Protective Big Sissy

Today I had to run an errand in Apopka right next to the 429 so I decided to jump on it and head to the Florida Mall with the kids. We went to Old Navy, walked around, got some pretzels and lemonade and then went to play in the kid area. There was a couple of aggressive little girls (and by aggressive I mean hitting, kicking and pushing Britton down) that were probably around 18 months and Payton was very unhappy about it. She kept taking Britton by the hand and pulling him over to me and telling me to hold him. When the kids would come over Payton would tell them, "you can't play with my brother!". It was so funny to watch her be the big sister over Britton and reminded me so much of me and my little brother because I could beat him up all of the time but no one else was allowed to mess with him.

Payton pulling Britton away from the stroller. Payton leading Britton back to me.

Payton's 3rd Birthday

After a few month of Payton talking about her birthday, the day has finally come... my little girl is now 3 years old! Payton's birthday started with opening a few presents and than going to school. Payton got to bring cupcakes in to class and everyone sang to her. After school I picked Payton up and we went to Chick-Fil-A and I let her play for over an hour. Then we went home and skipped nap time and played and played. When daddy got home we went to Birthday World to meet Linda, Rick, Natalie, Rhea, Jayden and Alex. Payton was looking forward to going to BW to be able to ride the choo choo train. Then we went home to open more presents from daddy. It was a great day even though I was sick with the flu. Payton was such a sweetie and had lots of fun. Happy Birthday Payton! I love you more than words could ever express. You have and continue to bring so much joy into my life! Payton sporting her new Dora Backpack Backpack.

The big kids playing.

Britton's first time on the train... and he did not like it!

Payton's Hello Kitty Birthday Party

The birthday girl

Payton thanking Nee for her new bike.

Payton and Madison

Water balloon fight.

collecting candy from the pinata.

I Touched a Worm!

Today I was the teacher aide in Payton's class so I got to see what she does when she is at school. I really like that they give the parents the opportunity to help out and come into the class room. I had so much fun being there with Payton and meeting all of her little friends. Miss Bonnie started the day off with her worm compost. She got some of the worms out and put them on top of the container and Payton thought it was the funniest thing. She would pick them up and start laughing so hard. Payton was the only girl handling the worms with her hands. A couple of the other little girls would take sticks and poke them and say ewww. So now anytime you ask her what she did at school she says, "I touched a worm!".
I can't wait to go back again! It is so nice to be able to visualize what she is doing when she is not with me and to know who she is talking about when she refers to her friends and what songs she is singing.

Payton telling me that she broke her worm... GROSS!

Outside playtime.

Circle Time.

Splash Park in Tavares

Rhea and I took the kids to the library and then to the new splash park in Tavares at Wooten Park. The park was really nice and the kids enjoyed it. We had a picnic and then went to feed the ducks but could only find hungry little squirrels to eat the bread.

Britton going down the slide.
Alex enjoying himself.

On your mark... get set...GO!!! Payton and Jayden would race around and go down the slide.

Payton going down the slide.

Britton's new do

Such a dude!
Tonight Jonathon and I gave Britton a hair cut. I could not believe how much hair came off the back because it is so white that you can hardly see it until it gets fuzzy. He was starting to look like an old man again so we had to buzz it.

Katelyn's Triathlon

This weekend we all went down to watch Katelyn do her triathlon. Katelyn did great and really amazed me especially since I have a hard time just running to the end of the street. Congradulation Katelyn on accomplishing your goal!

Jayden and Payton being silly in the hotel room.

Our Yearly Trip to the Florida Hospital

Tonight we did our yearly visit to the Florida Hospital to drop off cookies and cupcakes to the nurses, doctors and staff in the NICU. This has become a precious tradition in our family. Before we left we got out a photo album and tried to explain everything to Payton. She was very interested this year and was curious about the photos with the tubes in her mouth and thought it was funny that she was wearing a diaper. When we went into the NICU Payton handed the nurses her thank you letter and the treats and they were very excited to talk to us. A couple of them said they remembered Jonathon (they should as much as he bugged them ;). We told them that she had PPHN and they were very impressed to see how healthy and beautiful she was. One of the nurses said that PPHN is a teeter totter and you never know which way it will go... I of course was glad it went the way it did. We are forever grateful for how great the staff took care of our little angel!The thank you letter Payton gave to the staff.

Me and the kiddies.

Behind me and Payton is the window we looked in every time we would go into the NICU. We would always peak through the blinds since she was really close to the window. One day we went to look in it and she was not there (a very exciting moment) because she was upgraded to a less risk level in the NICU.

Payton looking in the fish tank we would walk past every time we would go see Payton.

Chik-Fil-A Playtime

Today Payton, Britton and I met Jonathon for lunch at Chik-fil-a. I am not a huge fan of the food (probably because I have overdone it with getting Payton so much chicken and french fries) but I sure do love it for the kids. Britton got to play and he loved it! I had to put him in the stroller to take Payton to go the restroom and he had a melt down. I took them back after the potty break and he was in heaven again.

Britton is topless because although he is a great eater he is a very messy eater.

Happy Birthday Christy

After me and my mom picked up Payton from school we headed up to Christy's house to celebrate her birthday. Christy's house is Payton's new favorite spot. Christy always give Payton little pet shops so anytime she can't find her little doggies she says that she needs to go to Christy's house. Payton also has a blast playing with her older cousins. She follows them around everywhere and copies everything her cool cousin Madison does. Payton also enjoys all of the attention that Cameryn gives her. We had a dance party for the birthday girl and Madison even sang Christy a Taylor Swift song... so sweet! Happy Birthday to my big sis! I love you!




A birthday performance for Christy.

Boom Boom Pow!

Payton's First Day at Preschool

Today was Payton's first day at Preschool. We got ready and she told me she did not want to go to school that she wanted to go to Christy's house. I was a little nervous because she was not in a great mood and she did not seem happy about the idea of going to school. When we went into her class she grabbed onto my leg and would not let go. I wanted to cry with the thought of her having a hard time and also facing the fact that my little baby is getting to be a little girl. After she go in and settled she seemed happy. I was the last mom to leave the class and I could tell it was time for me to go. I told Payton good bye and that I loved her and she said bye and that she loved me. She did great! I came back to get her and she was happy to see me. Her teacher Miss Bonnie said that she had a good day.

Payton already working hard on her school work.

Me and my big girl after I picked her up.

Payton loves to look at books.
Already too cool for school!