Valentime's Day

This post is really late. At least I'm getting it in before February ends. We don't really do much for Valentine's Day, or Valentime's Day as the girls call it (Thank you Junie B!). I didn't even get Derek a care package sent in time.......I just sent it last week. He didn't even get to call me because everyone else was trying to contact their loved ones.......so I got a short & quick email. I just got the kids a few things (coloring books, a little bit of candy......that they didn't like.....and balloons.) The balloons were just from the dollar store and they have held up better than any helium balloons I've ever purchased! This picture was just taken today and they are still holding air!

 

Blake absolutely loves balloons and is one of the few words he can say. ("boon")

 

The girls had great fun at their school Valentine's parties. They love writing out their Valentine's cards and choosing who will get what. Then they also love showing off the cards they received as soon as they get home!

We found a cute and simple craft to put together for their teachers.

 

The M&M's were the most expensive piece! The painting part was fun.......the glueing, not so much. A big blob of glue dripped to the floor and Allie leaned her hands down and put them right in it, causing 1st and 2nd degree burns. So, in the midst of putting these together, we made a trip to the ER. Luckily we weren't there too long and were home by 9:30 or so. But the girls wanted to finish their teacher's gifts so it was a very late night for them! I then had to cut up a bunch of fruit for these cute little individual fruit cups I made for Allie's class party. So it was a really late night for me. Luckily an old friend of mine, Deidra Newby, brought us some yummy Valentine's day cookies......they helped keep me awake the next day!

The Wrong Side of the Road

For those that haven't heard, Derek received his PCS (permanent change of station) orders. He is to report to RAF Mildenhall (Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall) by 15 August. Where is RAF Mildenhall you ask? ENGLAND!!!! It's about an hour and a half north of London. We are excited, nervous, overwhelmed.......you name it! We'll probably be there for 3-4 years. That's the usual amount of time to stay in one place but, then again, you never know with the military. With that being said, there is a slight possibility that his orders could change in the mean time.....like I said, you never know with the military. Official orders are usually processed 90 days out so we don't want to do too much planning until May or so.

I am a planner though so I'm already going crazy trying to figure out all that I'm going to have to do on my own to get ready for this huge move (since Derek doesn't get home until July.) I really don't even know where to start! But, like I said, we are super excited. What a great opportunity to travel all over Europe. We absolutely loved our quick week and a half excursion a few years ago! We think this will be a great experience for our kids and hopefully bring our little family closer together because we've been apart for WAY TOO LONG! We'll also be only 6 hours from our good friends, the Barkers, who are in Germany right now! Bonus! Plus, the language in England is....English so we don't have to worry about a language barrier. Driving on the wrong side of the road will take some getting used to though!

Random Pictures

We try to go to the library once a week

She refuses to take naps......obviously she still needs them

hanging out at GG's

All three kids were able to wear this winter coat!

Letters from Texas

Remember the letter that Allie wrote her classmates from Kuentz (Sweetest.Girl.Ever.) Well, she got some letters in return yesterday! She was thrilled. That smile you see in the picture never left her face! It really did make her day. The letters were so sweet. Most of them were saying that they missed her, they told her what they were learning, and what they got for Christmas. Her friend, Natalie, also drew her a Valentines picture with a Valentine card attached. This morning I asked Allie if she missed her class at Kuentz and she said yes and closed her eyes. I asked her why she was closing her eyes. She said she could picture them that way!

Purdue Basketball

If you know me well, you know I love basketball. It's my favorite sport! Other than playing, I really enjoy watching college basketball, especially Purdue.  I grew up watching it. My brother and I had a little over the door hoop and we would play our own little game as we watched Purdue play in the background. I actually do remember watching the current coach, Matt Painter, play when I was younger. The Emerick's were kind enough to give my Dad a pair of tickets to last Saturday's game against Michigan State. He asked me if I wanted to go and so I did! It's always fun to see a game live......especially with the seats we had. Unfortunately, Purdue isn't that great this year and they lost.

Another blurry pic but that's Robbie Hummel. His jersey (#4) was retired and is now hanging in the Purdue rafters with other Purdue basketball greats.

Jump It

We had a playdate at Jump It with Conner Saturday. All of the kids had so much fun! For the most part the older three went off and played on the big stuff with Ashley while I stayed on the two smaller ones with Blake. He loved it! His favorite was definitely when the other three were in playing with him. He thought he was hot stuff. (I'm starting to realize I need to bring my camera with me more often.......a lot of these are blurry).

New Preschool

Last week I enrolled Avery in a new preschool here in Indiana. I hate to say it, but I kind of needed a break. She can be a handful. I know she also needed to be around other kids her age and the structure/routine will be good for her. I was doing some things at home with Avery but I started getting kind of lazy in the planning. I will still work with her on Mondays and Fridays since she only has school Tuesday through Thursday. She is loving her new preschool though! The "first" day we went to just check things out and she sat back with me and just watched but it didn't take too long for her to join in. I ended up leaving her for the last hour. The next day she reminded me that I was just suppose to drop her off and not stay!

As you can see she is very happy. Smiling ear to ear. They are wearing pajamas for the letter "P" week.

These next few pictures are just some of us doing "school" at home.

Matching the #9 with nine dancers on the "dance floor"

Today's Valentine lesson

Play dough counting

Avery's First Haircut

I'm behind in a couple of my posts......Avery had her first haircut back in mid January. I had trimmed it once just to get the split ends but that was it. We tried to convince her to have Aunt Amy cut it as soon as we got here but she didn't want her to touch it, which is how it's always been......hence her first haircut at the age of 4! One day out of the blue she said she wanted it cut so I made sure to take advantage of it and had her appointment set up right away! She loves it. I like it too and it's so much easier to manage, but I do miss her cute curls.

BEFORE

AFTER

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Fresh Air!!!!!! It was finally warm enough to spend some time outside. We walked to the park and played for awhile and then walked to the bus stop to pick up Allie. Refreshing!

Blake ~ 17 Months

My little guy is already 17 months! I love this boy. Whenever I'm having a bad day he can always cheer me up! He is so sweet, has started giving kisses (and blowing them too). At the same time, he can throw little temper tantrums. At least they don't last too long. When he gets in trouble he knows. He will get a pouty face and hang his head so no one can see it. He's extremely smart. Follows commands, answers questions......usually by shaking his head yes or no or pointing to something for the answer. He's still not saying a whole lot. He has added a few words to his vocabulary (door, go, gone) When asked how old he is or how big he is he will proudly hold up one crooked little finger. He is a climber! He climbs on everything. Scares me to death. He also falls a lot and seems to easily get goose eggs on his head! He can be a fighter. He knows with two older sisters he has to stick up for himself. He and Avery seem to get into quite a few fights.....physical ones. It's actually kind of funny, but I've got to put a stop to it before someone really gets hurt. He has bitten her a few times and he can tackle her down.......and unfortunately, she does the same to him. But he is strong!

Here he is throwing one of his tantrums

He loves getting into the bin of winter accessories.  You can almost always find him digging through it and picking out a hat to put on.

One day the girls, Blake & Papa were playing hide & seek. Allie hid in the cabinet and  this spot is now one of Blake's new favorite places.

This boy loves to eat! He really likes popcorn and finds GG's stash every time we visit.

He also likes to throw anything! He has a good arm too.

This one is kind of long. More for Derek to watch. It shows Blake organizing all of the shoes. He does put them all back eventually.