Tribute to the Nelsons

Our good buddies, the Nelsons, moved away a few weeks ago. They headed off to their new FARM! We miss them terribly but are really excited for them as they start their new lives, Post Navy. Here is a pictorial tribute from over the last three years for them.

Ketchup on everything, part 2

Some of you might remember this post from two years ago when I first talked about Jena putting ketchup on everything. Today, I laughed as it happened again. Today's lunch was Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, Watermelon and Apple Sauce. And, of course, Ketchup. As we ate lunch I looked over to see Lily pick up a piece of watermelon and DIP IT IN KETCHUP! I didn't even bother to tell her to stop because I knew she wouldn't. So, I just laughed. Then Jena said, "Look! Ketchup and Applesauce!" As she dipped her nugget in ketchup, then applesauce. Pretty soon, there was ketchup mixed in with the applesauce and she was laughing. They ate all of it. Go figure, I guess it is genetic.

For all those out there in our extended military family

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/national-military-families-association

First Lady Michelle Obama has lent her voice again to the military family. Let us not forget we are at war.

Update on the girls

Today Lily is 22 months old. So hard to believe! I guess I better start planning a party. As you can see from the picture, we cut Jena's hair. It was all the way down her back, now it is shoulder length. She starting asking 2 months ago if I could cut it, but when I would actually get out the scissors out she would change her mind. Finally, two weeks ago we cut it. I can believe how grown up it makes her look.

The girls have been very busy with school, church and other activities. Jena continues in Gymnastics and Ballet. And now it looks like Lily will be able to as well. I was talking to Jena's dance teacher about finding a afternoon class she could attend since she will be in preschool 5 mornings a week this fall. And she told me two things. First, Jena could move up to a 4/5 year old class, that she felt she was ready. Second, she is starting a 2 year old class since so many of the girls in Jena's current class have little sisters. So, Lily will be starting dance in July when Jena moves up to her new class. In June, Lily will finally start gymnastics like she has wanted for awhile now. I was able to move Jena to a Friday class in a time slot that also has a Parent and Tot class. Lily has become very active while Jena is in class. She wants to go out on the floor and play. This way she will have something to do while Jena's in class.

Conversations with a 4 year old: The hard questions

A few weeks ago driving in the car Jena asked a hard question.
"Mama, why did my grandpa die?"
Sadly, I had to ask for clarification. "Which one?" I asked, hating this line of questioning already.
"Papa Williams, Daddy's Daddy."
"Well, do you know what a cigarette is, Jena?"
"No"
"It something with tobacco in it that you smoke with your mouth that is very bad for you."
"Okay"
"Well, your Papa smoked those most of his life and they made him very sick. And he died because he was sick."
"Why did he do that?"
"I'm not really sure, Jena."
"Oh. Well, how did my other grandpa die?"
"Well, he had something called asthma. And it made his heart and lungs very sick. And one day they stopped working"
"Oh, okay."

Luckily that was the end of the questions. She didn't ask about her grandmother, so I didn't have to explain an aneurysm to a 4 year old. And I didn't tell her that cigarettes are what made my dad's asthma as bad as it was. He quit about 14 years before he died, but the damage was already done. I didn't tell her, but I know someday I will. And I know the questions will get harder to answer as the girls get older on this subject and others.

Unfortunately, they will have to learn the hard lessons early. They have learned too early death is inevitable. They are learning early how to say goodbye to good friends. And I feel they will learn early that not everyone is nice since so many people have an opinion about the calling Roger has chosen as an Army doctor. And even closer to home as not all the relationships in my family are what I would call loving.

I know someday they will realize other people have more than one grandparent. That moving all the time is difficult and so is making new friends. They won't like being nice to people who are not nice to them. And they maybe feel that all of this not fair. But maybe these lessons will make learning the other ones easier. Maybe they will chose a healthy life style to help prolong life. Hopefully when it comes to tobacco they will make the decision to not use it. Maybe they will be tolerant and empathetic towards others. Maybe they will be able to adapt to change and enjoy adventure.

Happy Mother's Day (A day late)

Happy Mother's Day to everyone. I was able to spend the day with my mom, so this is a day late. I just wanted to say a special hello to all the mothers out there who couldn't be with their children because they are serving our country overseas. Your sacrifice and gift is one of the greatest you can give and we thank you and are thinking of you.

What a difference a year makes

Disney Day 5: Hollywood Studio

Tuesday was our last day at Shades of Green and Disney. So we packed up the car and got dressed and ready to go. We were off to our last park, Hollywood Studios. It was the one park we didn't make it to last year so we were very excited.

Here we are ready to see the "Stars"!

First off we headed off to see Woody and Buzz!

Buzz is one of Jena's favorites since she saw the moving Toy Story. She waited all week to meet him and his friend Woody. We missed Woody over at the Magic Kingdom because he was taking break, so Jena was glad he was at HS the day we were there.

One happy little girl!
Next we headed over to the "Honey, I shrunk to kids" play area where we ate lunch and played with the bugs.

Along the way we meet some Army Men, here giving Jena a salute.


We also got to meet the gang from Up. The girls are also big fans of that movie. We also got in some rides and saw some the animation cells in the studio. Since it was a smaller park it was the perfect last day adventure before we headed home.

Disney Day 4: Animal Kingdom

Day 4 was the Animal Kingdom. This picture was taken by our newest family photographer, Jena.

We hit Dinoland USA first. First ride, the TriceraTop Spin. Lily cried when she saw it, loved it once it got going.

Riding around in my automobile!

In the Boneyard.

Future paleontologists on the job.



Then we hit the characters area. Lilo and Stitch were a big hit.

Pocahontas was happy to meet us.

Of course all the Disney Classics were there on Safari.

We met Thumper and Mrs Rabbit after lunch.

Jiminy Cricket was over at Rafiki's Planet Watch.

On Safari.

Another full day for us!