Peyton and TJ have birthdays four days apart, so on January 14th we had their joint birthday party.  This is a picture of our dining room table.  I was going for a John Deere tractor motif, with a  side of old fashioned at home parties.  The party was at home, and family only.  I succeeded. 

I made the birthday cake.  My mom helped me by making the chocolate buttercream icing.  I used  green frosting in an aerosol can for the grass, and the tractors were courtesy of Jake.

TJ did not like all the attention he was receiving.  He was especially frustrated that so many people were invading his house.  If you remember, TJ hid during presents at my parents house.  He may not be as outgoing as his brother. 

Jake and I even took a picture, even though he REALLY did not want to. 

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Peyton, as always, fully enjoyed all the attention he received and the gifts. 

Special thanks to Amanda Iles for rushing our t-shirt order. 

21 Days

I would like to have that outfit, Kate's outfit

I follow a Kate blog, click here, but she has been woefully unsighted lately.  When she returned I saw this greatness.  My mother-in-law told me that Kate and William moved into the palace recently, sad.  After seeing this picture, should my next shoe purchase be riding boots, as shown here, or closed toe pumps, that we all know she wears constantly. 

I considered several titles for today's post, one of which was 'Blood Poisoning.'  The Keys recently dropped off grid to check on my mom and attend to other business.  Mother had a very serious case of blood poisoning caused by a run of the mill infection.  And our other business will remain private for right now, but no new Keys are in the works (cause I know that is what you think.)


'Craps' was another title I considered.  Part of Peyton's schoolwork is crafts, or craps as he says.   Today we finished last weeks stuff.  Bluberry pie and a bublebee.    And you know I took pictures.

Combining circles and the color blue: blueberry pie!

TJ was painting...kind of

TJ working hard on his bumblebee

Peyton working on his bee, notice the owie

Supper tonight will be cornflaked pork chops and sweet potatoes of some kind.   I'm going to pound the pork chops thin too...  :) 

A Door in the Ditch

Disney Princesses was our theme, young women's purity was our purpose.  Jessica, Leslie, and I worked second shift at the youth girls' lock-in.  While I did not get any pictures, I will assure you we had more fun than the girls.

Saturday,  I asked Jake what this was about...

A Door in the Ditch

Speculation?

Working on the 4-wheeler

As I was mixing molasses and brown sugar for the baked beans, Peyton came inside and said, "Daddy needs a telephony scruicedriver."  I had to ask Daddy what he wanted (wouldn't you?)  Turns out he needed a phillipshead screwdriver to work on the 4-wheeler.

TJ runs from cameras, this is the best I could get

oh well!

Fall.  You remember that I am patiently waiting for cooler weather right?  This afternoon a large windstorm swept some hot air out of Demopolis.  Tomorrow will probably be unbearable again, but we had momentary relief.  And I liked it!

Weary Morning

Today I decided to capture our whole day on digital camera.  I attempted to play with natural light as I worked.  So here goes:

Breakfast: baker's dozen lemon poppy seed mini muffins

For my friends who are planning imminent weddings and dream weddings: I desperately wanted a brunch wedding where we could serve mini muffins and coffee punch at the reception.  My coordinators (Mama and Aunt Donna) loved the idea of this, but logistically it wasn't preferrable.

 I still think it was a wonderful idea, but I say this to encourage you to let a few dreams go so that everyone enjoys the day more.  I would probably be the only one who was happy with a brunch reception: 9:30 am ceremony, 5 am makeup/hair call time? Someone would have shot me.

Peyton and his yellow sunshine

A good night's rest helped Peyton understand the color yellow.  He drew a circle to color in so he could make a sun.  This picture is my second attempt at light play and photography; you like?

This is a hug, notice Peyton's flat palms.

TJ has taken to getting his lovin' from Mommy and Brother; I ask him for a kiss (he sticks his face up to  me,) then runs to Peyton and gets a kiss from Bubs.  So precious, the one moment it lasts.

Lip-rebusted

What happens when I prepare lunch in the kitchen while the boys watch Sesame Street?  This.

Poor baby TJ.  His lip bled more today, and I ruined another shirt (blood doesn't come out of cotton,no?)  I really don't believe Peyton hurts his brother on purpose only he does not understand how his actions affect little persons.

Still riding baby toys

One day, soon I hope, I will combine this new picture of Peyton with an old picture taken in this exact location. 

Day 1: Tracing his name

Day 2

Day 3

The 'P' on the right is Mama's

Day 5: making progress writing from top to bottom, which is the first step in writing a 'P'

Finally, their favorite activity.  Playing on the lawn mower!  I instructed Peyton to drive and make his noise.

Blue/Yellow

With our first week almost finished of attempting to learn, I'd say we've been successful.  Peyton adores Red Light, Green Light and the Bumblebee song.  Unfortunately, he also adores telling me that yellow things are blue and that blue things are yellow.  But I'm not really sure if he is not able to tell the difference yet, or (and this is probably it) Peyton just thinks it's time to have fun with Mama.

He is also making strides in writing his name.  When I give him lined paper (and I know his paper should not be lined, give me a break) he sometimes takes the time to draw a stick on it (a stick being the first attempt at a 'p'.)  Fridays are set aside for review and catch up: maybe we'll focus more on blue and yellow?

View from my kitchen door Wednesday evening, scary storm approaching

TJ watching the storm approach

Busted lip

Peyton pulled him to the concrete

Hambone- he is changing literally every day

 So several years ago, Jake and I were in a couples' Sunday school class that read The Five Love Languages.  Read this book.  So much human conflict arises from unmet love languages.

 I experience love through quality time, and Jake experiences love through physical touch (hugs, hand holding.) 

Last night, at the church library, I checked out The Five Love Languages: Children.  I skimmed the book last night before bed and have already decided what the kids' languages are, pretty much. 

Peyton- quality time
 TJ- physical touch

Those apples didn't fall far.....

WILW

I love..., this picture is the best I can do.  I'm still a newbie to blogging.  I love VBS. 


I love... Jake!

I love... Peyton!

I love... TJ!

I love... my life, today.  It's good, today.