Recycling

The post started recycling awhile ago. Until then, we didn't have an option to do so. The kids have really gotten on board with recycling, as it's somewhat complicated to explain that the plastic bottles and aluminum cans will be reused to make something else. Anyways, they are so into recycling that as I'm using a product in the kitchen, it never fails that one of them pipes up with, "Ohh, that needs to go to the recycling!" They fight over who takes it to the garage where we keep our recycling bins. Here on post, you have to take the recycling up to the central collection point where they then take everything to town. I use the orange Home Depot buckets to store my recycling. I'm working on the kids to sort the recycling as they throw it away, so that each bucket holds the appropriate category. Here's what our recycling run looks like:

You might say we're so "green" by using our electric cars to take up the recycling!

Oh, and that's just a normal week's worth of recycling at our house. I'd do more if I could. They recently started taking cardboard products, but they still can't take glass.

Preschool Graduation

Tuesday, June 8, Madison's birthday, also brought her preschool graduation. Madison has loved going to preschool. She's had the same teacher, Ms. Carol, for the last two years. This year is the first year that there has been an actual Pre-K program. At the graduation, they announced that this Pre-K program went so well that it was being used as a model program for the military. Ms. Carol is a wonderful teacher, and Madison has really grown to love her. While excited for kindergarten, Madison will really miss Ms. Carol. Until August, Madison is still technically in Ms. Carol's class (open year-round here), so she gets another couple of months with her.

The graduation was supposed to be at the post theater, but due to the air conditioning being out and it being 110 that day, they moved graduation to the elementary school. This worked really well, as Madison and the other kids were so excited to be at the "big kid school" for the afternoon. They did a wonderful job decorating. It looked great.

Madison's class-There are 15 kids in it, and with the exception of moves this summer, this is her kindergarten class too :)

Getting her "diploma"

Throwing their hats...the kids loved it.

My little graduate

Posing with Ms. Carol...Madison is wearing her new birthday dress. It's an American Girl dress with a matching one for her doll, Hannah. She loved having graduation on her birthday and felt like it was such a special day for her.

San Diego Zoo

Toward the end of my parents' visit, we visited San Diego. Mom and Dad flew in and out of San Diego, so the trip served a dual purpose, in returning them to the airport, along with getting a little sightseeing done. My parents had never been to San Diego, so they enjoyed it very much. We were able to stay out on Coronado. The Naval Lodge is under renovation, but we were able to get a room just off the base at the Best Western. We had a lovely time out there, despite the EARLY wake-ups from the kids.

We took the fam to the San Diego Zoo, a favorite place of ours.

It wasn't too hot, temps in the mid-80s, a welcome relief from the Yuma heat!

I think we all enjoyed just how close you can get to the animals. The giraffes were enjoying their lunch when we walked by.

Luke thought this camel was funny-looking.

The new elephant area is nice and large.

This was probably the favorite stop, although very crowded. The polar bear wasn't doing too much, but we sat down, and about five minutes later, he started walking around. The trainer got him to walk up to the wall and pounce at it for a good little show.

I wish I would have taken more pictures, but if you know how it is to take care of three kids, you know why I didn't get more pictures! We ate at some of our favorite San Diego spots including the Coronado Brewery and Cafe Coyote in Old Town.

I'm so glad you came to visit Mom and Dad. Thanks for everything and all of your help. It was greatly appreciated!!!!

Madison on a Horse

Last week, I posted a couple of pictures from a friends' birthday party. I didn't have my camera, but my neighbor, Kellie, had hers. She took a few pictures of Madison for me. Luke rode the horse as well, but he was the first one on the horse, and she didn't have her camera out at that point. Anyways, here are some great shots of Madison on the horse right here at the post stables.

I know it looks really green and lush, but trust me, it's not! Remember, this is the stable area. The desert is very bleak and brown, not much color to it! I do have to say, the mountains, brown and lifeless as they are, have their own beauty. They definitely aren't the mountains you see throughout Tennesse and the rest of the East Coast. From these pictures, it looks inviting to come here, but you also can't feel the heat from the pictures. To get an accurate account of the heat, turn a blow dryer on, stick it toward your face, and you'll get an idea of the constant hot heat we have daily!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Somehow, this translated...

into this...

FIVE Years Old!

Madison turned five on Tuesday, June 8. She's been such a blessing to us and will be always. Madison has quite the personality. She's smart, energetic, funny, silly, determined, independent, and yes, the first born, as she shows with her brothers. She's a great helper, always interested in cooking or helping around the house. We love her so much and can't wait to see what God has planned for her.

7 lbs. 11 oz., delivered by Daddy!

Preschool graduation-Kindergarten begins August 16!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Happy Birthday, Madison!!!

Madison turned five years old yesterday, June 8. It was an incredibly busy day for us, as we dropped my parents off at the San Diego Airport at 9 AM, drove the three hours back home (with a stop for lunch at the mall in El Centro, CA), went to preschool graduation, drove back into town to get Edward who flew home after two weeks at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, topped off by a birthday dinner in town for Madison. Whew!

Prior to that, my parents, the kids, and I celebrated Madison's birthday on Saturday evening. We had a nice little party, with temps around 107.

Dinner-Madison's choice-Goulash...she loves it! It's a meat dish mixed with green pepper, onion, tomato, and rice. It's a family favorite. She also requested cantaloupe, so it was a nice summer meal!

For dessert, I surprised her with an ice cream cake. The biggest feat in getting an ice cream cake was getting it home! It's a 30 minute drive from Dairy Queen (other places are even further away), so we were all excited to get it home. It is a REAL treat since our weather is so hot, and we can't transport ice cream (Lori, please tell John it didn't melt!).

Alex enjoyed his first ice cream cake very much.

Like a little bird, waiting with mouth open for the next bite.

Yummy! Madison was skeptical of this at first, but now claims ice cream cake is her favorite.

Presents! Thanks to all our family for the wonderful gifts you sent!

A HUGE hit...my parents gave Madison her kindergarten backpack and lunchbox (matching, of course!). She was delighted. It's an L.L. Bean bag with her name on it, and they even got tupperware pieces (princess ones) for her sandwich and such.

Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Andrew sent this great dress and some pj's...she's already worn them :)

Another BIG hit-this princess castle that she has been wanting forever! Thanks Aunt Karen, Uncle Clay, and Cousin Wes! Both Madison and Luke are enjoying this very much.

Alex was really tired at this point.

The sunshine outside might make it look like it's mid-afternoon, but it was 8:00 PM at this point.

Thanks to Madison's cousins, Mackenzie and Kaitlann for this "Princess and Frog" t-shirt...she has already worn it!

A new "M" necklace from Aunt Mer and Uncle Harry...only for "big" girls who are five and older :)

and this Princess towel

Yea, a new movie for the car! Thanks Nana and Pop for sending "The Wizard of Oz!" We watched it in the car to and from San Diego. Luke keeps talking about how he doesn't want the "Bad Witch to get Toto."

Mermaid Barbie

Luke has a similar magnetic dress-up (boy version). The kids love these.

American Girl Birthday Dress with a matching one for Hannah (Madison's Bitty Baby)

New tutu

Trying out the goggles and flippers from Grandma and Grandpa...oh, and the bag of paper trash behind them, the kids were very concerned about it going to the recycling. They are obsessed with recycling!

Luke really wanted to take the flippers apart??

Thanks again, everyone for Madison's awesome birthday! She had a great time opening her presents. We are truly blessed with such wonderful family and friends, and Madison is a great kid!