Jellyfish

It was a wacky weather week!  We had a couple nights that yielded frost on the grass.  We had a couple days that Hampton Roads thought it was in Eastern Colorado (windy!!!!).  And, it it just so happened to coincide with weather week at the kids' school.  All week, they peppered me with the facts they learned and describing their weather-related crafts.

Jip was able to take Friday off.  We took advantage and went running shoe shopping for him and enjoyed some yummy barbecue.  But, on Saturday, Jip went in to check on some work that was completed by the contractors.  I had planned on doing a jellyfish craft while he was gone, but the kids were eager to get started.  So, poor Jip got roped into helping.  We decided to try it two ways--one with gluing the ribbon to the bubble wrap and one with gluing the ribbon to a solo cup.  The results were different, but both cute.

RJ went to a birthday party on Sunday.  It was at the Virginia Living Museum, which features animals native to Virginia.  As part of the party, they brought out a rat snake and a box turtle.  RJ wanted nothing to do with the rat snake and came running to my side when the curator brought it around for the kids to feel.  When the box turtle came around, RJ stayed put, but he wasn't impressed.

Ryleigh has been feeling very motherly the last couple weeks.  The stroller and at least one baby doll has gone with us on nearly every car trip.  Baby doll even helped Mama Ryleigh take a nap.

Since I'm a day later than usual (again) on getting this blog post written, I get to include a picture from today!  As part of his school's week-long celebration of the young learner, parents were invited to come in for lunch each day this week.  We watched them play outside and eat lunch, and then we each read a story to the class.  RJ took a selfie with me after I finished reading "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy."

Jip's ship ended up being delayed in port the whole week, but he really is supposed to go out to sea this week.  When he didn't leave last week, it was due to the repairs needed on some of his equipment.  And, now they are delayed due to repairs needed on some other department head's equipment.  Once Jip finally heads out, it is supposed to be out for two weeks, home for one night, then up to DC.  The kids and I are supposed to join Jip in DC.  But, if the ship gets too delayed, the DC trip is out.  So, we are just doing our best Semper Gumby and wait and see.

Until next time, cheers!

Spring Non-Break

Last week was spring break for everyone.  Well, everyone except us.  Since the kiddos' school also serves as child care for the under 3 set, they don't have a spring break.  But, we still had a great time playing outside after school with the kids who were on break!

One nice thing about not being on spring break was that we got the kids' school spring pictures back.  I wasn't overly impressed with how they turned out, but they are still good to have to mark these quickly passing moments in time.

It's hard to believe that April has arrived.  With that came the monthly Home Depot workshop.  This month, the kids built butterfly houses.  We will put them out this week and bait them with some grapes and see what fluttery friends we can get to stop by.

Sunday marked the first official Ninja Zone class.  RJ was so excited.  He tried hard the whole time, got completely worn out, and then announced he couldn't wait for next week.  Yay!  We have a winner activity!  Maybe we'll post a video next week, but until then, here are a few quick pics:

This week should be pretty routine.  Jip was supposed to go to sea this week, but that has been pushed back for a few days or more.  So, we'll have the snacks purchased, laundry washed and dried, and bags at the ready for whenever the ship is healthy enough to get out into the open water.  As always, pics to come.

Until next time, cheers!

Easter Egg Hunts, Gymnastics, Park, A New Bike... Phew!

I threw together a quick video of our week.  The kids had an Easter egg hunt at school.  Ryleigh is getting more and more time on the uneven parallel bars.  RJ got a new bike!  Jip took the kids to the park.  We dyed eggs.  The kids received fun Easter baskets with games, books, bunnies, and chocolate, of course.  Ryleigh got her face painted at our brunch after waiting in line for 1 hour and 50 minutes.  Many thanks to Jip and RJ for indulging her. We topped off our rainy Easter with a delicious dinner and indoor egg hunt with our neighbors Hannah, Aless, and Paulo.

We get Jip another week before he heads back out to sea.  It is spring break for all of the public schools, but not for our private school, so we are looking forward to a very normal week.

As always, pics to come.

Hello, GW!

We had a couple of amazing days weather-wise this week.  So, we played outside a lot and hit our favorite playground once.

We enjoyed dropping by the home of the Pienkowskis to celebrate their son Ben becoming an Eagle Scout.  I had a good time making him a little card to go with his gift card.

Jip had been just a little bit hopeful all week that GW would make it back to port on Saturday.  I didn't dare tell the kids though--just in case it didn't work out.  But, Saturday morning I got the message they were heading our way and would be passing by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel shortly after lunch.  So, I hurried the kids out the door and we headed out on a very windy, gray day to the little restaurant that sits on top of the first tunnel entrance.  I enjoyed my crab cake sandwich.  I did not enjoy paying $2.50 for RJ to eat a hot dog bun (he didn't want the hot dog), but so it goes with that kid.

We wrapped up lunch, but the ship wasn't in sight yet, so we went to sit in the car for a little bit.  After about a half hour, we headed back into the restaurant.  Shortly after we went in, people started buzzing about a carrier coming.  Yay!  So, we ran across the top of the tunnel into a viewing area and snapped a few shots.

Then we ran back into the restaurant to wait a few minutes more.  After talking with a family getting ready to send their new Marine on a deployment to the Republic of Georgia (he was full of excitement, his mom and girlfriend were full of dread), we went back out to brave the wind.

We were all very cold after standing in that wind for a few minutes.  We ran back to the car, and the kids jumped in.  I got a couple more aft shots.

We headed home and went to the party at the Pienkowskis' home before picking up Jip.  Jip is one of the last people off the ship due to his job, so there is no reason to be sitting at the pier.  We picked Jip up that evening, ran to a McDs so he could change his clothes and we could grab a bite to eat, and then it was off to the symphony!  Yay!  Jip made it home for the symphony!

We only stayed for the first "Act."  We got to hear a lot of familiar tunes while watching the old cartoons on a big screen, including the best ever Rabbit of Seville.  The first act didn't end until 9:30.  The kids were tired.  RJ was having a hard time not kicking the seat in front of him.  So, it was time to go.  We found that a lot of other people with kids the same age had the same idea.  Or, maybe they alos didn't care to see the "What's Opera Doc?" with all of the Wagner opera pieces sung by Elmer and Bugs?  I was not sad to miss that piece in the second act.

Sunday was spent catching up on laundry, running to the storage unit to get Easter stuff and a Lego set, and binge watching Glee and Top Chef.   I know Jip was glad to be home and the kids (and I) were glad to have him home.

This week is a shorter week, as there is no school on Friday.  The weather is supposed to improve again, so I'm sure more bike riding and outdoor play will be in the mix.  As always, pics to come.

Until next time, cheers!

T-shirt Project

Jip got to come home for 15.5 hours on Wednesday.  It was enough time to eat dinner, do 2 loads of laundry, sleep, and take RJ to school.  Then it was back out to sea for more Navy fun and excitement.

It was a beautiful week here, so the kids were outside every day.  They rode bikes, played in the dirt, enjoyed the playground, and more. We snuck in another t-shirt project that required outdoor time, too.  I decided we should make St. Patrick's Day shirts.  I cut out stencils from freezer paper, ironed them on, and headed outside with bleach in spray bottles.  I went first to see how much spraying was required. I got a little heavy-handed, but I was pleased with the result.

Then the kids went. RJ had the perfect touch. Ryleigh over did it and bleach leached under her stencil.  But, it was still fun. I don't think they really thought it was cool to watch the bleach do its thing, but I did!

I have one random picture to share.  Ryleigh dressed herself today. I think her logic is that stripes match. 

This week we will do our best to stay busy with our normal routine.  The kids and I (and Jip if he makes it home) have a date to the symphony Saturday evening. Depending on what day and the time of day the ship pulls in, the kids and I might go stake out a place to watch it transit.  

As always, pics to come.  

Cheers!