Japanese Museum

On the same day as the turtles and ducks, we visited the traveling Japanese museum. The kids had fun dressing up and climbing around the exhibits, but I think it was really geared toward kids a little older than ours. So while Kailey was incredibly cute in her Geisha outfit, they enjoyed coloring the most...just like at home!

Turtles and Ducks

Sunday was a glorious day for a walk along the pier. We found a cute little park near the museum and train that was complete with turtles (the concrete variety) and ducks (the actual quacking kind). We had a good time climbing and chasing. Oh, and Owen still loves his sunglasses!

Princess In Training

Nap Time?

They set themselves up like this and thought I would be foolish enough to let them sleep like this for a nap. In all honesty, I did consider it and gave them about ten minutes of "quiet" time to fall asleep. Unfortunately, quiet time doesn't exist for Kailey. She has two modes: sleep and talking. She does come by it honestly. After our ten minutes, we headed up for a nap. Owen only slept for about 45 minutes, so maybe I should have let him sleep downstairs after all!

Fishing Day- Paul's Part

Man, I'm always so proud! He's actually the one piloting the aircraft...soooo close to the water!

Watch the video and you'll see how close he gets...on purpose!

Free Kids Fishing Day- too many adventures for one day!

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't attend something like this. I've never fished- in my entire life. Paul was on duty that day and ended up being scheduled to do the search and rescue demonstration for the whole crowd. Since we've never seen him do that, I figured I'd take the kdis (plus, our neighbors said they would go too and help).

Overall, it was a good day and I learned what a real trooper Kailey is. You see, there were hundreds of kids trying to fish that day. After standing in line to get our poll, complete with hook and worm, we headed over to the fishing area. Not a minute after walking over, a kid (probably 10-12 years old) fell over into the water. Everyone was quick to respond, but I was completely nervous after that. Who am I kidding, I was already nervous, it just added to my fears. The kid was okay and it was probably good for Kailey to see as she didn't go too close to the edge after that.

So, Mary Lou was helping Kailey, because again, I have no clue. I was taking pictures and walking with Owen. We decided to switch; I took Kailey and she took Owen. I then heard screaming. I looked down at my sweet little girl and there it was. A triple lure was hanging from the side of her mouth. With blood and all, the sheriff volunteer told me not to move her or take it out. He went to get help and Mary Lou took Owen away. I then heard a louder scream as I was trying with tears welling up, to keep Kailey still. She ripped the hook out herself! She settled down and the first thing she said was that she wanted to fish again. Fortunately, she was fine as it wasn't too deep and she immediately caught a nice sized trout after that.

But, I'm not done. After watching the rescue demonstration, we headed home. Kailey wanted to see her fish because both she and Owen enjoyed watching him flip around in the bag before we had him 'cleaned.' For her, the most horrifying moment was yet to come. Before I handed the bag to her, I told her to be very careful and not take him out. I though the ice would hide what I knew was about to happen. A terrified scream came from the backseat, "Where's his mouth?!?!?" I had to explain to her why he was headless and that now all of the fish heads were singing "Fish heads, fish heads, rolly-polly fish heads..." She wasn't amused. Then, I had to tell her we were going to eat the fish. Again, not amused. I told her we were going to fry him for dinner, to which she responded, "Mommy, I really don't think he's going to like that!"

I fried the fish, it was good, but I'm not completely sold on the thrill of fishing. We'll try again, because Kailey wants to, but as she says, she doesn't want to get tangled up again.

Iris Farm: Season Two

Ah, the Iris farm, my dream retirement plans were only engrained more into my psyche after our visit this week. Paul got to go this time, but it was a bit more challenging wrangling two kids. Last year, Owen was only 8 months old and was very easily contained. We each tag teamed with the kids and had a great time. They both still love the flowers, but liked chasing the geese even more. I did have my gross out moment when Owen stuck his hand in the bucket of duck water, then wiped his eyes. Yuck! That's a city girl for you!

Pretty as a Princess

Kailey has a new favorite dress. Enjoy these cute pictures!

The hard part

In this life, we form quick,strong bonds. We're only together for a few years and in the absence of family and childhood friends, we band together because we are all in the same boat. The support is amazing and we all truly depend on each other. The downside is that we only have a few years together. Yes, we hope we might be stationed together again, but the chances are unlikely. We share births, birthdays, deaths, deployments and other ups and downs, so when it's time to go, there is a huge void. We all get through it because we know we will always share the bonds and hope that there will be other friends waiting at the next duty station.

This time was hard. This time, there were kids. Our friends are now on their way to Kodiak, Alaska. And even though Kailey climbed in their car and thinks we're going to Kodiak, chances are really good that we won't (hope) to not end up there. Krista, or Glover, as Kailey refers to her as, has become very near and dear to Kailey's heart. Sarah was Kailey's first friend as they met when Sarah was 14 months old and Kailey was only 11 months old. They kept Kailey when we had Owen, we kept their girls when they had Grady. We traded kids for doctors appointments and shared some scary, terrible times with our little boys. Jerod and Paul went through OCS together and were in flight school for a while together, but it wasn't until we got to TC that the two families merged.

I'm thankful for all that I've learned. I became an outdoor girl (sorta) who now knows how to light a fire in a chimea, pick good blueberries and isn't afraid of sparklers. I've learned how to juggle my kids because I can certainly handle two when she's got four.

Paul isn't an emotional guy, as most know, but did say that he will miss playing frisbee golf when he's in Waukegan because that's what he and Jerod would do on deployment. That's what they say...

I think TC is probably the end of the road because we like the big towns and they like the small, although, Atlantic City will probably be home for all of us at some point whether we like it or not. We just know that we are thankful for email and youtube and cheap cell phone calls.

Jerod, Krista, Laura, Emily, Sarah and Grady,

Good luck on your trip, we will miss you!

Children's Museum

What else is there to do on a rainy day? Thank goodness for the children's museum! It's not very big, but it's lots of fun, plus, they have the most ginormous water table ever, which pleases K and O to no end. Both also liked climbing through the water cycle steps and slide. I don't think they learned much, but maybe they'll get it through osmosis...get it? I crack myself up.

Paul's Stick

I bet you wondered where I was going with that one!

Paul and I have been diligently working on our yard for the past two years. We started with nothing but giant weeds and have now progressed to a pretty nice lawn, with lots of young landscaping. Paul likes to search for bargains, but sometimes his bargains are a little too 'bargain.'

Paul ordered this 'tree' online. He keeps saying that it may be dormant for up to 60 days, which where we live, could mean freezing temperatures before it starts to bud. It is truly ridiculous and looks like he jammed a big old stick on the lawn. Fortunately, because it is so bare, you don't really notice it.

A few friends thought they'd play around with Paul and added some life to the tree...by using ace bandages. It definitely spruced it up, but he was not very pleased. However, Paul did proclaim today that the tree was growing branches. The term branches was most definitely stretching it as there are a few teeny, tiny little buds, but for the most part, it's still a stick.

Paul assures me that one day, it will be a glorious flowering pear tree. I'm certain we won't see that happen...I'm just hoping for some green before we move.

Picnics

The new favorite thing. I can convince them to do just about anything if a picnic table is involved.

The Boys

It seems there are lots and lots of sweet little girls in our Coastie crew and only a few boys. This cutie shot is of the boys with their adoring Dads. Our friends, Scott (in the middle) and Mary Lou had T-shirts made up for Owen, Trevor and Grady that say "My Dad is a Pilot". Ironically, each boy is seen by many to be an exact mini-me of their dads. Too cute for words!

Happy Birthday to Me!

It's really sad to live in place where I have to bundle up and wear a turtle neck on my birthday. But, it's where the CG sends us, so I will deal. I had probably the best birthday I've had in a very long time. After throwing a baby shower/BBQ the night before for 35 people, I was ready for some R and R. I woke up to breakfast and a brand new laptop...well, a piece of paper that said my laptop would arrive in June, but it was still exciting! After a trip to Best Buy to see the model, we came home and had pizza, beer, and S'mores cooked over our new chiminea (Again, it was that cold!). Our friends came over armed with gifts of a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine (ah, a dream come true), gift certificates to my favorite garden store and yes, sparklers to celebrate the good times. (Mom, we all held the sparklers and none of our fingers fried off...that's another story...).

The following weekend, the ladies took me out to a fancy schmancy trendy restaurant called "Red Ginger." I'm typically not a sushi girl, but this place rocks. I felt like Charlotte surrounded by her ladies, while sipping a red dragon martini. It was awesome to feel like an adult and actually get to eat a meal without being interrupted. I also had the best dessert, which we joked probably read "You're Old" in Japanese, but hey, it was still delicious!

Finally, after another trip to Ohio, we celebrated Memorial day with a family BBQ complete with cake and ice cream.

Overall, I felt like a queen, a 33 year old queen, but a happy one!

It's been a while

I know, it's been a while since I last posted but things, as usual have been crazy. We have made 3 trips to Ohio, Paul went on a trip to New Jersey, Kailey finished school and I started another class, I celebrated a birthday (gasp), our friends are having babies and moving, etc., etc. It's been a whirlwind few weeks, but the sun is shining, I have a new laptop to use on the deck, so I am ready to go and armed with lots and lots of pictures.

Prepare yourselves, I hope to around a lot more!