Monkey (Ryleigh) See, Monkey Do

This afternoon, we hit two playgrounds. While we were at playground #2, Ryleigh decided to show off what she has been learning through casual observation of Big Brother RJ and other kids.

I had Ryleigh on a small slide. I was sitting at the bottom of the slide, one hand on a little girl and eyes on big brother across the playground on a different apparatus. I noticed my arm slowly stretching out as little girl was crawling away from me while my hand was still on her back. But, Ryleigh wasn't just crawling away--she was crawling up. She managed to crawl all the way up the slide, wedging those chubby, yummy knees into the sides of the slide to keep from sliding back and using her arms to pull her up/forward. She was a pro!! She had such a good grip that I was able to let go, walk to the top of the slide, and whip out my iPhone to snap a pic.

I think we're going to have to watch out for this little monkey!!

Tugging at the heartstrings

Friends.

Such a simple word with a fairly simple meaning.  But when it comes from your almost 3 year old requesting his friends be there to watch him blow out his candles, all along you knowing that no one besides Mom, Dad, and baby sister are going to be present...it's not so simple anymore. 

RJ's third birthday is next Monday, but Amy and I are not planning on having any kind of party.  We know very well what it would be like--screaming kids saying, "No.  It's mine.  Let go." and crying with tears and tantrums.  We're planning on him opening his presents a day early so I can spend the day with him and then on his actual B-day, we're going to go to the new Legoland display in Tokyo.  I'll take part of the day off and go enjoy his special occasion.  Today, however, RJ has been asking if his friends will be over for his birthday. It's very cute, but we feel like dirt because we feel we're letting him down.  His "friends" (actually pronounced like "fwends") really consist of four other children.  Two of them will not be in town on his birthday because they will be in the States, and we don't want to impose on the other two.  Bottom line, we don't want this to be a big occasion with lots of drama and hoopla.  We want a simple birthday with good family fun.

Now, I know that as soon as he sees the first present, he'll forget that anyone else in the world even exists and the next day, he'll only be asking when his next birthday is, but it doesn't matter.  When he looks at me with one of his cute little expressions and asks a question, I just want to drop everything and give him the world--right there, right then, and for as long as he wants it.

Lately, he's been asking me to stay home with him and not go to work.  If I actually had that option, I'd take it in a minute, but since I don't, I always tell him that I love him and that I'll see him in a few hours.  He usually takes it in stride and moves on to something more interesting than me, but this morning he was very insistent.  He told me several times that he "NEEDED" me to stay home and play with him.  Instead of going off to watch TV like he usually does, he just stood at the door with me.  I had to carry him to the big red chair, plop him down in it, and then cover him up with a blanket.  He didn't cry like he sometimes does, but his expression was heartbreaking.  His head was down low with his chin on his chest.  He looked like a deflated balloon. 

I'm sure all parents go through this, and I'm sure there will be a day where my son will WANT me to go to work vice being anywhere near him.  I should, and I will, treasure these days when Mom and Dad are everything to him and no one else (except maybe a few "fwends") can ever compete.  I just wish I could give him more.

And to think that Ryleigh will be doing this same thing in a couple years as well!

To parenthood and loving your children--cheers.
-Jip

The weather man lied

According to the weather on my iPod, it was supposed to be rainy all weekend.  As it turned out, it only very lightly rained during the night and this morning.  Other than that, it was nice.  It was muggy, but the sun was shining quite brightly.  This afternoon was nice enough that I broke out the kiddie pool again for RJ and Ryleigh (and Amy).  Sorry, no pictures, but they all had a great time.

The only thing of interest today was that we met our new neighbors.  These neighbors replaced our old neighbors with the big, barking dog that scared the bejesus out of RJ.  They seem very nice and have a 9 YO daughter and a 3 1/2 YO son.  We're hoping that RJ will have a new playmate living right next door.  Quinn (the little boy) was quite enamoured with RJ's toys in the backyard, so hopefully they can play together.  We'll see.  Their father is a pediatrician here on base, and they've been living out in town for about 10 months--and they've been waiting to get into housing that long.  It makes our 4 months that we waited seem minor in comparison.

Other than that, we were pretty boring today.  Have a great day/night!
-Jip

Good Deals

A few months back, one of the spouses on Yokosuka base started a little Facebook page that people could use to post things they were selling or things they were looking for. It started out small. I was one of the first 50 or so members. The page now has well over 500 members. People are getting rid of everything from furniture and cars before they move to baby clothes their kids have outgrown to appliances that never get used. It has been mostly a series of civilized exchanges based on first-come, first-served and honest descriptions of what people are selling. And, it seems everyone is getting into it. There's even an admiral's wife selling some of her things! Actually, I only know she is an admiral's wife because I recognized her name. But, if you don't have a husband who is in charge of the 7th Fleet, then you do business like you would anywhere else--no ranks or civil service grades are known. Just good deals!

I've sold a couple of things to people who posted that they needed something. I'll sell more when I'm really sure Ryleigh is done with using them. I've bought more than I've sold--mostly for Ryleigh. It's funny how there are very few things worthy of reselling for 3-year-old boys, especially clothes! Tonight, I employed my American Pickers bundling prowess and talked a seller with a bunch of separately priced items into 2 coats, 6 shirts, 3 bottoms, 1 dress, and 1 outfit, all for Ryleigh, for $25 less than she wanted if purchased piecemeal. I'm pretty proud of my haggling skills. If only I could do that when buying a car!!

Its been a few hours since I checked the page--I had better go make sure I'm not missing out on any good deals!!

Thank Goodness for Right-Brained People (and Skilled Hands)

Thanks to Facebook, I've stumbled upon some talented, crafty people right here in Japan.  Thank goodness for these ladies--they are keeping my kids looking sharp!  And, I love supporting fellow military spouses!

Ryleigh in a dress and bloomers made from Dad's old uniform. This was made by Connie, owner of Flip Flop Fancy--she can be found on Facebook and on etsy.com.

The back of the dress.  Check out the cute ruffles on the bloomers and the fabulous hair bow!  How did I get so lucky to have Connie be in Yokosuka at the same time as us?

RJ in his long shorts made from Dad's old uniform.  Aren't these great?!

Connie was able to keep the original pockets from Jip's uniform pants--they are sewn shut with Jip's old name tape (yes, it is tape, not tag) and a US Navy tape. 

An Air Force spouse stationed in northern Japan made this for Ryleigh.  It is hard to read with Ryleigh playing patty-cake, but it says, "Made in Japan with American Parts."

Terra, who can be found on Facebook at Personally Graced Gifts, also made this t-shirt for RJ.  She and I brainstormed and did the whole thing by email.  Pretty fabulous!!

The front of RJ's t-shirt is embroidered with "All-American Boy."

Cindy made this cute corker bow for Ryleigh.  Cindy's FB page is Cindy's Precious Creations. 

Ryleigh modeling her gorgeous bow.

Being military spouses, the ladies I have found are quite accustomed to doing things by mail, so please check them out!  I'm looking forward to patronizing these ladies' businesses again in the near future and finding even more talented military spouses to help me keep my kids as cute as ever!