The GReaT OuTDooRS

This past weekend we went to my family's house (only about an hour away) to spend some much needed time enjoying the outdoors. After living in an apartment for so long, it was nice to get out and play. Payton was quite the little farm boy. He spent most of the afternoon riding with his dad and grandpa all around the farm, irrigating the different crops, riding in the TRacToR, riding the four-wheeler and mini three-wheeler, digging in the dirt with his own little shovel, playing with cousins, and other various chores. Lets just say that after working/playing so hard all day long--he was ready to crash by the time we got back home. I enjoyed watching Payton play out on the farm, he seemed to be having such a great time just exploring and having an area to go where he wanted. McKenzie also likes to be outside, she is so happy when we are outdoors, with new things to discover. Oh I just can't wait to have a backyard so that I can just let them both play, without always having to worry about cars and other things that could harm them. Until then, I guess we will just keep going on walks to parks and to grandparent's houses where they can still enjoy the outdoors!

Not long ago we went looking at houses with some friends (Lane and Liz). While we were all waiting outside for the house to be opened, Payton and Aige were picking flowers...I mean DanDeLiOnS. After picking a DanDeLiOn, Payton decided to smell it, once he took one sniff he turned and replied "Peanut Butter!" Then both Aige and Payton were running around calling the DanDeLionS they had picked "Peanut Butter". I am not sure what it was that made him think that it was Peanut Butter. I had to wonder if Payton thought that they smelt the same, or if he thought they had similar colors. Who knows, but it was sure funny to watch the two boys picking, smelling, and collecting "FloWerS" that they called "Peanut Butter". What are some funny misconceptions that your children have?

FrieNDs fOR liFE

McKenzie had her routine 9 month check up yesterday. She is now weighing 15 pounds! I can't believe how fast she is growing up, it seems like just the other day Payton was her age, and beginning to figure his life out and how to get around. It just seems crazy that my little girl is now pulling up to things so that she can stand on her own. She watches her big brother's every move, and wants to play right along with him. It is funny how different boys and girls can be. When Payton was little we used to play pretty rough with him and he loved it so much and still does. McKenzie on the other hand whimpers and gets a little scared or unsure when we toss her a little. Payton is thick and built like a boy, McKenzie is petite and danty and we are more cautious with her because she seems more fragile. The list could go on.

It is so fun having one of each to see how different they will be, but yet I can see that Payton and McKenzie will also be great friends. Payton has already taken on the role as the older brother and tries to protect McKenzie from harm (when I go to put her to sleep, he says "Kenzie happy now" ... thinking that if she is happy she won't have to take a nap). It seems like they are already teaming up against me. Today we woke up to find that Payton had gotten out of his bed and had snuck into McKenzie's room to be with her (usually he never gets out of his bed until we come in to get him for some reason). We found Payton in McKenzie's crib. This took a lot of effort in his behalf because he cannot get into her crib on his own, so therefore he had to push the rocking chair (which isn't the smallest) over to the side of her crib, and use it as a support to climb in with her. They were both perfectly content just playing and being together. Moments like these make me remember the love that I have for each of my siblings and also make me hope that my children will be each other's best friends!

OuR LittLE BRONCO

Payton seems to already be interested in playing all sorts of sports, or at least his version of them. Unlike his DADDY he could care less about watching them on TV though (for hours at a time). Mckay claims that this will eventually change.

LiTTle MiSS AttiTuDe!

Actually Mckenzie doesn't have too much of an attitude quite yet, she is actually a pretty easy going little lady despite what the picture shows (although she does have her moments when she lets us know what she wants)!

CoulD iT ReaLLY Be ThaT EaSY...

...I kinda have my doubts! Today, after giving Payton a bath, I was in the process of getting him dressed, but when it came time to put on his diaper he said, "No diaper". Usually he could care less if he is in a diaper or underwear (aka undies)., but today he boycotted diapers all together. I hope that he is not giving me false hope, could he really finally be ready!? Having 2 children in diapers is not cheap! I decided to put him in his little underwear, he was excited because they had fish and sharks on them (we have tried out undies before but there were always accidents, which I know is part of the process, but no fun, to say the least!) Since this morning so far, Payton has not had any ACCIDENTS. Way to go Payton!! We have casually been trying to potty train him for a little while now but he only goes pee in his tiolet and isn't too interested in going poo. Maybe after all of our efforts to get him ready such as: bribes, occasional "potty treats", buying new CARS and other fun undies, a little toilet, a little seat cover for the big toilet, a stool, or whatever else we could think of, the light might have turned on. Time will tell. I have heard that it has to be on their clock so I was not pushing the issue too much, but needless to say, I am anxious to get him out of diapers. I am looking for tips on potty training, for all of you Pros in this department. What works and what doesn't? Are we on the right track? What do you do for nighttime ? I guess for now we will just take one day at a time!

GoT TeeTH!

I was looking at McKenzie's 5th tooth the other day (or so I thought), when I noticed that I could now feel eight little teeth total...that's right, 8 teeth! Usually you can tell when your children are teething, but she must be tough because I had no idea that her mouth has been so busy. Payton on the other hand...I was always waiting for the tooth to finally pop up, because I just knew he was teething. Sometimes they would pop up and other times no teeth would come for a very long time. It is strange how different children can be, even siblings.

McKenzie is 9 months old today. I can't believe how fast she is growing up, it seems like she should still be a newborn. Now she is getting into things, crawling everywhere, pulling herself up to stand by furniture (mainly to see what we are all up to), loving food (not so much the baby rice cereal though), and changing everyday. The other day when I was putting on her Sunday dress, Payton said, "Kenzie is a princess". I would have to agree, she is our little PRINCESS! Life would just not be complete without her. She loves to go places, when we are out and about, driving, shopping, walking, or anything active, she is on her best behavior. She just observes what is going on all around her in this busy world. She doesn't want to miss out on the action and is perfectly content just comming along for the ride. If only Payton would take a lesson from his little sis, he is just so opposite, he is so active and busy, and has an agenda of his own (although he is a good kid too). While this is a good thing, it can also be difficult, especially when we are trying to shop. He no longer likes to ride in the cart for the whole trip, he would rather walk. That way he can get into different things that I would normally pass by. He also likes to put food/toys in the cart, that he thinks we need. You know the "GooD" cereal, juice boxes, plenty of yogurt, various treats/snacks, cars, action figures, you name it. Most of which is quickly removed when he is not looking, except for the stuff that we actually do need. Being a parent is so rewarding and yet challanging at the same time. Even though both of my children are so different in their own special ways, I love them so much and wouldn't have it any other way.

LaTTest PrOjeCT

I told my sisters-in-law that I would post a picture of my lattest CRAFT project. I know...not the most interesting thing to most of the rest of you, but here it is anyway!

Just another side note...I would have to agree with Misti about experiences in the park. I took the kids to a park today and I was shocked by the language that two adult men were using around not only my children, but their own as well. I think it has become a major pet peeve of mine. I definitely don't want my innocent (most of the time anyway) little two year old boy to pick up on this nasty habit. I guess even fun adventures to the park may expose your little ones to things that you would like to keep them safe from.