Timeless Gifts

Our family, especially Peyton & Layla, was blessed with some precious and timeless gifts this weekend from their great-grandparents.

Peyton was thrilled to receive my grandpa's working Continental trumpet.  Grandpa purchased it used when he was in high school, circa. 1940.  After a bit of research, Jeremy believes it was manufactured in the early 1910's.  We know it works because Peyton is actually quite good at getting a sound to come out of it and while it's loud, it's not annoying yet.  We do keep it in a special place so it's not played often and maybe that helps Mommy's nerves more than anything.  Here are some pictures of Peyton, Grandpa and the trumpet.

Layla received a beautiful rocking chair from my grandma.  It was originally her grandma's (Layla's great-great-grandmother's) and has a date of 1903 on the bottom.  I will forever regret not getting a picture of Layla with Grandma and the rocking chair, but I didn't.  Maybe someone else who was there snapped this moment for me.  (If so, could you please, please, PLEASE share??)  I can only hope there will be another time to get a picture of the two of them together, although I know the rocking chair will not be part of it.  There's no way I could convince Jeremy to tote it along on the next 9 hour trip to Pennsylvania just for a picture.  But that is something I would definitely consider.  Layla also loves this gift and is frequently found sitting in it, reading a book.

 

Peyton and Layla were also each given a Christmas ornament.  They are neither sentimental nor old, just something Grandma wanted to give them.  The only reason I include it here is for this snippet overheard during the gifting:
Grandma to Layla:  Here's an angel for you, because you are an angel.
Layla:  Actually, I'm a princess.

Oh, how I love her honesty and innocence.

Writing this post also reminds me that Layla was gifted a tea set by my Grandma Karn the beginning of Sept.  We have played with it a time or two, but at this point, I don't want it to lose it's "special, only played with when Mommy is playing" quality for Layla.  I know she doesn't understand the value of a 85 year old tea set from a great-grandma.  Even if there is no monetary value, all of these gifts are priceless to our family.

This picture was taken the day Grandma Karn gave Layla the tea set.  Layla was being very affectionate this day, which is not normal. (Not the greatest picture, but really, it's priceless.)

These pictures were taken today when I realized I should have a picture of Layla with this gift as well.  I'm not as upset about not having a picture of her with Grandma and the tea set, because the one above says it all.  Grandma showed it to Layla and myself mid way through our visit and then put it away.  Layla asked both Grandma and me several times if she was really taking it home.   Grandma was thrilled that Layla was so excited.

It warms my heart to see my children connecting with so many generations of family.  I hope they remember these moments, but realize they are probably too young.  I hope there are more opportunities but also realize time is precious and life is fragile.  All of my grandparents have lived wonderful lives and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have known all 4 of them myself and introduced all of them to my children.  We will relish the task of caring for some treasured possessions after these special people are no longer with us.

Happy Halloween!

We decorated, we cut, we recycled, we created, we dressed up and we trick-or-treated.  It was a great Halloween with a beautiful ballerina and a future football star.

Layla's Very First Day of School

Layla started preschool today, finally, in her mind.  She has been waiting for this day for 2 years as we've taken Peyton to school everyday and she has wanted to go with him.  Mommy on the other hand, was not so ready, but I didn't shed a tear...until after I left and wanted to work, but had to take care of other "stuff" from the not so good weekend.  Here are the pictures from the morning.

 

Ready for her first day of preschool

 

Peyton is so proud to take his little sister to school.

 

Peyton telling Layla what to expect today.

 

A hug to start the big day.

 

When I asked Layla what she wanted to be when she grew up, she looked at Peyton and asked him.  He of course said "baseball player."  So, Layla turns to be and says the same thing.  Copy Cat!  But that's what we wrote.

 

And her is a close up of how Layla wrote her name before she started preschool.

 

Peyton did a great job taking his very first picture.  Too bad Mommy blinked as usual.

 His second attempt was a little blurry, but much better picture.

 Layla tried to take a picture of Peyton and Mommy.  We'll keep working on this skill.

 Layla with Mrs. Witzegreuter!

 Walking to the car with Ms. Huth

It was a good first day!

Family Fishing Day

I can't say much else about this day, but the fishing was fun while it lasted...

 I love Peyton's walking stick in this picture.  It only comes to his waist, but he insists it's the best walking stick ever.

Daddy shows Peyton & Layla how to fish

Peyton scares away the fish while Daddy tries to catch them

Peyton gets a chance to try fishing all by himself

And now it's Layla's turn

First Day of Kindergarten

Peyton ready for his first day of Kindergarten

I asked him to write what he wanted to be when he grew up

he said "White Sox baseball player" and then had to go don the appropriate attire (baseball hat)
and not just any baseball player, but number 10, that's Alexei, in case you didn't know

and then had to show me how he could catch a fly ball against the wall

and finally, the true colors of our son

First Camp Experience

We picked P up from camp earlier this evening. The very first thing he wanted to tell us was about catching fireflies and very quickly after that said he wants to go back tomorrow and take Layla with him. I guess he had a good time and I'm so glad to hear that after the roller coaster ride we went on the day he left. He was very excited and then I had to chase him around the yard to get him in the car and then sit on him to get his seat belt fastened. I was so worried!

He went on and on about all of the little things so I'll do the same.

He caught four fish with Grandpa and just drowned worms with Grandma. I can hear my dad saying that as Peyton told him how fishing went with Grandma. Although, Peyton later told us he caught 2 fish with Grandma but they were just under water. She says they got bites, but no fish and he wants to count those.

He put his head underwater in the pool with his friends Mason & Robert. This is a big deal because we've been trying to get him to do that in the bathtub FOREVER!

He saw an alligator (in a tank) and some mice and a turtle named "Pork Chop". The turtles name got a huge laugh.

Grandpa pointed out the big dipper and they saw 11 dear together.

Played lots of games, including some baseball and a new game called dragon tails which I've been told I'm playing tomorrow.

Went on a hayride.

Had 2 s'mores and made ice cream with a hand crank machine.

He slept on the top bunk.

Talked a little about Jesus and God, but he didn't have a Bible and was sure to tell me that was my fault.

We unpacked his suitcase and he was so proud of all of his crafts. A foam visor he decorated for golf. A superhero cape. And gifts for each of us. A necklace for me, cards for Daddy and a coloring book for L. He also had a new felt coloring book and a snake.
It is so good to have my little guy home, but I'm even happier he had a good first experience at camp. Yay for Woodland Altars!