Thankful Tree

Colin and I worked on a thankful tree this year. The idea was to have him write something he is thankful for each day on a leaf and add it to the tree. I'm a realist so I knew if we wound up with half as many leaves on the tree as there are days in November then we did good. It's hard for a 5 year old to come up with that many things he's thankful for. It's also hard to convince said 5 year old to write on a leaf in addition to doing his homework each day. And lastly, these days it's hard enough for Mommy to remember to take her prenatal vitamins and feed the dog every day, so you can forget about remembering to do arts and crafts! 

So here is our tree, I think he did great!

Here is a close up of some of the leaves. He is thankful for his friends, nerf gun wars, gymnastics, football, toys and parties. I know, it looks like panties, but it is supposed to be parties, as in birthday parties (he went to one the day he wrote that leaf). It was a sloppy r on his part but it made me laugh and it still does each time I look at the tree, which is why I didn't have the heart to make him correct it. Other things on the tree are mom & dad, family, Awana, school, the world, Cooper and his baby brother. As sweet as the world and his baby brother were, panties is still my favorite leaf!

Gymnastics Recital

Colin's gymnastics class has come to and end and the kids had their recital for the parents. Here are some shots I got and a couple videos.

Ready, set...

...forward roll!

Backward roll!

Bridge

In mid head stand, going down!

Getting his certificate from Mrs. Lindsey

His class.

Showing off :)

Gymnastics flower

Colin’s round off

Oh Christmas Tree...

I'm usually a staunch supporter of giving Thanksgiving it's time and holding off on the decorations until the start of Advent or at least the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year we decorated early. It was strange, I totally have conflicting feelings on it. I still have some Thanksgiving and fall decorations out in the yard among the Christmas lights. It's weird. But this year is a different one, so we have to celebrate and decorate differently too. Since I have to head to Germany before Christmas to get ready to have the baby we wanted to get stuff up and done before I slowed down too much to do it, and so that I had a little time to enjoy it before leaving. The tree looks a lot different this year because it only has about half the usual ornaments on it. I won't be here when it's time to take the tree down and pack stuff up, so to make it easier on Shelby I only put up the ornaments that have their own special box with a picture on it. That way he and Colin and do it together and get everything back in the right place. The tree definitely looks bare to me, but Colin doesn't seem to mind and it's better than no tree for sure!

Goodbye's stink!

One part of military life that never gets easier is the goodbye's. Every place you go you meet new friends and eventually you have to say goodbye as you all go your separate ways. Sometimes you cross paths again, sometimes not...you just never know where the military will take you. Then sometimes you meet people that are so super awesome they end up becoming family, those are the hardest to say goodbye to. That is what happened with our next door neighbors and their girls. We had such a great time together and we all became family. We were so lucky to have such amazing people next door, preparing for their departure and saying goodbye was no fun at all. Hopefully we cross paths again one day and maybe we'll have the chance to follow them to England, we'll see!

A going away dinner for Dan and Rosanne. 

Our little family outside our Calzman's Castle. 1412 for life!

Night Out

Shelby and I went out to a going away dinner for our neighbors who are leaving us and moving to England. Colin and Sophia stayed at our house and Odilia's son, Daniel, babysat. Before we left we gave the kids a camera to take some pictures of one of their last nights together. This is what we got...

Hi Daniel!

Daniel and Sophia

Apparently they watched Wreck it Ralph.

When we got home both kids were sleeping on the floor, despite there being two empty and available couches. LOL Here is Sophia curled up on the floor...

And Colin wrapped up in his blanket on the floor, crazy kids!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Today Cooper turned one! He didn't get too big of a celebration, but he did enjoy some ice cream and treats. I can't believe how much he has grown in just a year. He's a BIG boy now! One big, giant, lover boy baby.

Here he is at 2 weeks old...

One month old!

The day we brought him home...

One year old! Enjoying a birthday treat.

Only on his birthday would I let him have a treat that makes such a huge mess!

Colin giving him ice cream with his dinner.

What IS this, Mom??

Happy Birthday sweet boy!