My Positive Role as a Parent

The other day I bought this foam puzzle at the dollar store for Adam and Lily. We have an alphabet one like it at home and everyone loves it. When I opened it I found a paper that said this, "By choosing this number puzzle, you have already committed yourself to play a positive role in your child’s education." I had to laugh. I didn't know I was taking such a big step. Next time I'll be more careful.

Things I Love About Buffalo #3: Clowning Around With the Cousins

The kids have loved playing around with the cousins.

Evan and Madeline fit right in with the whole group and I think the girls have enjoyed having a boy in the mix. It's one long party. John's parents have a great treehouse/play set in the back yard along with bikes and a kitchen set and tool bench. They also have a great play room in the basement with all kinds of toys. It is fun to see the kids have so much fun with their cousins that they don't get to see that often.

My Curly Headed Boy

Adam has great curls. I know I'm biased but he is pretty cute.

And in Buffalo his curls are even better. It cracks me up.

When I was a kid, my best friend had really curly hair like Adam's. When we were in high school he usually wore it short around the sides but really long on top. He would gel it and you couldn't tell it was that long. But every once in a while he would comb it out and come over to my house to show me how high he got it. I thought I'd try it on Adam. He looks kind of a like a clown.

After the first time my mom met John, her only comment was, "He has great hair." I hadn't really thought that much about it, but after that I realized she was right. I've thought so ever since. It is only fitting that our son get his great hair. Thanks John!

Adam is One Year-Old Already!

We had an early birthday party for Adam since we were going to be on the way to Buffalo on his actual birthday. Adam seemed a little perplexed the whole time. Maybe he couldn't figure out why we were celebrating when he hadn't reached his birthday yet.

Or maybe he couldn't understand why we wrapped perfectly good toys with paper or why we wanted him to tear up that paper.

Or maybe he couldn't figure out why we made him sit on the table.

Or maybe he doesn't like us playing with fire.

I don't know but his expression says it all.

But when we brought out the cake and ice cream he seemed to perk up considerably.

He even did a few tricks with his spoon.

Happy Birthday, Adam!! We've loved the first year and we are looking forward to all the years to come.

Bunny Cage = Happy Bunny

A couple of months ago we bought Kate's bunny Xango a little enclosure for the yard. It is intended for little kids so it is fairly sturdy, and it is pretty high so the bunny can't jump over it. She has tried to dig under it, but overall I think the bunny is very pleased with it. It protects her from the little kids and they can still see the bunny. And the bunny gets the exercise she needs. It has turned out to be a great purchase for everyone concerned. I would highly recommend it.

Payne Family Father's Day

Because we were going to be in Buffalo without John for Father's Day, we decided to have an early father's day. The girls made cards and I got him some Mario pajama pants. He seems to have liked his day. It felt pretty successful (except Ruth refused to be in the picture because she didn't make a card for John because we didn't have time and she felt bad about that). So whatever Sunday it is, Happy Father's Day John. The kids love their dad and I love him too. He's the best.

True Roses

A rose should be just a rose, not a monstrosity. I had a botany class in college and the professor considered all genetically altered roses monstrosities. Originally roses only had 5 petals in one row. So my roommate and I adopted his opinion and would call any big roses monstrosities. So when I looked at my house to buy it, I was immensely impressed with the wild rose bush in the back yard. Real roses!! It is even yellow, my favorite color. I think I write this post every year but I still feel the same way. That bush just makes me happy. I hope to add similar bushes to our landscaping in the future.

Emma, One of the Witches of Payne Place

She looked so natural as a witch that I just had to take a picture. She's got the hair and the pointy features. Emma would definitely be a good witch though because she's a sweetheart.

Things I Love About Buffalo #2: Great Food

I love the food in Buffalo. There is food here that just isn't the same anywhere else. First of all pizza and wings are big in Buffalo. There is a pizza and wing joint on every corner. There are three places that serve pizza and wings within just a 5 minute walk from John's parents' house. The pizza is good, but don't ask for pineapple, and the wings are hot, as hot as you want. And they always ask how hot you want: mild, medium, or hot and they always come with celery and bleu cheese. They are very good. (Even Wendy's serves wings in Buffalo.)

They also serve something called Roast Beef on Wec. (I think that is what it is called.) It is basically a roast beef sandwich served on a Kimmowec bun (a bun with kimmowec seeds and kosher salt on top) with lots of horseradish. It too is very good.

Then there is John's mom, who is a great cook. We never go hungry in Buffalo. And I love that!!!

Crazy hair or Why My Girls Love Aunt Missy

Before (Saturday night)

Missy came down a couple weeks ago to watch the kids for a few days for us. She came down on Saturday afternoon and then did the girls' hair that night after their baths. They loved every moment of it. And then on Sunday she took their hair out and gave them beautiful flower clips and fixed their hair. She did a great job and she made me look really good. One lady at church asked me how early I got up in the morning to fix all the girls' hair. I pointed her at Missy. But the girls LOVED it and so did I. Thanks Missy!

After (Sunday morning)