"I'm so excited!"

That pretty much sums up Peter's feeling about going to "schooolll"!  He was really looking forward to it and so were we.  It went great!  More to come...  He is too cute!

This morning we went to the farm.  We only saw one of the horses and it was in a small area and just looked somber, wouldn't acknowledge that we were standing at the fence, talking to it.

I said to Peter, "Peter, maybe the horse is just having a bad day, maybe it's sad."

Peter said in a sweet & concerned voice, "Maybe it needs a Mommy"....  oh, my heart!

Perzanowski River Weekend

The last weekend in Aug was our vacation with the P side.

Its always a really fun and relaxing "end" to summer.

Kathy and Ski do the majority of the child watching (esp in the mornings) so its great!

It made me happy to see so many in the water!  

(The jellyfish were gone so we could SWIM again! yay!)

Isn't that a beautiful site?!

Peter had swim practice with Aunt Becky and Mike.

swimming back to Becky

(swimming really just meant going an inch under water and moving his arms and legs but he was fearless at it and its a great start- Aunt Becky said she's dreaming of an Olympic Swimmer so she can say she knows him. Wouldn't that be cool?!  We can dream.)

....and back to Daddy

Jumping off the pier

"I wanna do to again", over and over!

We'd planned to have Peter's "Party" at the house but then at the last minute decided to move it pier-side so everyone wouldn't have to come up from the water.  It turned out perfect and so well coordinated, w/o any planning.

Everyone enjoyed cupcakes and ice cream

...and then went back in the water!

HOW FUN IS THAT?!

The cousins:

Liam (3), Lily (13 mo), Bennett (17 mo), Peter (3)

It was a fun, fun summer!

noteworthy to me

Pretend is the best.  I am loving it.  Its hours and hours of free entertainment. 


Peter has moved up to underpants.  I am not saying he's potty trained but we've ditched diapers (except "naptime/ night time pants" (Pull Ups).   I had the dr tell him (or I told him that the dr said) "No More Diapers" after you turn 3.  


I am done nursing Lily.  Its sad.  I am SAD, really sad!  I can't think about it b/c it makes me really deeply sad.  I've loved it (unlike with Peter).  So I am hoping it will fade from my memory so the sadness passes fast.  It was a blessing to continue this long (this past weekend was my goal) b/c I thought I'd have to quit earlier when I was away.  So I am thankful for that.  I could try to drag it out but I am trying to force myself not to.  :(


Lily is on the verge of walking!  She's been walking to us for weeks.  Last night she up and walked half across the room on her own at Brian and Megan's!


I am considering this our bonus week of Summer.  Things don't start up again for us til next week- YAY!

Mother's Helper

A few weeks back, my cousin's daughter, Logan, came to visit us.  It was lots of fun.  It felt like what I imagine summer to be.  We had lazy mornings at home, went for milk shakes, went to the pool, shopped and stayed up late sewing!  So fun!  And she was a big help with P&L.  She is a kid lover so it was a win-win for her and us!  :)

They each got their own milk shake: Peanut Butter and Vanilla

I figured Lily's little 18 lb body could use the extra calories- isn't she a doll?!

This walking pic of Peter is too cute!

Peter found something to "drive" while we shopped in Old Navy.  This is his default driving stance, love it!

Logan and I did a little "stitch witchery" (just love saying that) and put some letters on shirts and made a monogrammed pillow case for her.  I told her I am hoping I made her a sew-er from an early age (I wish I really knew how!).  

Mike and I also had an anxiety attach after having a 13 yr old in the house about what our lives will look like in 10 years- really!  Nothing specific to sweet Logan, just this young generation in general- 100+ texts/day, the gadgets, teen culture in general- gasp!  I suddenly feel so old (and have a "stone age phone") and I don't love the feeling.  Lord help us!!

Lil's Kitchen

After my grandma (sweet "big Lil") passed away, I inherited a cross stitch that had been in her kitchen. She was a great cook and known for her big home-cooked meals. I'm not really sure why I got it, maybe b/c my name also begins with an L?
My friend, Sara, found this cute kitchen on clearance at Target back in January for $30 (originally $130!!) and so she picked it up for Lily. We "gave it to her for her birthday" (I realize she is clueless). After it had been set up for a few weeks, I noticed my grandma's cross stitch in my kitchen... and quickly gave it a new home :)!!!!! I added the little ribbon to try to update it a little. And my mom nearly cried when she saw it- Perfect!!

Birthday Boy

Today is the boy's BIG DAY!

He's 3!

3 year stats:

38.4 lbs (95th %)

39 1/2 inches (75-90th %)

My little 5th % newborn is now a BIG boy- I think maybe he has Pop's Navy build?  The doctor was not concerned about his weight being so high.  He feels his speech is still a little delayed (more lower lip strengthening needs to be in our future- ugh- I can tell he is slurring more than he had been- ugh).  And I was sure to tell Peter that the doctor would say "No More Diapers!!", and he did ;).  But we'll see how that goes.

Peter's FAVORITE things:

~ anything with wheels that go 'round and 'round

~any type of vehicle-  whoo whoo's, yi-yo's, airpane, boat, back hoe, digger, etc

but a BUS is still the absolute favorite.  He still loves to tell us he wants to drive vehicles that he sees.  A steering wheel is like a magnet for him.

~He LOVES the water and is fearless of it.  He loves to jump off the dock or side of the pool and then say "I wanna do it again".  He's doing pretty well at attempting to swim too- making us proud!

~He loves buckles, keys, locks, latches

~Pretending to go to Goo's house

~Loves to hear stories "I wanna hear a dorry 'bout Jip (his stuffed dog)" and read books

~Is great at singing songs (ABC's, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Ring around the Rosie)

~The boy loves to eat.  He will eat a green pepper like an apple. Loves oatmeal, "bars", bananas, PB sandwiches, cheese, pears, cambalope, cucumber, still doesn't really eat meat (except Chick Fil A nuggets)

~Tells everyone he sees "That's my Mommy, that's my Lee-Bug" (I think he may get his social talkative personality from Paw)

Things that drive me crazy (keepin it real):

~hand biting (Dr says its a "transition thing, a bad habit" like nail biting or thumb sucking) but it drives.me.crazy!!

~Drooling.  I'm just over it, a long time ago.

~The typicial toddler shouts of "NO!" and just disobedience and wildness (like running away, not just the having fun wildness)

~I'm ready (or think I am) for him to be potty trained- mostly to poo in the potty, I'd be OK to never change another man sized poop b/c they all went in the potty.

Overall, the little boy is a lot of fun and just a little sweetheart.  He has the sweetest, softest skin.  He's so handsome and he willingly gives great hugs and sweet lip kisses ("mus" is what he says when he kisses you)... and spontaneous "I lub you, Mommy (or Daddy)!"

We lub YOU, Peter Thomas Ow-key!!