Playing with Grandma

Rob spent two weeks travelling. While I hate when he is only home for a weekend between trips, I now understand how important that 2 days is for us and me individually. So, my mom came to rescue me...Yeah for my mom!

Normally when she visits we have a project to complete...but not this time. This time we didn't do much of anything except play with the kids.

We took them to their gymnastics place for crazy toddler play time.

We took them to the park.

We played at home.

And best of all we took them for their first trip to Chuck E Cheese. They thought this was heaven. Our Chuck E Cheese has a lot of toddler friendly games so they had a blast.

Scrapbook pages

Here are a couple more pages. I have one of the kids helping my dad, but it doesn't seem to want to load right. These pictures were taken in Jan 2008...yes, I am a bit behind. I am now getting about 3 a week done. At this rate, they may be complete before I have grandchildren. I pray that my boys marry very crafty girls who will do this all for me in my old age :-)

I did find a great site for printing 12x12 for only $1.99 a page. You can access it through www.freedigitalscapbooking.com There is a $5 shipping cost per order, so it is best to clump orders together.

Standard Normal Probability Density Function

And other things I don't understand. What was I thinking with this MBA?

Neglectful

To my parents and family...sorry I have not put more pictures on lately. I have no real excuse other than I just didn't.

Last night it snowed. Since I know it is too warm and sunny for it to last, we played out in the snow at around 0900. Anthony had to build a snowman...and he knew how to do it this time. He made a small ball then rolled it around on the ground to get more snow. I had to help him get it big enough...but he understands the process. he used snowman glue (water) to keep it all together. Pretty cool in my opinion. Gabe is far less excited about the snow. I think he remembers the -20 on the day he came home from the hospital and wants no part of it.

After the boys wanted special hot drink (warm watered down apple juice...it's all in the title).

I am still grateful that I do not have to dress children in snow clothes everyday. Rob had to take my truck because of the roads. I must admit that I am growing tired of that as well. We own three cars and I feel stranded. I think we are going to have to explore alternate work routes to make this work so I don't go insane.

However, we didn't need to go anywhere anyways...Anthony and Gabe both have a stomach bug. Gabe's diapers almost made me gag...and I have a strong stomach. I am glad Anthony can make it to the potty, although he had a few close calls today and we went through 6 pair of underwear.

Thrown in for laughs is a pic of Gabe in his new favorite shoes.

I'm a nut

"...People come and step on me and that's why I'm so cracked."

This is a line from the kids' new favorite song. It just seemed appropriate today.

The last time...

Rob went out of town, I made grilled cheese and soup for dinner for me and the kids. They split a sandwich and a serving of soup then I got the rest. Tonight I got 1/2 a sandwich and about 3 bites of soup. I fear for the teenage years.

A fishy tale

For those of you who have seen our house...you know that we have fish. Rob currently has a 125 gal, a 35 gal, and a 15 gal tank. the kids love these fish. They talk to them like pets. The biggest fish in the 125 gal is about the size of Rob's hand (maybe bigger) and he will charge at the kids with an open mouth. They think they are kisses but it is really an aggressive act.

So, today Rob changed the water in the tanks. It is a messy job and he has been delinquent on it. When he did this, he had problems with the new water and killed a fish. Enter sad kids. "Fish not look good. Daddy fix him." (Anthony) "Fix fish." (Gabe) Rob explained that he was sorry and they would figure out something for the tank when he returns from California.

Rob moves on to the next tank...more problems arise. Now he has killed baby fish. Anthony wanted to take baby fish to school for show and tell next week. Rob now feels like the biggest heel in the world. So he lies about killing baby fish, goes to the pet store and buys another fish, and tells Anthony it is his baby fish. Yep, Rob's first orchestrated lie. I love it!

This is even funnier since Rob is not the sympathetic parent in the house. The look of guilt in his eyes for having killed baby fish made me want to cackle with laughter. See...he is just as much of a sucker as I am.

Great 3 Day Weekend

This weekend, we took the boys to the Pacific Science Center and saw the 3D Deep Sea IMAX Movie. Anthony, as always, freaked out for the first 20min, then decided it could be kinda cool. Gabe loved every minute of it. The funniest was watching Anthony try to touch the 3D fish. He just couldn't understand how they made it work.



Anthony also found the station to build a space alien. He is actually starting to get that kinda stuff and really likes to try and create.



Gabe liked the musical instrument station...this is him playing peek-a-boo in the giant guitar.



When we were in the butterfly house, I asked Rob to take a picture of the boys and me.






Oh just forget it!

We also took Gabe for his first haircut. He looks like a little old man. He choose to sit in the pink Barbie jeep. After he had to take turns in the others, but I still think the jeep is his favorite.

The Opposable Thumb

This is often touted as what separates us from Apes. Well, it is definitely a magnificent invention. You never really appreciate it until you slice the dicken's out of it. Yesterday I as cleaning my microwave and realized how dirty the front grate was. So I took it off to wash it. then I saw how dirty it was on the inside. Had to wash that too. Well, on my microwave, there is a tiny metal grate that protects the motor. It was dirty...gotta clean it. Unfortunately, it was also sharp...I sliced the pad of my thumb while cleaning it. OUCH!!! I never realized how much you use a thumb in a given day. Next time...I will wear cleaning gloves.

On another note...I had a bit of a scare yesterday. I thought Anthony was giving up his afternoon nap. AAAHHHHH!! This is my precious time to fold clothes and work on school work. He came down stairs a mear 45min after going to bed and said he was not tired. He played in his play room for another 30min and then wanted to spend time with me. I thought for sure this was the end of my world. However, at 4:30 he fell over dead of exhaution. So today he must stay in his room till I open the door (prob around 3). Whew! Dodged another bullet.

Lazy Days of Almost Summer

We got a slight weather reprieve the last few days. It has been sunny and 50. Most importantly...SUNNY. Yesterday we went to the park. we were able to meet some friends and enjoy the warm air. We all needed it.

Here are a couple of pics of the boys.




I am in the middle of working on all my classes for the MBA. My winter term will end on 16 Feb and I can hardly wait. Taking 15 hours of MBA classes is nearly killing me. Thank goodness Rob has been a saint about helping out.

My poor kids have also had to entertain themselves while I work on "mommy school" which according to Anthony "not look like fun" and Gabe "not fun mommy." Here they are reading in a chair near the computer. For my AF friends...yes, it is a Jane's Airplane Recognition book. They can now identify the MiG-21 and the F-22...those are their favorites for whatever reason.

I am also working to update my blog backgrounds. Let me know what you see and what you think.

End of an era

Since we arrived in WA we have been going to Baby Gym. First with Anthony, then with Gabe. Since Gabe is now two, we are done with that class. Here are a few pictures of his last day.

The MOM Song

This is really funny. Enjoy!

On the Road Again...

Rob is on the road again. What I hate most is that he will be laughing it up and eating out while I am desparately trying to keep the kids from running me into the ground.

But then again, he misses out on the band-aide incident. Anthony and Gabe used the stool to get the band-aides out of the cabinet to fix their owies...and the truck's...and the bunny's...and the kitty's. I guess I should be thankful they did not find the cough syrup too. Guess that will get moved to a locked location tonight as well.

Gabe's Party

We had a small party today for Gabe which got much smaller because a few of our friends got sick (better not to share that kind of gift). Gabe had a blast and even blew out his candles...I was amazed. Anthony has been working with him on it all week...big brother's are great!

We even had party hats to celebrate...notice the lack of icing on Gabe, definitely pre-cake

Gabe got a few presents, but really, our kids don't need anything!!! It was hard for Anthony to understand that Gabe's Birthday was not Anthony's Birthday. Here are some pics...

My Fishy Cake

So, not wanting Gabe to be left out, I made him an aquarium cake complete with a Nemo fish for his party today. Here are the pics. I made the cake and all the decorations (except for the gummy shark...key is knowing your limitations) all by myself. Anthony kept saying..."it needs a Dori fish, it needs a yellow fish, it needs a puffer fish..." Gabe just wants to eat it NOW!

However, I will be ineligible for mother of the year since I have no non-Christmas paper to wrap the gifts in!

Thanks Grandpa Bob

Rob's dad (Grandpa Bob) sent Gabe a Birthday gift...and it was perfect! The kids both love it. Normally, Rob's dad will send money or a gift certificate (great gifts...make no mistake), but this time he went out and found a gift for Gabe. It is a Fisher-Price Spaceship complete with Planet Heros. The ship lights up and makes sounds and even shoots 'spears'. Fortunately, the spears are dull and plastic and do not go very far. I am relatively sure they will not shoot and eye out with them.

They are still running around with it today. The best part is that it has a trigger that when you pull it 'shoots fire' out of the back jet. Gabe will make it work then say "Yeah Fire"...a potentially troublesome sign. But I am so glad that they have such a fun toy to associate with Grandpa Bob!

The Big 0-2

Gabe is 2 today! My how time has flown. I love this age. I know it is the age of the biggest temper tantrums, but it is also the age of the biggest hugs and smiles. And Gabe has the whole range of emotions, sometimes within minutes.

This blog is mostly to chronicle how our lives go, but it is also a way for me to pass on things to the kids. This is the journal of their lives...something many of us have for only the first year. It is a way for them to look back when they are adults or maybe even parents and see how it really is the same each generation.

Dear Gabe,

It amazes me the person you are becoming. You are strong and opinionated, but you will follow your brother or dad to the end of the earth. I love that I have dubbed you, "the child your father deserves." You are so much like him...you want to figure it out for your self and nothing can stop you. This will serve you well in life.


When you wanted to eat solid foods at 9 months, you didn't let a lack of teeth stop you. When you wanted to climb the stairs, you didn't let your size stop you. You keep up with the older kids through sheer will. I don't think it has ever occurred to you that you can't do something...you just dive right in. Over and over again you have proven that you can do it!

When you were born, life was chaos. In a short time, we completely changed everything in our lives. But you have weathered it well. When I watch you and your bother play or when I see you take off running for dad, I know this is the best un-plan ever!


Love Mom

I love moving

This is how I know we are supposed to be in the military. Every time we get ready to move, I get this feeling of excitement and wonder. It is the best feeling ever...right up until I have to leave all my good friends. I know that it is crazy...the idea of moving with two kids to a place we will only be for a year. The process of finding a house, a pre-school, friends....but I still get excited by the opportunity that waits for us just around the bend.

I love to purge out all of our old stuff. I like packing...seeing what we have. I like thinking about how I will arrange ever thing at the next place.

I like the actual travel. This year we are planning to drive with the kids. Again, crazy...but an adventure. We are planning to drive from Seattle to Spokane to bozeman, mt to Yellowstone to Cheyenne to Colorado springs then on to Leavenworth ks. We figure it will take 7-8 days of driving with all of our stops.

Most importantly, I think it is important for me to instill this in my kids. Life is hard sometimes and not always what we expect, but it doesn't have to be sad or morose. Change can be exhilarating. I was in the store one day on post (this is like 7 years ago now) and there was a mom complaining to her children (around 6/7) about how dad had brought them to this awful place and it was all his fault they had to leave their friends. I swore right then and there I would never be that person.

So, here is to our adventure...yeah memories!

Never what you think

So we thought we would finish up some projects around the house. The 1/2 bath needs some new linoleum tiles. Simple right...just peel and stick. Yeah Right!

Deja Vu...all over again

When I was in 8th Grade I took Algebra. This was the first time ever in school I actually had to work to understand something. Really! I have been blessed with smart parents that always instilled in me a sense of intelligence. I always believed I was smart, so I was. Algebra changed that. I can remember looking at all of those numbers and letters and not understanding how they got to an answer. My wonderful father spent countless hours explaining it over and over again. And the he would start all over when I looked like I was on the verge of tears.

Well, I am back in 8th grade. I am taking Financial Accounting for the Winter Term for my MBA. I will be honest, I don't get it! I can get the right answer, but it feels more like luck than anything else. I have no idea why somethings get counted in a Net Cash Statement and others are only part of the Income Statement. This is the first thing I have done that is truly outside of my comfort zone in nearly 15 years.

My only consolation in all of this is that I did eventually get Algebra (and still understand it). Hopefully I will get this too...preferably before the end of the term.

Back to the books!