Bunch of Paynes

The girls and I took advantage of a beautiful sunny day!  We had to say goodbye to a dear neighbor family this week, so I was feeling nostalgic about this playground and grabbed my camera on our way out.

Handing out Valentine's at school is not common practice here in England.  The kids here have a similar tradition, but at Christmas time, giving all the kids in the class small Christmas cards.  But I love holidays and finding ways to celebrate, so instead of cards, my kids took heart-shaped sugar cookies to school for their class because what kid doesn't love a cookie made with love?!

I baked all the cookies by myself at night then let Gretchen decorate hers the following afternoon while Rooke was at school and Bridgette was napping.  It was a great activity for she and I to do together.  Gretchen got more creative as we went along!

  

Mental note - when making sugar cookies, store them in stacks so they don't crack and break.  It actually wasn't a big deal because it meant more for us to eat!

The cross cookie was to remind us of the source of love:  

We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Bridgette is just a month away from turning two.  She is busy most of the time, but has recently slowed down long enough to learn how to enjoy books and focus on talking.  It's been fun to watch her vocabulary take off this last month.  She tries to mimic what other people say.  Most of her speech is still in that only-Mommy-knows-what-I'm-saying phase, but if you have context and listen closely, you can pick up a lot of what she is communicating.  When you acknowledge what she says, she happily affirms, "yep!".  

Bridgette really likes her siblings and Gretchen proudly told Rooke this week that "Bridgette tries to do everything I do".  It's true.  Earlier this week, I caught her sitting on the window ledge like Gretchen does, which means she had to climb from the play kitchen to the radiator up onto the ledge.  

She is determined not to be left out.

Bridgette is constantly trying to do things by herself, already testing out that need for independence.  When she's found success, she will proudly announce, "I DID IT!", even if she has her coat on backwards and upside down.

She's a great sleeper, as long as she's not sick.  She needs mousie, blankie, and prefers to also have "blankie 2", and her "Kaye K blankie".  But we're done with the pacifier.  Ryan put her to bed one night and they couldn't find her pacifier.  He convinced her she didn't need it.  Have I mentioned I'm married to an attorney?!  So the next day I tried out a nap without her paci.  Golden.  That night, Ryan was with her again and she actually found her paci, but he easily distracted her from it and they agreed together she didn't want it anymore.  I never thought it'd be that simple!

A rare moment of stillness in the beginning days of getting a bad cold.  Yes, I realize she is on the kitchen floor.  She did this herself.  I couldn't interrupt.  I had mopped recently.  Does that count?!

Recently, a group on base hosted a daddy/daughter masquerade dance.  When Ryan asked Gretchen if she would go with him, that's all she could talk about for the days leading up to their date!  She tried on dresses and talked about accessories and how she wanted her hair done and how she was going to dance with Daddy . . . it was a hot topic for our little girl.  And rightfully so!  A date with her incredible daddy is always special, and it's not every day a handsome daddy-king takes his precious daughter-princess to a ball!  We worked on her mask the day of the dance.  She helped Ryan pick out his suit and tie (purple!) and then it was time to go!  Ryan said they had a great time together and he brought her home just before her clock struck midnight.  =)  

Bridgette wanted to be in their photos.

Rooke turned SIX in January!  He is such a special boy.  His current likes are lego, playing games (Sleeping Queens is his favorite), reading, playing with Gretchen (most of the time!) and wrestling with Daddy (or anyone else who is willing to take him on).  He's still topping the growth charts and is one of the biggest in his Year One class of 30 kids.  Rooke enjoys school, excels at reading and math, and has a great time with his buddies during their outdoor play times.  Rooke has always been a thinker and is still asking great questions.      

Instead of a big birthday party, this year we took three of his friends for pizza and bowling after school.  Getting the boys from school, home, and into the car felt a bit like herding cattle, but everyone (including me) enjoyed themselves and, most importantly, the birthday boy had a great time!

Gretchen is in the Green group at preschool and their little group mascot is Brian, the Monkey.  Brian came home with Gretchen for a short visit.  We decided to take him to one of our favorite places . . . the library!  We're pretty sure he had a great time!  

Happy New Year!  Vancouver did an early countdown downtown, so we went with the McTaggarts to ring in the new year with free sugar cookies and a great band . . . at 7:30pm.  It was perfect for our crew!