Long Overdue Post. . .Literally it's LONG

If you're short on time - the photos tell it all, and I've bolded the funny parts and the major accomplishments!

Congratulations to my preschool graduate!!!!
Peyton graduated from the Koala class, will be a Rabbit for the summer and then he begins kindergarten this fall. I am so proud of my baby. I can't believe how time flies!

 

 

 

 

I started this post over a month ago to provide an update on the sweet peas. . .

Peyton is now five and is enjoying kinderdance. (Kinderdance Presentation Photos to be posted soon!) He still loves to sing and "perform" around the house. In fact, he pointed out a picture of a group of kids, and told me he's going to be the one in the middle with the microphone, and the other two boys will be on the sides playing guitars. We're phasing out the use of timeouts and he's now losing privileges for bad behavior. He's been having some emotional outbursts, but other than that is really growing up. He even took the dog out by himself and ran up and down our driveway for exercise. We're a little concerned about his weight, but he's eating healthy and is very active, so we'll just keep working on less "junk"! Peyton is funny. Plain and simple. He knows how to call me on my cell phone and apparently knows how to redial because if I don't pick up I get 5 missed calls and I'm reprimanded when I return the call. He can carry on a mature conversation, and I have to admit his faults are my own. Sweetest conversation on Peyton handling destruction of his favorite book ever.

Me: Peyton, don't be mad, but Addi ripped a page of your book. I held my breath. . .

 

Peyton: It's okay mom, I love Addi, she's my baby sister and she's still learning, right? But if she weren't my family I'd be mad. (Okay. . .so we're making progress here, at least he wasn't mad at Addi for the torn page.) Update - since I wrote this over a month ago, Peyton's back to an emotional drama king. Is it an age thing or what?! Please do share.

 

 

Gracyn has completed the Panda class, and will be a lamb for the summer, and will continue on for a couple more years.

 

Gracyn has been home for a little over a year and a half now and she's come a long way! She is my little "Union Rep" - If Peyton has it or Peyton does it, she has to have it and do it too. And that applies to the following: Time out on the wall (Yes, she's been known to join him); Trying to pee standing up outside in the garden (We live in the country folks, and when the BOY has to go, we just let 'em. Different rules for different genders!); Making the cutest pout-face, folding her arms and stomping off if we say "no" - (Wish I could catch this one on camera!). I guess the reverse applies with the kids though, because when I painted Gracyn's nails for the first time ever (my heart is smiling) guess who else had to have nail polish applied? Yep, the big BOY. And DH was not so happy with me. I only put clear on his toes, and clear on his thumbs. I did have to hide in the bathroom with him to do it, but it made him feel included and his heart was breaking, so what is a Mom to do?! Gracyn can count to five, knows her first and last name, knows all of the names of her family members, is learning how to spell her first and last name, and she can clearly say multi-syllabic words now!!

Latest and greatest - Now you see 'em now you don't. . .Have you noticed what's different? The change cost us $2500. . .keeping 'em would have cost even more, but they weren't good enough to salvage. See below for the reveal. . .

What Gracyn reminds me to do every minute of the last 24 hours. . ."Mommy, tap shoes. Buy me tap shoes?" Me: Yes, baby, Mommy will get you tap shoes too. (We have some hand me down ones that should fit her perfectly for Kinderdance this summer!) And of course I'll buy her tap shoes. . .ballet shoes, leotards, tights, skirts, you name it. I would love for my daughter to follow in my footsteps!

Her favorite words now are "No, You do it, I don't want you" Great start, huh? And the one three sylable word she has NO PROBLEM saying, CHOCOLATE, of course.

 

Addi is very proud of her big brother and big sister!!! A round of applause from the littlest sweet pea who's mastered the art of clapping. Way to go Addi-boo!

 

 

Addi is such a happy baby. We thought she'd be more laid back, but since she turned 7 8 months she's become a ball of energy. Always moving her legs, always wanting to jump, jump, jump, jump. She's almost mastered sitting up, still doesn't like to be on her tummy, but I'm happy to report that last night I put her on her tummy, held her feet for resistance and she PUSHED off and scooted!!! WOO HOOO Addi boo!!! She's babbling up a storm. Her latest and greatest, "Ba-ba-ba-ba". . .I swear she's asking for her bottle! Smarty pants! She's quick to smile, cries if she's left with an unfamiliar person. Well, okay, she'll even cry if Daddy has her and she sees me. . .yay! A baby who wants her MOMMY!!! She likes to hold on to balls, and tear up play with books.

 

This is Gong-Gong teaching Addi how to tap dance.

 

 

Now you see 'em. . .

 

 

Now you don't. . .

 

Back in April Gracyn had her teeth worked on. 4 caps, 1 crown, 4 extractions, and some fillings to boot (I think), she has a new smile! And I'm in love with it.Funny pictures of our drugged up baby. . .

My big girl, my baby. . .

 

Thinking versed should be sold for Moms who have kids who won't stay still for photos. She was actually pretty photogenic when here eyes weren't half closed!

 

She was funny! Trying to take off her gown, wanted the TV off, waved bye-bye to the TV. . .

 

Oh, and since this already extremely long, why not go back further in time, and show you that we really did make it to Disneyland with three kids 5 and under.

 

Luckily a little girl was in line with them and she offered to ride with Gracyn. She was so cute and so brave!

 

Check out their facial expression! Yes, I laughed my butt off, I wasn't scared for them! When they got off the ride, Gracyn acted like she had the time of her life! What a faker!

 

 

 

 

Addi's first trip to Disneyland, but it won't be her last!

 

If you made this far, thanks for following along. . .I've had bloggy block, and I had no idea if I could catch up. Certainly I wish I had the time to share some funny video clips, and other photos, but this is all I can muster up! This is what we've been up to and we're looking forward to SUMMER!