Super

Super Heroes are pretty big around here these days. I am learning more about super heroes from G & E than I could imagine. Batman is big, as is Flash but Wonder Woman is taking over. Did you know her name is Diana, and she a Princess. She has a lasso, unbreakable bracelets and I often times get to play her "sister" Hawk Girl . Tonight G even handed over the last of her birthday money to order the Wonder Woman costume. The girl isn't afraid to dress fierce. Today she wore a "retro" dress from my childhood. Another preschool mom thought she was wearing something from the dress up trunk, someone else commented that she looked like she belonged on stage in Leavenworth. She wore the dress, coral jeggings, aqua boots and a huge red flower headband all over today (library, school and the store). I bought little work books of addition and subtraction. They are for 1st graders. G did part of the addition one last night, amazing. Her teacher told me she was adding 3+3+3= 9 when they were doing a game.

Elliot is quite the boy, and has really developed a personality- the past few weeks it has involved lots of screaming. He really wants to get his way. A few times at night we have snuggled and had really great chats. He has been caught twice not wearing underwear, because "they make me too hot." How could this happen, well he normally gets himself dressed- even for church. We are talking about him possibly going to preschool next year, he doesn't want to go to the one G goes to- he wants one that has lots of little boys. Yes, G's class is mostly all girls (besides the boy she is already talking about marrying). Elliot had on Clay's watch tonight, he looked at it and said "it says it is time to watch Batman." He is becoming a total Daddy's boy. I love it, and so does Clayton.

Fever.

No spring happening here, just plain fever. The past week another round of sickies has been making the rounds in the house. G woke up last weekend with a fever, and even put herself down for a nap during the day. She was fine the next day but E got hit hard with the fever, and more. His throat was so sore he refused to eat or drink- it hurt, so off to the Dr we went. No strep throat, and even the lab's second check confirmed it. Viral, nothing we can do, just wait it out. The nurse line said it could be up to 2 weeks, I think I almost cried when she said that. We were told to make sure he had enough fluids so he wouldn't get dehydrated. We offered popsicles, pedialyte popsicles, ice cream, juice, anything! he screamed in pain and just kept telling me "I can't eat any-sing" heartbreaking. For 2 days I had to push any and everything at him just to get something in him, and still he barely had anything but water, tea and a little egg. Even with ibuprofen his fever was 101, and I counted down the minutes to give him more just so he would hurt a little less. Between both kids waking up during the night I haven't gotten more than a few hours sleep in a row in days. Last night my E was coming back, the boy who is happy and excited and silly and rowdy. He was afraid to eat, but I offered to let him help cook an egg and he went for it. I cracked the egg, he did the rest (with plenty of adult supervision!) and then even ate most of the egg- then had blueberries and kefir to drink (his new favorite, but we call it drink yogurt.) Today was a better day, he ate even more food, was very playful but still had a sore throat and took a 2 hour nap.

Gabby had her 5 year well check today, so that brings 3x we have been to the Dr this month. I must say I love our new pediatrician, he is wonderful and so much better than our old one! G weighs 43lbs, which is the 75th percentile (she weighs more than 75% of girls her age) and is 3 ft 9in, WHAT?? yes she is a tall one.. 90% for that. All of her questionnaire answers were great and say she is ready for kindergarten. When she got the fever again this weekend, the cough came back. We never did the antibiotics for the last crud because she improved, but now its back. The Dr was worried about two colds back to back, and it turning into pneumonia (2 people from school are sick with it) or it just sticking around her sinuses like it seems to want to. (you can thank me now for not inserting a picture of the huge green snot rockets she has, Clayton wanted to put one in!). She just woke up coughing and snot rocketing. We sat with the hot shower steaming up the bathroom, put on vicks, had honey and her wondering how she got into my tummy as a baby.

Hoping this weekend is an improvement on last. Busy morning tomorrow, Clay starts out the morning playing hoops with the old guys at the YMCA, E has swim lessons next, then 1st day of gymnastics for E and cousin C, then G has her 1st day of gymnastics.

* I am back to playing basketball these days too. Wed nights, I am the new addition to a great group of ladies who gather at a church gym and play for 2 hours. I love it! thanks Anj for inviting me.

*Still waiting on the Navy to figure things out. Or communicate. Apparently Clay's ship didn't have proper authorization to send him here to work. which means no news on getting our boxed up house (been without it since mid Oct. I barely remember our things) or money to pay for the past two moves we made.

Spring Fever

at one point E said he was Superman and could fly, he was in the tree. I told him absolutely NO jumping or trying to fly. he did wear his helmet for some of the tree climbing too, I should make it a rule if he keeps up the Superman talk.

Beautiful C

Myers the cat enjoys the sunshine outside with us

we took a walk to see the chickens, quite exciting!

It really has felt like the beginning of Spring around here the past week. It is simply beautiful, sunny, clear and totally chilly! Friday we spent the entire day outside, besides lunch time and nap/rest time for the girls. E and I still managed to be out and about, on scooter ride to the store. On Black Friday I bought some razor scooters (okay, not really that brand I don't think) they were a crazy cheap deal and the kids had just started riding them at our one and only friend in Florida's house. I bought the scoots, then packed them away in the car. I thought they would be too big and with the weather we wouldn't use them that much so I would keep them hidden away for a special day. Friday was that day. Cousin C came to spend the day and have fun with us, so after covering the sidewalk in chalk drawings (space theme this day, aliens, planets, stars, hopscotch, rockets) I got out the scooters. Instantly both G & E took off on them, and surprised me at how well they could ride them (we have never had them before and only have played on them a FEW times.) Around the block we went, C in the wagon. We climbed trees, and around the block again we went. G beat us into the house, and by the time we got in she was almost asleep on the couch. I knew she wasn't feeling well, with a miserable cough. All 3 in fact are battling the cough and snot.

The first ever scooter trip to the store was epic. I bought 2 half gallons of milk (almond and reg) a 5lb bag of carrots and a few other things. When it was time to scoot back home, E was exhausted. How did we get home, well if you were to drive by us you would have laughed just like I was. I stood with one foot on the scooter, E stood on my foot and the (re-usable) bag full of groceries hung from the handle bars. I pushed us all the way home (just a few blocks) and at one point was even told by E that we were going to fast! Boy what a workout! It was a wonderful time!

So after G sneezed an incredible green snot rocket for the 2nd time today, I called the Dr and got us an appointment. I figured I might as well make E one because he has a bad cough too and if G is sick might as well have them both looked at. Late afternoon appointment, with our new Dr whom I am very happy to say seems like a great fit for us, G protested all morning and even once the Dr was in to see us that she didn't want to go to the doctor. Never once has E complained to me about anything besides his cough. Vitals taken for both children, then the nurse asked G if her ears hurt "nope they are good." E chimes in "my ear hurt." Then we read a few chapters in a book about a merman (borrowed from the waiting room, and now I sit wondering what happened to the tiny merman) and E fell totally asleep. Checkout findings, G may have a sinus infection but it isn't for sure yet. If it doesn't get better in 2-4 days we have a prescription for antibiotics. Dr looked in E's ears while he was asleep, double ear infection! huh?

This sounds exactly like last years story, just had them check E's ear while he was with us for G's appointment and he had a double ear infection then too. I am hoping we can all get healthy and get on a good vitamin/supplement routine (I went to a good friend's house and heard a great informational talk by a holistic nutritionist that was inspiring.)

On other news, G started her swim lessons. Since she hasn't taken them besides when she was 6 months old I put her in the beginner "pike" class. At the end of the lesson the instructor told me she doesn't need to be in this one, she is very comfortable with the skills and can move up to "eel" level! E starts this weekend, and after a great date he and I had swimming last week I think he too will be ready to move beyond the beginner class- although he isn't old enough yet to do them not in the parent/child class.

The gorgeous weather has even gotten me outside running! Spur of the moment I put on my running clothes and took off, down to the harbor and then continued.... amazing bay and mountain views. Which do I prefer, the good scenery or a warm climate??? I logged about 4 miles and it felt great, especially for a first run in ages!

five

Last night I couldn't sleep, even though I was exhausted.... I finally went down and snuggled my sweet baby girl, and as soon as the clock turned to 1:18am PST my very first baby turned 5 (which is 6:18pm Japan time). We celebrated with a small party at Aunt Molly's house, and it was a great time. So what if only one kid from school showed up, all the other's couldn't come or got sick. The boy who did came is brand new to the area, and if there is anything I know, it is being brand new to a city and not knowing anyone. Gabby was the happiest girl around, a friend from school, his baby brother and parents, both sets of grandparents, 2 aunts, an uncle, 2 cousins a brother and her mom- all to celebrate HER! We had homemade pizza (cheese, olive and bbq chicken) veggies and dip, "cookie dough" dip made from garbanzo beans, with strawberries and apples for dippers, jelly beans, an awesome chocolate princess cake and vanilla cupcakes.

This girl made the newspaper online, along with her brother. Pretty cool to have your Aunt run the club where the Moose and 2 players were visiting. Also to have a Grandma and Great Aunt who score Mariner jerseys for you so you can get back to being local!

Captain America was a great party guest, and an awesome new friend! We all loved the family and enjoyed getting to host them.

Princess was the theme, with homemade banners- I cut them out and G adorned them with stickers. We played pin the crown on the Princess, I stayed up past midnight coloring Tiana.

These are the new family favorite cupcake holder, so simple and fun.

Happy Birthday Sweet Gabby Jean!

yes, this is the Princess cake. It may qualify as a "cake wreck" if you have seen that website, but not all went as planned. I am happy to say that her legs have been re-attached!

looks

There are some pretty cute looks around here lately, there are these two sweet Princesses with their Bubba as they now call him.I got determined and whipped up these Daddy pillows I have been thinking of and talking about. G & E each have their own, with different pictures and different backside fabric. You frequently can find either one of the kids playing catch with Dad; also known as tossing the pillow up and catching it. They sleep, snuggle, and haul it around.
This boy has moves, and style to go with the moves. This is the "outfit" he changed into, and was doing some very hilarious hip shaking. Oh and the slinky "belt" can also be used as a jet pack or a hat, as can the funnel which doubles as a trumpet too.
After preschool we braved the freezing cold and had a little play time at the park, which just happens to have a gorgeous view.

picture catch up

14 states in 36 days, and so many things in between all that. So many things to share, but for now pictures are what you get!

our empty rental house in FL, lots of room to play!

6 cousins jumping on hotel beds!

celebrating love, family and the New Year!

last blog from FL

Well, it seems life has thrown us another curve ball- one that we taking in a totally positive way! The Enlisted Review Board has decided that Clay is no longer needed in his job, so we are getting out of the Navy! After 10 years, many moves, meeting many friends, having 2 babies, a million unexpected adventures and too many days apart we are able to say that we are at peace with the news. It came as a huge surprise, especially after getting orders, having them changed and moving early, it was 8 days after checking in to the new ship, that we got the news. Clay got the highest review possible the past cycle, getting new quilfications, but missing his advancement by 2.5 points it was time for us to be done. Clay will still be active till the end of June, but not sure where. With the blessing in disguise of the sellers pulling the house off the market while under contract we don't have a place to live in FL and aren't going to go searching now that we know this isn't home. We are planning to undertake the very long cross country drive to WA very soon, as in we will be home before Christmas! Looking forward to this new adventure!