First day of school

Big girl

This morning Peyton woke up, stretched, immediately (15 seconds of waking up is the expectation) ate her banana, peanut butter toast and yogurt, and packed her schoolbag.

Later Daddy dropped her off at her classroom.  Even though she's only 14.5 months she runs around well enough where the teachers want to start her in the 16-33 month classroom.  I'm glad she'll be able to emulate the big kids but man I'm nervous about her sleeping situation.  Tiny cots!  Peyton has never slept outside her crib or pack'n play.  I'm not real confident they will be able to convince her to stay put. 

Shoe Obsession

On that farm there was a Horse

Neigh Neigh here

Peyton went on a road trip this past weekend to see Great Grandma.  Peyton looooved helping Great Grandma and stuck by her side while she cooked in the kitchen and husked corn in the yard. Kinnie and Peyton also got to practice their mad running skills all around the yard.  Later in the afternoon Peyton was Jon's official dice roller during an intense game of Farkle.  You want this kid on your team. She sticks out her tongue, rolls the dice, and consistently rolled a much better hand than mommy.

The next day Peyton drove down to Boone to surprise Great Aunt Karen for her birthday. It was a great afternoon with cake and park.  Nothing better!

Yum, raw corn

Wheeee

Ex-squeeze me

Come on alligator

Today Peyton decided to crawl under the couch over and over and over and over and over and over and over

              and over

                            and over (let's bring along the gator this time)

                                           and over

                                                         and over (push the ball)

                                                                        and over

                                                                                       and over

Not exaggerating, now what do we do this afternoon?  

Peyton's funnies:

1. Like to give mommy and daddy kisses, but more of the open mouth lunging snot drooling type of kissie.  Wipe your face mommy!
2. Falls asleep with Violet the LeapFrog Pup.  So proud she figured out how to turn on the songs and sing herself to sleep.

Here we go...

Success

Wild child

Roar!!

Peyton is a quick little gal and after she tried to zip away from me in a department store, we got our wild child a leash for the zoo.  The Como Zoo was really great.  Amazingly close playing polar bears and a gorilla that went right up to the glass to see Peyton.  Unfortunately, we saw a laceration on the gorilla's hand.  After contacting the zoo, we were assured that Samson is being well taken care of. 

Later this weekend Nana and Papa popped up for some playtime and sticker fun.  It was sooo funny putting tissue paper on Papa's head.  Peyton was a tired honey after a day of gymnastics and a visit to the bookstore, lake, and ice cream shop.  Wheeew!

Tissue pit

Just like daddy

Stick it to ya

Where's your nose?

The latest rage in the Strutt home is stickers.  They are all over the place.  With a little help Peyton will peal a sticker off the page and then typically put them all over mommy's shirt.  They are great for her hand eye coordination which can be especially frustrating when they fold over, and body part recognition belly-ear-nose.

Only problem is she can really blow through a pack of Sesame Street stickers like no ones business.  Luckily Nana was quick to replenish with hearts and My Little Ponies.  

Fun fact: Dollar Stores carry them, sure beats three bucks at Target! 

Water babies

Splish Splash

We are taking advantage of our brief Minnesota summer by walking to the splash pad and park just a skip and a hop from our front door.  Peyton daringly runs through the sprinklers and enjoys the water bubbling from the ground.

Peyton befriended a three year girl who had gotten knocked out by the ruff n' tuff water blaster.  Apparently Peyton was a less intimidating option.  She came bearing shovels and buckets so Peyton was game.

Funny memmies:

1. Teeth brushing has become a bit excessive.  She goes to the sink multiple times a day and signs for her toothbrush.  She puckers her face to suck off all of the tutti-frutti toothpaste and continues requesting some rewaters.  
2. Peyton jthinks she's pretty funny and has learned this usually get a laugh from mommy or daddy: 

Clown

My first library card

Ready to read

Peyton made her way to the Edina library this morning for her very first story time.  We had fun reading a story, singing a song, reading and singing, and so on.  The last half was the best because it was playtime.  Lots of toys to choose from.  Peyton's favorites were the cars!

For having two introverted parents, I'm always soooo excited to witness how incredibly outgoing Peyton is with other kids.  She has no problem going up to other kids and adults and waving hi or sharing her toys.  Til next week!

A story about how it's okay if you wet your pants... mistakes happen

Little Gymnastics

Peyton had her first gymnasties class today.  Our social butterfly jumped right in!  She hung from the bars, loved running after the bubbles, and attempted the balance beam.  Watch out Chow's, I think you've got competition!

Lady liberty

Ah... cool watermelon

Peyton started her day with the Edina Fourth of July parade.  She enjoyed the prime seating on her daddy's tall shoulders but wheeew it was hot.  Luckily daddy also scored her a strutsicle.  

Then back home to take a nap and teach daddy a lesson.  Close those drawers!  Peyton likes repetitive tasks, today it was take each undershirt out of the drawer and take over to dad one by one.  The bonus was it gave her a good hour of entertainment.  Cha-ching.  After playing outside and helping to give Kinneth a bath, we headed over to a friend's BBQ, and finally out to fireworks with Aunt Katelyn.  Fun day!

Ah... cool popsicle

Don't leave your drawer cracked...Dad!

Sucka

Busy bee

Eloise the elephant voice please

The last couple days is all about shoes.  She brings me a shoe, goes and gets another, and perhaps a third and then asks for some help putting them on.  Sometimes she wants me to wear them too.  Allows me to teach her a little lesson about little and big.  No one said they have to match... let your freak flag fly Peyton!

Funny memories: 

1. Loves to walk around in just her diap.  She pushes her belly out like a fat man and rubs her belly or chest as she walks... sounds kinda weird but actually quite hilarious. 
2. Crayons are for eating.  Not coloring.  Let's just say Mom threw Pey's crayons out the day after we got em.
3. Learned how to make the most horrible sound.  Plastic pointed egg shells against the glass fireplace.  An amped up version of nails on the chalkboard.  
4. Sweet dance moves, the old favorite spaz attack arm fluttering motion and now the new knee bending body roll for the slower tunes. 

Dance girl dance!