Week 31

Okay, we are finally in the home stretch. On Wednesday after emailing back and forth with Nathan with neither of us knowing anything about when he might arrive back home, I finally came to the conclusion that I am best off just emailing our Family Readiness Officer. So I finally have a date, but no real time, and of course "everything is subject to change"---translation, I have nothing! But at least, I know that it will all be over soon. We had a long week, but a fun one--coupled with Corinne cutting two molars that just won't poke through. That was not so fun.



On Monday, we relaxed and I finally hooked the tent up to the tunnel. It is officially their new favorite hide out.




















Even with Corinne being as crabby as can be, Lincoln was soooo loving towards his little sister. He even shared his banana with her one morning.


















Despite her aching teeth, she did have moments of fun in between the bouts of pain.






















On Tuesday we had a successful Mommy and Me class. I was on edge the entire time, waiting for Lincoln to have a major meltdown, but I was able to bribe him out of being upset for the most part. We made "secret shapes" and I distracted him with the promise of candy to get him to behave. He ended up with enough beans this week to go get ice cream!

Corinne was not very into dance class this week. She liked the wings, but I had to wake her up from a nap to take her to class and she was not too happy with me.





















On Wednesday, Ryan (our neighbor) came over and washed Nathan's truck for me. Nathan assured me that he would handle it when he got home. But to be honest, it was filthy after a few random thunderstorms we had a few weeks back. Ryan could use the money and I honestly think it bothered him that the truck was so dirty. So he and Lincoln got to work on it.

















Corinne decided she better help too!
















Everyone decided that black cars suck to wash in California when clouds are rare and it is too cold to wash cars really early in the morning.






















Then Lincoln decided to do a little washing of himself.





















No need for a bath tonight!





















Thursday was going to be our laid back day. Lincoln found a 4th of July flag hidden in the toy box and gave it to Corinne to play with. He was being such a good sharer and she was having a blast---until she gouged the roof of her mouth with it! Beat up mouth + cutting 2 teeth = a very painful day for the Princess.






















After some Tylenol, Corinne laid down for her morning nap and I took the opportunity to break out the craft project that Papaw and Amber sent Lincoln for his birthday. It was even cooler than expected. No glue needed, just peel away shapes, roll up tissue paper, and "tada" perfect pictures! I loved that he was able to make something and practice his shapes without having to use a pen and get really frustrated. Plus, this is no delicate art project, the point is to smash the tissue paper into a ball.


















I just asked him what section he wanted to do next and what color he wanted to make it.






















And before we knew it, we had an awesome fish to hang on our wall! Plus it took us at least 45 minutes to an hour to complete. I will chalk this one up as fun, simple, clean, educational, and a great way to spend some Mommy/Lincoln time together. He was ready to do another one, but I told him we had to wait until tomorrow. I will definitely be restocking for Christmas!


















After craft time, we hit the kiddie pool for some fun in the sun.





















Or mud---that's where Lincoln spent most of his time.





















These two took a break while I hosed down the mud-covered patio.





















Here they are examining parts---belly buttons in particular.





















After we cleaned up it was time for lunch and some crazy hair.




















Corinne has some serious mohawk potential.




















Lincoln decided he wanted to model for me too.




















Cheese!




















This is her "What, I can't help it if I am adorable" look.




















Corinne headed to bed early and Lincoln and I played his new board game from Miss Linda. It is sort of like Candy land with the colored cards telling you how many spaces to move. But when you get to an animal you have to do what the card says---walk like a bear, dance like a monkey, etc. It was fun and another great learning opportunity. Gotta love those educational toys.





















On Friday, we ran errands and I picked up the newest Nicholas Sparks book "Safe Haven" to help me pass the time. With my projects complete I find myself watching the clock/calendar like a mad woman. The book lasted 1.5 days and now I am out of reading material. It was a good story, but I would have appreciated a couple hunded extra pages...now I am back to being bored. Luckily we had a busy weekend planned.


On Friday evening we headed over to the Lewison's for Jacob's 2nd birthday celebration.


















After Emily sang for us (she has a real gift), the kids broke out in a serious dance session.




















They were as wild as can be. Corinne showed off some of her moves too.




















Whatever it takes to wear them out for good sleeping that night.




















Then Jake blew out his own candle and the kiddos had cupcakes.

















Lincoln devoured his!





















After Jake opened his gifts, the kids took turns riding his mini roller coaster.




















The very next morning we headed to Pump It Up for Gabe's birthday party!
















It was a ton of fun for kids and adults alike.





















Lincoln even took a turn on the rock wall.






















It took awhile for Corinne to warm up to the place, but after a few trips down the big slide with me, she was ready for more.

















Ahhh how I love big kids. Gabe's cousins Brooklyn and Jenna carted Corinne around everywhere---giving my arms a much needed break.





















Here they are taking her through the obstacle course.






















Did I mention that I love big kids???
















My kids had so much fun and I know they were thankful. While we were enjoying pizza and cake Corinne grabbed my face and gave me the biggest kiss ever. Then she wrapped her arms around my neck and held me like she was never going to let go. Even with her horrible tooth ache, she had a great time and was super thankful. I asked her if she had fun and she nodded her head "yes" over and over. Ahhh, I live for those moments! Happy kids = happy Mama.

















QUOTES OF THE WEEK


Quote 1: When we went outside for some kiddie pool time.
Lincoln: "I am going to save Sissy from the bugs. I am going to scrape them into little pieces. See this is how you squish them." Stomps his feet over and over again.


Quote 2: While we are outside playing.
Me: "Watch out for poopy!" Referring to the Chomper pile.
Lincoln: "Who made that poopy?"
Me: "You tell me. Who makes thier poopy outside?"
Lincoln: "Bugs and dogs."
Me: "So whose big pile of poop is that?"
Lincoln: Contemplates the question, with a head tilt "I think it must be a big mommy spider who loves her babies."
Right, as opposed to one who doesn't love her babies.


Quote 3: While doing our second tissue paper project.
Lincoln: "I'm teachin' you how to do this. Roll it up Mama."
Me: "Thanks for teaching me."
Lincoln: "You're welcome. I'm a good teacher."
Me: "Yes you are."
Lincoln: "Teachers teach you how to do things. My teacher at church teaches me how to pray really nice."
Me: With a smile "Oh that's so good."
Lincoln: "Oh, that makes your heart really happy Mama."

Week 30

We had a very busy week with some low and high moments. The kids were a bit on the cranky side and I think they sense the anxiety of Daddy coming home. But on a good note, we got to hang out with friends and I got a lot accomplished in my party/homecoming prep.

On Monday, we headed to the Aquatic Center to meet up with our old friends: Jay and LeAnn and their two daughters, Ellie and Charley. Now I say old friends, but when I sat back and thought about it, I had never even met their kids and the last time I saw LeAnn was 11 years ago at her bridal shower! I was just a pesky high school kid then, but it didn't really seem like it was that long ago. Time flies I guess. Jay was flabbergasted that I was a mom these days (He is my Nana's son and has known me since I was born). It was great to see them all again and finally get to meet their great kiddos that I have only seen pictures of over the years. And of course it was so nice to chat in person with LeAnn, after years of emailing back and forth.

Corinne was ready for the pool right after her nap.





















But I had to remind her that we were not headed to the nude beach down in San Diego.






















Lincoln literally and figuratively "latched" onto Ellie. He was like a lost puppy dog, following her around the pool all afternoon. Ellie is a great "big kid" role model for Lincoln. She has awesome manners and was a huge help with corralling the little ones. Lincoln loved playing "shark" with her and going down the slides together.















After so much fun on Monday with no nap, it sort of set us up for disaster on Tuesday during Mommy and Me school. I could devote and entire blog to last Tuesday's events, but I will spare everyone the details. A condensed version goes a little something like this: Lincoln is a perfectionist who hates having his shapes even slightly crooked. He also hates when his name is not "just right". When I try to help him with my "righty" ways, his "lefty" brain insists that I am doing it all wrong. We left early after multiple meltdowns--myself included. I talked to his teacher later that day and discussed ways we can get over this hurdle. Pray for me for next week!
(Later on this week when we were working on his thank you notes, Lincoln told me he doesn't like other kids to see his shapes. He obviously feels embarrassed that they are not exactly right. So I told him that next class we will make "secret shapes" that only he and Mommy get to see. He said "Yeah, just like saying people are fat is a secret too!" This seemed to perk him up about practicing on the marker board at school. I just hope it works!)

The beginning of class went great, with him singing and dancing---it was all downhill after his rectangle was off by a few millimeters.




















In an attempt to salvage the day, we headed outside to play with Lincoln's new rocket blaster from Papaw and Amber---after both he and Corinne had a long, long nap!




















We literally had a blast and it was the perfect opportunity for him to practice counting. He can almost count backwards from 10 now!





















We literally had a "blast" playing with this. He kept telling me he was going to hit an airplane. It does go up to 100 feet!




















I put Corinne in the backpack carrier while we played and she enjoyed watching it just as much as we did. During our clean up, I decided to let him blast each rocket one last time and then we would try to catch them. Luckily they are nerf and a missed catch is no big deal, but I couldn't help but be reminded of a lovely childhood story of Nathan's: He and his best friend, Andrew, shot arrows up into the sky and then proceeded to try and catch them in their ball caps. Luckily both Nathan and Andrew still have both eyes, and are much older and wiser now. I just pray that Lincoln and Corinne don't come up with crazy "fun" games to play like their dad did as a kid.





















On Wednesday Corinne had another dance class, but was feeling tired and a bit under the weather, so she spent most of the class in my arms. Lincoln was the model child at her class--sitting quietly, using manners, and politely demonstrating for the younger kids when asked. Why can't he be like that on Tuesdays???





















In the midst of the chaos, I did a little sewing therapy and got the valance for the playroom finished!















Wednesday night, we spent cuddled up on the couches together. It was a high of 76 on Wednesday and we welcomed the cool weather with some snugly jammies.






















Corinne decided to relax and read.
























































After laying Corinne down for bed, I broke out the Toy Story Memory game we got Lincoln for his birthday. We only used about 2/3 of the deck to help him grasp the concept more easily.
















He really seemed to be getting the hang of it and was actually beating me at first.















Then I turned over a Rex card and he said, "Oh Rexy!" and ran off to get his Rex. It was all downhill from there because he didn't pay attention during my turns. I had to help him remember where some of the cards might be. But in a few more rounds, he will be a champ.





















On Thursday we hit up the commissary to stock up on food for our play
date on Friday. We made stromboli and the kids enjoyed the sunny, cool weather outside. There were a total of 6 kiddos at our house. Lunchtime looked like we could run our own daycare.















Colton brings out the wildness in Lincoln. It only took seconds after finishing lunch for them to get digging in the dirt.

















Mabel and Luke stayed away from the little mud monsters and enjoyed some time with the outside toys.





















Poor, polite little Mabel was slightly scared off by the rowdy boys.

















And Weston slept through most of the playdate.....





















That is until Corinne decided to point out all his parts. "Eyes, eyes, eyes!" I think she was a little confused that this "baby doll" had to be handled with care.

















We wrapped up the fun with some keylime cookies!






















After taking a turn in Lincoln's booster chair at lunch so Luke could use her highchair, Corinne decided she wanted to use it from now on and has since put up a bit of a fight about getting into her highchair. Lincoln is not too happy about this.






















But a little bribery with donuts always seems to do the trick.






















I just think she is trying to grow up too fast--ready to move into a booster chair, wear Mommy's shoes, etc. I want her to be my little baby forever!






















We spent Saturday shopping for fall clothes for the kids. It was a long exhausting day. I ran upstairs to open the windows and came down to find Corinne dancing on the table with her necklace on, trying to drink from my water bottle! These kids really wore me out this week.





















Saturday night, Lincoln enjoyed some popcorn out of his special holders from Grandpa Jinks while we watched Toy Story.




















On Sunday we headed to church in some of our new duds. Corinne had the cutest pigtails in her hair. Her hair is at this odd length that if I don't do it every day she looks like "the little girl that no one loved enough to brush her hair" or as my mom would call it a "ragamuffin". Lately she has been pulling her pigtails out and since I use the "ouchless" kind, it was really not a big deal. I didn't want her to pull them out during Sunday School, so I put them in extra tight. Upon arriving back at the house I go to get her out of the carseat and find her pigtailess and covered in hair. It literally looked like I let the old hairy Chomper rub all over her carseat. Apparently she is not tenderheaded, but she now has much less hair and looks even more like a ragamuffin!






















QUOTES OF THE WEEK


Quote 1: After eating and talking with his fingers in his mouth.
Lincoln: "Mommy, I have one of those foodgetteroutters?"
Me: "Huh?"
Lincoln: Tongue working on the side of his cheek, with a head tilt. "I have one of those food-getter-outters?"
Me: "Oh a toothpick!"


Quote 2: On our way to the pool.
Lincoln: "Who are we going to swim with?"
Me: "Our old friends, Ellie and Charley."
Lincoln: "They aren't your friends! They are my friends!"
I love that at this age, any kid qualifies as a friend.


Quote 3: While I was vacuuming and he was watching tv.
Lincoln: "I can't hear my movie. Doesn't everybody know it's not nice to vacuum when somebody's watchin' a movie!"


Quote 4: While cruising the aisles of the dollar store for little green Army men.
Lincoln: "I want one of those wakeruppers!"
Me: "Huh? A waker-upper? An air horn?"
Lincoln: "Yes!"
Me: "No way, not now, not ever!"
Why do they even make toys like that?