Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Edward.  We love you (and hope you are able to see this video).

Second Graders and the NC Zoo

Wednesday was bitter sweet.  We all know the day didn't end well with Edward heading off to Afghanistan. Well, the majority of the day was fun, as I chaperoned Madison's field trip to the zoo. The field trip info came home the beginning of February, and at that time, I told Edward that, jokingly, he'd for sure leave on that day...yeah.  He did.  So, I chaperoned the field trip. Madison has been looking forward to this all year.  I love her teacher, and her teacher (such a planner), had asked me to chaperone last fall.  Anyways, it was a VERY cold and windy day at the zoo, but it was beautiful. The second grade took charter buses, and with that, some parents had to drive themselves. I opted to drive, and my neighbor Amy rode along with me.  She was a great friend and good at keeping my mind off the rest of the day.

 

The kids ate their lunches when we got to the zoo. By bus, it was a two-hour drive. After they finished lunch, we were put into our groups. Madison's teacher allowed the kids who had parents chaperoning to pick the kids for their groups. All of the classes are small at the kids' school, so our group just had three kids.  Now, some might be surprised to know Madison chose two boys, but she really enjoys hanging around these boys. Think about it...she has two brothers as well.  Anyways, she picked Nicholas and Frankie to be in our group. They were so much fun.  She is with them at school all day.  They are in the same reading/math groups, go to G/T together, and they sit together.  I must say she has great taste because I had a great time with this trio.

 

 Here's the crew sitting on each other in a rowboat display.  Madison, Frankie, and Nicholas.  They are all upset Frankie is moving this summer.  Nicholas just moved here this year, so hopefully, he'll be around at least another couple of years too.

 Of everything all day, I think the crew enjoyed the gators the most.  Not many were out due to the temps.

 Climbing a play spider web

 The bunny ears obsession continues with each generation.

Here's Madison's class with her teacher at the back. Love, love, love her teacher. Mrs. Idjao is originally from the Philippines, so the kids have learned some very cool things about Asia.

 

Now, I have to point out the highlights of the day with my group.  There is an indoor Sonoran Desert habitat.  The boys, knowing we had lived there, said anyone who chose to live in the Sonoran Desert (without the Army telling them to) was crazy because it was too hot and dry.

 

The funniest part of the day involved food and the gift shop. After the Sonoran Desert the kids were "SO" thirsty.  Luckily, food was nearby. The trio all ordered Coke or Sprite to drink.  As we sat down to enjoy our beverages, all three said, "This is so awesome. None of us are EVER allowed to order Coke anywhere!"  The boys told me they wouldn't tell their moms they had Cokes, but I quickly reminded Nicholas I knew his mom and would see her at preschool in the morning :)  The three very much enjoyed their forbidden drinks. 

 

My very favorite moment was at the gift shop. Nicholas only had two dollars left to spend after his forbidden beverage.  He looked and looked, really wanting this wooden snake.  It was $4.99. All of a sudden, he looked up at me, perked up and said, "MILITARY DISCOUNT!!"  Oh, it was so funny.  Only a true military kid would think of asking for the military discount. So, I stood back and watched as he went up to the cashier, a sweet grandma-type, and asked her. She worked hard not to laugh.  She said they did have a discount, and he told her, "I would like the snake for $4.99.  I have $2 and would also like a military discount.  Is that enough?"  It was so sweet, and props to the cashier for telling him it was just fine (at that point I was ready to cover the difference).  Loved it.  Now, it was even funnier as Frankie, who is not a military kid, walked up to the cashier and said, "Do you have the heart discount?"  She was confused..."Do you have the heart to give me a discount?"  Yeah, he earned a discount too.  Funny moment.  Loved it.  We laughed about it the rest of the day.  Their teacher thought it was hiliarious too.

Dining Room Update

After three major moves with crazy movers, our dining room set was ready to retire.  We've had a new set ordered, but the chairs were on backorder.  Well, yesterday, I got the call that the whole set was in. It came this afternoon.  I'm just bummed that Edward couldn't see it.  He missed it by a couple of days.  Special thanks to my neighbor John who came over last night to help me move the old set out.

 

 I love it!  It took me some time to empty my old set, and I still have one whole cabinet in laundry baskets.  It will all come together soon.

The buffet (this is the piece that is still empty).  Good work ordering it, Edward.  I'll post more pictures after I get everything situated.

Another Deployment

Edward left tonight for another deployment to Afghanistan.  We will miss him so dearly while he is gone.  It was such a long drive home tonight, listening to the soft cries from the backseat all the way.  Kids just shouldn't have to go through this.  Edward, we love you so much and will miss you more than you could know.  Pray.  Stay safe.  We will be okay.

 

 

American Girl Fashion Show

Madison and I attended the American Girl Fashion Show here in town this evening.  A local charity puts on the event every year, and we were more than happy to support the charity and attend the event.  It consists of a fashion show, all with the American Girl clothing. Local girls wear the historical and other lines of American Girl clothing.  Two of our neighbors were in it this year, and I think Madison saw how much fun it was and wants to do it next year. I liked it a lot because it's extremely wholesome with none of the girls even allowed to wear makeup.  It was nice to see six to 10 year olds look like six to 10 year olds all while showing off cute, American Girl clothing.  Plus, it benefits a kids' charity, and what's not to like about that?

 

 Prior to the event, the doll salon was open for styling.  Madison took four of her dolls along and selected one, Lanie, to have her hair done.

 The full view of the doll salon

 Pictures can't show the delight on her face.  She LOVED going to this more than I could have imagined.

Excited waiting for them to finish. 

 Checking out her treats before the show

 Not only did she polish off her chocolate covered strawberries and popcorn, she ate most of mine too.

 So, girls were selected to be historical characters based on their likeness to the dolls.  Other girls were selected to wear the other lines of American Girl clothing.  This wasn't an event to buy the items; it was just an event to promote a wholesome girl attitude.  This is our neighbor, Hope.  She was selected to be the Ivy look-alike (and she really looks like her!). Ivy is supposed to be from the 1970's and best friends with the Julie character.  Well, as it would have it, Hope's sister, Ava, looks exactly like Julie (Hope was adopted from China), and Ava was selected to play one of the Julie parts too.  It was pretty cool to see our neighbors, and Madison loved seeing her friends. We also discovered we knew two other girls in the show,which was an added bonus.

And, here's Ava, Hope's sister, playing the part of Julie.  Ava and Madison are in Girl Scouts together and both in second grade.  Madison was able to catch Ava's attention, and she gave her a big smile.  I think they were both glad to see each other.

 

 

 Here's my happy girl with her doll, Lanie, who has her new hairdo.

Great charity event!  We'll be back next year.

Luke's 6th Birthday Party

Luke wanted to have an Angry Bird theme for his sixth birthday party.  Now, his birthday is really in April, but he wanted Edward here for his party.  So, we had it today, and a few of his friends came.  Several others were sick or out of town, so it was a small crowd, but they all had a great time.

 

 Ready for a party

 

 

Luke wanted to have Jimmy John's subs, chips, fruit, and homemade dirt cups for lunch.

 

Birthday Boy with his cake

 

Luke with his favorite guy

The family

Luke reported he had a great birthday.  He was so excited for today, coming into our bedroom early this morning telling us, "Today is my birthday party day!"

 

We hope you had a great party, Luke.  We love you so much.  Happy Birthday!!