The Party!

Happy Birthday Mary! Today was a gorgeous, hot, Okinawa humid day...perfect for a backyard water party. We had 4 pools, a water table, a slip n' slide and the ac cranked down extra low for a cool, comfortable haven afterwards. We had 6 mommies and 10 kids and LOTS of fun. Thanks everyone for making Mary's 3rd birthday such a special one! We have such a great group of friends here.


Yum, Asian cabbage salad with grilled chicken, veggies and spinach dip, fruit salad, pb&j's, and of course, cookies and cupcakes.

does it work?

Wednesday is Mary's birthday party with her friends. I started thinking that maybe we need to try out the slip n' slide to make sure it works. That would stink to open it for her party and it be a dud...esp, when it's supposed to be an outdoor water party. I plan on borrowing a few pools from friends to help make the yard into a mini water park. It was a hot day, perfect for playing in the water!

Well, that's a way to quench your thirst.Running through the spraying water!
"Hmmm, I'm on my belly, why aren't I sliding?" Mary couldn't grasp the idea of running and throwing herself down on her tummy to slide across the mat. I had to push her a couple of times, then I just gave up and told her to play any way she wanted. Maybe there will be an adventurous kid at the party to show her how it's done.

Jessica came over to play and she couldn't figure it out either. Oh well, they had a good time getting wet.

And Adam just hung out in the walker and watched.

Happy 3rd birthday, Mary!

3 years ago our lives changed dramatically. I've always heard that a baby changes your life...it really does. Sure, we don't go to movies, and restaurants are a luxury, and we have to share our music selection, but I cannot imagine our life without Mary. Because of her, I have learned that it is most definitely the "little" things in life that can make you happy. I love listening to her sing in her crazy off key voice, making up the words if she doesn't know them and astounding me with the number of songs that she does know. She makes me laugh when she's trying to tell me something and after repeatedly asking her "what? I don't understand", I finally get it and she says, "Now that's what I'm talking about!" She melts my heart when she holds tight to one of my fingers as we're crossing the street (she has to hold a finger since she says my hands are too big). I see the caring sister in her when she gives her brother toys or comes and gets me if he's crying. And I love how she stands at the door telling her Daddy, "I love you. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Easter! Happy Father's Day!..." each morning as he leaves for work. Yes, there are days that she drives me completely insane. I know that comes with the job, but if the first 3 years are any indication of what's to come, I say," Let's go, let's go L-E-T-S-G-O!"

Eating her special birthday lunch- Burger King chicken nuggets

Books!

Auntie Kaye stopped by and helped us celebrate.

Dress up clothes and movies!

Happy Birthday! (Look, Adam's already trying to steal it)

Thanks Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dennis

Adam's a jumper. We are treated to his laughs and smiles every time we toss him in the air or bounce him on our laps. I thought about getting him a jumper before we left on our trip, but I was afraid that since we were going to be gone for 4 weeks, he might outgrow the jumping urge by the time we returned. He didn't. Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dennis gave him some money for his baptism and we put it to good use. Here is his new present.

10 short hours and 9 min

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Life gets crazy when you're visiting relatives, going on a mini vacation and using someone else's computer. Let me just sum up our trip back to the States...wonderful.

We had a great time in Kansas City eating all of our favorite foods, seeing relatives, and getting Adam baptised. Mary thoroughly enjoyed getting spoiled by grandma and papa. I enjoyed getting a much needed break with the kids, shopping, eating wonderful food, taking a kid free vacation with Doug and, did I mention shopping? Doug enjoyed farm time with Dad, getting to see our new property, catching up with old friends and of course, driving the chicken. Adam was pretty happy drooling all over the place.

I will say, the flight home wasn't as easy as the flight to the States. Of course, we had much nicer layovers this time and so it wasn't as stressful, but Adam was a bundle of energy and didn't want to stay in the bassinet. Thankfully, Mary slept on all the flights, but nothing makes up for waking at 4am to get ready to go to the airport. That is one exhausting day. We flew from Kansas City on Wednesday the 16th to Denver. The flight was a bit too bumpy for my taste, since we were flying through a storm. Mary was all smiles and said, "This is fun! Bump.Bump" Ahh, the sweet innocence of childhood. We stayed in the nicest Crowne Plaza. I only wish the pool had been open, but that's ok. We ate at a Pizzeria Uno down the street and had a fabulous deep dish Chicago style pie. Super YUM! We woke up the next morning super early (4am) to get Adam fed, pack up the last of our toiletries and get on the shuttle bus to the airport. Our first flight was to San Francisco...a couple hours, not too bad. I had to chuckle when we were on our next flight from San Fran to Tokyo, the captain actually said, "We'll be in the air 10 short hours and 9 min." Our last and final flight was the most painful...at least to me. I was so dog tired, I just wanted to climb in bed. I knew we were close, but not home yet. Well, we made it. Safe and sound. Exhausted. Jet lagged.

Thank you everyone, for making this a wonderful trip for us. It was so great getting to see so many of you.

Backyard fun

Mary got a new bathing suit...a ballerina suit. It was just too cute for Doug and I to resist (how many times can I say that I LOVE being back in the States?) Yesterday was gorgeous outside, so after nap time, we blew up the pool for a little backyard fun. The water was super cold. Doug and Dad thought they would be smart and fill up the pool early in the morning, so it would be nice and warm after nap. Unfortunately, one of the plugs came undone and it totally deflated. Mary didn't care about the temperature. I had to get out once I lost sensation in my feet and Adam HATED it. (watch the expression on his face when we dipped his toes)

It's been a few days, but we finally got Mary on Papa's tractor mower...of course, Adam had to show her it wasn't scary. I think she decided that if her little brother could do it without crying, so could she. Can't have him showing her up.

Happy 6 month b-day Adam

6 months old today. Adam is getting quite a personality. He's super smiley, but will change to a grouch in a second when he's hungry or tired. Hmmm, kinda sounds like his mommy. He's trying to figure out how to crawl and is pretty good about wiggling backwards and rolling side to side. His new move is getting in the push -up position, but all the way up on his toes. Ouch! He's growing so quickly...too quickly.

FEED ME!

Well, it's been 6 motnhs (tomorrow) and it's time to feed the boy. I thought it fitting that when Mary was this age, we fed her for the first time at Grandma and Papa's house and now, we're doing the same for Adam. Ummm, gotta love that rice cereal! Ok, maybe not. Here are some of the pics.