you'll poke your eye out kid...

or Heather will do it for you...Last night we went to visit a college friend and the playing started off fine--their kids are almost 6 and almost 4, girl and boy--the kids were playing on the swingset and looking at books together. Heather frisbeed a book (not a good idea) to the little boy and it hit him right below the eye. He was very scared and started crying and his parents couldn't tell if it was his eye or nearby that was hurt. After a short phone call and Matthew eating a cookie it was determined that it was a cut just below the eye and we were allowed to stay and finish off the remainder of the evening with more playing and pizza. We were all very thankful that it was not an emergency room night for our friends (and banishment for us!!). The kids actually had a great time the rest of the night and played so nicely that the rest of us got to have adult conversation.

The kids were os busy all week that they just wanted to play at grandma's today which is what we did. They washed the car and played with water balloons later in the day then we went to another friends house (without incident) for dinner.

cleveland

After the wedding festivities (see below) were over we headed up to Cleveland to spend time with Jeff's family. We've been so busy and have been to a baseball game (13 innings then fireworks--another 11 pm night for the kids!!), chucky cheese and the library (charlie's favorite thing to do), the children's museum downtown, and the nature center where Jeff used to help out in high school. The kids delighted in following the little guidebook through the nature center to find the different animals. After that we went to the lake and the kids, Jeff and grandma walked along the lake looking for shells while I curled up on a breaker (large rock wall thing) and attempted to take a nap. Not very comfortable but it was nice just to lay curled up in the sun--I see why cats pick the sunny spots to relax. I also got to go to CVS and Target--my new "savings" places to go based on my short lived addiction to "coupons and deals". I can't write more b/c Jeff will make fun of me but I will say I got a lot of stuff for almost free ;-) Tonight we get to spend time with a college friend and her family which should be really fun for the kids--and us as well...

wedding fun and festivities

Well by now Kelly is almost done with her honeymoon and I've finally had time to type. We had a whirlwind weekend starting wtih dress fittings Friday morning, bridesmaids lunch, rehearsal and a quick swim in the hotel pool before the rehearsal dinner. The kids love swimming and although at the end of the swim they threw their towels in the pool it was a fun time. Wedding morning the kids got to swim with dad and grandma while the bridesmaids got hair done, dressed, and ready for the I do's. Pictures went well--some before and some after the wedding--and the kids did GREAT as the flower girl and ring bearer. We set them up with walk down the aisle slowly, to mom (high five) to Christoper (high five) and sit with grandma. I forgot that I was supposed to high five heather (I think it was the fleeting thought that she could be the "bride" walking down the aisle in 20+? years) and she waited for me to get with it before heading on her mission. They were very cute and sat through the wedding well. outside pictures after then reception. The kids had a special room that they had some toys, movies and lots of coloring in. They enjoyed time with their cousins who were there while I helped Kelly with whatever she needed (not much). We danced and partied until Charlie anounc3ed that he was tired. Heather on the ohter hand lasted until we picked everything up at the end and probably sacked out at around midnight ;-). The next day mom had a brunch at her house where we actually got to spend time with cousinsa nd family who had come from across the country and Heather very much enjoyed her second (?) cousins who she sees very infrequently. That afternoon we had a picnic at a lake with the remaining relatives and then home to pack for our next adventure--Cleveland! My mom and sister did a great job planning and everything went so well! We all had a great time throughout the whole weekend.

wedding preparation

Preparation for Kelly's wedding continues...my mom has been REALLY busy and the rest of us have been helping out as needed but mostly have had time to enjoy hanging out. Yesterday Kelly and Heather went to make a bead necklace--special treat for Heather!! then the kids and I drove to Columbus to get Jeff. We visited with my grandma and Lee for a bit when we got back. Today the kids played with Kelly and Christopher then headed out to the hotel we're oging to be staying at for a dip in the pool. They did really well until time to go and then we had a few issues. After a nap they were in better spirits and enjoyed dinner with Kelly's to be in-laws and my grandma and Lee. It was a nice relaxing evening. tomorrow we get dress fitted, bridal lunched, rehearsaled and then rehearsal dinnered...whew!

relaxing birthday

Today I turned 33 in style! My mom and Heather got breakfast ready while charlie and I slept in a bit. Then we went and got fitted for our "fancy" clothes and haircut (charlie) before heading out for a birthday picnic (Miller's chicken--YUM!). After that we relaxed for a bit before heading back out to see some baby chicks and sheep and picking up chinese food for dinner. After dinner I "relaxed" while I got an electric massage thing rolled all over my back by Heather and charlie then they gave me a relaxing spa bath complete with a face mask and cucumbers for my eyes ;-). After that I got foot and leg lotioned, arm lotioned and sprayed with perfume (by mom so it was minimal!!). Whew. Now I feel refreshed and it's almost time for bed (no naps). It was a fun day and nice to be "pampered" and I think the kids and my mom enjoyed it at least as much as I did (especially the cucumbers and "mask". Mom did take a picture but I will restrain myself from posting it here (I did wear a baithing suit...)

to ohio in 12 hours

The kids and I drove to Ohio today to "prep" for my sister's wedding and celebrate my birthday! Yesterday a friend and i got pedicures/spa foot treatment for the weddings that we'll be in and a self b-day present for each of us. It was fun--expensive for an hour at the end of which our feet felt slimy but looked good (of course I feel like they're rough as ever with nice pinkish toenails today!!). Afterwards we had lunch and then i packed away. Actually we then had our neighbors and a friend who was deploying over for a cookout--because I really had time for that ;-).

Today we left at 8:30, about an hour after i had hoped to leave. We had a really good trip and made GREAT time on teh way, arriving at around 7:30 (?) our time. The kids were good and I had just enough things to hand them to make it here. They actually only watched about 3 hours of movie on the dvd player. We spent some quality singing time which was fun ;-).

school's out for summer...

The kids had their presentation at school today. The dance was a bit crazy but fun and the songs the kids sang were cute! The 3 year olds sang the bumblebee song (not charlie's class), and together the 3 and 4 year olds sang I've got peace like a river--complete with motions and the "soul" of their foot :-). Then the 4 year olds (who are now pretty much all 5) sang a going to kindergarten song and "graduated". The kids were cute and all had fun. The most fun seemed to be giving their teachers their gifts and eating the food afterwards. What will we do tomorrow?!

last day of preschool

Today was the kids last day of preschool--what a sad day for me (that heather's old enough to be done with preschool and that I don't get 2 mornings a week free again until Septebmer (and probably then only for a few weeks!!). The kids had GREAT teachers this year and get to celebrate tomorrow with some songs and a dance by Heather and some treats prepared by the "little kid" class (danger some might ask?!). We've had lots of car issues the last week and between that and trying to get ready for a 4 week trip to Ohio I've been a little bit busy. I can't wait to get there but it's so much to wrap up here and get ready for there...

happy mother's day!

We had a busy saturday and a relaxed Mother's day so far. Happy Mother's Day to any who happen to read this (don't you have children to pay attention to?!). Yesterday the kids ran in a 1 mile "kids run" on base and had a really good time. I was supposed to be with the "slow" kid (heather usually kind of wimps out of this kind of stuff) and Jeff was supposed to run with the speedster Charlie (he did 8 laps at the track the other day--4 in a row pretty much and 2 before and 2 more after!!). They had several friends who were also running so it was a fun time. Heather took off at the beginning with a friend so I was in persuit, charlie on the other hand announced that he didn't want to run so Jeff carried him for a little while...We ran/sprinted/jogged/walked depending on the moment the mile with heather and her friends encouraging each other when tehy were nearby and me huffing and puffing along (yes it is very sad!). charlie also picked up the pace and ended up finishing only a few minutes behind Heather and her friend. Heather ended up second (i think) for the kids that did the 1 mile and charlie was somewhere around 5th. It wasn't really geared up as a race more of a fun run for families...we'll see if we have that kind of "fun" again!!

Then we went to a MOPS (mother's of preschoolers) fundraising walk where i did an additional mile--more running/walking than i have done ina while and enough to probably last the rest of this pregnancy...the kids played on the playground with friends and generally had a good time. That afternoon we had a MOPS cookout and all crashed early after a busy day.

this morning I got to sleep in a bit (I think it was like 7:30 when heather came back in to ask me when she could give me her present...) and take a shower. then I got presents that they made in school, Charlie a handprint hot plate (very cute)! and Heather a picture frame, flowerpot with pen that is hidden as a flower, and small notebook which heather suggested that we share ;-). Jeff had picked out a card and proceeded to make breakfast before going to work. This week is the inspection that the base has once every 3 years (ORI) which is a large pain for all of US involved!! Jeff's been working until 10:30 or so for about a week and a half unless he comes home and falls asleep reading te kids books (maybe happened 1 time). We are going out to dinner or getting something to bring home tonight...WHEW!

The end of soccer

Today Heather finished off her soccer season by playing goalie for the first time. she let in a few goals, but she did manage to get a save. She informed me that she would have saved another shot, but Jeff was busy talking on the phone. Afterward, they had a cookout and passed out trophies.

shots and soccer

The kids had to get shots today-the're actually overdue--and Charlie was grumpy before we left so Heather drew a grumpy charlie picture. Then she drew a picture of her face when she got shots (with tears running down!!). She cried right up until the lady said she was done and then pretty much stopped on the spot. Poor child was screaming "put the bandaid on" the whole time the lady was doing the shots. Charlie on the other hand was brave right up until he had to go from sitting to lying on the table (he had just witnessed Heather's shots) and even pronounced that he wasn't going to cry until he saw the needle. Then he cried for about 5 minutes after she was done. So I walked into the office with one crying and left with the other :-). They did pretty well though and we went to the library to play on the computer and get movies (modern libraries!!) and then to the park with friends.

Soccer tonight was good. Heather ran right out and stretched with her team and ran throughout the whole game! The kids looked exhausted at the end and the ssaving grace for them was that the other team pretty much bunched up around the ball and prevented themselves from getting very far :-). Heather had kind of a 5 year old breakaway and kicked the ball from inside the goalie box twards the goalie--it was kind of a shot ;-) She had fun and with one game left is asking when soccer starts again!!

It's a...

BOY!! We got to do an ultrasound at 18 weeks and he was all boy! They technologist couldn't believe I couldn't tell but I didn't realize it was quite SO obvious (don't know what I thought it was...). We told the kids (finally) that they were going to have a baby brother and they were excited, then Heather realized it was a boy and was a little less than excited. When she talked to Kelly on the phone she actually said that she was not. I knew in the doctors office taht she would have that reaction so I just have to do lots of encouraging how she can help and figure out what will make a little brother "cool"! Charlie suggested Bryan, Sparky and Christopher/Jeremy (depending on which was on the phone with him). We're going to have to figure out a delicate way to "agree" on names...

on a brighter note...

We've had a busy week but it's been good for the most part. The past two days after school we've gone to the park to play with friends which has wiped the kids out and created a few hours of nap time for them ;-). Of course that means that they're going to bed at 9 and getting up at 6 or 6:30 instead of 7 (which seems like a much nicer number!) but it makes us all happier throughout the day. Heather played soccer like a champ last night and Charlie ran around kicking his ball for the whole time. Two more games and Heather already asked when soccer would start again!! No school (kind of) today because they bring transportation vehicles (fire truck, ambulance, limo, etc.) for the kids to climb on and view. It's supposed to be a nice day so it should be fun ;-)