Don't Blink

     No kidding, Mr. Chesney, no kidding. These two beautiful children (that drive their Mommy slightly batty on occasion) are growing up way too quickly. 

     Some new, and always random, updates:

     Kayla:

     

-Continuing with karate. This girl will try so hard, and then she gets distracted. SQUIRREL! But I don't blame her. Don't ask me to do my kihon kata ichi when some kid behind me is practicing weapons and waving a sword around. I would be distracted, too!

-Lost her 1st tooth. That new smile makes ME smile. Totes adorbs.

-Failed her hearing test at school. So all this time she wasn't just ignoring her father and I? Hopefully it is nothing, but she is scheduled to see the audiologist soon!

-Has advanced far enough in her reading and spelling that her parents can no longer S-P-E-L-L words out in front of her. 

-Has only 7 weeks left of Kindergarten. Where has the time gone? No, really. Summer is almost here. Does Amazon Prime deliver wine? Anybody? Anybody?

-Has been LOVING playing outside in her pool and on her trampoline with the sprinkler. She has a beautiful tan, already.

-Seems to have developed her 1st true crush, on a boy named Micah. She has wondered if Micah likes her school clothes. Mommy is working on convincing her that we do not care what boys think, as long as we are happy. Wish me luck.

-Is not thrilled that her brother is more mobile. This means her stuff is no longer her stuff, if it is within his grasp. She has learned this the hard way, more than once. Wait, what...he moves?!?!

-Had 5 chicks hatch in her class at school. 3 were yellow, 2 were black with yellow butts. I know you were curious.

     Thomas:

-Has cut a total of 4 teeth. Two on the bottom, two up top. Well, technically 1.5 up top. But we will go ahead and count it as 4. His mother already misses his gummy smile, especially at that exact moment he is biting her. 

-Has mastered the army crawl, and this is probably where it will end. His mother has given up on any hope of a normal crawl. He has gotten so fast, he probably sees no need. His upper body strength is going to be out. of. this. world.

-Is now pulling himself up. This has led to more than one "oh sh!t" moment from his parents. The house is currently being baby proofed.

-Discovered gravity today. He drops, Mommy retrieves. It was fun. At first. Mommy is already sick of this game.

-Likes banging wooden spoons on mixing bowls. He just might be the next Ringo Starr.

-Needs a  haircut. Mommy is putting her foot down. Them curls. 

-Celebrated his 1st Easter! He could have cared less. Except when the bunny ears or sunglasses were on. During those moments, he cared, and not in a good way.

-Is an eating machine. Not just his little puffs and such, but anything on Mommy or Daddy's plate. Nothing is sacred (except bleu cheese).

Until next time!

     

Spring Break with Grandma

   Spring Break 2017 is in the books, and we all survived! I truly believe this was due to the visit of Grandma, who helped entertain children, change diapers, rock little man to sleep, cook dinners, and generally keep the house running in a sane manner. Why is life SO MUCH easier with Grandma around? It really is, no doubt! An extra hand for the kids, always shooing me out the door so that I can get some of that much needed quiet time. I know Nick was truly grateful for the time, as well. He has been busy every day, with his new course and all the homework that accompanies it!

   So what did we do while Grandma was here? 

   We hit the beach! First time this year! It was also the first time I have really walked the beach since arriving on this side of the world. I have to say, it is very different from the beaches of Okinawa. Any guesses on which one I like better? Kayla had a blast digging around the sand, hunting for pretty stones and shark teeth. Thomas enjoyed just sitting around and silently observing, per the norm. 

   

   Grandma, Kayla and I went to explore the local farmer's market on opening day. It was on the small side, but the local vendors did have some neat wares for sale! We enjoyed putzing around there, and then we were off to Lowe's to get started on the garden!

   After much deliberation and wandering, Grandma and I picked out the flowers and plants for the front, and I finished up shopping for Kayla's fairy garden. Between the 3 ladies and Nick, it still took all afternoon to get the planting done. But we love how it turned out! Here is to hoping I keep it alive. I am far from a green thumb. 

   We wanted to get out and explore a bit, so after Grandma snapped some family pictures on Sunday, we loaded up the car and headed toward Wilmington. It turned out to be just the type of city I love. It reminded me of Charleston and Savannah. Old, bits of history, the waterfront... My type of place!

   Parking ended up being a disaster, since the Azalea festival happened to be going on (note to self: research if events are happening in advance, next time). Eventually we found a little lot and started the walk toward the waterfront. The old houses, the landscaping, the churches were beautiful! The festival itself was crazy busy, and we did not spend too much time with the vendors. Maybe next year?

  To be honest, my favorite day was our laziest day! After spending a morning walking to the "big construction park" and playing, we spent the rest of the day outdoors in the gorgeous sunshine! Kayla played in the sprinkler for hours, running around the yard, jumping on the trampoline and playing with friends. Thomas loved padding around in his walker on the back porch, watching his sister play and soaking up the sunshine. I know Grandma and I enjoyed the relaxation and kids laughter, as well. 

  The week with Grandma went by way too fast. Kayla was absolutely heartbroken when we had to drop her off at the airport. The whole way home was filled with tears, and comments that broke my heart. She loves her Michigan family so much, and we wish more than anything she could see everyone more often. I think this is the 1st time where I am seeing how hard it really can be, to be the child of someone in military.  

   Nick and I had not planned on going home this summer. In fact, we were kind of dead set against it. But with all of Kayla's sadness and comments, I think we will be trying to head that way at some point. I know she will love Michigan in the summer, she has not had that since our 1st year in Okinawa. And I am sure Thomas will love it it as well.

Puddle jumping

It has been semi-hectic here lately, and I am trying to steal an available moment while I can, to update!

Kayla:
~has started karate! Needless to say, Mommy is thrilled. She is taking Okinawan Seidokan Karate Kobudo  (say that 10x fast!) twice a week. She has much to learn, but she is a smart cookie, I have no doubt she will catch up, quickly.
~jumped for the American Heart Association at school. Mommy and Thomas went to watch. Shockingly, no kids were whipped by fellow jumpers. Now THAT, would have been interesting...
~might be pushing 6 years old, but still has a love for puddle jumping!
~very much enjoyed St. Patrick's Day. This is the first year she was truly paranoid about the "pinch". She made sure to attend school with a giant green bow and earrings.
~told Mommy that Rex was handsome. Who is this Rex? A book character, thank goodness. Both parents are ok with this, and acknowledge the fact it could be worse...
~has started a countdown, anxiously awaiting her Grandma's spring break visit.
~has been begging for a trampoline. Her parents caved. Happy early birthday, sweet girl!
~has acknowledged the fact her hair color is straight up awesome.
~still has a loose tooth, the thing refuses to give itself up. String and doorknob might be in the near future.

Thomas:
~is so cute his Mommy has to literally stop herself from a squealing at him, on occasion.
~keeps getting on all 4's and rocking, but refuses to move. He is stubborn. Like his father.
~adores watching his sister. He truly lights up in her presence, whenever he hears her voice. She enjoys it now, but I figure soon enough he will terrorize her and it will all go south.
~had discovered his (ahem) junk. This makes for some Mommy shrieking diaper changes, especially after a particularly bad blow out. Why, why, whyyyy do boys do this?!?!
~has turned into a legit pint-sized terrorist in his walker. Nothing is safe. Nothing. He now leaves a trail of destruction behind him, when he is particularly feisty.

Enjoy the pix!!!