Happy birthday Jeff!

Jeff's birthday is today so we started out the day with Monkey Bread on wiggles plates with wiggles party hats (leftover from a past kids party and chosen by Heather) and of course singing Happy Birthday! No big plans for the day. I've been working the consignment sale that they have in Columbus a lot the last week and found some good deals for Heather and Charlie. Jeff has gotten a lot of 1 on 2 time with the kids and they're constucting a cornhole set together. It's been good for all.

Heather started doing a dance (really just a movement get some energy out) class after school once a week. She has fun and it's for girls and boys alike so it's not the cutesy dance but it's fun for her. Charlie still likes school but also likes the day that heather goes by herself. The weather is starting to cool down and we've been able to get outside a bit more and enjoy the park and bikes again. Jeff goes back to work Monday so maybe things will be "normal" for a while...

chattanooga choo choo

We had a great "long weekend" in Chattanooga! We stayed at the Choo Choo hotel (no not in a train but you could!) There were old train cars everywhere and cute maze type gardens for the kids to run through. We had three pools to choose from and a lot of fun. A free trolley ran downtown which we took every day for adventures. The most fun was the Aquarium. We spent almost the whole day there and had a great time. Heather touched a huge sturgeon and sting rays in teh touch tanks and Charlie was delighted when a butterfly landed on him in the butterfly exhibit. We also went to Rock City which was a nice chance to walk around and enjoy the views from lookout mountain and some cool natural rock formations. The kids walked a lot and slept for a long time once we got back to the hotel. Today we got up and went to the zoo which was tiny but still fun and a playground nearby before heading home. All in all it was a great break from life and with another week off Jeff still has time to relax for a bit longer.

time flies when you're having fun!

Well we've had a good time with Jeff being home! Monday we went to Tuscaloosa and the kids played at the Children's museum, we went to a couple other places including Toys R us where Heather got a new princess bike! We just couldn't see waiting until Christmas since fall is the best time of year to ride here and her poor knees were coming close to hitting the handle bars when she rode around! Tuesday both kids were in school so Jeff and I played golf (i actually had some decent shots--enough to go back again!). Today poor Charlie had to run errands with us and we got new phones so both of our phones are working again with the same numbers we had before.

Tomorrow after the kids get done with school we're heading for Chattanooga for a long weekend. It should be fun and if the weather is nice we should have a good time. otherwise the hotel has an indoor pool so we'll probably spend some time there as well. anyone with Chattanooga suggestions please let us know!

back to normal

Things seem to be getting back to normal now that Jeff is home. The kids are adjusting to him being back with no problem--who wouldn't with more attention, a new/old playmante, and a few "treats!" We've been for walks, bike rides, park time, games, it's been a busy time of having fun and reacquainting. We went to a spray park today where the kids could run through fountains. It was actually too cold for that activity and we had to leave when heather was standing in the water shivering and looking a shade of blue. In the next few days we're planning a trip to the zoo and a nearby town that actually has shopping and a Hobby Lobby!!

all together now...

We met jeff at the airport this morning. His flight was delayed but fortunately not too long. The kids were sooo excited and after seeing his plane land the wait until he came through the gate was FOREVER!! Might have been the hardest wait since he left! The kids gave him big hugs. Heather was a little shy since there were about 15 people from his squadron there to greet him as well. It was really nice of them to come out and they had flags and a banner...very patriotic...The kids were just glad to get dad home and we had an uneventful lunch and will probably go out to dinner. Jeff has two weeks off so they get lots of dad and family time.

two more days...

Heather and Charlie went to school today. Charlie has no problem except that he wants to see Heather go in her room first. WE have to walk past his room two times to go to the bathroomand then back to Heather's room and he won't go in but once we drop off Heather he goes right in. Both had a good day at school and said that they had fun.

I talked to Jeff today and he said that he was delayed leaving but that he should still be able to get home on Thursday. The kids are getting excited and we've been busy making posters, cleaning, and decorating to meet him at the airport and to show him when he gets home. Then he gets two weeks off so there should be lots of bonding time for all!

ready for Jeff!

After a laid back weekend which included lots of playing with friends and relaxing we made it through a trip to the dentist. Heather was less than thrilled to sit in the chair thing and let the lady use the tools. Once she decided it was OK she was fine and even said that it was fun. Charlie on the other hand was happy to sit in the chair and let the dentist look at his teeth. Both came away with "prizes", a sticker, and a balloon (Heather's popped in teh car when we played at the park as a special reward for being so good :-).

We talked to Jeff and he said that he should be at the airport here at 11:30 so we're ready to get him. He's coming into the states Weds afternoon but he won't get home until the following day. We're excitedly making signs, pictures, and trying frantically to make the place not look so much like the "home" that he left.

first day of school...again

Today was Charlie's first day of school. He was excited to go but once we got there and I went to take him into his room he got a little shy and wanted to take Heather to her room first. We did that then walked back to his room and he gave me a hug and told me he was going to play with puzzles. Although a lot of kids were crying Charlie did great and told me all about puzzles, painting, and playing outside (and inside!!). He wants to go back which is a good sign. Heather also had a fun day and has already asked why she can't go to school every day (what a good question that is!!)

I took the 2 hours (when it's boiled down from drop off, pick up and one errand) to go to the gym and do some excercise, take a shower without keeping an ear out for screaming and do some putting away that I wouldn't have gotten done with the kids awake. One more week or so until Jeff gets back. We won't know for sure until he gets on teh plane when he is leaving (not top secret but just never for sure :-()

first day of school

Heather had her first day of the "big kid" class today. She was excited to go but didn't want to go into her class until a few of her friends got there. It will be a totally different group for her this year b/c her two "best friends" at school moved to Houston. She's excited nonetheless to meet new friends and get to know the other kids better this year. Charlie is excited to go to Miss Willie's class tomorrow and I think he'll do great. He's more independent than Heather and having watched her go to school last year and this morning I think he'll have fun and feel like a big boy. Now if he could only use the potty like a big boy.

Charlie was funny getting ready for bed tonight he didn't want to pick up some clothes and told me "no way." (where did he ever hear that?!) As a result I said that we wouldn't have time to read all the books he wanted to. He quickly said, "yes way. way. way. way." while picking up the clothes. It was pretty funny!

first day of school

We went to meet Heather and Charlie's teachers today. Heather was so shy in her room. She refused to smile for a picture and would not say a word to her new teacher. She did wander around and check things out and we also checked out the playground to make sure it was up to par. Charlie seemed very comfortable in his room and gave Ms. Wilie a hug and she talked to him and he listened very carefully and nodded his little head. Even after being so shy Heather is excited to go to school. Tomorrow Heather will get a chance to go to her class and both will go on Thursday (yeah 3 hrs free for me!!).

one more week...

...until Jeff is supposed to be back. The kids have started doing some "welcome home" stuff. They are very excited and it's hard not to be able to tell them exactly how many days they have to wait since he's not sure of what date he's leaving and even when he is I won't tell them until he gets on the plane for the last jog home (the military is never quite certain!!). Life here is back to usual. Playing at the park, Heather searching for her friends on the way. Trying to get out for some excercise while she rides her bike or we go for a walk. The heat is tough to conquer though so it's been mostly inside stuff. So far it's OK though because the kids keep "finding" their toys and new ways to play that they haven't seen for 3 mos. Hopefully by the time that wears off it will be nice enough to play outside more!

It's been an adjustment being back without some of our friends (and certainly Jeff--but at least we know he's coming back!) the kids and mine. So far that's been the hardest part about being back--even though we do have friends still here!!!