what's new

When we get back into the routine of single mom survival things remain busy but time for blogging decreases. Over the weekend we enjoyed a few activities on base including bowling where both kids beat me as I bowled terribly. Saturday night since the weather was pretty good our friends had another pizza and "drive in" movie night on the side of their house. Heather was into it, unfortunately Charlie and Cameron were not so we came in and played the wii (charlie is now obsessed with the levels on Super Mario and he's slowly sucking me in!!). Sunday morning was nice so we walked to a nearby park with the Cullens (the pirate ship park) and all the kids including Cameron had a really good time climbing, running and sliding. The kids aren't that excited to be back in school but are going more willingly and less complainingly.

Yesterday was a good mom day as I took Cameron to playgroup where he seemed to like the singing time and kind of played with the toys during the hour we were there. I then left him with a friend and had lunch with Heather at school (she had told me over the weekend that I was the ONLY mom who hadn't come to lunch or classroom--not true at all!). It was fun to see how the kids interacted with all of Heather's classroom of boys on one end of a long table and the girls on the other. Then when Charlie got home Cameron took a nap and I played the wii with him. Everyone got some "mom time" doing something they like which made for a nice day. After Heather got home we took Charlie to get his hair cut which turned out pretty well. Today Charlie had a friend over after school then we all went and got H1N1 shots followed by dinner at the club with friends.

back to the routine

We're getting settled back into our routine of out the door for school, out the door for school, pick up, pick up, homework, play, dinner...The kids were reluctant to go back, Heather because she had a different teacher and didn't want to read her journal out loud in class and Charlie because Heather was. Both had great first days back on Tuesday and seem to be at least agreeable to continuing with their education at their respective schools. We've had nice weather mixed in with the rain and the kids are enjoying time outside between the raindrops. Cameron likes to climb up the big climber and slide down the twirly slide face first. I have to catch him in the middle to make sure he doesn't twist upside down but otherwise he's really enjoying his new trick. Today was "men's friendship day" or some such day in the Azores--the men go out to eat and party on their own. Women's day is next week. Charlie's school celebrated by making canes and having a contest with the kids voting to see who's they liked best. We made a "cane" more like a walking stick twisted with ribbon in the colors of Portugal and with his male classmates names glitter penned on some of the ribbon. It was cute and Charlie won second place based on teh kids judging. The kids I believe judged the American kids first--the Portugese kids seem to love the 4 American kids that go to school there which is really sweet. Charlie also got a report card from school which indicated he was somewhat timid and shy, however he knows how to show his feelings and have "democratic values such as sharing, consoling others, and the spirit of helping each other". Cute!

back "home"

After we arrived home the kids were wired to see what santa left here for them, start unpacking their new toys and see their friends. We took it easy the first day and everyone took naps. Unfortunately at midnight all 3 kids were wide awake and despite falling asleep in their own rooms again eventually at 2 am I woke up to all 3 in bed with me!! The next day Charlie woke up and threw up (lovely) and Heather continued her runny nose so we lay low. The kids again had trouble falling asleep and slept in until 9:30 today. Determined to wear them out we went with friends to the duck pond, took a lunch break and got right back out to enjoy the beautiful mid-50's no wind weather we had with the neighborhood kids at the playground. We finished up the activities at a Mexican restaraunt with two other families and were outnumbered by kids but everyone had a great time. It's funny eating out here--when we go at 6 we pretty much have anyplace to ourselves and occasionally other Americans who have ventured out. Campout tonight in our room before we start on a more regular schedule again. Both kids say that they are not interested in going back to school (Heather is sure we should homeschool!!) so we'll see how the next few days go...

The final leg

The final leg of our journey "home" was as eventful as the others. The kids were again excellent throughout the adventure. We checked into the terminal to find out that a space a flight had left for here about an hour before we got there but that the one the next day may or may not have space. After checking into the hotel I took the kids to Chucky Cheese (they loved it!!) and we crashed. We hung out in the hotel for the morning, returned the rental car, took a taxi back to the hotel, collected our luggage then headed on a shuttle with the nicest driver ever back to the airport. Apparently we were well known as the lady who had helped us at the airport the day before and answered my questions about the shuttle told him that we were a "cute" family and that she hoped we could get on the plane that night. After lugging our stuff in we hung out in the family area for the afternoon and evening. About 7 we made some friends and started waiting for them to call us and finally at 9:45 after thinking we weren't getting on they called several names--the kids were estatic at finally getting on a plane and got stuff together with a very kind lady who waited with them while I got our tickets and luggage checked. We were the last four to board the plane and unfortunately were placed on four aisle seats one behind the other next to people who were not interested in switching so that we could sit together. The kids shocked me by simply sitting down next to their respective strangers (it was 10:15pm at this time) and getting their drinks and gum out. Right before falling asleep Charlie said that he wanted to sit by me--the slept the rest of the flight until we touched down. Heather woke up about 30 minutes before landing and was so excited to get home that she was all smiles. The stewardess helped us off the plane (as if we needed help!!) and two very kind friends met us at teh terminal to help schlep our bags to the car. Our trip was long but fun--and would have been completely impossible if from start to finish we had not had the help from friends and family to make it through.

Kelly's house (see below for the beginning of the saga)

Despite having this unplanned trip we are having a very good time. Bryan and Kelly have been awesome about letting us crash and playing with the kids--it's almost like they are enjoying it as well ;-). Thursday we recovered from our crazy day prior and went grocery shopping and watched the national title game. Friday we hit a few stores and the library then had a party with Kelly and Bryan that night. Saturday Heather came down with a cold but we headed for Lowe's and built some fun free projects followed by some football watching and playing by Charlie and Bryan. Today we took it easy--Heather has gone through 2 tissue boxes in the past 24 hours which has to be some sort of record! I've made tentative plans but we are going to try to get out on a rotator through Norfolk on Tuesday night. Fingers and toes crossed! Big thanks to Kelly and Bryan for letting us crash at their place!

stuck in the states

Unfortunately as we waited to board we were informed that the plane would be delayed for 3 hours. Not a big deal as there was still a flight with 83 (supposedly) seats going out that night. When it was cancelled the kids and I hunkered down in the family area which was quite nice and prepared for a long day. We had lunch in the terminal, bonded with fellow passengers and waited for our turn. The kids played and played, refused to go to bed, and when they started roll call at 1:10 announced there were 8 seats on each of 2 planes. A quick headcount told me we were not getting on a plane that day however they said they would try to make seats available. By 2:00 it was apaprent that 13 of us would be left behind and I got a bit panicky. Putting our heads together, along with those of some of the experienced and informed hoppers we decided our best bet was to get to dover (no rental places open so we had to hire a shuttle) and try a flight out of there. We left the terminal at 5 am--kids all still awake and running through the playplace except cameron who had had a full night's sleep--did I mention that heather and I had both been up for 24 hours and charlie had slept for about 2?! The kids all crashed in teh shuttle and we arrived at Dover to try the plane. After about an hour of waiting they informed that the flight would be delayed 24 hours. So swe rented cars and headed for Andrews (we were with another mom whose husband had taken the last spot on teh azores flight, her two kids, and four other adults) where another plane was supposed to depart at 5. We turned in our rental cars and waited for the roll call hopefully. They announced that there were 8 seats on the plane and I knew we weren't getting on again. They then decided that the plane was no longer going to the Azores but straight to Germany so our friends didn't get on the plane either. One of them drove me to get a new rental car and I met my sister and headed for her house 3 hours away. The kids were AWESOME throughout all of this. Heather had a melt down or two but that was to be expected and she pulled it together. She expressed all the frustration I was feeling but unable to express otherwise we would have all fallen apart. I was very proud of how well they behaved and what troopers they were through the whole ordeal although had we not a promise of meeting Kelly there would have probably been disaster!! Five of the others headed back to New Jersey to try to catch one of the flights which had been delayed. I opted not to do that b/c I couldn't handle not getting on another flight (number 6 in 2 days) and followed Kelly to her house, arriving after 39 hours of no sleep with maybe 1 hour bad snoozing in the shuttle the previous morning.

last few days in the states

We started out the new year watching the parade with the 110 and enjoying the floats. The kids always like that kind of thing so we made the most of it. We had to leave earlier than planned so I did some packing, last minute shopping, and the kids enjoyed grandparent time. My parents were kind enough to drive us to New Jersey to try to catch the flight from there on Monday morning so we headed out on Saturday on a 10 hour tour. The kids did great with minimal crying and were so glad to get to the hotel. In the morning we swam then went to the base to check on the flight. Everything seemed good so we got our TLF, groceries and settled in for one last night together. Just before bed I called to find that our flight had been cancelled and tentatively rescheduled for 1 am on Wednesday. We enjoyed one more day together finding things to do in the condo, watching movies, and eating. Just before bed I checked on the flight only to find out there was a flight at 6:30 am. Mom and I frantically packed up and went to bed around midnight. At 5 we got the kids up and headed for the airport. Everything seemed good, we were selected for the flight which had plenty of seats, said good byes to grandma and grandpa, got checked through security and ready to board the plane.