Head West Young Man

Hh has been working in CA on four week rotations, four weeks out then one or two back home, so this time when he went back out for work PT and I tagged along for a visit! The other kids got to spend the time with Noni and Popi (Thanks Mom and Dad!), so they had fun too.

PT's first plane ride

 PT is an awesome traveler and loved to look out the plane window, maybe a future flyer??

Soaking up the attention

 We were excited to receive a last minute invitation to come out to the base Dh will be working at, so after we flew in, we hopped in a rental car and drove five hour to the base. It was a long day of traveling, but PT was a real trooper, and I was so thrilled to see the Reserve base and everything we have been working so hard for. The people were so kind, and after our brief tour and lunch, we set up plans to meet up with some of the families at the local festival.

The fest was at a waterfront park

 It was an absolutely gorgeous day!

There was food, vendors, and music; and of course ice cream!

Little PT

 After the fest we drove over to Napa to look around.

So pretty!

Napa!

 I wish we had had a day to just look around there, but maybe another time.

Hey Handsome!

 The next day we were given the privilege of a touring the airplane Dh will be flying. Such a thrill for our plane-lovin' family! And, it was wonderful to see what we have been working towards for the last two years.

The Plane!

A cool inside view from the upper window

PT and I in the future office. :) He was so mad I wouldn't let him touch the controls!

It was so wonderful! The hardest part was that we have to wait two more years to get back out there! That being said, the one thing moving a lot teaches you is to enjoy every bit of where you are. Everything in life is temporary, so I will still treasure being near my family for as long as I can! 

The Near-Perfect Beach Bag

Since it's mid summer and hot, hot, hot here, I thought I would share my advice for the Near-Perfect Beach Bag! 

I have seen, and been, one of those parents that have over prepared for the beach, just to have a miserable time toting it all out, and in, and keeping up with it all; so this summer my goal was to see how little we could get by with. It turns out we don't need much to have a wonderful time!

The contents of our ONE beach bag. 

 In our bag was: a blanket, a paddle (mama's strict about beach rules), a camera, snack for the baby, a phone, baby wipes, one diaper, water, (and unseen) keys, a sun screen stick, and a banana. The bag was very light and easy enough for a child to carry, leaving me free to carry the baby.

Also, I brought and left in the van: one towel for each child and extra diapers. I had $10 in my back pocket for ice cream, and we brought a small bucket of sand toys. 

To the beach!

I had the kids hold hands, Immy carried the bag, and Lulu carried the sand toys. I carried (only!) the baby. We didn't pack food because I planned our trip for 8am; we ate breakfast before we left, had ice cream at the beach around 11am, and we were home for lunch. Very, very simple, and the most fun I have had at the beach in a long time!

Moments of May 2011

PT's cast is off after three weeks

Construction paper hats. Lulu looks like a little Dutch girl!

Harvested more herbs

Immy's new boots

JP's paper replica of a Navy Tomahawk. Totally his idea, design, and construction; I love that. 

Gymnastics

School Spring Carnival

Last Day of School

PT at the Park

Big Kahuna's

New tooth and banana spiked hair!

Lulu at swim class

Immy

JP

To the Beach!

All Set!

PT and me

Lulu

The girls

JP and his Sand Turtle

Ice Cream!

Me and My Beach Babies

Bug Jars!

The kids have been fascinated with bugs recently, and have been interested in collecting and inspecting every little creature they find, so a few weeks ago we set to work to make some happy homes for our new guests. After that we laid down a few rules so we could all live together peacefully: #1 No bugs in the house unless they are in a jar, #2 Bug jars are not allowed to be opened in the house ever, and lastly, #3 No bug jars in the beds (this one we had to add later). 

Immy's rock jar, Mole Cricket home, Wood Beetle terrarium

The small jar came first, but when the Wood Beetle started to become a long term resident we set him up with a roomier pad. An old applesauce jar was perfect, and a cork screw put nice little holes in the lid. We looked online to see what the bugs are called, eat, and need to survive; then we try to set up each home to make our guests comfortable.

Now we are all happy. Luckily for the bugs they get switched out regularly, and we are learning all sorts of great lessons like don't pick up your millipede with pliers, and wood beetles don't like to take a bath, and pincher bugs actually will pinch you.  

Yep, good times.   

Favorite Bits of April 2011

No front teeth!

Snoozin' with Happy Doggy

Chicken Pox!

So happy!

Daddy and JP

My herbs

Field Day!

Flyin' a Kite!

JP

Lulu