roll Roller Coaster. Totally awesome, dude! Barrett also decided to brave the Tower of Terror. For those of you not familiar...this is a ride made up of ghost, darkness and elevator drops from hundreds of feet up. Not a good decision for a 5 year old. The only thing I remember of the experience is holding Barrett's stomach (so it didn't fall out) and hearing her yell, "when is it over, when is it over?" Oh well, we couldn't go back in time, and the only repercussion was before each ride thereafter, Barrett always asked "Is this one dark?" The darkness is what got you????

The next day we all awoke bright and early at 6:30 am to get to Cinderella's castle for our appointments at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where the girls were transformed into little princesses.

Then the girls spent the day gallivanting around the Kingdom from attraction to attraction. A few of Peyton's favorites were Philarmagic, Peter Pan's Flight and It's a Small World. While Barrett's preferences were Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad (both which Peyton couldn't join us) and the Haunted Mansion. Barrett's favorite favorite was Soarin' at Epcot, where she's never been so happy to be 40 inches!

The girls met many princesses throughout our trip at character spots, storybook princess dinner and dinner at Cinderella's Round Table. Here were a few of their favorites:

We spent a full day at the Animal Kingdom, where none of us have ever been. We had a perfect breakfast at the Tusker House, an adventurous safari and, those of us tall enough, braved the Mount Everest roller coaster where we witnessed the Yetti. Thrilling!

Later in the week, we had a fabulous character dinner at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort. The food was extraordinary and we had a chance to celebrate Grandma Nancy's birthday (who was with us on the trip along with cousin Ashlynn and cousin Marcus). All the greats were there including the Big Cheese and his girl.

Now we are home and it's back to reality (and lots of laundry), but it will be quite some time before I forget the fun and family time we had together. It was a vacation to remember...but until next time, our little castle in Ballwin will have to do -- where I am the Queen!

Ode to Mom...

Dear Mom,

Every chance you get, you send compliments and praise my way for my abilities and choices as a mother. However, it's you, dear mother, that has the true noteworthy mothering skills. Whenever I find myself at a loss or circumstance that I'm not quite sure how to handle involving my girls, I always find myself wondering what you would have done in each of those circumstances. Why? Because when I look back on my childhood I have not ONE memory of any struggle or any doubt in your parenting decisions. You, somehow, always knew just what to say and just what to do. AND, I think I turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. So "you must have done something right!"

As I go through different stages of Barrett and Peyton's lives, it never ceases to amaze me that you went through all these same phases and issues as a mother all on your own. It has taken being a mother to realize the incredible mother you were (and still are). Your strength as a single parent is incomprehensible to me. Even though I was missing a father in my life, your love and care were so complete -- I never sensed an absence.

Mom, you are such a kind and giving person, you are an inspiration. You spend your life taking care of others selflessly...for that I have no doubt that God will take care of you.

You are so beautiful inside and out. You are smart, you are funny and you are so very generous. In a word, you are rare. The time we spend together is so valuable to me. I am blessed to have the chance to grow closer and closer to you. Something I wish you would have had a chance to do with your own mother. She would have been beyond proud.

My girls are very lucky to have the chance to spend time with such a wonderful grandma. It means the world to me for them to able to know you and to love you. Our Wednesdays together are priceless to me -- and someday will be to them as well.

You are a wonderful mother and grandmother and I would like the whole world to know! I wish you the very best Mother's Day...this year, and every year. I love you.

Yours,
Jennifer Rose

Early Mother's Day Celebration

What a gorgeous day we had on Sunday in which to do our annual Mother's Day celebrating. The girls and I got to spend a great day hanging out with Grandma Judy, cousin Elaine, Rachel, Richey and Matt and aunt Ruth. We began with a fantastic lunch at the Pasta House where we all ordered our favorites and the kids ate like champions. What a great start!

Then, we headed over to Grant's Farm to see the animals. We couldn't have asked for better weather! The highlight for the kids was feeding the baby goats (even though they weren't very hungry.) The tram ride was delightful and we took in a cute Animal Encounter show.

After we parted ways, it was time for the girls and me to head home to pick up daddy from his weekend retreat. We had big plans to give him big hugs and big "we miss you" wishes when he came out. Instead, Brad found this: