You are my Sunshine, My only Sunshine

Halloween 2009

2009-10-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

Good times with Daddy in Singapore

2009-08-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

Myself, Logan, Andrew and about 20 of our friends and neighbors left saturday Aug 1st at 2pm and took planes, trains, buses, and automobiles and finally arrived in Singapore at 2am on Sunday. Checked into our AWESOME suite at the Hilton Singapore, got some sleep, breakfast, and a swim in the rooftop pool. Then a long nap and daddy arrived at 2pm on Sunday! Andrew and I ran down the hall to greet him with open arms, and when Logan woke from his nap he squealed with delight and also grabbed Marc with open arms. We were all hungry so we hit the streets and had some food on Orchard Rd and our first experience with all of the shopping in Singapore. Our hotel was right in the middle of the shopping district of Singapore...I did buy myself a new pair of cheetah print Birkenstocks:)
We headed back to the hotel for the boys to show Marc their new swimming abilities in the pool. Cocktails by the pool and dinner in the lounge, then a quiet relaxing night with daddy in our room.
Monday morning we took the boys to see their first play "The boy who cried wolf" at Singapore Repertory Theatre in Boat Quay and then made our way over to the Raffles hotel, which is the oldest hotel and most famous spot in Singapore. Logan was carsick (as usual) and puked all over the sidewalk inside the beautiful grounds of the Raffles hotel!! We wanted to have a drink in the famous Long Bar at the Raffles, but they had peanuts on the tables and peanut shells all over the floor...so we figured it would be best for Logan if we sat outside on the porch and admired the view. Next we walked over to the Suntec mall and purchased 3 day passes to ride the Hippo tour bus. It's an open topped double decker bus with a tour guide that travels all over the island of Singapore. We all LOVED the bus tours, you can hop on and hop off at any of the many stops on the tours, so we just used the tour bus as our taxi. And it was so cool to see the city from high atop a bus and to feel the cool breeze. We saw Little India, Chinatown, Arab street and much more. Tons of mosques, temples and churches. Tons of malls and hotels. Outdoor markets and shops everywhere. Singapore is a beautiful, tropical lush island filled with culture and entertainment. It is also very clean and everyone speaks English, tourism is very important to their economy. Chewing gum is illegal, smoking is frowned upon, and eating in the subway stations will get you a hefty fine. All of this we learned from different cab drivers, whom were all very kind and Singapore natives, another mandate by the Singapore government.
Monday night we enjoyed the Night Safari where a bat swooped my hair and then a random indian fellow grabbed my ankle because I screamed...so I screamed again. We all got a good laugh at my expense...and Logan keeps asking me why I'm afraid of everthing.
Tuesday I headed off to Little India by myself while the boys napped and Marc caught up on some work in the hotel. I visited the indian markets, bought a traditional indian outfit, and ducked into a few chinese buddhist temples and an indian mosque. Tuesday evening we met some of Marc's work friends at Hooters in Clarke Quay and then did the Singapore River Cruise. Truly beautiful to see Singapore from the water in the evening. Then we headed to Jumbo seafood and tried the famous "Chili Crab", Singapore's signature dish...it was yummy and very spicy.
Wednesday we headed over to Chinatown for some quick shopping then took the cable car over to Sentosa Island, a big new resort island that is growing very rapidly. We bought our tickets to go down the Luge...and go back up the sky-ride. The luge was awesome but the sky-ride was way too scary for me. The sky-ride was basically a ski lift to take you back up the mountain after you had ridden the luge down. But there was nothing holding you in the seat and we were just dangling HIGH above the ground for a very long ride...I was doing everything I could to keep my cool because Logan was with me. Marc and Andrew were in the seat ahead of us and they were both scared too, Logan was the only brave one...and he kept asking me why I'm scared of everything:) We rode the Luge 4 times, but only took the sky-ride twice...we took a bus and walked back up the other two times, it was too scary!!
We went to the aquarium and saw the pink dolphin show and then headed back to the hotel for some rest before another night out on the town. That evening we got t-shirts at Hard Rock cafe, had some yummy appetizers at a nice Brick-Oven pizza restaurant, then headed over to Esmirada restaurant for a late dinner and dish breaking entertainment! Our friends who used to live in Singapore recommended the restaurant to us. It was delicious greek/mediterranean food and they pass out plates around 9:30pm for everyone to throw on the floor and break. The kids thought it was awesome to break dishes and it was just lots of fun for all of us.
Marc headed out at 6am on Thursday and the kids were so tired they could barely even wake up to say goodbye. We relaxed around the pool until noon, Then headed over to Bugis flea market, where I got a double Buddha for my collection and the boys each got a new toy. I had never seen a double buddha - so I asked the vendor what it meant and he said "double happiness"...I had to have it! The boys and I had another late dinner at California pizza kitchen (yes -I miss american food) and then headed to the airport at 10pm to catch our midnight flight.
We were home by noon on Friday and greeted by our neighbors with a block party that afternoon. That evening we had Logan's pizza party for the end of his soccer season and he got his first TROPHY, he is so proud:) Life is good...

A note for me to remember...

2009-06-11T01:51:00.000-07:00

So we are sitting at the dinner table tonight and Logan said the most amazing thing. He always amazes me with his logic. He is 5 and half years old. We were just having a casual conversation over dinner and I asked him like I always do...about what was his favorite part of the day. He explained about how he liked the nice kids. And he recalled a story of one of the kids on our street who had been not so nice that day. Then we had this exact conversation.
Logan: So, I will put the good things in blue and put them on this side of my brain. And then I will make the bad things in red and put them on this side of my brain(pointing to the other side of his head). My brain is a machine you know. And then I will lock them up so that I remember. And I have a key that will make me see everything.
Me: what do you mean the good things are blue?
Logan: You know, the good things that you tell me to do. Everything starts out white (he is pointing and waving his hands right in front of his eyes) and then if it's good I paint it blue and move it over to this side of my brain(moves his hand to the right side of his head) and then it's locked in my brain. And all of the bad things that you tell me not to do are red and I put them on this side(pointing to the left side).
Me: what is something that is blue?
Logan: ummmm, playing with my nice friends.
Me: what is something red?
Logan : Not to play with the kids who are not nice to all the kids all the time.
Me: did someone teach you this about your brain?
Logan: No, I made it up.

I love that kid!!!!!

2009-06-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is the tree in our side yard that the boys have learned how to climb...and get stuck in. Andrew snuck out the other day and I didn't know it. He got stuck in the tree and just waited until a neighbor across the street drove up. He couldn't remember her name so he called out "Hey You!...Yeah, You! Can you get me out of this tree?" Chrissy couldn't stop laughing and helped him down. I heard him calling her and came out to watch the rescue. That little rascal ALWAYS sneaks out and my neighbors have to send him back in. I can only take a shower while he is at school or asleep, because that is his favorite time for a getaway. Good thing we live in such a safe place. Oh, and by the way, the matching red superhero shirts they have on are courtesy of themselves at the NEX. We went in the other day, and they both pulled the tags off of these shirts, and took of the shirts they were wearing and put on these shirts. Then they came up and said "Mom,can we buy these?" they also did this with a new pair of shoes for each of them...red crocs for Logan and Teva flip flops for Andrew. Now, I can only shopping while they are at school too!! They are sooooo full of mischief and fun!

Andrew on the scooter

2009-05-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Logan are both fearless on the scooters, skateboards, and bikes. This is about a month ago.

The Field Trip

2009-02-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

We visited the Meiji Shrine Temple and Harajuku for our field trip for the ICR class. We asked James Patterson to join us and we all had a great time. We all LOVED the awesome crepes in Harajuku.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T01:30:00.000-08:00

Wow! Hello Japan.

2009-01-02T02:22:00.000-08:00

Well, today is the end of day 5 in Japan and what an amazing adventure we have already had! We left my parents house at 5 am on Sunday with a wonderful sendoff from Stephanie & Cam who both spent the night before. We were with my parents in 2 cars with 8 gigantic suitcases and 5 carry-ons! Two flights and twenty four hours of travel later, we arrived at Narita airport in Tokyo Japan...and it was 5pm on Monday in Tokyo. The boys were amazing and everything went smoothly...thanks Steph W for the St. Christopher pendant, I know it was protecting us the whole way! I haven't taken it off yet.
We were greeted at the airport by Andy Berner(our sponsor family) with lots of snacks and sandwichs and a big van to drive us home to the base. I was falling asleep with the boys in the backseat, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of Disneyland and lots of HUGE ferris wheels, and LOTS of bright lights and big city! Tokyo is huge and amazing. But I was too tired to notice anything else, except that we were on the wrong side of the road...and the wrong side of the car...and there was NO ENGLISH signs anywhere! Andy delivered us safely to our hotel rooms on base which they had also stocked with lots of food and goodies for us.
We woke up at 3am (jetlag) and spent the next day taking care of paperwork around the base and getting oriented around the base settled into our hotel rooms, and taking a seriously long nap. then we had a nice dinner at the Berner's house that evening. They have been amazing and we are so appreciative for all of their help. They are showing us the ropes of base life and Japan, so that we can pay it forward when we have to sponsor a family who is new to Japan in the future. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly and helpful!

Weds was our next day...which was also new years eve. We were too tired and jetlagged(which Marc says is all in my head although he is feeling it too, but calls it being sick :) )to do much. Medical, housing, and preschool check-in paperwork and then a commissary run, because the base shuts down for NY day. Japan celebrates New Years as one of the biggest holidays of the year. Thanks so much to the Wards for the commissary run. The "Reward" family as Logan and Andrew call them have also been amazing. Marc went to flight school with Ken Ward in Jacksonville in 2002. They have 4 great kids which our kids adore AND this is their 2nd tour in Japan (built in natives, although they were on a different base, SASEBO before, near OKINAWA). We also went to Disney in Orlando with them in October. We will be mentioning LOTS about the "Reward" family.
We were asleep by 9 on NY eve and of course awake by 4 on Thursday, NY day. We relaxed all morning and then got a call at 1pm from Ken..."Let's go to Kamakura today and see The Great Buddha" Ummm, "YES! YES! YES!" We piled 6 kids and 4 adults into 2 cars and then headed for the train station. We followed Ken and Tammy as they navigated us thru 4 train stations, lots of ticket booths, narrow sidewalks, and using yen for the first time. What an adventure, we had a blast and truly this was the best New Years day of my life! I bought a big shiny gold buddha for my collection at The Great Buddha and was thrilled to spend my afternoon soaking up Japan and just being in awe. This place is undescribable. People, people and more people. Buildings, buildings, and more buildings. Silence, silence and more silence. It is so quiet here.
Friday morning we woke up at 3 again (jetlag still) and took care of more medical and childcare paperwork. Logan got a Hep A shot and we got the kids signed up for basketball, creative dance, preschool from 2-5, and parents night out at the CDC...all before 930am. Wow, this is so much more than we are used to! Lee B, our amazing sponsor, called and invited to take us to the 100 yen store off base (like the dollar store, but Japanese goodies) and then to a great red slide park for the kids. We said yes and were very excited! We stopped by the "Reward family's" house to say hello and they invited us to go to see the Emporer's Palace in Tokyo today. The Imperial palace is only open TWO days of the year, Dec 23rd and Jan 2nd. So of course, count us in! We invited Lee, Andy, Zack and Abby to join us...but Andy had to work, so it was just us and the Wards. And off we go on another adventure. Truly an amazing day, Tokyo is unbelievable. Again, tons and tons of people...yet so quiet. Everything is so clean and pretty. We even let the kids sit on the floor of the subway train...that's how clean it is. High rise buildings everywhere! And still no English signs! I'm definitely going to learn to read japanese, even if I can't speak it. We have been able to deal with Logan's egg and peanut allergy by pointing to the phrase "I'm allergic" and then the word "egg" and "peanut" in our little Japan book. (THanks CAm! awesome book, we will call it our new bible)
Then after our awesome trip to the Imperial Palace, which I carried Andrew and Marc carried Logan as they slept...jetlag...we headed back to the train/subway. We decided to have lunch in Tokyo station which is underground train station. It has a dining court and was so much fun! We ate lots of fun foods and couldn't figure out anything...need to learn some Japanese! Then we head on to Yokahama station, another train station underground on our way home and walk thru the most sheik and fancy mall....underground, in a subway. With the crazy loud techno music playing! Oakley, the Wards 3 yr old and youngest daughter was startled by an old snaggle- tooth Japanese man who was giving her candy. Apparenty the Japanese love kids and give them things all the time. Oakley was also given a box of chocolates as a gift from a random lady at the Imperial Palace.
We returned from our adventure and got baths and into bed quickly by 8pm. Then we recieved a call from the Keithley's inviting us to a small cookout tomorrow night with 2 other family's we haven't met yet. We are buying the Keithley's cars from them because they are leaving and moving back to the states next week...$2500 total for both cars...a Honda Odyssey van and a honda integra car, both with less than 50,000 miles. Welcome to base life! This is an instant family and community. Everything is within walking distance, and everyone is taking care of everyone else. I am so overjoyed and excited for these next few years! Wow! oh, and i really do miss all of you at home. I want to pick up my phone constantly to call you and tell you about all of this, but I don't have a phone yet :) so you'll have to deal with a long winded blog instead. Pictures will come tomorrow, I wanted to get down everything I could, while I can remember...still VERY jetlagged.

bad blogger

2008-12-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

i am making it my resolution to update the blog more in the upcoming year! be prepared for information overload!!!!!!

raleigh with the zayacs

2008-12-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

we had a quick meetup with the zayacs in raleigh,nc. it was so awesome to see erica, and the boys were so happy to see eachother. we went to a carolina hurricanes hockey game and were super high up in the sky...SCARY! we played in the pool and just had a great time hanging out in the hotel. and i got to spend the day with Erica on her birthday! we are so going to miss them...

disneyworld october

2008-12-11T09:42:00.001-08:00

We had loads of fun in Disneyworld! My favorite part was all of the parade ands fireworks! We all loved the shows! I can't wait til the kids are bigger and more willing and able to go on the scary rides..Logan is a bit of a chicken, but Andrew is his normal daredevil self. Goofy's roller coaster was great! The kids LOVED meeting the Ward family and their 4 kids...which is awesome since we will be in Japan with them. The boys call them "the Reward family". Nice! We had adjoining rooms as the Shades of Green resort, so we got to hang out with them in the evenings. Fun was had by all!

Marc's Hail and Farewell

2008-07-24T03:26:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was Marc's hail and farewell from CCSG-12. He will officially step down from his position as Admiral Holloway's secretary on August 11th. The hail and farewell was at the Little Creek Base in a beach pavillion. After the speeches and such, we went in the ocean and tried out COS Beaver's kayaks. The boys are turning into little fish this summer. We are going to be loving the dock at Yaya and Papa's house in a few weeks!

Mrs. Jane's pool

2008-07-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor across the street "Mrs Jane" loves for us to come over and use her pool...and we love to use it! Andrew finally figured out to stay afloat in the lifejacket. He was swimming all around the pool saying "look at me, i don't need anybody, not you daddy, not you mommy, not mrs jane. i don't need anybody." he was so proud of himself, and he was swimming SOOO fast. his legs were literally running underwater and he was just cruising doing laps around the pool. On Monday night we finally got Logan to go in the pool without his lifejacket and he did great. I think we can officially say that both boys "learned to swim" in Mrs Jane's pool. Thanks Mrs. Jane! We will miss her bringing us out popsicles at the pool and seeing her everyday at the YMCA, she works in the childwatch and takes care of both boys. We made her muffins last week, and I gave her all of my tomato plants to plant in her garden since we are moving. Her tomato garden is huge a flourishing!

Great Dismal Swamp Trail

2008-07-24T02:24:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we took the boys to the Great Dismal Swamp Trail for a bike ride. This is a fabulous trail that runs alongside the Great Dismal Swamp. It used to be a highway, but they built a new highway and made it into a bike trail. It goes on for miles and miles all the way down into North Carolina. It's beautiful. I will miss all of the great parks and outdoor recreation that Virginia has to offer. It is a truly beautiful state.

Can you believe we fit all 4 bikes and the bike trailer in the van. I LOVE MINIVAN!
Andrew and Logan biked 3/4ths of a mile and then we turned around to go back to the van. Andrew was done by the last stretch of the mile and half trek for them, so it's a good thing we turned around. He was ready to just get off the bike and leave it in the middle of the road. We headed back to the car and hooked up the bike trailer to Marc's bike. Marc pulled the boys for the first five miles, and then we hooked up the trailer to my bike, turned around and I pulled them back for the last five miles. What a great day!

Virginia Living Museum

2008-07-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News for DINO-MANIA with lots of huge robotic dinosaurs, a dinosaur puppet show, and lots of fun live animals. It's almost like a zoo and an aquarium in one place. We all had lots of fun.

andrew is going to work

2008-07-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Back to blogging...

2008-07-08T05:11:00.001-07:00

I posted a few updates below and stay tuned for more!
As for me, I am 100% healed and feeling FABULOUS!

Fun with the Zayacs

2008-07-08T04:43:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics of the fun we had with Erica, Benjamin & Bradley before they left for Hawaii. We miss them dearly. I wish I had more pictures. We went to Busch Gardens, the zoo, Bradley's birthday party and much more that I am forgetting.
Logan is missing his buddies very, very much and talks about them daily. He insists on wearing something red everyday because it "would make Benjamin happy, because Red is Benjamin's favorite color". The navy changed things around for the Zayacs so they are headed back to Chesapeake in Sept., so we are hoping to plan a trip to see eachother , and even see our great friends the Mongolds who just moved to Jacksonville. Looking back on the friendships I have made I really wish I took more pictures! Lesson learned, I will take more pictures!
Erica is home taking care of house business this week, so we will get to have some quality time together that I am really looking forward to.

BIG NEWS!!! Kon'nichiwa

2008-07-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

I am going to have to get better at blogging now, since it may be our main source of communication with family and friends. Our latest navy adventure is taking us to JAPAN!
We will be stationed at Atsugi Navy Base, about an hour from Tokyo, Mt Fuji, and lots more. The weather where we will be living is comparable to the weather in Washington DC, all 4 seasons. The time difference is 14 hours ahead of Eastern US time. There is so much to look forward to!
Marc is going to training in Jax, Fl from March until Novemeber, and then we are slated to be in Japan by December 2008. We will be there until June 2011, so save your pennies and come for a visit! The more the merrier! The boys and I will be living in Charleston with my mom from mid-august until the end of November. Much more to come...

On the boat with the Wastaks

2008-07-08T03:43:00.000-07:00

Logan has turned into a fish, and absolutely loves to swim (with his lifejacket). We had a blast on Memorial Day in the boat with the Scott, Allison & Ashlynn!

Gratitude

2008-04-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

So it's been a very long time since the last post and I know lots of people are wondering how I'm doing. I didn't want to write about all of the medical issues that I've gone through, but I now feel it is time to do so. I will try to make this as brief as possible.
I haven't posted anything since December because Marc returned home from his 6 month deployment on Dec 23rd and we've just been too busy. Marc's parents came to visit for 2 weeks at Christmas and then I surpised Marc with a trip for the 2 of us to go to New York City the day after Christmas. Grandma and Grandpa Galman stayed here with the boys. We had an AMAZING 4 days in NYC! Our first trip without the kids!
Then on January 23, I went up to Richmond for the BIG surgery. I had a 7 hour surgery to remove a cyst from my bile duct/liver which included some extensive reconstruction of my bile duct and intestines. I spent a LONG week in the transplant hospital in Richmond, VA(which is a 2 hour drive from our house). My brother came and stayed with us for a few weeks to help out with the kids so that my mother and Marc could take care of me in the hospital in Richmond. They took turns keeping me company thru my recovery. Then I returned home and had 5 more weeks of recovery at home. Only 2 weeks after the surgery I was hit hard with a 24 hour stomach bug!! Yes I was vomiting and diarhea and in terrible pain ON top of the major pain I was already in. It took me a few days but I recovered from the bug. Then my sister came to stay with us for a week and take care of us. After my sister's stay, my mother returned for another week. During my 6 week recovery, I couldn't do any driving or lifting or much walking, etc. Needless to say, It's very hard to take care of a 2yr old and 4 yr old after major abdominal surgery. I needed my family and they were there for me. My friends and loved ones sent many many cards and emails, flowers, gifts, meals, and phone calls. I was prayed for by everyone. And I recovered Wonderfully! We went home to Charleston for easter and I was doing fantastic! My doctor in Richmond couldn't believe how great I was doing. I am in the best shape of my life. I got myself in the best shape ever before surgery, so I was determined not to let the surgery hold me back. I have been exercising regularly and I really am very healthy and strong. On March 30, I was 9 weeks post surgery and climbing the rock wall at the YMCA! And then on March 31st, I was hit hard with the worst abdominal pain imaginable. I called Marc at work at 8am and told him to come home immediately, I needed to go the ER. My neighbors and beloved friend Erica came to take the boys. At the ER, they did CT scans and determined I had bowel obstruction and they took me in for immediate explorative surgery. After 2 hours in surgery they found that the scar tissue from my BIG surgery had tied a loop in my intestines and that was causing the obstruction. They said if they had not operated on me immediately, I would have lost a few feet of intestine...that would not have been good. So I spent another LONG week recovering in the hospital. Now I have been at home for a week and I have about 3 more weeks and I should be fine. My mother drove up immediately from Charleston(7 hour drive) to take care of the boys. Then my sister came and stayed for a week. Marc's parents flew all the way from Oregon and arrived on Tuesday to stay for 2 weeks and take care of us. And throughout all of this, Marc has been amazing. He goes to work everyday and then comes home and takes care of me. He never let me be alone in the hospital. He never let me get sad. And he made me laugh so much! Which hurts really bad when you just had abdominal surgery...but also made me feel sooooo much better. He has been my rock. I can't imagine how scared he must have been, but he never let me get scared. All of these people are the reason for my gratitude. All of you who are reading this, all of you who prayed for me. I am so thankful to you. Your prayers were heard, and they were certainly felt by me.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT I DO. I don't even know how to say thank you for all of this. This is the reason I felt I needed to write this.
I have had my moments of depression, anger and self pity, but they have been very, very few. I have been so loved and so supported and taken care of that I really haven't had time to get depressed. Every email, card, and phone call made me smile. And really, as bad as all of this has been...it could have been worse. It could have been a LOT worse. I am doing wonderfully, and I am a better person because of what I have been through. I have learned that we should always help someone when we have the opportunity. And I have learned to be grateful! Grateful for your loved ones and for your life.

pictures with santa

2007-11-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

we went to the mall today to see santa. can you believe that in the past four years that erica and i have been friends, we only have about 3 pics of us together. this is so sad when i think about how much time we've spent together...and she may be moving to hawaii in a few months...boo hoo. so be on the lookout, i'm determined to get some photos of me & erica together.

playhouse disney live on stage

2007-11-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

erica & i took the boys to see playhouse disney live on stage on sunday. it was loads of fun...mickey mouse clubhouse, little einsteins, tigger & pooh, and handy manny. we all enjoyed it!

it's been a while

2007-11-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

it's been forever since i posted so here are some photos from halloween and the boys combined birthday party over thanksgiving. which turned out to be the "sick" year. Yaya had a broken foot, Papa couldn't come for thanksgiving because he was sick with a very bad flu. GiGi (my grandma) thought she re-broke her hip and we had to take her to the ER and Logan and Andrew both had colds and fever. But we made the most of it with Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Matthew! It was a great thanksgiving and the boys had a blast for their birthday party...which included me, mom , Stephanie & Matthew. It was very peaceful and certainly no stress, just worries about everyone being under the weather. and yes, andrew's cake is swiped...he got to it before i could get the camera. that little rascal is sooooo fast.

the pumpkin patch

2007-10-29T04:39:00.001-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday and had a blast! Check out Erica's blog for lots of pics of our boys.

scroll down on the right side until you see the column "my blogger friends"...and choose Erica's blog.

a halloween party

2007-10-27T19:14:00.001-07:00

we went to the children halloween party for the ship spouses club today. it was lots of fun for the boys, although they were both a little freaked out by all the wild kids in costumes running around jacked up on candy. The boys thought is was the best that they got to have a lollipop AND a juicebox. oh and by the way, I made...on my never before used sewing machine...both of these costumes. I'll try to take better pics on halloween when they go trick or treating.

Logan's school portrait

2007-10-23T10:33:00.001-07:00

Here's the cutest little man ever! he loves loves loves school too.

Mcdonalds ice cream cones...fun fun drippy fun

2007-08-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

We went to mcdonalds yesterday after seeing THOMAS the train LIVE ON STAGE! It was lots of fun. I got the boys their first ever Mickey D's ice cream cones. Andrew INSISTED on holding his own ice cream cone. This was too cute.

how old are you andrew

2007-08-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

andrew thinks he's 3 since that's how old logan is. Andrew is almost 21 months old. he can say one with his hand, but he needs a reminder to say 1 with his mouth.

Happy Birthday Dear Daddy

2007-08-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Marc, we hope you have a wonderful day!

We are on haircut strike!

2007-08-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

This is the before picture of getting their haircuts on weds.

This is Andrew during his first professional haircut. He was actually pretty good and sat in the chair. I guess it was that lollipop he was enjoying. We tried going to a real salon, where I get my haircut, instead of the kids salon Cartoon Cuts.

I don't have a picture of Logan, because he wasn't sitting still... and I was too busy chasing Andrew around the salon while Logan was getting his hair cut. Now I know why I have always gone to cartoon cuts before now...they watch a movie and get a lollipop while they get their haircut. However, cartoon cuts are not very good at haircuts.

I don't have an after picture of their haircuts because they are so un-noteworthy. They are not terrible haircuts, but they are not great haircuts. Logan has very very thick and straight hair. Andrew has very very thin and straight hair. I've determined that it doesn't matter whether I take the kids somewhere for a haircut or I cut it myself...something is always wrong with their hair...maybe it's just because kids don't sit still, that's what I'll tell myself. SOOOOO. I've decided to go on haircutting strike. I will have long haired hippie kids, exactly the way I want it! These next 3 pictures are from when Logan got his last haircut in April at cartoon cuts, and Andrew got his home haircut from me. EVERYONE in our family hated this haircut on Logan, however Marc and I kinda liked it. As for Andrew, he is just so cute right now, he can wear any haircut.

will it fit?

2007-08-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

Andrew was eating some turkey and was just shoving it right on in.
And then some more in...
And then he wanted to show me that he got it all in there! Unfortunately, he got up and then decided he didn't want it anymore and spit it all onto the floor. Lovely.

Counting the days...

2007-08-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

Logan started about a week ago telling me everyday "Mommy, we forgot to pick up daddy on the ship today." So we decided to try a paper chain to see if it would help him to understand that daddy was going to be gone for quite a while. We tear off one link every night before bed and when all the links are gone...daddy will be home. We've had it up for about 3 days and yesterday I think he finally understood what it meant. He said "Mommy, that is a LOT of days". And all I could say was "yes, it is a LOT of days."

YOU MUST TRY THIS RECIPE - GREEK GAZPACHO

2007-08-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is the BEST Greek Gazpacho. I made it for Bunco last month and ALL 12 ladies loved it. I made it again yesterday just to have in my fridge because it's so yummy, and so healthy too. DELICIOUS!
Here is the link to the recipe

http://www.housebeautiful.com/barefoot-contessa/barefoot-contessa-recipes-0607

APPLE BEANS

2007-08-06T11:36:00.001-07:00

So I have started a new ritual around our house. It's called roomtime and I read it somehwere but I can't remember where. Anywho, at 10:00 every day, the boys have to go into their room and play alone for 1 hour. Andrew is still napping in the morning at this time, so it's easy for him. But Logan didn't really like the idea the first day. He cried and wanted me to play with him and wanted to come out of his room. I gave him some puzzles and books and other games that he can't play with when Andrew is around and told him to have fun. I also put on a cd of nursery rhymes and gave him a snack to eat his room, boy that was a treat! So by the second day, Logan was coming around and he seemed to like roomtime. On the third day I didn't hear from him the whole hour and when I went in to get him at the end, he showed me a puzzle that he had completed all by himself from start to finish!!! It was a 24 piece Clifford puzzle. I couldn't believe it, and he was sooooo proud of himself. So today was the fourth day of roomtime and Logan asked for an apple for his snack (I know my mother is cringing to read that I am giving my kids a snack in their bedroom...but a mommy's gotta do what a mommy's gotta do.) So I peeled Logan an apple, put it in a small plastic yellow bowl, gave him a napkin and let him sit on the floor in his room. After about 10 minutes I hear Logan calling me...I go to his room...

Logan holding the little yellow plastic bowl says- "Mommy, are these the apple beans?"

Me - "yes, those are the seeds, you don't eat those. where's the rest of the apple?"

Logan - opens his empty mouth wide and points his finger in

Me - "you ate it all?"

Logan - "yes"

Me - "Where's the CORE???"

Logan - opens empty mouth wide again

Me - "ALL OF IT????"

Logan - "yes, it was a big juicy red apple. yum"

And this is all that was left of the apple... the apple beans in the little yellow plastic bowl I had given him the apple in. He ate every single bit of that apple...core and all...have you ever heard of such a thing?

As for Roomtime, Logan gets excited now when I tell him it's roomtime! This is the greatest thing EVER!!!! I get an hour of peace and quiet while Logan learns how to play by himself. SUCH A GREAT IDEA...I wish I would have thought of it myself.

So here's some more funnies for Logan. Logan hates to have his hair washed because he doesn't like the water to get in his eyes. I always let him hold a washcloth over his eyes while I wash it. Well the other day I was hurrying the bath routine (which is usually daddy's job, so I'm not that good at it.) and I didn't give him a washcloth. I was trying to teach him to wipe his hands with his fingers so that he could get used to having water on his face. He was crying and screaming for me to give him a washcloth and I told him we didn't have any just to see what he would do. Logan's response was "WELL THEN GIVE ME SOME TOILET PAPER!!!!!!!!" He is too funny, I didn't give him the toilet paper, I gave him a washcloth and all was well.

AND we went in Erica's pool yesterday and Logan was swimming all around BY HIMSELF with the lifejacket. He and Benjamin were having races to see who could swim to the other side of the pool the fastest. Logan is getting good at the doggie paddle!!! For those of you who don't know Logan this is a HUGE accomplishment. Not only does he hate the water on his face in the bath, he hates the pool. I had to take him out of swimming lessons because he refused to go in the water. This is major stuff! he said he wanted to go back to Jimmin's pool today! I'm so proud of him!

I'm not so proud of him however because when Benjamin got to the side of the pool first...Logan boxed him in the face! Logan said "I was just trying to win, mommy". Luckily, sweet Benjamin said to me, "It's okay Ansley, it was an accident. Logi didn't mean to, just an accident."

Logan is not showing the best sportsmanship lately. About 6 or seven kids were having bike and foot races in the road the other day and when Logan didn't win...He burst into tears and cried for at least 5 mintues. He kept saying "I wanted to win, I wanted to win. " Then when it was time to race again, Logan decided to sit and watch the other kids race. I asked him why he wasn't racing and he said "Because they go too fast" . Poor kid. Logan was the only kid who was on foot, all the other kids were on bikes or scooters. He ran fast fast fast and he still was keeping up with them all. It was so sad to see him get so upset that he didn't win. One of the other sweet kids,( sorry renee I can't remember if it was ben or kyle) said "It's okay Logi, we can race again and we'll let you win". Logan just decided to play something else. I didn't know Logan was so competitive, he certainly doesn't get that from me. Marc talked to him about it on the phone a little, and Logan got sad again when he was telling Marc that he didn't win. Oh well, maybe next time!

Here's the boys having a snack at their new table in the kitchen. I got the table at Michaels craft store for $15 about 6 months ago. It was unfinished wood and I finally painted it black. I got these adorable antique oak schoolhouse chairs at a garage sale 2 weeks ago for $1 each!!!! what a bargain, and the boys love sitting at their little table!

a trip to the museum...

2007-08-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Click here for a link to erica's blog and our trip to the museum...
http://measdollydimples.blogspot.com/2007/08/better-than-movies.html

stupid words, phrases or sayings

2007-07-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

ok, so I heard someone refer to themself as "anal retentive" the other day. I've been thinking about this for awhile now. so i thought I would share my thoughts. what does that phrase mean? Does it mean they hold things in their butt? It seems SO STUPID to say that. I think a better choice of words is obsessive compulsive, or neat freak or something like that. But "anal retentive", I mean really...what does that mean? So I looked in my handy dandy dictionary and believe it or not....it was in there!! it says "Anal retentive (of a person) excessively orderly and fussy, (supposedly owing aspects of potty training in infancy)."

So I'm still confused. Why would anyone want to say that? You will never ever catch me calling someone anal retentive...unless I am referring to the fact that they aren't taking a poop!

Backyard fun

2007-07-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Bradley are teetering tots...on the teeter totter.

The Zayac boys came over to run around in the backyard...fun fun fun.

Andrew's jam session

2007-07-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

so i'm just playing around and trying to see if i can put a video on here. ok, let's see if this works...

Making up for lost time

2007-07-25T03:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I should have started this when Logan was born...but better late than never right. So I will start now and gradually add in the memories from before. I hope that Marc can read this from the ship...if not he will at least be able to read it when he gets home. We miss you so much daddy!

Here's a little about what the boys are doing right now. Logan is 3 and a half and just started summer camp at the best little montessori school. He is beaming with pride because he can wipe his own bum and get himself dressed. He has been potty trained since about a month after his third birthday, including nighttime. Logan wakes up and goes to the bathroom in the middle of the night...all by himself. But we didn't start wiping our own bum until last week...since that was required in order to start school. This is big stuff!!

He ran right into school with no problems. He never even looked back at me after the big hug and kiss goodbye. He ran right up to the other little kids and said "Hi, my name is Logan. I turned 3 on Christmas eve. What's your name?" This is Logan's usual greeting for everyone we see, everywhere. He is a very social kid.

Logan cracks me up daily with the things he says... here are a few.

- "Mommy, why do you have whiskers on your legs?" Oops, I guess I should shave.

- yaya asked logan "what do your new rocking chairs say?" (the chairs are painted with the boys names). Logan's response was "rocking chairs don't talk!"

- I was praying the other day and Logan asked my why I was talking to the ceiling.

As for 20 month old Andrew, he is fun, fun, fun, with a dash of trouble and a loads of love. He is talking up a storm(quite the contrast of Logan who chose to only use sign language until almost 2 and a half). he will say whatever you ask him to say. And he has to have the last word! If you tell him something, he always says "OK". And if he asks you a question, and you answer the question, his response is "oh". For instance, he likes to ask "where's daddy?" and I say "on the ship" and Andrew says "oh". Like I said, he wants to have the last word. He absolutely adores Logan and follows him around all day saying and doing whatever Logan does or tells him to do. Logan says daily to Andrew "Come on Andrew, we've got work to do!" and off they go down the hall to play.

Andrew is very loving and loves to give kisses and hugs. The kisses are finally now with a closed mouth. This is quite nice. He also loves to say I love you, but it sounds like. "ruv ru". We were standing in line at the post office yesterday and he kept saying it to the lady behind us, and he couldn't figure out why she wasn't saying it back. He also says "Hi" and "Bye" to everyone we see. Another social kid.

He's a pro at saying sorry and hugging to make up, since he and Logan do get a little rough with eachother. He also is a pro at sitting in time out. he's been a pro at that since he was about 15 months. He would trot down to the end of the hall and sit in the corner until we told him he could come out. I guess he gets into a bit of trouble every now and then...mainly for hitting his brother. But he always says sorry after he hits him.

Andrew loves to dance and sing. Everytime I look in the rearview mirror in the car his head is bobbing to the tune of the music. He thinks it's great. He loves to "rock out" as we call it around here. Right now Andrew thinks that throwing his food across the kitchen is hilarious, and Logan thinks this is pretty funny too. Andrew throws something at the walls or windows at just about every meal...causing me to pray out loud "God give me patience, God give me patience"...so that Logan can ask me "Mommy, why are you talking to the ceiling?"

Andrew and I are totally loving Logan being in school, because we get to finally have some time for just the two of us. It's great.