"I give my baby glasses!"

During Spring Break I had my eyes checked.  I've worn glasses before and I've tried contacts, but I hadn't had my eyes checked since before I was pregnant with P.  I found a place that would accept my VSP eye care insurance and made an appointment for the first day of spring break. (I know, a lovely way to start break....)
Anyway, I knew I'd need a new prescription so I was ready to pay (even thought I didn't WANT to).  In the end I bought a new pair of glasses that I now wear all the time, and a set of prescription sunglasses.  I hate having to change from regular glasses to sunglasses, but I hated the transition lenses even more.  They just don't work for me.  And maybe worse than that, I hated switching from glasses to non-prescription sunglasses.  The transition just made my eyes ache.
Anyway, back to the purpose of the post.  I finally got my glasses and began wearing them full time.  Peyton loves to lick them (seriously), smudge her fingers on them (just to make sure I know she is there), and wear them. 
One day while I was making dinner (yep, sometimes I cook... and yes, Josh and Peyton are still living, so it can't be THAT bad) I heard Josh start to get upset with Peyton.  She had been playing with playdough so I figured she had put it in her mouth or something obnoxious like usual.  I turned to see what she had done and she showed me her baby... with a face full of playdough... blue playdough.... and a lot of it.  I started to raise my voice (gasp, I know!) and she proudly said "I give my baby glasses!".  My heart melted.... She was SO proud of herself!  So what did I do?  What any good mom would do... I took a picture!

 

I love her...

My favorite little girl...

Seriously... could this kid get any cuter? Call me biased... whatever... she is the cutest.  Her sweet personality makes her a joy to be around... usually. She's almost three... but is still deep in her terrible twos.  She isn't horrible by any stretch of the imagination, but there are times that I tell her "God is lucky he made you cute!".  She just smiles and laughs... I have so many hopes and dreams for her, but most of all I pray everyday that she is happy, content, and feels loved.  Children start out so eager to learn, to be loved, and to make everyone happy... I often wonder when (and how) my students lost the love of learning or the eagerness to make others happy... or even themselves.  I haven't found any concrete answers yet, but I know some of it lies in the hands of parents.  I see students everyday who are so well adjusted to whatever crazy life they have... and yet so many aren't adjusted at all.  What is the difference?  Parenting?  Maybe... Environmental factors?  Probably... so I wonder how I will protect Peyton from these variables in life.  

I look at Peyton everyday and am reminded of my place in the universe.  I love being a teacher to my students... even on days that I complain about their rudeness or their inability to be nice to each other.  I still can't imagine doing anything else with my life.. except being a mommy to this SWEET thing!  She completes me.

Drawing

One of my favorite things ever... Peyton's first drawing of people... and I was her subject... I feel honored! Love this little girl... even though she is suppose to be in bed right now and is instead whispering "Mommy" at me thinking I can't hear that she is turning on and off her lights.... yep, still love her more than she will ever know.

Spelling

Peyton is doing a great job recognizing letters.  When we go to stores she loves to read the big signs out front... mostly "T-A-R-G-E-T".
Here she is spelling her name.  True, she wouldn't win the spelling bee... she'd totally get "dinged", but seriously how cute is this kid??